I’ve just returned from a trip to Manu National Park, located in Peru. I spent a few days there exploring the park and learning about the local communities. It was a very eye-opening experience for me and I’ve learned a lot about the culture of the people who live in the area.
Tours
Manu National Park is one of the best places to see tropical wildlife in South America. It’s located in the Amazon Basin, near the town of Cusco. The park is divided into three areas.
The cultural zone is home to native communities. It includes the Machuwasy lake, which is home to a wide variety of birds. The lake also attracts the black caiman, anacondas.
The reserved zone contains the highest bird diversity in the world. This area is best visited on a group-led tour. If you are able to, choose a night-time trek. This gives you the best chance to see tapirs and giant otters in the wild.
The cultural zone has a variety of ecosystems and habitats, ranging from cloud forest to rainforest. It offers a deeper insight into the Amazonian traditions.
Ecotourism in Manu
Manu National Park is one of the best destinations in Peru for rainforest ecotourism. It is one of the richest biosphere areas in the world, with over 2000 plant species, 2,000 bird species, and a wide variety of mammals.
In addition to its biodiversity, the Manu Reserve is also home to countless reptiles, and many rare and endangered animals. The skulking jaguar is a common sight. The black caiman, another rare animal, is found throughout the reserve.
Besides its rich and varied wildlife, the Manu is home to the highest concentration of land vertebrates in Latin America. This makes it a must-visit for birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts.
Despite its remoteness and small size, Manu is an incredible wildlife paradise. You’ll find a range of animals, from macaws to storks, oxbow lakes, and much more.
Macaw Clay Lick
When you’re planning your trip to Peru, one of the most important things to do is visit a macaw clay lick. These licks are located on the banks of the western Amazon basin. These licks are known for their amazing diversity of birds. Many of the 20 Amazonian bird species can be seen here.
There are hundreds of parrots that congregate on the lick to eat clay. They eat the clay to clear their systems of toxins that have built up from eating unripe fruit. The toxins are naturally found in the plants, but the clay neutralizes them.
There are several macaw clay licks in the southern Amazon. One of the most popular licks is located in Tambopata. The area is home to over 200 macaws that flock to the lick every day. It is also a great location to study macaws and their behavior.
Observe the Andean cock-of-the-rock
The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is one of the most spectacular birds in the world. This bird is native to the cloud forests of the Andes and is also the national bird of Peru. If you are travelling through Manu National Park in Cusco, you may be lucky enough to see this amazing bird.
Its plumage is very colorful. Both the male and female have a feather crest that covers the bill. The crest is bright red or orange. The feathers are also gray. In the wild, these birds are most often spotted in a solitary state. However, there are cases where they are seen in larger groups.
The cock of the rocks can be found in several countries of northern South America. There are four subspecies. Those found in the northern part of the continent include the Andean, the Guianan, the Guiana and the Guyanese cock-of-the-rocks.
Visit local communities
When you visit Manu National Park, you get to experience a great diversity of flora and fauna. You can expect to see exotic animals such as tapirs and otorongo (jaguar). You can also explore a few lakes and rivers.
This region is home to several indigenous tribes. It is one of the best places in the Amazon to see wildlife. There are several large mammals, including guazo, peccary and huangana.
During your stay in Manu, you can take a river tour to learn about the elusive tapirs. You can also learn about the native cultures. In this region, there are several indigenous peoples, such as the Matsigenka and Huachipaeris.
The Manu Cloud Forest is a popular destination for bird watching. This area is home to Peru’s national bird, the cock-of-the-rock. These birds are known for their bright red colour.