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PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

The Bio Trip Manu

from the Andes to the Amazon


Manu - the World’s Greatest Rainforest Destination

Manu. The name has acquired a legendary mystique among birdwatchers, naturalists, and conservationists throughout the world. No other park on the planet protects so many bird species, so many plants and animals, as this outstanding wilderness area, only 20% of the entire Amazon has the rich floodplain soils that yield abundant rainforest fruits and support dense populations of forest wildlife.

Of that area, a mere one percent is both protected by wildlife reserves and has regular access by safe and reliable turboprop aircraft. These are the qualities that have earned Manu its fabled reputation as the jewel in the crown of Amazon wildlife viewing experiences, and for those who choose to take the land route into Manu, the park offers even more - a vast span of stark mountain and high altitude cloud forest that covers the entire spectrum of contrasting natural environments and wildlife, all the way from the high Andes to the Amazonian lowlands. This route includes the Cock-of-the-Rock lodge, a superbly located cloud forest hotel, with a nearby viewing area for the almost garishly brilliant national bird of Peru, Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, The Communal Amarakaeri Reserve, The Manu Wildlife Center Private Reserve, Los Amigos Private Reserve, all together compose an unique complex of Natural Protected Areas and cover an area nearly the size of Belgium, or the U.S. State of Maryland.

This area includes vast swathes of land inhabitated only by either uncontacted tribes or a handful of intrepid scientists. It contains 1,000 of the globe’s 10,000 bird species (200 more than all of the U.S. and Canada combined), 15,000 of the world’s 250,000 flowering plant species, 13 species of monkeys – including the rare Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin monkeys – and all of the major Amazonian predators. Established in 1973, Manu National Park is one of the richest in biodiversity worldwide and is one of the most spectacular on the Americas and has the coveted status of UNESCO Nature World Heritage Site.

Our Manu itineraries allow us to witness wildlife spectacles that are rare or nonexistent in other locations. Within the highly protected Manu National Park, abundant wildlife that is seldom seen elsewhere – ranging from Jaguars, large caimans and Giant Otters to Red Howler Monkeys – are frequently seen at close range along the riverbanks and in the area’s the oxbow lakes. In our private reserve at the comfortable Manu Wildlife Center a mammal clay lick allows in-your-face sightings of the elusive tapir, the Amazon’s largest mammal. And at the Macaw clay lick Project, a short way downriver, we can witness one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles: A mass of noisy, squabbling, brilliantly colored macaws, as they gather to nibble clay – essential for neutralizing toxins in their diet – from the steep riverbank. Add two canopy viewing towers, more oxbow lakes and miles of superb trails, and you have the complete rainforest experience.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Rainfall in the Manu Lowlands is around 2500-3500 millimeters/98-138 inches per year, with most rainfall occurring in the rainy season months from November to April. The average temperature in the Manu lowlands is 28°C (82°F), with daily highs of 34°C (93°F) and nightly lows of 22°C (72°F). During the dry season cold fronts from the South Atlantic (friajes) occur once every month or so, with daily temperatures dropping to 15°C (59°F) and nightly temperatures to 13°F (55°F).

In the Manu Cloud Forest there is an annual rainfall of approximately 5000 millimeters/196 inches per year. The average temperature is 24°C (75°F), with daily highs of up to 29°C (84°F) and nightly lows of 11°C (52°F).(52°F).

HOW TO GET THERE

Our representative in Cusco will transfer you from your hotel to the Van or Bus for the overland trip and the river route to Manu will travel two or three days, stopping overnight at our cloud forest location, Cock-of-the-Rock lodge, and then embarking at Atalaya on a half-day boat journey down the Madre de Dios River. The trip up the Manu River by motorized canoe to reach Our Manu Wildlife Center, the single best wildlife lodge in the Amazon and offers the Amazon’s finest short, in-depth wildlife safari.

Our boats are equipped with 60HP engines, a roof to protect us from the weather, life jackets and cushioned seats. They carry a spare motor, in the unlikely event that the principal engine breaks down. We recommend you buy the last flight air ticket from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco or Lima.

(Please note: local regulations require that during the overland travel, the use of the seat belt in the cars is obligatory and during the river travel lifejackets must be worn at all times, and rubber boots must be removed).

