Peru Trip Extensions

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CARAL RUINS

Length: 2 Days/1 Night from Lima
Season: Year Round
Introduction: In 2001 researchers stunned the archaeological community by carbon-dating the ruins at Caral back to 2627 BC. This discovery changed history by proving that a complex urban society existed in the Americas around the same time as the ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The 163 acre complex features a variety of housing for different social classes, from spacious homes for wealthy families near an important pyramid, to apartment-like buildings for workers. No war items or weapons have been found, indicating a peaceful people, concentrating on fishing, farming and trading. Step back in time to an early civilization while touring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY 01: LIMA/CARAL/LIMA
Depart Costa del Sol Hotel at the Lima airport and drive north along the coastal Panamerican highway. Stop briefly at the new Bandurria archaeological site overlooking the Pacific Ocean, continue driving to Caral. Arrive at noon for a picnic lunch. We tour the site this afternoon until 3:30-4pm. En route back to Lima, stop at Albufera de Medio Mundo for a chance to walk along the beach looking for sea birds. Arrive at the Lima airport by 8pm in time to make connecting international flights or transfer to the Costa del Sol Hotel if continuing on another Southwind adventure. (B,L)

DAY 02: LIMA/CUSCO (or elsewhere in Peru)
Transfer to the airport with check-in assistance for a flight to Cusco. (B)

2012 LAND COST:
$ 510 p.p.d. (2 participants)
$ 425 p.p.d. (3 participants)
$ 385 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 85 Single Supplement
p.p.d. = per person double occupancy.

Notes on the Itinerary: Extension cost includes a private guide/escort from Lima, one night hotel accommodation in Lima, meals as indicated, entrance fees and private transportation/driver as described above. The cost does not include any flights within Peru. This extension has 7 hours of driving and is recommended before visiting Cusco & Machu Picchu.

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NAZCA LINES

Length: 3 Days/2 Nights from Lima
Season: Year Round
Introduction: The mysterious lines etched into the coastal plains near the town of Nazca have fascinated scientists, archaeologists and visitors for decades. In 1901, extensive excavations determined that inhabitants who drew these lines were a separate culture, distinct from their predecessor, the Paracas culture. Best viewed from the air, Nazca figures such as the monkey, fish, hands and whale are highlights as are Peruvian coastal communities, the pre-Inca archaeological site of Pachacamac and the northern extension of the Atacama Desert.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: LIMA/ICA
We begin by driving 3.5 hours south through the Pacific coastal desert to Ica, visiting the extensive pre-Inca archaeological site of Pachacamac en route. We arrive to Ica after having lunch at a typical seafood restaurant, and check into the Resort Hotel Las Dunas. In the afternoon we visit the Regional museum which houses a good collection of textiles, ceramics and artifacts from the Paracas, Nazca and Inca cultures. Dinner included at the hotel. (L,D)

DAY 02: NAZCA/LIMA
Board a Cessna (or similar small aircraft) for a 40 min flight to the Nazca Plains to view the mysterious drawings in the desert. The overflight takes about 25 minutes. There is much circling, so a motion sickness remedy and light breakfast is advised. Returning to Ica, drive back to Lima, stopping en route for lunch, later visit a typical vineyard for which this region is famous. Overnight at the Costa del Sol Hotel at the Lima airport. (B,L)

DAY 03: LIMA/USA (or elsewhere in Peru)
Transfer to the airport and check-in assistance for the flight back to the USA. (B)

2012 LAND COST:
$1,465 p.p.d. (2 participants)
$1,365 p.p.d. (3 participants)
$1,265 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 180 Single Supplement
p.p.d. = per person double or triple occupancy

Notes on the Itinerary: Extension cost includes the overflight of the Nazca Lines in a 4-12 seat plane, private guide/escort from Lima, hotel accommodations based on double occupancy at the facilities listed or similar, meals as indicated, entrance fees and private transportation/driver as described above. The extension cost does not include any other flights within Peru or services, meals or accommodations not described. Visibility may not be optimal as the Cessna planes have small windows and some travelers may be seated in the center row, reservations are not available in advance for window seating, seats are assigned onsite. Depending on logistics, this extension may be operated using the Hilton Hotel in Paracas and the nearby Pisco airfield for the Nazca overflight instead of Ica.

