Amazon Adventures

Peru

Manu Cloud Forest Lodges

Cock-Of-The-Rock Lodge

The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, located at 5000-feet elevation in the Kosnipata Valley, 165 kilometers by road from Cusco, and situated within the 10 000 acre cloud forest reserve of the conservafion group Selva Sur, has 10 double-occupancy rooms, hot showers, flush toilets and a rustic dining room. Meals are served on the fully screened dining platform. The lodge cook prepares hearty dishes using fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and meat. Vegetarian and other special diets can be provided upon request. And just a 7-minute walk from the lodge is the world's largest, most accessible and tamest known group of displaying Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock. In just 8 hours by bus from Cusco it is possible to relax in the rustic comfort of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, from which you can explore the valley and the narrow, switchback road that the world's leading bird tour company has called "the best road in the world".

Day l Cuzco/Cloud Forest - After an early breakfast we pick you up by bus from your hotel and set off for the Manu cloud forest. We pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna. On the way we pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people and will hope to catch site of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara. After a delicious boxed lunch at Ajanaco which, if clear, affords views over the cloud forest and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rain forest, the road suddenly descends down the eastern slope of the Andes. We plunge downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and cloud, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Nestled in this forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. If there is time available, we will have a chance to briefly began our exploration of the surrounding forest before dinner.

Day 2 Cloud Forest - Rising before dawn we visit the traditional display ground of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, which has become famous among scientists, tourists and the international press, as there is no other spot in the world where so many of these spectacular blazing red birds can be seen so easily. From our observation blind, which 'is within 30-feet of the narrow switchback road that runs through the center of the reserve, we will watch as between 6-20 or more male birds display at a traditional mating ground, 150 feet in front of the blind. We will watch as these outrageous birds strut, curve their wings and dip their crested heads in the hope of attracting a mate. Please note that the very best months for viewing Cocks-of-the-Rock are in September, October and November, although the males display every month of the year.

Returning for breakfast the rest of the day can be spent exploring the forest overhanging the single lane road near the lodge, or some of the miles of trails that wind through the valley, to see high elevation cloud forest birds, such as the Golden-headed Trogon as well as numerous, brightly-coloured tanagers and hummingbirds. If you are very lucky you might see a troop of muscular-limbed Woolly Monkeys or Brown Capuchin Monkeys, which regularly forage through the reserve, or perhaps even a Spectacled Bear. Bears are present, but they are shy and hard to see.

This mysterious; cloud forest harbors species of flora and fauna new to science. Indeed, in 1995 two Peruvian biology students, sponsored by Selva Sur, carried out basir survey work on orchids, reptiles and amphibians They i'ecorded two entirely new (previously undescribed) species of orchids, and four new species of reptiles and amphibians for Peru After an exhilarating exploration of the road and trails, bathe in the cool, clear waters of the San Pedro stream as it flows from the virgin forests of the surrounding mountains toward the rushing Kosnipata River.

Day 3 Cloud Forest/Cuzco - We will rise again before dawn for another chance to see the displaying Cocks-of-the-Rock. We will return to the lodge for breakfast and then board the bus for the , return journey to Cusco arriving in the early evening for dinner.

2008 Price Per person: US$ 495 for 2-4 people, Single supplement US$100 (Minimum 02 passengers)
2009 Price Per person: US$ 575 for 2-4 people, Single supplement US$150 (Minimum 02 passengers)

Manu Cloud Forest With Parrots Clay Lick

Our brand new Lodge is located in the hart of the Cloud Forest at six hours by road from Cusco and one hour distance from the air strip in Patria which gives us the possibility of doing short programs to this interesting and beautiful area. We truly believe that our PARADISE LODGE is situated in a privileged spot (between the Kosñipata and the San Pedro Rivers) giving us a magnificent view of this green paradise.
The perpetual humidity of the Cloud Forest makes it a ghostly-lit world were brilliant red Cock of the Rocks , spectacled Bears , and scores of dripping tree ferns, bromeliads, and many species of Orchids live. All this is possible to be close to, staying at our Paradise Lodge.
Based at our Lodge you can also have the opportunity to adventure-activity programs like mountain biking and rafting in tropical rivers, or have a cultural experience of visiting the near by Native Community of Huacaria. Gives also the alternative of seeing the cloud forest from a different perspective , that is from a wagon pulled by two Llamas.
Paradise Lodge offers you very comfortable accommodations in rooms with private bathrooms and hot water, dinning room , living room with a fire place and terraces equipped with telescopes for wild life observation.
Our Lodge is ideal for long terms staying for researchers and students of many of the endemic species of flora and fauna in the cloud forest.

