Location
The National Park of the Manu has 1 692 137.76 hectares. It is located to the east in the eastern mountain range of the Andes. It includes the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios and it also includes samples of the tropical rainforest and also there is the high Andean Plateau. The altitudes changes from 1,180 feet above sea level to over 13,123 feet above sea level, it is located in the extreme of the “high Amazonas”, in a remote region in the southeast of Peru. It is located 100 miles from the awesome ruins of Machu Picchu.
Manu is the biggest tropical reserve of the world, it is the only place in the entire world that has tree ecosystems perfectly differentiated: the Puna – a high-altitude, tundra-like area characterized by pale yellow ichu grass, isolated blue lakes and tassel-eared llamas; the cloud forest – a mysterious world bathed in constant mist and inhabited by brilliant-red Cock of the rocks, spectacled bears and scores of dripping tree ferns; and the lowland rainforest – home of the giant black caiman, giant otter, 13 species of monkeys and over 1.000 species of birds (10% of the world’s total).
The Manu Biosphere Reserve has largely been protected through the countries both by its remote location and by the presence of native tribes. Manu currently supports four native ethnic groups – two of which are still uncontested - and protects 4.646.564 acres (1.881.200 hectares) of land. One half the size of Switzerland, Manu is perhaps the most species-rich protected area to be found anywhere on earth.
Climate
In the highest zones the temperature varies between 37.4 ºF and 42.8 ºF. In the lower region the average annual temperature is approximately 75.2 ºF.
Flora
The great altitudinal variation allows the existence of a large variety or plant species and forms, estimated at between 2000 and 5000 species of flowering plants. As a means of reference, 179 species of orchids have been registered in the cloud forest.
Fauna
The great diversity of ecosystems has permitted the development of one of the workd’s largest examples of fauna diversity.
The National Park of The Manu is home to a large variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as invertebrates.
Two hundred species of mammals have been identified (about 40% of the total number of mammals in Peru). The birds constitute an extremely important community of admirable variety that exceeds 1000 species.
How do I get there?
Cusco is an ideal point from where we can begin the trip to The Manu. We have two options to arrive Manu:
By air: We will take a light aircraft that will take you directly to the aerodrome in the Boca de Manu (30 minutes) and then we will continue by boat until to reach the central part of the jungle (4h).
By land: From Cusco, Paucartambo, Patria, Kosñipata es cheaper but you will need more time because the trip last two days travelling by bus and canoe. This trip must do it between May and October, when the average temperature is over 95 ºF because in the rain season the road becomes inaccessible.
Suggestions:
The most advisable is to take the organize services and the ones which are allowed in a specialize agency because of the geographic characteristics of the area. Once being at the park, the best way to move inside the jungle is using a craft or making treks guided for an expert of the area. For accommodations, there are campsites located in the shores of the river. Some hostels are also available. About clothing, it is advisable to bring light clothes, long pants and loose, shirts with long shirtsleeves, a big hat, shoes or tennis shoes to walk.
Cultural Aspects
The basin of Alto Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers, are areas where many native people live in like: Matsiguenka, Yora, Yine, Harakmbut, Maschco-Piro and Amaguancas that belong to different language families. The majority of them are organized in native communities; others live in volunteer isolation, apparently rejecting any contact with the modern society.
In this area, there are many rural communities of origin Quechua.
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