Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge and Manu Paradise Cloud Forest Lodge

Cusco - Manu Biosphere Reserve

Peru

This 4 day journey to the Cock-of-the-Rock and Amazonia lodge in the cloud forest is designed to explore this usually forgotten part of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. A two day extension can be added to Manu Biosphere Reserve Adventure or to a stay at the Manu Wildlife Center to increase leisure time, or simply enjoyed as a journey on its own.
To learn more about Manu Biosphere, just visit the other Manu pages.

Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge 3 days

DAY ONE:
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 TWO:
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, 15-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 Goldenheaded 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 basic survey work on orchids, reptiles and amphibians. They recorded 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 THREE:
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.

General Information

Daily Departures:

Cock of the Rock Lodge
	1
N° of participants	2/4	5+	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 450	$ 350	$ 100
EUR	€ 373	€ 290	€ 82
GBP	£ 252	£ 196	£ 56

(*) Price last updated on 06 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Manu Paradise Cloudforest Lodge

Our new lodge is located in the heart of the cloud forest, some six hours by road from Cusco and one hour from the Patria airstrip, enabling us to offer short programs to this fascinating and beautiful area.
Our PARADISE LODGE is situated in a privileged spot between the Kosnipata and the San Pedro rivers, with magnificent views of the surrounding green paradise.
The perpetual humidity of the cloud forest makes it a ghostly, dim-lit world were bright red Cock-of-the-Rocks and timid Spectacled Bears roam among damp tree ferns, bromeliads, and many species of orchids - all accessible to our guests at Paradise Lodge.
Using the lodge as a base, you will also be able to enjoy adventure-activity programs such as mountain biking or rafting on tropical rivers, or visit the nearby indigenous community of Huacaria. You can even opt to see the cloud forest from the unique perspective provided by a wagon pulled by two llamas.
Paradise Lodge offers you comfortable accommodation in rooms with private bathrooms and hot water, a dining room , living area with a fireplace and terraces equipped with telescopes for wild life observation.
Our Lodge is ideal for long-term stays for researchers and students anxious to study the many endemic species of flora and fauna of the cloud forest.

DAY ONE:
It is necessary to leave Cusco early in order to reach the cloud forest - traveling through Andean landscapes of great beauty, with deep valleys, highlands, rural communities and picturesque colonial towns such as Paucartambo, which has been the gateway to the Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. Acjanaco pass ( 3,850 m.a.s.l) marks the official entrance to Manu National Park. From here the road descends to the cloud forest, passing the important ecosystem comprised of Andean grassland, where vegetation is sparse, before reaching the cloud forest in the afternoon. This is a very rich area in terms of flora and fauna, the habitat of the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicula peruviana), Quetzal, Blue-crowned motmot, Toucans, Spectacled Bear (South America's only bear), White-tailed deer, butterflies, ferns and orchids. We will spend the first night in our cloud forest Paradise Lodge.

DAY TWO:
After our first night in the cloud forest, and before breakfast, we will take a walk in the forest to see the Cock-of-the-Rock in a daily ritual in which eight to ten males perform at their lek to attract the attention of the female. We will then return to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast and to prepare for our trip to the town of Pilcopata, from where we will walk to the native community of Huacaria, of the Huachipaire ethnic group, where we will visit their botanical garden of medicinal plants. We will also follow their trails and enjoy a refreshing swim under a nearby waterfall. This is an opportunity to study the culture and way of life of the Huachipaire ethnic group, who will share their food with us after letting us hike their trails and swim in their rivers. Late in the afternoon, we will return to our Lodge for our evening meal and a comfortable night's rest.

DAY THREE:
This is our last day in the forest. After a comfortable night's sleep at our lodge, we will take a pre-breakfast walk in search of local fauna before boarding our vehicle, which will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

General Information

Daily Departures:

Manu Cloudforest Paradise Lodge
N° of participants	2	3	4	5/6	7/10
USD	$ 445	$ 345	$ 305	$ 285	$ 260
EUR	€ 369	€ 286	€ 253	€ 236	€ 215
GBP	£ 249	£ 193	£ 170	£ 159	£ 145

(*) Price last updated on 06 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Rated: Easy

Included:
All meals and drinks, transportation from/to Cusco, National Park entrance fees, lodge accommodation.

Not included:
bottled drinks except water, tip

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