Traveling to Manu park is an experience that you will remember all your life. Disconnecting from the noisy life in the city is one of the advantages of being in the jungle. Here are 5 things you should know before traveling to Manu park.
1. How long is the trip to the Manu?
You must consider that you will travel for at least 3 days until you actually reach the Manu jungle. Considering that you are outside Peru, the first thing you should do is the following:
TAKE A FLIGHT TO LIMA – CUSCO:
Lima is the capital of Peru, what you have to do is fly to Lima and then board another flight to Cusco. The trip from Lima to Cusco is not very long, it lasts approximately 45 minutes by flight.
TRAVELING TOWARDS THE MANU
Once in Cusco and already installed, it is necessary that you hire a certified agency to be able to go to the Manu National Park, because you need certain permits to enter Manu. The first stage from Cusco you will travel by car, descending from the Andes to the low jungle of Manu. The trip lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours depending on the activities you do. Then you will have to get on a boat to the reserved area where you will find more wildlife activity. The boat trip lasts approximately 6 hours.
2. WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON MY TRIP TO MANU?
WEAR REPELLENT ALL THE TIME
Within the jungle it is normal that you find a diversity of insects, however, the most annoying are undoubtedly the mosquitoes and mosquitoes. Almost all the places where you will sleep are close to the banks of the Manu River, therefore, the existence of mosquitoes is very likely. Always carry repellent and use it frequently. If you are allergic to the sting, do not forget to take the appropriate medicine to counteract your allergy.
HIKING SHOES
The company you hire usually offers you rubber boots so you can get around comfortably, even so, don’t forget your hiking shoes. Remember that boots may not always fit you or may not be provided. Having hiking shoes will help you be more comfortable in your experience in the Peruvian Amazon.
CAMERA WITH A TELEPHOTO LENS
If you decided to travel to the Manu National Park, it is clear that you want to observe the wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon. There is no doubt, you have to do without a camera with a telephoto lens, the animals that you will observe are likely to be 100 meters away, which will be very difficult for you to capture a good photo with just your phone.
FLASHLIGHT AND EXTRA BATTERIES FOR YOUR PHONE
Within the Manu National Park, you will not find alternate electricity, only electricity from solar panels. You are likely to be walking around at night looking for some reptiles or insects, so you will need a good flashlight. We recommend one that can be mounted on your head, leaving your hands free in case you need it. The extra batteries for your electronic devices such as cell phones, cameras, flashlights, etc… must be inside your suitcase. You will need them, because you will not have the opportunity to recharge them while you are in the Manu jungle.
3. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN MANU?
One of the main factors to travel to the Manu National Reserve is the weather factor. If you are looking to observe animals in the wild, consider going in the dry season, when the rains are not present on a daily basis. It happens that birds, monkeys, felines, and other mammals usually take refuge from the rain and cold, so it will be difficult for you to see wild activity in the rainy season.
The months of December to March, are the months with the most rain, it is likely to rain every day. The rest of the year is dry with some days of rain, but in very little quantity.
4 . DO I NEED PERMITS TO ENTER THE MANU NATIONAL PARK?
Yes, you need to process a permit to enter the Manu National Park. Because it is a reserved area, the Peruvian government through the SERNANP institution protects the Manu park, so they need the registration of all people who enter for their safety and the preservation of Manu. You can visit their page for more information by clicking here.
5. CAN I GET SICK WITH MALARIA IN THE MANU?
It is very unlikely that you will get Malaria in the Manu National Park, however, do not forget to use repellent and clothing that covers your body as much as possible. At the moment there is no report of tourists who have contracted this disease in Manu, but there may always be the possibility. However, if you can get vaccinated, do it for prevention.
To enjoy your experience at Manu 100%, it is best to consider these 5 things mentioned. You may have some problems, but we are here to help you at all times, remember to hire a certified agency and if it is from the Manu area, even better! You will be helping in the economy of many native communities.