We got picked up at 5.20, to go to the office where our bus waited. In the group were two couples, one from Holland another from Australia, all were in their 60ies. The bus left at 6.00, and after only an hour and a half driving on paved road we turned onto a dirt road. On the way over the Andes we made a brief break in Ninamarca, some pre inka ruins, and later a stop for breakfast.

Next stop was at the corner of the Manu National Park in the mountains where a rangers station showed a map of the reserve. The reserve was previously divided in the national park, a reserved zone accessible for tourism, and a cultural zone where certain cultivation is permitted. This has chagned, now, the reserved zone is formally part of the national park, while the cultural zone is excluded from the reserve. Tourism is still restricted to what was known as the reserved zone.

We were above the cloud forest, in fact, vegetation was still sparse. Some birds could be spotted, but they were few. The guide had a good telescope and allowed us to study the birds he spotted.

Continuing, the road did not go into Manu but rather through what is known as the cultural zone. That should be the called the cultivated zone as some cultivation is permitted.

Along the way we did some stops in the cloud forest to walk along the road and spot birds, and saw Ketzal and Crested Eagle as some of the highlights. Also, close to our lodge, we passed the viewpoint for watching the Cock of the Rock, the Peru national bird. No one was there and we could see the birds through the gate. We had reserved time for tomorrow, at 5.00.

We stayed at Posada San Pedro, 5 minutes walk from the Cock of the Rock observation platform.