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NORTHERN PERU

Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Lima
Season: Year Round
Introduction: Peru has been the cradle for civilization in South America for centuries. Long before the Incas controlled the country, sophisticated cultures existed along the Peruvian coast; and northern Peru is one of the best destinations for visiting the remains of their cities. Moche sites including the renowned Lord of Sipan (where one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century was unearthed) and the pyramids, as well as the world=s largest adobe city, Chan Chan, built later by the Chimu culture, are visited on this exciting extension.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: LIMA/CHICLAYO
Early morning transfer to the airport in Lima for the flight to Chiclayo. Arrival reception and drive to the nearby town of Lambayeque to visit the new and majestic Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. Designed in the shape of a pyramid and composed of 5 prisms, this museum houses hundreds of dazzling, priceless artifacts, and will be the final resting place for the Lord of Sipan himself. Then we continue to Tucumé to see the valley of the 26 pyramids. After a typical lunch, we return to Chiclayo and continue to the archaeological site where the Lord of Sipan was discovered. Overnight at the comfortable Gran Hotel Chiclayo. (B,L)

DAY 02: CHICLAYO/TRUJILLO
Morning drive to Trujillo, Peru's third largest city and colonial jewel, known as the "City of Eternal Spring." En route visit El Brujo, a Moche archaeological site and religious center in the Chicama valley. In Trujillo, check-in to the Hotel Libertador, located on the main square, surrounded by colonial mansions. After lunch, join your guide and visit the intriguing Moche Temples of the Sun and Moon, dating back 1500 years. Driving distance: 140 miles or 3.5 hours. (B,L)

DAY 03: TRUJILLO/LIMA
This morning we visit the Rainbow Temple and nearby ruins of the former Chimu Empire capital, Chan Chan. Designated a World Heritage Site, it was built around 1300 A.D. Conquered by the Incas in 1471, it is considered the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest adobe city in the world. We enjoy lunch in the coastal fishing village of Huanchaco. This area is known for its caballitos or Totora reed boats, similar to those depicted on Moche ceramics 1,500 years ago. We enjoy a brief tour of Colonial Trujillo before transferring to the airport for an evening flight to Lima and the Costa del Sol Hotel. (B,L)

DAY 04: LIMA/USA
Pick-up at your hotel, return to the airport for flight home (or elsewhere in Peru). (B)

2012 LAND COST:
$1,065 p.p.d. (2 participants)
$ 960 p.p.d. (3 participants)
$ 885 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 200 Single Supplement

p.p.d.=per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.

Notes on the Itinerary: Because daily air service may not be available between Trujillo or Chiclayo and Lima, please check with your Southwind Travel Consultant for information on current flight schedules. This extension can also be followed in an opposite direction, beginning in Trujillo, including all the above highlights, ending in Chiclayo.

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LAKE TITICACA

Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Cusco
Season: April to November
Introduction: For those who want to experience authentic Quechua culture first-hand and feel like you've traveled back in time, nothing beats a visit with a family on Taquile Island, one of Lake Titicaca's natural islands. Isolated from the modern world until the last half of the 20th century, Taquile's inhabitants retain a relatively untainted culture handed down from Inca times. Equally fascinating are the man-made floating reed islands of the Uros Indians in Puno Bay. This cultural extension explores life in the Altiplano, the high desert plains and the world's highest navigable lake.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: CUSCO/PUNO
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Juliaca. From here we drive to the town of Puno located on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,505' (1 hour drive). Along the way we have a guided visit of the enigmatic Sillustani Burial Towers overlooking Lake Umayo. Upon arrival, we transfer to the Libertador Hotel, located on a peninsula jutting into Lake Titicaca, not far from Puno. The remainder of the afternoon is unstructured for personal explorations. Dinner is included tonight to try the fine Peruvian cuisine served at the hotel. (D)

DAY 02: PUNO/TAQUILE ISLAND
After breakfast, we drive to the nearby docks to board a comfortable catamaran style boat with covered seating area for 30 passengers, panoramic windows and modern safety equipment for the 1.5-hour ride across Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island. En route, we stop at one of the fascinating, floating Uros Islands. Upon arrival to Taquile, we walk 35 minutes along a trail leading to the peaceful island village to learn about the ancient ways of the Incas from the people who consider themselves their true descendants. We watch as locals build their boats, till their fields, weave their mantas and hats, care for their medicinal herbs and plants or possibly hold a communal meeting or celebration in the town square. After lunch in a simple restaurant serving local cuisine, we have a chance to purchase exquisite textiles directly from weavers before we walk to the docks and board our catamaran for the return navigation to Puno. We transfer to the familiar Libertador Hotel. Note: today's visit is seat-in-boat (non-Southwind passengers also aboard) but privately escorted, roundtrip navigation is about 3 hours. While comfortable, motion sickness remedies are advised. (B,L)

