Jungle Trip Peru
Description
The Manu is one of the few territorial spaces that range from frigid punas, which surpass 4,000 meters above sea level, rugged wooded mountains that give rise to a multitude of small gorges and valleys, to cloud forests of high jungle to finally arrive to the Amazonian plain.
In 1973, the Manu National Park was established as a Protected Natural Area. Subsequently, in 1977 as a Biosphere Reserve. Ten years after its recognition as such, the Manu National Park was declared a Natural Patrimony of Humanity for its extraordinary universal value. This designation was a recognition by Unesco of its World Heritage Convention program, whose purpose is to catalog, preserve and publicize sites of exceptional cultural or natural importance for the common heritage of mankind.
The Park is surrounded by the Territorial Reserve of the Kugapakori and Nahua ethnic groups, the Megantoni National Sanctuary and the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, territories that, together with those of the Mapacho river basin, intend to be integrated into the Manu Biosphere Reserve. The people living in or around the Park have cultural patterns of diverse settlements, and some are populations in voluntary isolation or initial contact. The Cocha Cashu Biological Station is located in the core area of the Manu National Park, where ecological and anthropological research is carried out. In turn, in its buffer zone and transition, sustainable development activities and resource management, recreation, tourism and environmental education are carried out.
What to Expect
Quick Itinerary:
Day 01: Cusco - Inca's tombs - Cloud Forest - Pilcopata Lodge
Day 02: Port Atalaya - Rainforest Lodge - Machuwasi Lake
Day 03: Rainforest Lodge - Macaw Clay Lick - Port Atalaya - Cusco
Cusco Manu National Park
The Manu National Park is located in the provinces of Paucartambo in Cusco and Manú in Madre de Dios. Its extension is 1716295.22 hectares. Its establishment seeks to protect a representative sample of the biological diversity, as well as the landscapes of the low jungle, the jungle edge and the Andes of the Peruvian south-east. Likewise, it aims to promote tourism based on ecological and culturally compatible criteria.
On the other hand, the Manu National Park also seeks to promote and facilitate research, education and recreation, as well as contribute to the preservation of archaeological heritage. Their presence contributes to the recognition and protection of cultural diversity, as well as to the self-determination of the indigenous peoples of the area. The PNM protects one of the most important areas of the planet in terms of the mega diversity of biological species.
Its great extension crosses frigid punas - that surpass the 4,000 m.s.n.m-; wild forested mountains that give rise to a multitude of small gorges and valleys; cloud forests of high forest and finally the Amazon plain. This magnificent and unique scenario includes a wide and complex hydrographic system and guarantees the presence of a diversity of ecosystems little intervention by man.
The tropical forests of the Manu have allowed the ecological and evolutionary processes to be carried out almost without the presence of man, however, in the area there is also an enormous cultural wealth, represented by the current indigenous populations at different levels of contact with the outside, and an archaeological heritage not yet revealed in all its magnitude.
Much of the Manu National Park is indigenous territory. The communities of the Yora, Mashko-Piro, Matsiguenka, Harakmbut, Wachipaeri and Yine inhabit ancestrally between the forests and rivers of these jungles. The native communities of Tayakome and Yomibato are recognized within the area. Both are located in the upper area of the Manu River. In the southwest sector there is an association of farmers known as Callanga. Your visit is highly recommended, if not mandatory.
Manu Biosphere
The Manu National Park hosts a large number of wildlife species. It has registered about 160 species of mammals, more than 1,000 species of birds (mostly residents), about 140 species of amphibians, 50 species of snakes, 40 of lizards, 6 of turtles, 3 of alligators and 210 of fish . Among the large mammals are the otorongo (Panthera onca), the black tiger (Felis yagouaroundi), the sachavaca (Tapirus terrestris), the huangana (Tayassu pecari), the sajino (Tayassu tajacu), the deer (Mazama americana), the deer ash (Odocoileus virginianus), the river wolf (Pteronura brasiliensis), the ronsoco (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the monkey boar (Alouatta seniculus), the black maquisapa (Ateles paniscus), the woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), the white machin monkey ( Cebus albifrons) and the black machin monkey (Cebus apella).
