Manu Peru Amazon
Description
The Manu National Park is the prominent reserve in the Peruvian Amazon, comprising 2 million hectares that stretch between the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios. Many travelers dream of visiting the Amazon Rainforest, and the Manu stop is a great way to do it, as it is believed to host the largest range of biodiversity on the planet, providing refuge for many endangered species, like the jaguar, the river wolf and the spectacled bear. is divided into the buffer zone, where ecotourism and controlled scientific research are allowed; and the Cultural Zone, which is open to everyone. The rainforest within the reserve is carved by the rivers that flow down from the Andes down into the Amazon basin, branch off and separate into oxbow lakes or lagoons that are the main habitats of wildlife. When visitors enter the labyrinth of rivers and lagoons, they enter a different world, with exuberant vegetation and unequaled biodiversity that has more than 20,000 species of plants, 1,200 species of butterflies, 1,000 species of birds, 200 species of mammals and 13 primates. In fact, Manu has the highest diversity of birds, mammals and plants of any park on the planet.
What to Expect
Quick Itinerary:
Day 01: Cusco - Ninamarka - Pilcopata Lodge
Day 02: Pilcopata Lodge - Port Atalaya - Boca Manu Lodge
Day 03: Boca Manu Lodge - Cocha Otorongo - Manu Reserve Center
Day 04: Casa Machiguenga - Cocha Salvador - Otorongo lodge
Day 05: Biosfera Manu - Cocha Otorongo - Boca Manu Lodge
Day 06: Boca Manu Lodge - Manu Rainforest Lodge
Day 07: Manu Wildlife Center - Puerto Maldonado
Manu National Park
Located in the south of Peru, in the eastern sector of the Andes mountain range and western edge of the Amazon basin, it is the only park in Latin America that includes the entire range of environments from tropical lowland to frigid punas, above 4,000 masl.
The Park was created on May 29, 1973, has an area of 1,716,295.22 hectares and is one of the best destinations for nature tourism. In the lower basin of the Manu River, the exuberance of the Amazon plain stands out. There are up to five recommended areas for tourist visits, with a high diversity of flora and fauna: Salvador, Otorongo, Juárez, Pakitza and Limonal. All navigable circuits in the lakes or oxbow lakes, where you can see the river wolves and the black lizard.
Services Within the Park: shelters, interpretation center, hygienic services, park rangers and radio.
Services Outside the Park: Boat and / or boat rental, police post, medical post.
Activities: bird watching, flora, fauna and landscape, hiking, camping, research studies, taking photographs and filming.
Observations: the authorizations for the entrance to the Manu National Park for tourism are granted to the operating agencies, which in turn offer various services and packages within the park. It is not possible to enter freely. The taking of photographs or films has a cost of 10% of the UIT.
Manu to Cusco
Manu is located 403 miles from the hot and isolated regional capital of Puerto Maldonado, which acts as a gateway to the reserve. Puerto Maldonado can be reached by land from Cusco, or by air through Lima. From there you can go through the Manu river by boat. It is advisable to arrive from Cusco in organized tour packages, as the entrance is not sold to individuals but to authorized agencies.
Itineray Details
Day 01: Cusco - Ninamarka - Pilcopata Lodge
We woke up early to start our Manu Peru Amazon adventure!
First, our driver take us by private transport 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 preserve their ancient customs. Then, we ascend to the "Tres Cruces" point of view (3,900 masl) a beautiful view of the Amazon basin if the weather permits. From there, we begin to descend to Manu National Park, home to species such as the cock of the rock (the Peruvian national bird), hummingbirds, brightly colored quetzals, trogons, spotted flycatchers, and woolly monkeys. As for the flora, we can see a variety of orchids, mosses, ferns, etc.
We cross the cloud forest, it is perhaps the most fragile and threatened type of tropical forest. This forest, which begins at 11,000 feet and continues up to about 5,000 feet of elevation, covers the eastern slopes of the Andes, before yielding to the vast lowland forest of the Amazon. This is a kingdom of mosses, lichens, ferns and orchids.
Finally, we will arrive at Pilcopata (700 masl) where we will spend the night in our jungle lodge after enjoying a dinner and a show.