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Manu is one of the most pristine sites in Peru
and is one of the world's ecological wonders. Located between
the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios in southern Peru,
this National Park is one of the less undisturbed ecological
sites of the planet where altitudes ranging from the 4,300 down
to 200 meters above sea level can be found and as a consequence
a cradle of biodiversity has settled in due to the different
ecological floors found on a single national park.
Manu National Park
covers an area of one million eight hundred thousand hectares.
(1, 800,000 has.).
This reserve is divided
into three sub-areas: 1) National Park: Total Conservation, no
entrance allowed only with special permits 2) Cultural Zone:
subsistence activities and some ecotourism in certain times of
the year under strict regulations 3) Restricted area or buffer
zone, where ecotourism is permitted year round.
Tambo
Blanquillo Lodge is located in the Buffer Zone and its a private
reserve area that has the best attractions in the area. Just a
spectacular place in the Peruvian Amazon basin.
BLANCO
OXBOW LAKE
After a 10 minute ride upstream the Madre de Dios
River, and then 15 minutes of normal walking through a trail,
where a herd of wild peccary (Tayassu pecari) ,
trumpeters (Psophia leucoptera), monkeys, or even
occasional jaguars (Panthera onca), can be found, we
arrive to Blanco oxbow lake; without doubt one of the richest
and most spectacular oxbow lakes in Manu, formed as a result of
normal change of course, typical of the meandering Amazon basin
rivers, that commonly happen on the rainy season due to the rise
in the water volume,
thus
forming a kidney shaped lake called “cocha” (oxbow lake) in the
native language. Using
a catamaran, and paddling with oars, you can visit around this
lake that provides habitat to various wildlife populations. One
of these is the family of giant river otters (Pteronura
brasiliensis) which have a secluded nesting place there. But
the most attractive feature is the presence of various species
of birds. Among the most common: the camungo (Anhima cornuta),
snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), front blue Jacamar (Galbula
cyanescens), shansho (Opistocomus hoazin), Jacana
(Jacana Jacana) and 150 more. You'll also find black caiman (Melanosuchus
niger), and anacondas (Eunectes murinus). Among the
sourrounding trees you can find sloths (Bradypus variegatus)
and howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus).
Simply
spectacular.
BLANQUILLO
OXBOW LAKE
A 20 minute walk along the Shebonal trail that
starts next to the lodge, will let you see several bird species
associated with bamboo forest and some large mammals like red
deer (Mazama americana) and occasionally frightening, but
wonderful jaguars (Panthera onca). At the end of the
trail is Blanquillo oxbow lake, a body of water with black
caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and white caiman (Caiman
crocodylus) . Here, thanks to the catamaran, a ride along
the lake is possible and also the viewing of the amazon
kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) and osprey (Pandion
halietus) attentive to possible hunting, since this lake is
characterized by large populations of
fish.
Among these we find the cat fish (doncella and zungaro),
piranhas, boquichico, mullet, etc. For this reason some river
otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) also use this lake for
their fishing activity and then bake in the sun on top of one of
the many logs that are near the water. If you are of adventurous
spirit you can take a ride on the oxbow lake in single or double
kayaks, and appreciate nature from another perspective. It is
also the only lake on the private reserve of Blanquillo, where
sport fishing is permitted by the visitors.
TAMBO
(LODGE)
The jungle lodge at Blanquillo is locally known
as a Tambo. It is a typical communal jungle building called
“maloca”, in which one can feel safe and comfortable and still
enjoy the surrounding wildlife.
The main Tambo is designed following the
architectural guidelines of the native huts (communal houses in
the Amazon). The housing is austere but surprisingly comfortable
and fresh, thanks to the design of the roof, which beside being
high, which aids ventilation, is made of many combed leaves of
Shebon a typical palm
that
grows in the area, which cushions the jungle heat.
At
night, lighting is provided through solar panels and LED lights
that provide the necessary illumination in a discrete approach.
There are 20 rooms including doubles, triples and singles, all
with very comfortable beds. Bath area is not private but
commonly shared, but still retains, sufficient privacy due to
its design. Hot water is provided by solar panels.
