Parque Nacional Manu
Good for: volunteering, Wildlife Viewing, Amazonian Jungle, work and friendly help, entomologists
Not good for: Comfort Trips, People do not like bugs
Lonely Planet review for Parque Nacional Manu
This vast national park in the Amazon Basin covers almost 20,000 sq km (12,427 sq mi) and is one of the best places in South America to see a stunning variety of tropical wildlife. Progressive in its emphasis on preservation, Unesco declared Manu a Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site in 1987.
One reason the park is so successful in preserving such a large tract of virgin jungle and its wildlife is that it's remote and relatively inaccessible to people, and therefore has not been exploited by rubber tappers, loggers, oil companies or hunters.
At Cocha Salvador, one of the park's largest and most beautiful lakes, you'll find camping and guided hiking possibilities. With patience, wildlife is seen in most areas. During a one-week trip, you can reasonably expect to see scores of different bird species, several kinds of monkey and a few other mammals. The best time to go is during the dry season (June to November); much of Manu may be inaccessible or closed during the rainiest months (January to April). It is illegal to enter the park without a guide. Going with an organized group can be arranged in Cuzco or with international tour operators.
Traveller reviews for Parque Nacional Manu (3)
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Volunteering in Manu National Park Peru to Manu Peru Amazon
benoitgaillard recommends this,
Volunteering in Manu National Park Peru in the Proyect “Otorongo Blanco” run by www.manuperuamazon.com Wonderfull Experience!!!!!
I was in Cusco’s city, when I saw an advertisement in an Internet café, I picked up the fly. I was looking for an experience in the Amazon, something out of the tourist way, so the fly say Manu Park Work & Travel 4 days US$ 180, very cheap in comparison with the other agencies they offer in Cusco trips for no less than US$ 500. So I decided to go, it was anyway on my budged.
We drive from Cusco with a very simple bus and a very bad road, the only way to go to Manu anyway, no choice!!!! The landscape while we descend from the Andes to the Amazon is Amazing, you can see from the almost naked Andean Mountain to a totally cover by vegetation Mountains.
We arrive to the campsite, a simple roof, hammocks, fire, the river and every thing was totally green wherever my eyes could see. In the beginning it was so different, so much sound, bags,, but later I star also to discover how much beauty live there, every day discovering something different, from a simple but amazing colorful butterfly, to their caterpillars, the birds with colors nobody could imagine if not seen it.
The day third I decided it was to short for that jungle, and decided to stay longer, the best I could have done because in the coming days I saw much more, we saw a Tapir by night, monkeys, a Cayman, we found Jaguar tracks and many other mammals, I heart the Peccaries going by the forest in a big group. Every Days early in the morning we enjoyed watching beautiful and colorful tropical birds around the Camp site, like toucans, big Woodpeckers, many eagles, tanagers, parrots, big macaws and many other more species ob birds
Every day I saw and learn something new, about the wildlife, about the plants, about how important is to plant a tree, I learnt to make fire and Carolina also taught me to cook, I leant to eat simple but delicious.
I was unhappy I could not stay longer, but I promise you Oliver and Carolina, that I will be back for a longer trip.
Thank you Oliver, you are a different person, you make me understand the respect to nature, the importance of this extraordinary jungle where I am sure I will be back, very soon.
¡So was really amazing this Amazon experience!Good for: volunteering, Wildlife Viewing, Amazonian Jungle, work and friendly help, entomologists, information of plants and area, Camping safaris, Birds Watching, Hiking and Trekking, Butterflies Viewing, Work & Travel
Not good for: Comfort Trips, People do not like bugs
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Amazon Wildlife Peru - Everything you've dreamed of seeing
dpalm88 recommends this,
I just returned from the Manu Biosphere Reserve (7D/6N) tour run by Amazon Wildlife Peru and highly recommend it to anyone wishing to visit this awesome part of the world!
I was very happy with what was covered in the itinerary. The Madre de Dias & Manu rivers beautifully represented what I always imagined the Amazon Jungle to be. The 7 day trip I went on was in particular AWESOME, because of how deep it went into the jungle. We saw many mammals (capybara, tapirs, countless species of monkeys, giant otters), birds (including heaps of the beautiful macaws and toucans!), reptiles (3 species of caiman, lizards and snakes), amphibians and many interesting insects and spiders (including several tarantulas!). The tour is very well priced for what you get.
Our tour guide William (co-founder of the company) is very friendly, and extremely knowledgable. He knows the names of virtually all animals and plants of the jungle, and has a special interest in birds. He went out of his way to try and meet the desired experiences of all members in our tourgroup. He even fulfilled my dreams of catching a piranha on a fishing line, and holding a baby caiman! William grew up on a farm in Manu, and his local experience undoubtedly gives him the edge over other tour guides.
All of the lodges we stayed at throuhout the trip were very comfortable, and our chef Bernadino was very friendly and extremely talented! Our boat driver Rufino was very experienced and safe. All members of the team were like family by the end of the trip.
Make contact with the Cusco-based office (amazonwildlifeperu@gmail.com or (051) 084-777738) to speak with the friendly manager Carmen, and book a trip now!!!
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Community Based Tourism Harakmbut
pantiacolla recommends this,
Pantiacolla Tours
Hello,I am Steffie, a student from the Netherlands. I am an intern at Pantiacolla.
For my project I am going to devellop een program for community based tourism with the people from Shintuya, the Harakmbut tribe.
My question for you:
What would you want so see, do or learn from those people if you would visit them? What would you want to experience? Where do you want to live for a few days, maybe a week or longer?
Thanks
Steffie!
