With 1 716 295 hectares, the Manu is the largest National Park in the territory. Because of its important natural wealth, Unesco gave it the status of a Biosphere Reserve since 1977, and ten years later it was declared a Natural World Heritage Site. Discover the Peru Jungle Tours and walk the Manu in this post.
How to Get?
The National Park of Manu can be reached from Puerto Maldonado or Cusco. Starting from the capital of Madre de Dios, you can choose a river or land route. Access from the imperial city is the most interesting. Despite being a longer route, it allows you to appreciate the different ecological levels, from the Andes to the Amazonian plain.
From Cusco you must hire private land transport to the town of Atalay or Shintuya. Here we rent boats that will take us to the town of Boca Manu, and then to the National Park.
For a spectacular view it is recommended to reach the Tres Cruces viewpoint and appreciate the sunrise, as well as two opposite landscapes: the Andean mountain range and the cloud forest. It is better to go between May and August, when the sky is clear and allows to see the appearance of the sun twice during the same sunrise, due to a phenomenon of nature. The Manu has one of the most renowned research centers for the Amazon: the biological station of Cocha Cashu, as well as an interpretation center in the surveillance post of Limonal
The National Park has several routes and trails for hiking. They are divided into five zones: Salvador, Otorongo, Pakitza, Limonal and Juárez, where you can visit three impressive lagoons or lakes. These lagoons are surrounded by an important vegetation, inhabited by curious species of animals.
The main activity of the Manu is the observation of flora and fauna, being the most representative species of this area the jaguar, the giant otter and the monkey "leoncito", considered the smallest in the world because it weighs only 100 grams. Also, you can see more than 20 thousand species of plants, a thousand species of birds, as well as hundreds of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
The Manu is the surprising habitat of around 30 million insects, according to Sernanp; with hundreds of species of ants, beetles, dragonflies, among others. Another of its particularities is that it houses several native communities such as Huachipaire, Machiguenga, Piro, Yora and Yaminahua. Other communities, whose number has not been determined, also live in voluntary isolation. You can visit this native communities in an Amazon River Cruise.
Most visitors come to the national park through tour agencies. I would definitely recommend this option because the guides know their way around and know where and how to best observe animals. On your own, it is a real adventure, and you should have a good car, proper equipment, and be able to speak Spanish.
From Cusco, drive 280 km on the winding road from Cusco towards Paucartambo (about 10 hours by car) to reach the town of Atalaya. From there, continue by boat on the river to the town of Boca Manu, and then cross the Madre de Dios River to enter the park. It is also possible to reach the town of Boca Manu by small plane (expensive!) from Cusco (30 minutes), and from there follow the route described above.
In the district of Paucartambo, you will reach the sector of Tres Cruces. In the early morning, you can see an unforgettable sunrise over a sea of clouds. To get to this natural viewpoint, one must travel from the district of Paucartambo to the Acjanaco checkpoint, a trip of about half an hour by land. After that, it is a half-hour walk to Tres Cruces.
Drive 140 kilometers along the Interoceanic Highway from downtown Puerto Maldonado to downtown Santa Rosa (1 hour, 30 minutes). Then you cross the Inambari River by boat to Puerto Carlos (5 m).
Night hikes: Not for the faint of heart, walking through the jungle after dark gives you the chance to see countless nocturnal animals that don't come out during the day. A large group of creatures, including many insects and amphibians, emerge after dark to hunt their prey.
Visit Lago Sandoval: deep in a protected area, far from civilization, the lake is home to a variety of animals and birds. Animals to watch out for include monkeys, capybaras, caimans and river turtles.
Visit Lake Otorongo: Another must-see, Lake Otorongo is home to a variety of wildlife. There is a purpose-built tower in the lake from which birds and animals can be viewed.
Visit the Giant Otter: One of the most impressive species in the area is the giant otter, which can grow up to 6 feet long. They live in families and can be found in many lakes in the area. Visitors have the opportunity to observe them hunting, eating and playing together in their natural habitat.
Spot macaws at Clay Licks: A highlight of any visit to Manu National Park is a visit to one of the macaws' salt licks, where hundreds of colorful birds flock to collect the salt and minerals they need for their food. A must for anyone with the slightest interest in ornithology.
Visit the Pusharo Petroglyphs: Travel to Palotoa-Teparo, the Matsiguenka Aboriginal community, and stay at the Pusharo Lodge. There are excellent nature walks here, but the principal attraction is the petroglyphs of Pusharo, enigmatic ancient petroglyphs adjacent the settlement Local communities organize tours, but permits must be obtained in advance in Cusco.
Take a canopy walk: To see the jungle from a different perspective, take a canopy walk high in the treetops. In the rainforest, where most of the action takes place far above the ground, a walk across the suspension bridge provides a deeper insight into life in the trees.
Visit local communities: The Manu Biosphere Reserve has long been the domain of indigenous peoples such as the Matsigenka. They were considered seasoned hunters, well versed in the medicinal mysteries of plants. This knowledge is a legacy of thousands of years. There are tours such as Responsible Travel Peru, where you can touch the magic of the Amazon and learn more about the rituals, beliefs and use of medicinal plants in the Matsigenka culture.
Go whitewater rafting: is a popular activity in Manu National Park, and the Grade I and II rapids close to Pilcopata provide the option for a small adrenaline rush against the magnificent backdrop of the dense jungle.