Day 1: An early departure from Cusco is necessary to prepare for the full day's journey from the highlands down into the lush cloud forest. Leaving Cusco, we will pass through the town of Paucartambo, known as the region's folkloric centre. The next stop is at the vantage point of Tres Cruces (3,950m/12,950ft) for a panoramic view of the Amazon Basin. After spending some time here, we'll descend through a number of distinct ecological floors. Along the way, we may see various types of endemic flora and fauna such as butterflies, flowers, giant tree ferns, orchids, monkeys and deer as well as birds of all kinds such as oropendolas and tanagers. Late in the afternoon, we will arrive at San Pedro, home of Peru's national bird, the cock-of-the-rock, and the spectacled bear - South America’s only bear. Overnight at our Paradise Lodge.

Day 2: After our first night in the cloud forest, we will take a pre-breakfast walk to observe the cock-of the-rock, in its spectacular mating ritual, which takes place daily at a lek where between eight to ten males perform for a female. Returning to our campsite for a hearty breakfast, we prepare to continue our ride to the village of Pilcopata, from where will start our hike to the native community of Huacaria. On the way we will see the beautiful swallow's waterfall. We will have the opportunity to observe the culture and way of life of the Huachipaire ethnic group, who will share with us their food and allow us to hike their trails and swim in their rivers. Late in the afternoon, we return to Pilcopata to spend the night in a cosy lodge.

Day 3: Today, after breakfast we have a half hour ride to Atalaya, where we will board the canoe that will take us to our Manu Amazon Lodge situated on the banks of the mighty Upper Madre de Dios River. Here we will spend the day exploring the surrounding area along very interesting trails that will reveal to us the amazing ecosystem of a small oxbow lake and a mysterious swamp where we can observe the prehistoric hoatzin, as well as Caimans, Capibaras, Dusky Titi monkeys, and many species of birds, and take the opportunity to swim in the river. After dinner, we will be able to enjoy the sounds of the Amazonian night, made by the Night Monkey, the world's only nocturnal primate, the Kalinowski Rat, numerous species of frogs, Great Potoos and the Pigmy Owl, to name just some of the creatures of the night.

Day 4: This is our last day in this part of the rainforest. After a comfortable night’s sleep in our lodge, very early we will make a ten minute boat ride down the river to observe the raucous parrot and macaw clay lick, where many species of parrots, parakeets and macaws perform a colourful daily show. We then board our motorized canoe back to the lodge for our last breakfast in the jungle, afterwards continuing by boat to Atalaya, where our vehicle will be waiting for the ride back to Cusco, stopping for lunch at our Paradise Lodge. End of our services

Price: US$632 each for 2 people, $527 each for 3-4, $500 each for 5-6

Our service includes
• Specialized bilingual guide.
• 03 nights in lodges.
• Private bus transportation.
• Motorized boats with cushioned seats, life jackets and roofs.
• Entrance fees to Manu National Park.
• All meals indicated on the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner (soup, main dish and dessert), BL=box lunch. No additional charge for vegetarians.
• Natural drinking water from Cusco.
• Basic first-ait kit.
• Specialized books are available during the trip.

Equipment checklist:
• 1 Photocopy of passport.
• Daypack.
• Hiking boots.
• Sweater.
• Light warm jacket.
• Rain gear.
• Long- sleeve cotton shirts.
• Hiking shorts.
• Headgear.
• Swimsuit/sport sandals.
• Sunscreen/sunglasses.
• Insect repellent.
• Flashlight.
• Pocket knife.
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400).
• Binoculars.
• Ziplock bags and plastic bags for clothes, etc.
• One bottle of water for the first day.