On the other hand, the number of insects in the Manu National Park is very high. It is estimated that there are about 30 million species. At the same time, more than 1,300 species of butterflies, 136 of dragonflies, at least 300 of ants (more than 40 species were found in a single tree) and more than 650 of beetles have been recorded.
As regards the flora of the Manu National Park, the number of plant species is very high. The various registers indicate that there are at least 162 families, 1,191 genera and 4,385 species identified. In a single hectare, up to 250 varieties of trees were found. The forests of aguajales are one of the most outstanding ecosystems, where the palms of aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa) and huasaí (Euterpe precatoria) are the dominant ones. They develop over areas that are almost permanently flooded, especially on the right bank of the Manu River. It also highlights the presence of the cedar (Cedrela sp.), The cético (Cecropia sp.), The screw (Cedrelinga catenaeformis), the chestnut (Bertholletia excelsa), the lupuna (Chorisia sp.) And the jebe (Hevea brasiliensis) .
current indigenous populations at different levels of contact with the outside, and an archaeological heritage not yet revealed in all its magnitude.
Much of the Manu National Park is indigenous territory. The communities of the Yora, Mashko-Piro, Matsiguenka, Harakmbut, Wachipaeri and Yine inhabit ancestrally between the forests and rivers of these jungles. The native communities of Tayakome and Yomibato are recognized within the area. Both are located in the upper area of the Manu River. In the southwest sector there is an association of farmers known as Callanga. Your visit is highly recommended, if not mandatory.
Manu Biosphere
The Manu National Park hosts a large number of wildlife species. It has registered about 160 species of mammals, more than 1,000 species of birds (mostly residents), about 140 species of amphibians, 50 species of snakes, 40 of lizards, 6 of turtles, 3 of alligators and 210 of fish . Among the large mammals are the otorongo (Panthera onca), the black tiger (Felis yagouaroundi), the sachavaca (Tapirus terrestris), the huangana (Tayassu pecari), the sajino (Tayassu tajacu), the deer (Mazama americana), the deer ash (Odocoileus virginianus), the river wolf (Pteronura brasiliensis), the ronsoco (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the monkey boar (Alouatta seniculus), the black maquisapa (Ateles paniscus), the woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), the white machin monkey ( Cebus albifrons) and the black machin monkey (Cebus apella).
On the other hand, the number of insects in the Manu National Park is very high. It is estimated that there are about 30 million species. At the same time, more than 1,300 species of butterflies, 136 of dragonflies, at least 300 of ants (more than 40 species were found in a single tree) and more than 650 of beetles have been recorded.
As regards the flora of the Manu National Park, the number of plant species is very high. The various registers indicate that there are at least 162 families, 1,191 genera and 4,385 species identified. In a single hectare, up to 250 varieties of trees were found. The forests of aguajales are one of the most outstanding ecosystems, where the palms of aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa) and huasaí (Euterpe precatoria) are the dominant ones. They develop over areas that are almost permanently flooded, especially on the right bank of the Manu River. It also highlights the presence of the cedar (Cedrela sp.), The cético (Cecropia sp.), The screw (Cedrelinga catenaeformis), the chestnut (Bertholletia excelsa), the lupuna (Chorisia sp.) And the jebe (Hevea brasiliensis) .
Itineray Details
Day 1: Cusco - Inca's tombs - Cloud Forest - Pilcopata Lodge
We leave Cusco early in the morning to start our Jungle Trip Peru.
First, private transportation will pass through your hotel to take you to a place called Ninamarca to observe the pre-Inca chullpas (tombs) of the Lupaca culture.
Then, we continue to Paucartambo, a colonial city with narrow streets and a beautiful church, where people still keep their ancient customs.
Later, we ascend the Acjanaco pass (3,550 masl), the entrance to the Manu National Park, until we reach the "Tres Cruces de Oro" viewpoint (3,700 masl) to observe a beautiful view of the Amazon basin. From there, we begin to descend towards the jungle of Manu, passing through the cloud forest where we can see the cock of the rocks, considered the national bird of Peru; we will also appreciate hummingbirds, brightly colored quetzals, trogons, flycatchers and woolly monkeys. As for the flora, we can see a variety of orchids, mosses, ferns, etc.
Finally, we will arrive at our hostel in Pilcopata (700 masl). We can refresh ourselves there with a shower and after that, we will be served dinner before going to bed.