Transfer Option:

Day 1: We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport for the early morning light to the Boca Manu Aerodrome. Leaving the plane, we'll head down the Madre de Dios River for two hours to the comfortable lodge facility near the Macaw Clay Lick - Manu Wildlife Center. This strategically located lodge facility is jointly owned and run by Manu Expeditions and a local conservation group and is a base for scientific research in the area and a center for visitors wanting to explore the rainforest. We should arrive in time for lunch and a shower (hot water) and get to meet whichever researchers are onsite. The afternoon is set aside to relax or, if you want, to explore a trail through the untouched forest to a lookout point on a cliff over the river to watch roosting  flights of Parrots and Macaws as the sun sets. Manu Wildlife Center has a canopy platform and an observation tower. The canopy platform is accessible via a spiral staircase so everyone can get to enjoy the rainforest canopy. Those who wish can participate in a night walk with your guide in search of nocturnal animals.  Night at Manu Wildlife Center. B:L;D

Day 2: Early start to-day for the Macaw Clay Lick. This is truly one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles as hundreds of Parrots and their larger relatives, the Macaws, congregate at this traditional locality to eat the mineral rich clay that is essential to their digestion. We'll use a blind (hide) to get close to the birds. The noise alone is incredible and the sight of these brightly colored birds at the lick is a sight not to be forgotten. As the lick slows down in midmorning we'll head for Cocha Blanco, an old  ox-bow lake, in search of a family of Giant Otters  that  live there, and  canoe around the lake on our  floating  platform  looking for other  wildlife. After a leisurely lunch at the lodge we'll explore other trails in search of Emperor and Saddleback Tamarins, and we have seen the rare Goeldi's Monkey repeatedly in this area.  Night at the Manu Wildlife Center B:L:D

Day 3: A full day to explore the forest and trails around the lodge. We'll be on the lookout for Monk Saki - an uncommon and rarely seen monkey of the tierra firme forest that is occasionally seen here. We'll explore trails where groups of Manakins, perhaps the most enigmatic of neo-tropical birds, perform their strange mating dances and walk to one of our blinds at a large mammal lick where Guans and forest Parakeets and Parrotlets come for clay. Here too, groups of Black Spider Monkeys visit on occasions for clay to help their digestion. Those who wish will return with the guide to the lodge in the late afternoon however there is an opportunity to stay at the lick after dark to see what nocturnal creatures come to the lick.   Tapirs, the largest South American land mammal are frequent visitors with up to 12 animals visiting in one night. We watch them from the comfort of mosquito nets and mattresses from our specially constructed blind. Other nocturnal creatures are always possible.  Night at the Manu Wildlife Center. B:L:D

Day 4: Another full day of exploring the trails, lakes, canopy towers and wildlife attractions at the Manu Wildlife Center Lodge.  If you are on the 4 day trip (see Day 5 for today)

Day 5 : After breakfast we head upriver (about 2 hours) to the small airstrip at Boca Manu. Early morning flocks of birds pass over the boat, and we may see a Capybara, the world’s largest rodent. Arriving at the airstrip we board our aircraft for the 40 minute flight over seemingly endless rainforest and then over the Andes, passing glaciers and snow peaks to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. B:

IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU WILL BE ASKED BY YOUR GUIDE TO USE DRAB CLOTHING
IN THE FOREST SO AS NOT TO SCARE THE WILDLIFE


