Ecological Manu National Park Jungle Peru

One of the most important tropical parks in the world, Manu was declared as (world biosphere reserve) by UNESCO in 1977. Home of different ecological zones, descending from 4,000 m.a.s.l. to 300 m.a.s.l the Manu national park is maybe the most important tropical jungle reserve in South America and one of the largest in the world. Harboring unique wild life, it has the richest diversity of bird life on earth with over 1,800 species that have been recorded hire.

Due to the important difference in altitude, Manu covers several types of ecosystems, which increase the biological diversity and the ecological floors. The highest point of the park acjanaco, lays in over 3,500 m.a.s.l. and it’s described as a tropical alpine grassland.

There is a short and scrubby vegetation, weather is oftenly cold; In this park you will see toucans, cock of the rocks, quetzal, tanagers, hummingbirds, fly catchers tyrants, monkeys, giant river otters macaws, deers, black and white Caymans, capybaras, (rodents) tapirs, butterflies, ocelots, parrots and the impressive jaguar. A different species of orquids and local flora, for sure you will see some local villages.

Itinerary

Day 1

We will pick you up from your hotel then we will go by bus to pillcopata town, during the journey we will see colorful towns, before getting to the first pre Inca site ninamarka tombs that belonged to lupakas. At this point we will descend to Paucartambo down town where you will appreciate this amazing town which still has a colonial architecture; after Paucartambo we will go toward “tres cruces” or acjanaco pass or the beginning of Manu national reserve. In this place you will appreciate the eastern side of the Andes covered by clouds. We will enter the Manu national park, only 5 hour away from the beautiful and frequented Cusco city.

With spectacular landscapes of the cloud forest. On the route we will take a break for lunch. After lunch we will start heading all the way down by a couple switch backs to the beginning of the jungle, this day you will get different ecosystems, for you to get a better idea about the place you will go trough this journey realizing that becomes even more jungle!!!!!! On the way we will pass two tunnels, each ones are amazing; the view is changing every minute.
Because we are going into the deep jungle. In this cloudy forest we will stop to search for the Peruvian national bird (cock of the rocks) after seeing it, we will head to pillcopata by chontachaca, patria and finally to pillcopata there you will have dinner and this night we will stay in a hostel at this town, here it is quite hot. (l/d) HOSTEL.

Day 2

After breakfast we will drive 40 more minutes to the atalaya port from this place we will go by canoe sailing down the turbulent alto Madre de dios river to Boca Manu, in this night we will stay on the river shore the scenery will be spectacular not cold any more. Everywhere is green; you will be in touch to the real nature. (B/L/D) CAMPING.

Day 3 & Day 4

Today we will start the amazing experience in the jungle from this point we will have nice point of view of the riverside birds, sunbathing caimans, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig (capybara) then we will go back to camping site, deep inside Manu in the afternoon this will be our base camp for the next two days. During this time you will enjoy from the colorful Macao, parrots, and parakeets.

We will hike through the virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes Salvador by catamarans. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colorful birds. Different species of monkeys and if we are lucky a family of giant otters. A five hours hiking through the forest will take us to the Lake Otorongo and 20 meters high observation platform that overlooks the lake. There we can explore by flashlight or moonlight Cayman spotting on the lake. You will also see plenty of medicinal plants orquids moss bromelias and more. (B/L/D) CAMPING.

Day 5

Early morning we will have breakfast, after a final walk through the forest and surrounding the Lake Salvador. We will return back down by Manu River. At Boca Manu and you will return to Cusco city.