JUNGLE TRIPS

Introduction

Fauna

Vegetation

People

F.A.Q

F.A.Q

don’t want to camp, what alternatives do you have?
We are able to change the programmes if you do not want to camp. We can provide you with lodgings with all the facilities you require; toilet, shower, cold drinks etc.
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MANU - RAINFOREST AND WILDLIFE

The Manu National Park was established on 29th May 1973 under the Decreto Supremo Nro.0644-73-AG. Manu comes under the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, in the South East of Peru. In 1977 the park was recognized by UNSECO on a global scale by declaring it as Manu Biosphere Reserve. In 1987, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared Manu as a World Heritage Site. And so was born the largest Rain Forest Biosphere Reserve in the World.
The Manu National Park is divided into 3 areas, the Nucleus Zone, the Reserve Zone and the Cultural Zone, comprising o fan total area of 1,881,200 hectares representing a large part of the biodiversity of the Amazon. The parks altitude ranges from (3350 m.s.n.m to 400.m.s.n.m)

Around 10% of all the species of plants in all the world exist in Manu National Park, including palms, medicinal plants and the scientists are continuing to discover new species. In one hectare of Manu you can find more than 220 species of trees, compared to Europe or North America where you can find only 20 species of trees. Manu National Park is probably the zone most rich in species on the planet.

Manu National Park has 200 different varieties of mammals’ incluiding13 species of Monkeys, 5 species of cats, around 1000 species of birds, including 7 species of Macaws, 100 species of Bats, 1200 spices of butterfly 500 species of fish and numerous types of amphibians, reptiles and insects.

More than 30 communities live in the park, and the official language is Quechua. There are also indigenous communities speaking other languages in the remote areas of the park, including the Mashigenka, Amahuaca, Yine, Amarakaere, Huachipaire, Mashco Piro, Yaminahua. There are also archelogical sites that have never been studied, plus others that are know, for example the Painted Stones of Pusharo, close to the Palatoa River and the Mamerian ruins.

The risk of Malaria is very low in Manu and in the Bonanza Ecological Reserve. We recommend that you take good insect repellent (with at least 15% deet) and use long sleeved shirts and trousers. If you choose to use strong medicines against malaria, please check the side effects of these medicines as they can be quit severe! No method is 100% safe against Malaria. If you want you can bring your medication to the jungle (Malaria can be detected from a blood analysis) it is also possible to get medication in the jungle. The risk of Leishmaniasis is also very low in Manu, the best protection being long sleeved shirts and trousers. In Manu there is Plasmodium Vivax, this is curable. You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever for the jungle. A vaccination against Tetanus is also important

There are two main access routes to the Reserve Zone in the Manu National Park:

1.- From Cusco city, approx. 12 hours overland trip and then approx. 6 hours motorboat ride along the Upper Madre de Dios and Manu rivers.

2.- From Cusco, 30 minutes flight to Boca Manu town and then approx. 4 hours motorboat ride along the Manu River.

Because of the inaccessibility and high cost, the minimum duration of a trip to Manu is four days, but we highly recommend to take a seven-day trip.

The shorter option is visiting only the Cultural Zone, in a three days trip long.

In both cases, the one day journey to Ericka Lodge is really a beatiful trip, passing by Paycartambo and after that going down the Andes making mountain biking and rafting along the way.

TRANSPORTATION FROM CUSCO

1. Land transportation. - For our land transportation our partner has two full equipped and comfortable overland trucks and four 4WD vehicles.
2. River transportation. - Manu Ecological Adventures owns five motorized boats with roof, comfortable seats and spare motor. Native boatmen with years of experience are the guides.
3. Flying alternative. - Flying from Cusco's airport with private charter planes (8 - 12 passengers) to and from Boca Manu's airstrip.