Peru offers you the perfect place to disappear for a couple of days. Hidden in a remote place, this charming park gives you peace and tranquility among its forests, its incredible wildlife, hundreds of birds that sing each morning and the river currents. Go to Manú National Park, Mother of God, Peru and take a well-deserved vacation. Discover what nature wants to share with me through such a wonderful place.
Things to do
Start an expedition and explore this giant reserve on the Manú River. The Manú National Park is located on the east side of the Andes, more than 3200 kilometers upstream of the Amazon. This place is a bit hidden, it can only be reached by boat. However, although it is a very large park, only a small part, between the banks of the Manú River and the Alto Madre de Dios, is open to the public. The rest is used for scientific research.
You can enter the cold, cloudy and extensive forests. In addition, there are also tropical lowlands that have luxurious and exclusive cabins in the jungle. You can’t stop living the camping experience on the banks of the river. From here you can see jaguars and giant otters in the distance, as well as a great variety of insects. If you choose the date of your trip well you can take a surprise. During clear nights, from the point of view of Tres Cruces, you can admire the sunrise twice during the same sunrise, due to a natural phenomenon.
This park is one of the last virgins and most of the natural biodiversity sites in the world declared a world heritage site. You cannot leave without visiting the clay lacquers, a famous place to admire the macaws and other species of birds that come to look for food. In addition, you can climb a large 18-meter tower with a path that makes it easy for you to see the birds and the vast terrain of the park.
How to get there
Most organize their trip from Cusco in the Peruvian highlands. You can fly from Cusco to the small jungle airstrip near Boca Manú and then go to the park by boat or drive along with the Andes mountain range and get off at Atalaya, where the boats leave for the day trip to Boca Manú.
When to go
It’s the Amazon, it rains all year. Even during the driest months (from May to September), daily rains are expected. Throughout the year, daytime highs reach 85-90F (29-32C). The nights are most pleasant in June and July when temperatures can drop to 60 degrees Celsius (15-18C).
How long
In Manú National Park, most visits are through a travel agency. Most tours last between 3 and 6 days.
Opening and closing times
Manú National Park is open all year and the entrance schedule will depend on the travel agency you choose. If you travel individually, it is advisable to start the trip early if you want to know as much as possible.
Planning
If you travel independently, organize river transportation before leaving Cusco. The primitive camp is the only possibility to spend the night inside the park, but there are shelters in the parks of the eastern flank. Several adventure travel providers in Cusco can organize transportation to the park.
The tours offered by travel agencies are cheap and all-inclusive. To access the park there are different rates and are subject to change, so visit the website before making your visit.
Inside information
You do not need to be in good physical condition to visit the park, you should only be able to walk a few kilometers. It is important that you do not carry containers that are not biodegradable because you have to contribute to the environment. Also, depending on the time of the year you travel, choose your type of clothing well. Do not worry about tropical diseases, it is very unlikely to occur. However, there are many mosquitoes, so don’t forget your repellent. It is important that you know that you cannot swim in rivers or lakes.
History
The Manú National Park was created in 1979 with the name of “Manú National Forest”. However, in 1965, Flavio Bazan and Paul Pierret proposed to create a national park there. The place was studied and its great importance was confirmed for 1966. The area was named a national reserve in 1968 and then “Manú National Park” on May 29, 1973. This was carried out to preserve and maintain the cultural and natural heritage that It offers the area. Subsequently, Unesco recognized it as a world heritage site.
Websites
Other nearby attractions
Located in the Tambopata National Reserve, Lake Sandoval is an incredible place surrounded by immense vegetation and impressive wildlife. In this lake, you can admire large otters, the river wolf, turtles, the black alligator, among other varied species of animals, some endangered. Also, enjoy looking for the 6500 species of fish that swim in these waters, including the famous Paiche. You can reach the Sandoval River from the city of Puerto Maldonado.
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