DAY 03: PUNO/LIMA (OR CUSCO)
Late morning drive back across the Altiplano to the airport in Juliaca for a flight to Lima. In the capital, join your local guide for a tour of the colonial sector of Lima and the Larco Herrera Museum known for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Leisure time is available to explore Miraflores and taste the well-known Peruvian seafood. Return to the airport with check-in assistance for your flight home. (B)

DAY 04: USA
Arrive in the US this morning and make onward connections home.

2012 LAND COST:
$1,065 p.p.d. (2 participants)
$ 965 p.p.d. (3 participants)
$ 895 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 290 Single Supplement

p.p.d.=per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.

NOTES ON THE LAKE TITICACA ITINERARY: For those traveling to/from Cusco and Juliaca, flights are limited. A seat-in-car tourism vehicle also takes participants between Cusco and Puno. It is a 7 hour scenic ride that includes stops at communities and a visit to the Inca site of Raqchi and/or the Sillustani Burial Towers. If 4-6 Southwind travelers are doing the extension, a private vehicle with an escort/guide can be provided at additional cost. Another option is the comfortable Orient Express Andean Explorer train servicing Cusco-Puno-Cusco. The scenic ride is 10 hours and departs on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays only. Please call for current train cost and schedules.

We recommend an overnight stay in Arequipa (7,675') before the Titicaca Extension if it is being done prior to visiting the Cusco region in order to begin acclimating to the elevations of the Altiplano highlands. This is especially true for those who live at sea-level or at lower elevations.

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CUSCO AMAZON LODGES
Reserva Amazonica(pictured) or Sandoval Lake Lodge

Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Cusco or Lima
Season: April to December
Introduction: Families and travelers with limited time, who want a taste of the Amazon Basin rainforests, will enjoy the Reserva Amazonica or Sandoval Lake lodges, 45 min by motor boat from Puerto Maldonado. Both allow access to small oxbow lakes as well as forest trails and rivers with a variety of habitats. Each lodge provides a nice mix of natural history experiences, plus the opportunity to maximize wildlife encounters. The lodges are built in the style and tradition of the native communities, with thatched-roofs and ecologically harvested, driftwood mahogany (or similar) flooring. Accommodations for 50-80 guests are individual bungalows with mosquito netting over the beds. Both lodges have private bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Meals are in a communal dining area. Comfortable lounge/rest areas have hammocks, chairs and tables. Electricity is available at both lodges. A 1,095' long canopy walkway is available near the Reserva Amazonica. The structure has 7 hanging bridges and 8 treetop observation platforms.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: CUSCO/PUERTO MALDONADO
Transfer to the Cusco airport. Check-in assistance for the flight to Puerto Maldonado is provided. Upon arrival, we transfer by motorized canoe to the lodge for an afternoon orientation activity (hiking or canoeing on the lakes). This evening we enjoy a nighttime search for caiman along the lake or river shore. (L,D)

DAYS 02-03: RESERVA AMAZONICA OR LAKE SANDOVAL LODGE
Each morning we can enjoy a pre-dawn excursion to look for giant river otters and birds (hoatzin, rufescent tiger heron and Amazon kingfishers are often seen along the river). Mornings and afternoons can be spent hiking the trails, paddling on the lake or down a stream to watch for monkeys such as the brown capuchin, one of 6 species frequently s potted at the lodges. In the evenings we can enjoy nature walks or canoe outings in search of monkeys, bats and other nocturnal creatures. All meals are at the lodge. (B,L,D)

DAY 04: PUERTO MALDONADO/LIMA/USA
Following breakfast, we return to Puerto Maldonado by boat and fly to Lima. In the capital, tour the colonial sector of Lima and the Larco Herrera Museum. Leisure time is available to explore Miraflores and taste the well-known Peruvian seafood. Return to the airport with assistance for the flight home. (B)

2012 LAND COST:

Reserva Amazonica Lodge:
$1,035 p.p.d. (2-3 participants)
$ 975 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 230 Single Supplement

Sandoval Lake Lodge:
$ 825 p.p.d. (2-3 participants)
$ 775 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 170 Single Supplement

p.p.d.=per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.