* DUFFEL BAG OR FRAMELESS BACK-PACK IS BEST
* DAY PACK
* 2 PAIRS OF LOOSE FITTING LIGHTWEIGHT LONG COTTON TROUSERS
* SHORTS FOR LODGE AREAS
* SWIM WEAR - OPTIONAL
* LONG SLEEVED COTTON SHIRTS
* 2 PAIRS OF BOOTS OR RUNNING SHOES
* RUBBER BOOTS (WELLINGTON BOOTS) - Trails can be muddy.
   (Boots can be bought in Cusco for $10 USD on arrival if packing space is a problem)
* SWEATSHIRT OR LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET
* RAIN PONCHO AND MINI-UMBRELLA
* HAT FOR SUN PROTECTION ON BOATS
* PERSONAL TOILETRIES
* BIO-DEGRADABLE SOAP
* TOWEL
* INSECT REPELLENT WITH HIGH DEET CONTENT
* HIGH FACTOR SUNSCREEN
* LIP BALM
* PERSONAL MEDICATION
* No-see-um' CLOTHING AND AFTER BITE MEDICATION
   IF SUSCEPTIBLE  TO MOSQUITO BITES
* SUN GLASSES
* FLASHLIGHT (TORCH) AND SPARE BATTERIES AND BULB
* POCKET KNIFE
* CAMERA. 400ASA FILM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE FOREST
* BINOCULARS FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING 8 OR 10 x MAGNIFICATION
* ZIPLOC BAGS AND GARBAGE BAGS FOR CLOTHES ETC
* WATER BOTTLE
* VALID PASSPORT OR PHOTOCOPY
* MALARIA PILLS AND YELLOW FEVER VACCINATIONS RECOMMENDED

Manu Wildlife Center
The Manu Wildlife Center is a privately owned rainforest reserve which forms part of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. It is located in the Cultural Reserved Zone, set aside for indigenous Amazonian peoples. The lodge is on the banks of the Madre de Dios River in pristine rainforest.
The Manu Wildlife Center is a 44 bed lodge located on the Madre de Dios river only 90 minutes by motorized dugout canoe from the Boca Manu airstrip at the confluence of the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. It is owned by Manu Expeditions (Expediciones Manu), and the Peru Verde Conservation Group, a non-profit, non-government organization involved in rainforest conservation projects. 
Facilities
Manu Wildlife Center consists of 22 double bungalows built in the style of, and using. the same materials as the local Machiguenga indigenous communities. Local wood, bamboo and palm fronds for roofing are used. All materials used have been sustainably harvested or brought in from distant areas. For example, the wood used in the construction is collected from the river as, each rainy season, hundreds of trees are washed into the river as it cuts its ever-changing course. On an average every three or four years the river actually enters the lodge towards the end of the wet season (around March) therefore all the bungalows are raised and connected to each other and the rest of the lodge facilities by gravel walkways.  Each room has good quality foam mattresses and all beds have cotton sheets and quilts (best for hot tropical conditions). Although all the rooms are screened with imported insect netting, beds are furnished with individual mosquito nets.  Furniture includes bedside tables and writing tables.  The bungalows are arranged around a pleasant and well planned Amazonian garden with plants and shrubs that attract birds, butterflies and mammals. All bungalows are private and separated from each other for privacy and all have large windows facing the forest and garden. All the 22 bungalows boast private toilet and shower facilities.  Hot and cold water is always available and all toilet facilities are flush. The large dining and bar/lounge areas are separate from the other facilities but close to all bungalows and the nearby kitchen area. Food is good and wholesome not gourmet, and we use a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and meats in our menu. Our cooks are used to providing for vegetarian diets.  There is a separate spacious bar and lounge area which is located a short distance from the dining area. A variety of cold non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are always available here.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, travelling as tourists for stays of up to 90 days, except:
1. nationals of Latvia and Romania who do require a visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
2. A business visa is required for all nationals if the purpose of the visit is business. Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a tourist visa. Upon arrival in Peru, the business visa holder must register at the Dirección General de Contribuciones for taxation purposes. Business visa holders can remain in Peru for 90 days. If wishing to extend the visit, an application must be lodged with the Dirección General de Migraciones.

Nationals applying for a tourist visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,000 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application. Nationals applying for a business visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,200 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application.

All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. Postal visa applications are not accepted unless submitted through a travel agency.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £19.20. Costs are subject to change according to exchange rates.
Validity
Up to 90 days.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses for details.
Working Days Required
At least 24 hours; longer if authorisation from the immigration office in Lima is required.