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May

23

2012

Aug

31

2012


Experience the Unspoiled Amazon Rainforest in Peru

Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief

Country: Peru

The Experience

The ecological jewel of Peru, Manu Biosphere Park cradles the Amazon Basin giving travelers the choice between a boat ride down the Amazon River, a trek through the Rainforest, and plenty of local wildlife attractions. There are two areas to the Park, the first Manu National Park which is only accessible by biologists and or by special permit, the second is the Manu Reserve Zone which is accessible to tourists when accompanied by registered tour operator. Generally the Manu Park attracts only a couple thousand tourists a year, quite minimal in comparison to more central jungle tours which can draw upwards of 30,000 tourists a year. Cost of tours range in price from $550 - $2,200 Canadian depending on what type of comfort level you are seeking, and can be booked out of one of the ten registered operators in Cusco. Sights include over 800 bird species, 200 mammal species and 15,000 flora varieties. The Biosphere showcases the mesmerizing beauty of the Amazon Rainforest and is also home to the rare giant otter, giant armadillo, jaguars, and many uncultivated tribes.

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Want a Guide?

Peru Panorama - Lares - GAP Adventures
The Lares Trek, the Amazon, and Lake Titicaca - this 2 week adventure combines three great regions of Peru, giving you a panoramic view of this Andean country. Trek along ancient pathways through the spectacular Andes, visit Machu Picchu as the dawn fog rises over the ruins, explore the Amazon jungle and experience Peru's colourful markets and fascinating cultures, past and present.

More Experiences Nearby

Journey Back in Time to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu
Embark on the journey back in time down the Inca trail to the city of Machu Picchu. Built around 1450 and abandoned 100 years later, Machu Picchu lay forgotten until 1911 when Hiram Bingham brought attention to this treasure and it was soon thereafter declared a world heritage site. It recently received a title change to be included as one of the New 7 Wonders of the world. The Machu Picchu ruins are 7970ft above sea level on a ridge in the Umbra Valley in Peru, meaning that altitude sickness can be problematic for some. The buildings are constructed in ...83 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

World' s Last Great Places Rainforests DVD - National Geographic.com
Explore some of the most remote, fascinating, and unspoiled environments on Earth in this collection of critically acclaimed National Geographic Specials. Our compelling filmmaking allows viewers to experience the world's last great places. Be captivated by exotic wildlife and see magnificent vistas few humans have ever witnessed.
Frans Lanting's Jungles
From the lowlands of the Congo to the cloud forests of the Andes, master wildlife photographer Frans Lanting takes you into the shadows of the world's tropical rainforest like no one else can. ''While the essence of photography is to show, jungles hide, or at best, suggest,'' Lanting writes.
Peru Travel Guide - Lonely Planet
Follow an ancient footpath to the lost city of Machu Picchu. Explore a colourful crafts market. Answer the call of the wild in the lush Amazon rainforest. Peru offers inspiration from every angle. Our unbeatable guide will enable you to climb mountains, delve into canyons and get to know the essence of the Andes.
The Living Edens: Manu - Peru's Hidden Rain Forest
Along the eastern base of the Peruvian Andes is a great river named MANU, the life blood of one of the world's greatest secrets - the Manu Biosphere Reserve. This Eden is the richest Amazonian wilderness on earth. As mist rises off the great river, howler monkeys issue a wake up call it is morning in the rain forest. Hundreds of parrots form a brilliant kaleidoscope upon the clay licks they feast upon. Giant otters take their first swim in the cool waters while sloths get a slow start on their day underneath the mystical canopy.

Elsewhere on the Web

Amazon River, River/Forest - New & Wonders
The South American Amazon is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.
Manu Biosphere Reserve - Tribes.co.uk
Manu Biosphere Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the incredible diversity of the plants and wildlife in the reserve. Manu protects more species of animals and plants than any other park on Earth. It has 1000 species of birds, 200 mammal species and 15,000 flowering plant species.
Manú National Park - UNESCO
This huge 1.5 million-ha park has successive tiers of vegetation rising from 150 to 4,200 m above sea-level. The tropical forest in the lower tiers is home to an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species. Some 850 species of birds have been identified and rare species such as the giant otter and the giant armadillo also find refuge there. Jaguars are often sighted in the park.
Manú National Park - Wikipedia.org
Manú National Park is a biosphere reserve located in Madre de Dios and Paucartambo, Cusco. Before becoming an area protected by the Peruvian government, the Manú National Park was conserved thanks to its inaccessibility. The park remains fairly inaccessible by road to this day.
Travel Report Peru - Voyages.gc.ca
WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Peru Guide : The Jungle > Manu Biosphere Reserve
The Manu Biosphere Reserve is one of the most pristine areas of rainforest in the Amazon and consists of the entire drainage basin of the Manu River. There are very few human settlements in the park, and there is no hunting or fishing.
Manu National Park - Qosqo
The Manu National Park was established on may 29, 1973, by means of Law 0644-73-AG, with the aim of preserving its natural and cultural patrimony for the benefit of present and future generations.

Media References

The Birds Of The Manu Biosphere Reserve (newspaper)
Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve has the highest concentration of bird life on Earth. At the time of writing approximately, 925 species have been recorded.
Animal-Watching Deep In The Amazon - NY Times.com (newspaper)
WE are gliding along the banks of a river deep in the wilds of the Peruvian Amazon, when the Indian guide at the bow of our wooden canoe suddenly shouts ''Capybara!'' Three furry mounds proceed to rise up and glare at us through eyes eerily placed on the tops of their heads.
Peru: Trekking the Amazon Rain Forest - National Geographic.com (magazine)
The 4.4-million-acre (1.8-million-hectare) Manu Biosphere Reserve, in eastern Peru's Amazon territory, has the highest concentration of bird species on the planet.

Language Guides

Spanish is one of the languages spoken in Peru. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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