Notes on the Cusco Amazon Itinerary: : Although wildlife viewing will be carefully pursued, spotting specific species or certain numbers of birds and animals cannot be guaranteed. The focus of this extension is on learning about the rainforest and getting an introductory feel for the Amazon rather than seeing or seeking specific wildlife species. If wildlife is your focus, a longer, more extensive trip should be taken (e.g. Manu Rainforest Adventure or Tambopata Amazon Wildlife). Excursions at both lodges are led by English-speaking, resident, naturalist guides, and groups are made up of various lodge guests.

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AREQUIPA AND COLCA CANYON

Length: 5 days/4 nights from Lima
Season: Mid-April to mid-November
Introduction: Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca in southern Peru is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Since its walls are not as vertical, the valley is filled with small towns that preserve their ancestral traditions, maintaining the terraced mountainsides that have been farmed since before the time of the Incas. Highlights include a stop at Cruz del Condor, where we watch the rare Andean Condor float on thermals rising from the valley floor, a dip in natural hot springs, and short nature hikes and walking tours of the charming villages along the way. We begin this adventure with a tour of Peru's second-largest city, Arequipa, which is known as the "White City" for the white volcanic stone used in its buildings. Arequipa offers an ideal place to acclimatize slowly before continuing on to Cusco.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Day 01: AREQUIPA
Transfer to airport for flight to Arequipa (7,675'). Arrive by early afternoon and transfer to the Libertador Hotel followed by a short tour of the city, including its main square, Cathedral and the Santa Catalina Convent. Dating to 1580, this is the oldest convent in Peru still cloistering nuns. We also visit the unique Santuarios Andinos Museum, which contains the frozen body of the Inca ice maiden, "Juanita", sacrificed near the summit of Ampato over five centuries ago. (B)

Day 02: AREQUIPA/COLCA CANYON
Morning scenic drive to Colca along a paved road passing the Aguada Blanca Reserve and Pampa Cañahuas where we may see the gracious Vicuñas, a small relative of the llamas. Misti and Chachani peaks preside over the open landscape. Continue to Chivay via the Patapampa route and cross a high pass at 15,745'. Here we can view Ampato (20,935'), Sabancaya & Hualca-Hualca peaks. Next is a spectacular descent towards Chivay before continuing to the Colca Lodge (10,665'). Driving distance: 105 miles - 4.5 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 03: COLCA CANYON
Drive along a dirt road to Cruz del Condor look-out and possibly spot condors, the world's largest flying bird, with a wing span of 10ft. Visit and walk by typical towns along the canyon rim, including: Yanque and its picturesque 18th century church; Achoma and Maca for impressive pre-Inca terraces. Picnic lunch included. Return to the Colca Lodge for a dip in their hot springs and then dinner and overnight. Driving distance: 45 miles - 2 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 04: COLCA CANYON/AREQUIPA
On a morning visit to the nearby village of Coporaque we notice the uniquely decorated clothing style in this region. A short hike leads to impressive views of Colcas, or sacred grain deposits, in an inaccessible canyon. After lunch back at the Lodge, afternoon return drive to Arequipa following the same paved road and overnight at the Libertador Hotel. Driving distance: 125 miles - 5 hours. (B,L)

Day 05: AREQUIPA
Transfer to airport for flight to Lima or another destination. (B)

2012 LAND COST:
$1,645 p.p.d. (2 participants)
$1,485 p.p.d. (3 participants)
$1,385 p.p.d. (4-6 participants)
$ 325 Single Supplement

p.p.d.=per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.

Notes: Land Cost Includes private vehicle, driver & guide, plus lodging, meals and tours as described on the itinerary. An upgrade for 2 nights at the exclusive Orient-Express Las Casitas del Colca is available for an additional fee (Casita King or Twin for double or single occupancy). Please, contact your Southwind Travel Consultant for additional details.