The new dining room (may 2010), located
overlooking the Madre de Dios River, is equipped to accommodate
over 40 people, plus a bar area to relax, watch and especially
enjoy the beauty of nature and especially at moonrise, where in
combination with fireflies and the sound of nocturnal animals,
provide the sensation of being in a magical world of total
tranquility. The same feeling you get at sunrise, when the
sounds of the awakening forest transport you to never- never
land, all due to the extraordinary location of this facility.
For the more austere there is the camp area that
has a wooden platform deck that can accommodate 20 double tents.
In one of its sides there is a mess hall and kitchen that also
meets the same design of green building and lighting thanks to
solar panels.
Bathrooms are also commonly shared in this area,
but with no hot water.
TOWER
This observation tower on top of Kapok tree (Ceiba
pentandra) at 50 meters from the ground is the highest and
most stunning of the entire region of Manu.
A steel
staircase leads to the observation deck made out of wood.
From there you can see the
movement of birds, mainly, the macaws early in the morning on
their way to the Ccollpa ( Clay Lick).
Here you can also see
rare species frequently as the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja)
nesting, or better yet, in full hunt and the king vulture (Sarcoramphus
papa) of the jungle.
One of the most
spectacular views of this tower is towards the Camungo oxbow
lake, a rich body of water, home to a huge number of birds and
other species such as caimans and giant river otters (Pteronura
brasiliensis).
CAMUNGO
OXBOW LAKE
10 minutes downriver by boat from the lodge, and
after a 15 minutes walk through a primary forest trail, we
arrive to Camungo oxbow lake. On the way, there is the
possibility of encountering some red deer (Mazama Americana),
puma (Puma concolor) , white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu
pacari) and 6 species of monkeys.Taking a ride in the
catamaran and on the lake surface, the black caiman (Melanosuchus
niger), the prehistoric hoatzin (Opistocomus hoazin),
horned screamers (Anhima cornuta), spider monkey (Ateles
sp), and various river turtles and jacamars can be found.
The abundance of fish, makes the family of giant river otters (Pteronura
brasiliensis), almost permanent residents of the lake during
long stretches of time.
CLAY LICK (CCOLLPA)
The Ccollpa of Blanquillo is a section of the
banks of the Madre de Dios River of 6 meters height and 250
meters long. This area is an early and daily meeting point of
several families of orange-cheeked parrot (Pionopsitta
barrabandi), blue-headed parrot (Pionus mentrus),
mealy parrot (Amazona farinosa) and more small parakeets
. A little later arrive, red and green macaws (Ara
chloroptera) and the scarlet macaw (Ara macaw); also
a common visitor is the piping guan (Pipile cumanensis).
Not only birds use this clay wall as a source of
needed antiacids. Not surprisingly, mammals such as tapirs (Tapirus
terrestris), red deer (Mazama americana), howler
monkey (Alouatta seniculus) can be found. The act of
eating clay performed by these animals is mainly to neutralize
their pH, which has been acidified as a consequence of eating
green fruits and also to absorb various nutrients of this
wonderful clay which are not found in their daily diet.
OBSERVATION
PLATFORM OR BLIND
It is a platform-observatory of 8 meters high and
50 meters long, that can accommodate 100 visitors. This amazing
building, very well located only 50 meters from the wall of the
Ccollpa, which allows extraordinary photos of the daily bird
activity without the need for very expensive lenses and due to
its positioning, it’s possible to take very sharp pictures when
the early morning sun light bathes the clay wal .Comfortable
swivel chairs and a long table used for equipment support or
to take notes ,enables to notice in total tranquility, the
stunning work of parrots, macaws, parakeets and other birds and
animals using this Ccollpa. A hearty breakfast is served in the
comfort of this location. To enter, you have to arrive early in
the morning (5:20 am) * and do a 26 minute walk ( at normal
pace) through a trail that crosses a secondary forest, where
you can find various species of birds, reptiles, and the
possible
presence of tapirs, deer, agouti and peccary.