ABOUT OUR LODGES

Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge.- it is located in the pristine Manu cloud forest on the verdant eastern slopes of the Andes. opened in 1997, it is named after the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s large, bright-red national bird that puts on a colorful, noisy mating display adjacent to the lodge every morning. Spectacled Bears, Woolly Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, quetzals and a host of other colorful birds inhabit the surrounding forest, and a bubbling mountain stream tumbles past the lodge, situated at an elevation of 5000 feet (1600 meters) in the cool, mosquito-free Kosñipata Valley close to the wild Cusco–Shintuya road, the lodge protects and supports a 12,500-acre private cloud forest reserve. It consists of 10 double-occupancy bungalows with private bath facilities, and a separate complex with a large dining room. A local highland family staffs the lodge, and they also work as rangers, patrolling the private reserve.

Amazonia Lodge.- Located between the Manu Cloud Forest and the Lowland, it has 15 rooms ( 30 beds) with shared toilet and shower and it has electricity and telephone service, clients will spend a night and this lodge.

Manu Wildlife Center is located east of the Manu River on the north bank of Madre de Dios River. The Lodge contains 22 double-occupancy fully screened private bungalows, separate complexes with hot showers and toilets, a large fully screened dining room and a delightful bar with hammocks for relaxing.

Cock of the Rock Lodge and Manu Wildlife Center has no electricity, a 220V the generator is available (make sure your equipment is compatible with this voltage) and has limited electricity at certain times of night, during which it is possible to recharge batteries; although a local wall-plug adaptor may be required. So the communal areas lit by lamps and candles, the paths around the lodge complex lit by lamps and the guest bungalows lit by candle.

WHAT TO BRING

We recommended:

  • Good binoculars
  • Your passport
  • A bright flashlight
  • Two or three pairs of long cotton pants
  • Four pairs of absorbent socks
  • Two or three long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Two or three T-shirts.
  • One pair of shorts
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Bring some cash for souvenirs, alcoholic beverages and tips
  • Rain suit or long poncho (100 % waterproof)
  • Insect repellent Skin-so-soft on river/20% deet for forest
  • A bottle or canteen to carry water on outings
  • Sunglasses
  • A pair of sneakers, hiking boots and sandals
  • A hat that will not come off in windy boat rides
  • Camcorder or Digital Camera
  • Rubber boots
  • Sunscreen lotion (high factor)

We suggest you pack all items in plastic bags to protect them from water.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

In each booking please indicate the following information:
  1. Complete personal data, name of the passengers and date of birth.
  2. Passport number and Nationality.
  3. Occupation.
  4. Any special food requirements ("vegan" or "ovo-lacto vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other).
  5. Any food or medical allergies.
  6. Any special medical requirements.
  7. Any special interest.
IMPORTANT:
Though we have never heard of anyone contracting yellow fever anywhere in Peru or neighboring countries Peru nevertheless requires a current yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rain forest regions. This vaccination normally is required or recommended for all rain forest regions around the world. This vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, must be administered AT LEAST 10 days before the guest’s arrival in Peru.

Our lodges have a basic first aid kit which also includes anti-venom. The lodges are equipped with a short-wave radio and it is in contact with our Cusco office every morning and evening. We have internet services for the administrative area only in two of our Lodges Cock of The Rock Lodge and Manu Wildlife Center.

Our office contacts are:
  • Lima
    Manuel Bañon N° 461 San Isidro, Lima
    (511) 203-5000


  • Cusco (Administrative and operations office)
    Calle Ricardo Palma N° J-1 - Urb. Santa Mónica, Cusco
    (51 84) 231138 or 243408
    E-Mail: jcardenas@inkanatura.com.pe
InkaNatura staff can be contacted 24 hours a day on (51) 98465-0965 in Cusco or (51) 998-672557 in Lima. Should an accident occur and evacuation is required, the injured party can be transfer from our lodge to the airport in Puerto Maldonado and can be flown to Cusco or Lima during daylight hours. The village named Colorado has a small first aid post.

MEALS AND DRINKS AT OUR LODGES OR CAMP

All meals are included in the trip from the Lunch on the first day to the Breakfast on the last day. We believe that our guests should experience as much of the Peruvian cuisine as possible, so our guests will taste our typical dishes during the breakfast, lunch and dinner, we also offer you a mixture between our Peruvian dishes with an occasional international twist. When it is possible fruit and vegetables are bought from the few families who live in the area. Our experienced kitchen personnel can also cater for special dietary requirements, such as low or no salt, low or no sugar, low or no fat, and vegetarian (strict "vegan" or "ovo-lacto vegetarian), upon request.

INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
  • Transfer assistance from your selected hotel in Cusco to the van or bus on the first day.
  • Overland & River transportation.
  • Accommodations at Cock of the Rock Lodge, Amazonia Lodge and Manu Wildlife Center.
  • All meals are included from lunch on the first day to the breakfast on the last day.
  • English and Spanish speaking guide.
  • Guided tours in accordance with the itinerary.
  • The Overland and boat transportation permit baggage allowance up to 10 kg per person.
  • Reception and transfer assistance to the Airport in Puerto Maldonado city.

NOT INCLUDED
  • Air tickets from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco or Lima.
  • Airport taxes.
  • Transfer assistance from the airport to your hotel in Cusco.
  • Excess baggage charges. If you have more than the 10 kilograms permitted then the excess will be charged to you directly by our staff, the cost for the extra kilo is US $ 2.00 “space permitting”.
  • Extra services (Boat transportation) and extra nights at Manu Wildlife Center or alternative Hotel in case of flight cancellations.
  • Souvenirs, T-Shirts, Posters, Postcards.
  • Personal expenses and tips.
Whether or not to leave a tip is a completely voluntary and personal choice. However, we are often asked for guidelines on what to tip staff. Therefore we suggest the following, at your discretion:
Our company has 3 teams of staff:
  • Lodges staff has a tip box, whose contents are shared among housekeepers, waiters, cooks and cleaning staff. We suggest a contribution of $20.00 of stay per guest.
  • Naturalist Guide we suggest a tip of $30.00 of stay per guest.
  • Boat driver and Staff we suggest a tip of $20.00 of stay per guest.

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

As soon as you arrive or at least one day before your departure our representative in Cusco will contact the clients to provide information and answer any questions they might have about their trip to the jungle. We must be informed in which hotels the clients are staying and the date of their arrival. If you have a tour operator in Lima or Cusco please inform us, also you could visit us at our InkaNatura Travel Office located at: Jiron Ricardo Palma J1 - Urb. Santa Mónica, Wanchaq, Cusco (51 084)231138, if you do not have an operator in Cusco our office CAN take care of the reconfirmation of any domestic flights to Lima or other cities. Please ask for further information when you make your reservation.

In Case Of Flight Cancellation
1. If the flight is cancelled due to bad weather whilst the guests are waiting to return to Cusco, arrangements must be made with their guide for accommodation. Guests must pay USD $ 80.00 for the extra night at the Local Hotel and bus transportation to the Airport the following day.

2. If the air company cancels the flight because of maintenance, technical problems, or any other reason, InkaNatura will coordinate between you and the air company to find the best way to solve the problem.

More Information About Manu
Travelers may recall three recent TV shows about Manu on Discovery Channel, PBS-TV in the U.S., and NHK-TV in Japan, or the cover story about the macaws of Manu and Tambopata in the January 1994 National Geographic Magazine, and most European and Japanese nature magazines. Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Dec 2002: “Manu Wildlife Center´s ability to deliver watchable wildlife is unsurpassed”, BBC Nov 2011 and Jan and Feb 2012.

You can visit our web site: www.inkanatura.com or www.manu-wildlife-center.com

Conditions And Responsibility
InkaNatura Travel and/or their employees act only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by car, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity that may be caused either by reasons of defect in the vehicle or for any reasons engaged in conveying the client or carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, accident in remote places without medical facilities, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, the forces of nature, civil disturbances, street crime, traffic accidents, high altitude disorders, and other caused by major force and acts of God. All such expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.

InkaNatura Travel HAS THE RIGHT:
  1. To make any change in the itinerary when deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules.
  2. To accept or decline any persons as members of a tour.
  3. To fill unoccupied space on its boats and airplanes with its guides, staff and cargo.
  4. No refund will be possible for any unused part of the tour.

Important notes:
  • Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.
  • We strongly recommend read your Bio Trip Manu itinerary day per day.
  • If you have some question or you need more information please send an e-mail to: jcardenas@inkanatura.com.pe.
  • InkaNatura staff can be contacted 24 hours a day on 98465-0965 in Cusco or 998-672557 in Lima.


 
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