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MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Manu Wildlife Center (Departs daily for a minimum of 4 travelers)

Length: 5 Days/4 Nights from Cusco
Season: April to October
Introduction: For travelers wanting to maximize their wildlife viewing opportunities in a short extension, few places in the Amazon Basin can compete with Manu National Park in southeastern Peru. Considered one of the most pristine and important rainforest reserves on the planet, Manu offers the greatest concentration of wildlife and birds within the Amazon Basin (not including Brazil's Pantanal or Llanos of Venezuela outside of Amazonia). Manu was created in 1973 and designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1977. There are an estimated 20,000 plant species, plus more than 1,000 species of birds and 13 species of monkeys, recorded within its boundaries. The area is home to endangered wildlife such as the Andean spectacled bear, giant river otter and black caiman, as well as several primitive Indian tribes. Manu is one of the best places in the Amazon to spot rarely observed species such as the ocelot, jaguar or harpy eagle. The Manu Wildlife Center provides an ideal base to explore the region. The lodge is located about 7.5 hours up the Madre de Dios River from Puerto Maldonado.

Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: CUSCO/PUERTO MALDONADO/MANU WILDLIFE CENTER
Transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the airport for a scenic 50 min commercial flight across the Andes to the low elevation forests of Puerto Maldonado. Our journey to the lodge begins by van 3 hours to the village of Santa Rosa, we then cross the Inambari river by boat and continue by van to Boca Colorado where a 55 ft open motorized canoe is waiting. We load our gear and continue along the Madre de Dios river 3 hours to the lodge. As we navigate a box lunch is provided. Each bend offers a vista of unspoiled beauty. Birds such as the toucan, tiger heron, jabiru stork, colorful macaws and parrots are often seen. With luck we may spot other wildlife, like the black or white caiman, tapir (South America's largest terrestrial mammal weighing up to 660 pounds), wild pig, red deer, and river turtles who like to bask in the sun on a fallen tree trunk. We arrive to the Manu Wildlife Center in the afternoon and locate our rooms. After dinner, we head out on a short introductory nature hike in search of the nocturnal birds and animals of the rainforest. (L,D)

DAY 02: MANU RESERVE
An early start and hearty breakfast gets us ready for our first excursion. A short boat ride downstream is followed by a 20-minute trail, where we find the Blanquillo Macaw Lick. A spacious blind provided with chairs and a convenient place for cameras and binoculars. We enjoy a full breakfast here. Large Red-and-Green Macaws arrive in small groups, landing in the treetops, also Blue-headed, Mealy, Yellow-crowned, and Orange-cheeked Parrots and the occasional villain, a menacing and unwelcome Great Black Hawk. Finally nearly all the macaws, parrots and parakeets form a colorful and noisy spectacle on the bare banks, squabbling as they scrape clay from the hard surface (the clay lick is most active August-October, less so in May and June). We return to the lodge for lunch, then continue to explore and discover the lore and plant life of the rainforest. Using a network of trails surrounding the lodge, nature hikes let us search for birds and mammals, observe dozens of fascinating insects and multi-hued butterflies and learn about uses for native plants. Arriving in the late afternoon at our 112ft Canopy Tower. On its platform we witness the frantic rush-hour activity of twilight in the rainforest canopy, before night closes in. Later we set off along the "collpa trail", which will take us to the lodge's famous Tapir Clay lick. Here at the most active tapir lick known in all the Amazon, our research has identified from 8-12 individual tapirs who come to this lick to eat clay from under the tree roots around the edge. This unlikely snack absorbs and neutralizes toxins in the vegetarian diet of the Tapir, the largest land animal of Latin America. The lick features an elevated observation platform 17ft above the forest floor. The platform is equipped with mattresses and pillows covered by a mosquito net. This tapir experience is unique and exciting because these normally very shy creatures are visible up close. (B,L,D)

DAY 03: MANU RESERVE
We set off early for Cocha Blanco, a pristine oxbow lake full of water lilies and sunken logs. As we circle the lake on our open catamaran we might encounter the resident Giant Otter family on a fishing expedition, one of the Amazon's rarest mammals, which can reach 6 feet in length and weigh up to 70 pounds, or troops of monkeys including red howler and capuchin crashing noisily through the trees. Wattled Jacanas step lightly on the lily pads, dainty Sun Grebes paddle across the water, supple-necked Anhingas air-dry their wide, black wings, and perhaps an Osprey scans for fish from a high branch. Among the bushes near the waterline, Hoatzins, which look like rust-colored, punk chickens, announce their presence with distinctive, bizarre wheezing and grunts. Woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, toucans and parakeets all finally come swooping in to trees surrounding the lake. Many of them roost around the lake for the night. After lunch at the lodge our guide is available to lead us on freewheeling expeditions in search of further wildlife encounters, or we may take one of the lodge's many trails on private and personal excursions to commune with the spirits of the rainforest. Trails wind through the jungle, allowing us to observe trees such as ficus, palm, and rubber as well as several species of flowering plants. Late afternoon and evening boat rides are provided to search for caiman (alligator-like reptiles) and other nocturnal wildlife along the riverbank. (B,L,D)