*
NOTE: The arriving times are from 5:20 to 6:20am maximum.
RESEARCH
STATION:
A building with 10 double rooms, kitchen, common
bathrooms, a large room dryer for laundry and a room for the
radio is already built for the implementation of a research
station. Located on the way to the blind (observation platform)
of the Blanquillo Ccollpa.
In this area a re-introduction of endemic and
some hexogen plant species mainly fruits has been carried out by
Blanquillo’s personnel for more than 10 years. This was done
because the area had been badly hit in previous years by illegal
activities like logging and hunting . As a consequence, large
numbers of birds and animals migrated away from this area in
search of protection. But now it can be seen, while walking
towards the blind, how different types of birds and animals are
returning to their ancestors feeding grounds.
ABOUT US
Tambo Blanquillo Lodge is one of our facilities,
operating since 1990 in the tropical jungle of Manu. It is our
privilege and duty to protect and promote the cultural heritage
of Peru and provide visitors with an authentic experience in the
untouched natural landscape of
the real Amazon basin.
Located near the Manu National Park, Tambo Blanquillo is
surrounded by a variety of wildlife, biodiversity and genetic
variables that don’t exist elsewhere in the world. It is an
honor to share this ecological wonder with the world providing a
safe, responsible and quality visit dispite our limitations and
faults.
PERSONNEL
Workers on Tambo
Blanquillo Lodge are dedicated to good management, maintenance,
control and care of the needs of the lovers of the attractions
of Manu.
These are:
LIMA
-Luis Felipe Raffo:
General Manager of Tambo Blanquillo (lucho@tamboblanquillo.com)
-Hugo Chiriboga: Logistics Manager of
Tambo Blanquillo (hugo@tamboblanquillo.com)
CUSCO
-Margarita
Fernández: Administrator tourist reservations
-Emilio Pedraza:
Reserves Tourism (emilio@tamboblanquillo.com)
MANU
-Luis
Escudero: Hostel Manager
-Dario Arias: Administrative Management
Staff
-Martin Espinoza:
Guardian of Blanco Oxbow Lake
-Rufina Condori:
Cook
-Julio Cesar
Lopez: Motorist
-Oscar Umpiri: Master Builder
OUR LODGE
Tambo Blanquillo is located on the buffer zone of
the Manu National Park, two and a half hours downriver using a
motorized canoe from the village of Boca Manu (where the
airstrip is located). The lodge is constructed of green wood
collected solely from the river banks and not from logging
activities. Its design is based on typical Amazonian
architecture and using native
techniques to create a comfortable and natural
atmosphere.
Rooms:
The Tambo (main lodge), currently has 16 double and triple rooms
and 4 single. All beds have insect screening to avoid the
entry of insects during the sleeping hours.
Each room is
conveniently separated by special walls design to minimize sound
transmission. The
lighting is by LED bulbs and energy supplied by solar panels.
The common bathrooms are confortable and still retain certain
privacy. Hot water is available due to a solar heating system.
New Dinning Room:
Fully mesh watching the Madre de Dios river is the dining room.
Here the visitor can taste a menu consisting of delicious dishes
of the jungle.
There is water available for drinking, as well as cold drinks
and beer at extra cost. You can order a special diet with
advance notification. Dining room is lighted by LED lights with
power supplied by solar panels.
Camp Zone:
Has a roofed platform 10 meters long by 5 high.
This site, holds 20 double tents.
It has a common bathroom with
only cold water available.
The
lighting is by LED bulbs and energy is also supplied by solar
panels.
Dining Area / Camp Zone:
Fully mesh, has 4 large tables (8 people per table) and has a
large kitchen.
It has 4 sinks and space for 4 gas stoves. The bulbs LED
lighting is supplied by solar panels.
Future Expansion:
To be built at the end of 2010 and to be
inaugurated in the year 2011. The first phase will have 10
double bungalows and the second with 10 bungalows more. This
will be done on the area near the bird clay lick, which allow
visitors to make visits to the Ccollpa at any time of day.
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