Manú National Park

The Manú National Park[[1]], located in the isolated region of Madre de Dios, is one of the most diverse areas in Peru and South America.

Understand

The Manu National Park is divided into three zones: the "core zone" which is only accessible for scientists and researchers, the "reserved zone" (tourism) which is only accessible for a limited number of tour operators and their tours, and the "cultural zone" which is more accessible and where local Amazonian peoples live in small communities. To enter the reserved zone, you must go with a tour operator on a multi-day trip which can be expensive; some of those operators are listed below.

The cultural zone is home to several native communities of Yine and Matsiguenka people who have initiated tourism projects. It is possible to go on your own to the cultural zone as long as you take proper precautions and make your own arrangements (more information below). When visiting the park, chances to see wildlife are highest in the reserved tourism zone but wildlife experiences are also available in the cultural zone. The cultural zone is the only place where you will be able to visit native communities, many of which still follow their traditional ways of life, such as hunter-gatherer traditions.

Cultural Zone

The native communities operating tourism projects in the cultural zone are:

• Palotoa-Teparo: a Matsiguenka community close to Salvacion. Attractions in this community include homestays, banana plantations, and the impressive Petroglyphs of Pusharo, which require a permit for a visit.

• Isla de los Valles: a Yine community next to the town of Boca Manú. On their land, you can visit the Cocha Isla de los Valles, an oxbow lake that is home to giant river otters. The community's tourism committee runs tours to the lake at 5am and 5pm everyday by catamaran.

• Shipetiari: a Matsiguenka community which provides cultural immersion activities, hikes, and Ayahuasca ceremonies. There is a lodge in the community, Albergue Pankotsi, where you can sleep.

History

Manú National Park is the best well-preserved region of the Amazon on the planet today. The Manu Nature Reserve was established in 1968. Manu National Park was established by decree on 29 May 1973. In 1977, UNESCO recognised it as a Biosphere Reserve and in 1987, as a World Heritage Site.

Landscape

Tropical rainforest.

Flora and fauna

There is a lot of tropical wildlife to be seen in the National Park, including jaguars, giant otters, several species of monkeys (red howler, black spider, capuchin, squirrel,... monkeys), caymans, turtles.

Birds are abundant, including macaws, herons, cormorants, hawks, storks and many more.

Climate

The climate is usually hot and humid. Bring light clothes, preferrably with long sleeves to protect against mosquito bites.

Get in

There are two way to get to Manu:

• It is possible to enter by a combination by bus and boat and leave through the same boat/bus combination. This option can be a long trip. From Cusco, go to the San Jeronimo Colectivos to Paucartambo and Pilcopata (tell in front of the Police Station at san Jeronimo in the south of city to your taxi driver). Collectivo taxis leave everyday at 11am for Salvación, which is the largest town in the Manú park reachable by bus. The trip will cost around 35 soles (May 2019). In Salvación you can stay the night then begin the journey by boat or bus the next day.

• By plane is not available currently

Fees/Permits

It is important to get permits in advanced to enter the reserved region of the park. INRENA [[2]] is the Government office in charge of issuing permits. This can be done and paid for through the 8 different official operators in the Manu park.

To see the Petroglyphs of Pusharo in the community of Palotoa-Teparo, a permit is also required.

Get around

To visit the cultural zone, it is best to contact the communities directly and make arrangements for your arrival. Starting with Albergue Pankotsi in Shipetiari is a good idea.

To visit the reserved zone, there are a only 8 tour operators who have the licence to take tourists in. Tours start from Cusco and usually take between 4 and 10 days. Prices range between 300 USD and 1800 USD depending on the length of the trip and the operator. All tours are guided by studied biologists (this is a rule by the park administration).

Be careful when booking your trip and try to book directly with one of the operators, as travel agencies will happily sell you the tickets, take a massive commission and just book you on a tour with an operator you don't know in advance. Make sure to ask about all the tour details before you book (accomodation, extra fees, english-speaking guide if needed, food, jungle walks, other activities). Also try to bargain about the price!

Tour operators that offer tours into the reserved zone:

• Wild Watch Peru, Local tour operator, offers a set of guided tours from 3 days to 10 days of wildlife, nature tour programs, rates are competitive, the tours along the Manu reserved zone are hosted at the casa matsiguenka lodge, managed by a local tribe in the most pristine region
• SAS Travel
• Expediciones Vilca. With a price of (around) 700 USD for an 8-day tour one of the cheaper operators. Nonetheless reliable and excellent value (we had an awesome tour with a great guide, a fantastic cook and lots of animal sightings)
• Pantiacolla. Rather expensive tours guided by a dutch biologist.
• Amazon trails peru. probably guided by the best guide in the Manu National Park or ask for Abraham Huaman
• Tours in Machu Picchu E.I.R.L. company. Is a local tour Operator manage by Jeremy Aquino Offers tours to Manu National Park they also offers tours to machu Picchu.
• Manu Tours Peru is a family company. This natural paradise offer the best possibilities to take photos and to observe the live of the rainforest, thanks for the inborn ability that they can meet in this originally place of the Manu National Park.
• Palotoa Amazon Travel is a locally owned tour operator. They have English speaking native local guides. Their tours are not expensive but offer good value.
• Treehouse INN is a locally owned tour company who have their own treehouse lodge deep inside the Manu Rainforest. All their crew are locals from Manu.

Do

Palotoa-Teparo: offers homestays, volunteering projects, and the Petroglyphs of Pusharo

Isla de los Valles: a native community that has on its land the Cocha Isla de los Valles, an oxbow lake that is home to a family of giant river otters and an assortment of other birds and animals.

Shipetiari: a community with a lodge, Albergue Pankotsi, that regularly receives tourists and large groups. Activities offered in this community include hikes, animal sightings, masato making, fishing, other cultural activities, and Ayahuasca ceremonies.

Buy

Wild Watch Peru. a local tour operator based in Cusco, the tours are well organized and guided by Hebert who is one of the finest guide in the region

Sleep

Lodging

There are several lodges and camps in the Manu area.

Manu Wildlife Center is an awesome place to see lots of birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Cabins are clean, with hot water, but no electricity. Food is very good. Various trips are available from canopy stands to one of only a few known Macaws clay licks, where hundreds of Macaws come every morning to eat bits of clay which aids their digestion.

Treehouse Inn Manu: It is a newly built family owned accommodation in Palotoa Community deep inside Manu.

Get out

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