DAY 04: MANU RESERVE
Rise at dawn to a chorus of cries from birds, monkeys and insects as they greet the coming day and delineate their territories. We board our motor-canoe to visit Cocha Camungo, an oxbow lake. Each of these forest lakes seem to have their own personality as we circle the enchanted waters by catamaran to look for birds such as neotropical cormorants, terns, ringed kingfishers, parakeets, and black skimmers and other lakeside fauna. The lakes are also home to the endangered black caiman. Multicolored butterflies (the Peruvian Amazon boasts more than 4000 species) float past us. We will explore the forest trails and visit a different 130ft canopy platform, set among the massive branches of a giant kapok tree. This platform provides a beautiful view of Cocha Camungo, as well as the forest canopy, and on very clear days we can spot the distant ranges of the Andes above the undulating treetops of the forest. Amazon wildlife is less active during the heat of the day, so we return to the lodge for a lunch which might include fresh fish caught locally. Afterwards on the forest trails, we'll visit fruit and flowering trees our experienced naturalist guides have been monitoring. Here we hope to encounter more monkeys, visitors frequently observe up to 12 species including spider, squirrel and howler monkeys as well as pygmy marmosets and the white-moustached emperor tamarin, as well as numerous species of birds. Before or after dinner, avid explorers have a second chance to visit the Tapir Clay lick. (B,L,D)

DAY 05: MANU/PUERTO MALDONADO/LIMA/USA
Returning to the Madre de Dios River, we board our canoes to begin the journey back towards Boca Colorado. Breakfast is served en route. Now better experienced at recognizing wildlife among the dense vegetation along the river's banks, more birds and mammals are often spotted than on the way into the lodge. We pass by native settlements and gold miners digging and panning gold along the banks of the Madre de Dios River. In Puerto Maldonado we catch our flight to Lima where we tour the colonial sector of the capital and enjoy some leisure time to explore coastal Miraflores and taste the well-known Peruvian seafood. Later, return to the airport with check-in assistance for the flight back home. (B)


2012 LAND COST:
$1,825 p.p.d. (2-4 participants)
$ 345 Single Supplement

p.p.d.=per person based on double occupancy. Local air (Cusco-Puerto Maldonado-Lima) is not included.

Manu Wildlife Center (MWC): : The center is one of the newest lodges in the vicinity of Manu National Park. Located on the Madre de Dios River, it consists of 22 twin bed bungalows with private baths and hot water showers. An airy, rustic dining room has electricity provided by a generator mostly at night). All facilities are screened for comfort. The lodge has 30 miles of scientifically-designed forest trails, home to 12 species of monkeys. A number of large game birds such as the razor-billed curassows and pale-winged trumpeters often pass within 200 yards of the lodge. A forest walk leads to a 17' high Tapir Clay Lick blind used to observe and photograph South America=s largest land mammal. It is reported that 85% of the MWC guests see tapirs on their first or second tryCin most of the Amazon, this animal is more difficult to spot than the jaguar. A ride downstream and short walk takes us to the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, where a blind allows guests to approach within 20-30 yards of the clay bank. Two nearby oxbow lakes offer the possibility to watch giant river otters as well as caiman. Close to the center are two high canopy platforms for observation of the upper levels of the forest.

A note regarding access to Manu: The Boca Manu airstrip can only be serviced by small planes and the unpaved runway is susceptible to temporary closure due to adverse weather conditions. Currently, there are no charter flights available from Cusco to Boca Manu. If you only have 4 days available for this extension, we do not recommend a visit to Manu as the overland/boat trip from Puerto Maldonado into and out of the MWC will take almost a total of 2 days. For a shorter 4 day extension, we recommend a visit to the Heath River Wildlife Center instead, this lodge lies in the heart of the Tambopata-Madidi reserves of Peru & Bolivia and offers wildlife observation and facilities of equal quality than Manu.