The National Park of Manu is located in the provinces of Paucartambo in Cusco and Manu in Madre de Dios. Its extension is 1716295.22 hectares.Its establishment seeks to protect a representative sample of the biological diversity, as well as the landscapes of the low jungle, the jungle edge and the Andes of the Peruvian south-east. Likewise, it aims to promote tourism based on ecological and culturally compatible criteria. On the other hand, the National Park of Manu also seeks to promote and facilitate research, education and recreation, as well as contribute to the preservation of archaeological heritage. Their presence contributes to the recognition and protection of cultural diversity, as well as to the self-determination of the indigenous traditional people of the area. Manu protects one of the most important areas of the planet in terms of the mega diversity of biological species. Its great extension crosses frigid punas that surpass the 4,000 m.a.s.l ; wild forested mountains that give rise to a multitude of small gorges and valleys; cloud forests of high forest and finally the Amazon plain. This magnificent and unique scenario includes a wide and complex hydrographic system and guarantees the presence of a diversity of ecosystems little intervention by man. In these circumstances, the biological diversity that houses is manifested in its full potential in a unique landscape on the planet. The tropical forests of the Manu have allowed ecological and evolutionary processes to be carried out almost without the presence of man, however, in the area there is also an enormous cultural wealth, represented by the current indigenous populations at different levels of contact with the outside, and an archaeological heritage not yet revealed in all its magnitude. Since 1977, Manu has the status of a Biosphere Reserve, which was granted by UNESCO. On its borders is the Territorial Reserve of the Kugapakori and Nahua ethnic groups, the Megantoni National Sanctuary and the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve. At the same time, in 1987 it was declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity. The communities of the Yora, Mashko-Piro, Matsiguenka, Harakmbut, Wachipaeri and Yine inhabit ancestrally between the forests and rivers of these jungles. The native communities of Tayakome and Yomibato are recognized within the area. Both are located in the upper area of ​​the Manu River. In the southwest sector there is an association of farmers known as Callanga. In addition, in the northwest sector adjacent to the National Park of Manu (and in the interior) there is an undetermined number of indigenous populations in voluntary isolation. The Manu National Park is the home of 10,000 plant species, 250 varieties of trees on one hectare, 221 species of mammals, 1200 species of butterflies, more than 300 species of ants, 210 species of fish, 155 species of amphibians, 132 species of reptiles and 1025 species of birds (10% of the world population) ). The Manu National Park, is considered as one of the few pristine forests on the planet, is a paradise in natural evolution.
Day 01: Cusco to Boca Manu
Day 02: Otorongo - Salvador - Otorongo
Day 03: Otorongo - Boca Manu
The Manu National Park is a protected natural area located in southeastern Peru, located partially in the departments of Madre de Dios and Cusco, in the provinces of Manu and Paucartambo. With an area of 1 909 800 hectares or square hectometres, it is divided into three large areas: the National Park, with 1 532 806 ha, the Reserved Zone, with 257 000 ha and the Transition or Cultural Zone, with 120 000 ha. It extends from 300 meters above sea level, at the confluence of the Manu River with the Madre de Dios River, up to 3800 meters above sea level on the summit of the Apu Kañajhuay Mountain. Some researchers believe that in the virgin areas of this reserve is the Paititi or lost city of the Incas. The national park was created on May 29, 1973. In 1977, UNESCO recognized the Park as a Biosphere Reserve and declared it a Natural World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Manu National Park, a protected natural area managed by the National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State-SERNANP, celebrated the 40 years by protecting one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet; more than 5,000 species of plants, equivalent to 1/6 of all the flora in the world, 1,025 species of birds, and more than 50 of globally threatened animals are evidence of this. The protected natural area is home to different ancestral cultures, which shows that its enormous importance for the whole world lies not only in the protection of its majestic biodiversity but also in the protection of the cultural diversity of Peru and Latin America. Manu is the third largest protected natural area of our country located between the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, has received numerous awards not only nationally but also internationally.
Please take note:
The National Park of Manu was established on May 29, 1973, through Supreme Decree 0644-73-AG, with the purpose of preserving its natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations; that same purpose determined for the recognition by UNESCO of the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
With a park of the size of Manu, with a considerable altitude, the vegetation is very variable, however the types of vegetation is more widespread in the lowland rainforest, tropical mountain forest and the vegetation of the Puna. Lowland forests occur in alluvial plains and interfluvial hills. Those forests in the hills can experience the seasonal water supply, taking into account the monthly variation of rainfall, while the forests in the alluvial plains are prone to be seasonally flooded. Montane forests experience less variation in water supply and are exposed to lower temperatures. The management plan maps 14 forest types using the Holdridge system, although, given the lack of precipitation data, this is to some extent speculative. Despite the high diversity of plant species in this region, Manu's flora is still little known and floristic inventories should be considered preliminary. The few collections of plants are those of Foster and Gentry made in the alluvial plains, near the Biological Station, and in the Tres Cruces region of the highlands. Other collections have been made by Terborgh (1985) and Janson (1985) in trees where birds and primates obtain food. Despite this, in the last ten years, 1147 species of plants have been identified in the park within a fairly small area (500 ha), and it is likely that the number of species found within the park is well above of this figure. The most recent data indicate 1,200 vascular species from the lowlands and a single hectare from a plot near the Cocha Cashu research station supported to more than 200 species of trees. On one hectare of plot in the alluvial plains, 17 trees with a diameter of more than 70 cm were found. The largest tree was a Ceiba pentandra (120 cm), while others included the local level Poulsenia armata rare (110 cm) and Calycophyllum sp. (117 cm), and locally endangered Swietenia macrophylla (105 cm) and Dipteryx odorata (100 cm). The most common tree of the plot was Otoba parviflora, and other very abundant species including the palms of the genera Astrocaryum, Iriartea and Scheelea, two species of Quararibea. Another notable feature of these forests is the great abundance of Ficus. Of which there are at least 18 species only 15 species of Ficus are mentioned in the Flora of Peru.
This first day, we will leave Cusco and flight to Boca Manu the connecting point between the rivers High Madre de Dios, Manu and Madre de Dios. It has a few houses, an airstrip and some food supplies. It is also the entrance to the Manu Reserve and to go further you must be part of an organized group. The park ranger station is located in Limonal , 20 minutes by boat from Boca Manu. This day you can appreciate some group of turtles and more species of the long list of wildlife.In the afternoon we arrived at our camp located in Cocha Otorongo, shortly after we organized a walk to visit the lake and the observation tower from where we have the opportunity to observe the wolves of the river.To end our first day, at night, we will return to our camp on platforms with roof , showers and toilets available.
This second day, we will wake up very early to visit the famous "Cocha Salvador" (30 minutes away from Cocha Otorongo). Then, we will visit the lake to that gives us the chance to observe the river wolves and a variety of strange and colorful birds such as the sultana or the agami. Later we will walk on the main trails with our guide to appreciate the tropical forest.Finally in the afternoon we will return to our camp in Cocha Otorongo.
To end our tour, we will wake up early and we will have the opportunity to see some monkeys. After we will get back to Boca Manu to finally fly back to Cusco.Hoping it was a wonderful trip, we will transfer you to your hotel at Cusco, and this being the end of our adventure.
