MANU...
The Ultimate
Wildlife Experience
Manu...the journey of a lifetime...
Caiman at Manu National Park- © A. Balaguer / PromPeru
Peruvian Amazon accounts for 10% of the total Amazon rainforest - an area of abut 2.7 million square miles (7 million square kilometres).
Manu Biosphere Reserve - National Park since 1973 - covers an area of nearly 2 million hectares (5 million acres) in the departments of Cuzco and Madre de Dios- provinces of Manu and Pacaurtambo, Peru.
It's composed of three parts...
- National Park: ( 1,532,806 ha.). Open only to researchers with special government permission
- Reserved Zone: (257,000 ha). Requires a permit and with authorized guides
- Cultural Zone: (91,395 ha). Open to all visitors
It offers the highest bird, mammal and plant diversity on any park on the planet...
- 1,000 species of birds
- 1,200 species of butterflies
- 200 species of mammals
- 13 species of primates
- 20,000 plants
Scientists estimate that near 12,000 to 15,000 animal species remain to be identified.
It's also home to several ancient native tribes such as Machiguenga, Mashco Piros, Amahuacas, Wachipaeri and Kungapakora, among others.
Spanish conquerors hardly ventured to the jungle, so the region went unnoticed till late 1800s, when South America was hit by the "rubber boom".
Manu, with its rich bounty of rubber trees became the perfect provider to this flourishing industry. This period ended in the 1910s due to several reasons.
Please visit Manaus page for more info on the subject.
Demand for rubber trees increased dramatically after 1839, when Charles Goodyear produced the first commercially viable heat-resistant rubber.
Another cornerstone was provided by "Fizcarraldo" (Carlos Fitzgerarld), who opened an accessible route to the Madre de Dios river - through "Fitzgerald Pass" - between Upper Machagua and Upper Manu.
Remember Werner Herzog's film "Fizcarraldo" (1982), with Klaus Kinski?
Otorongo or Jaguar - © A. Solimano / PromPeru
To reach it is expensive and provably out or reach for many travellers - consider no less than 600 dollars per person for 5 or 6 days trip - but you will have the most intense wildlife experience in your life.
Cuzco is the gateway to Manu and your best bet is to book through travel companies authorized to operate in the area.
Shop around.
Best time to travel is during dry season: May to October.
For a superb experience, choose to get there by land...
- Cuzco - Paucartambo - Shintuya or
- Cuzco - Paucartambo - Atalaya
It's a 10-12 hours bus ride. Then continue by boat to Boca Manu (8 hours) and then to Manu Park (8 hours).
By air instead, you will fly Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado (40 minutes) and Boca Manu (30 minutes).
Continue by boat to the Park.
Please be flexible and expect flight delays or cancellations due to poor weather.
Allow 2-3 days delay on your return date to Cuzco.
You are travelling to a remote area where only nature reigns.
Amazon Macaw- © Embratur
To help you plan your jungle trip, here is a list of items to include in your backpack or travel bag...
- Rain gear (a good Peruvian poncho will do)
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirt (mosquitoes are an issue here)
- Hat, sun glasses, sunblock
- Shorts, bathing suit, T-shirtsShorts, bathing suit, T-shirts
- Hiking boots and a pair of sandals
- Sleeping bag and sheets
- Insect repellent (get the strong stuff)
- Basic first-aid kit (please visit Traveller Health page)
- Binoculars (Manu has more birds than the whole Costa Rica and accounts for 10% of the world's total
- Video or photo gear (include spare batteries)
- Flashlight (idem)
- Water bottle
- Plastic bags (you don't want sensitive documents and stuff getting wet)<
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of Yellow fever and Tetanus vaccinations
- Personal toiletries
Have a fantastic jungle experience!..
How to get to Cuzco:
By Air:From Lima is about 1 hour flight.
You could also fly from Arequipa and Puno.
From Lima to Arequipa following the Pan-American Highway, about 1660 km.
Also through the highlands by Nazca and Abancay.
Where to Stay:
The following are middle of the range - 3 Stars accommodation standard...
- Hotel Don Carlos - Av. El Sol 602
- Del Prado Inn - Uriel Garcia 310
- Torre Dorada Residencial - Calle Los Cipreses N-5,, Residencial Huancaro
- Munay Wasi Inn Hotel - Av. Tullumayo 418
Hostels:
- Hostal Casablanca - Calle Teqte Nro 218-A
- The Point Cusco - Meson de la Estrella 172
- Hospedaje Familiar LLipimpac - Limacpampa Chico Nro 400 - 2º
- Hostal Wasichay - Calle Maruri Nº 312
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