How often have we dreamed of this wild adventure in the heart of the planet’s lungs? Either for self-exploration by making ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant used in shamanic rites. Where you might meet your ancestors or predict the future. But beware, the tourist demand makes it a very big tourist trap with just one hallucinogenic cactus.Manu Park, near Cusco, does not promise this kind of adventure.
On the other hand, it does promise the chance to see monkeys and macaws, fish for exotic fish or hunt tarantulas. Then, if you are lucky and have enough time, you might spot the jaguar. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, it is home to a wealth of flora and fauna. (link of the UNESCO page).
If you take a guide, you will be able to have different types of adventures offered, the possibility to go to the reserve and have more chances to discover the jaguar or the giant otters for more than 4 days or to do the cultural adventure of less than 5 days allowing a beautiful initiation. This is what I will be doing with Darwin, my obligatory guide.
The arrival to Manu National Parc
So I set off for 3 days of adventure, accompanied by Darwin in a coach. On the road between Paucartambo, the entrance to the park, and the first lodge, we keep our eyes peeled for rare birds or macaws. On the other side of the river we will see some monkeys. When we arrive at the lodge for the night, after a few beers to bring the group together, we dance with the locals a mixture of salsa and typical dances.
multiples activities
On the second day, Darwin takes us out in a boat to dive from a rock into this river, which later flows into the Amazon. Fortunately, this is before we learn of the existence of the candiru, a type of fish… Then Darwin takes us along small paths, sometimes stopping to eat ants or drink water from the vines, through the jungle, where the caimans sleep by the water. We see animals and butterflies for at least 3 or 4 hours.
Finally, as night falls, Darwin will suggest that we use the flash of our mobile phones to look for tarantulas and frogs. We will see one emerge from its nest. Terrifying… But that will not stop us from turning off all the lights to feel the great emptiness and intense darkness of the tropical forest. Nothing could be quieter. All the animals are silent.
The last day on the Manu National Parc
The next day, my last day, Darwin takes me on a zip line through the trees. Useless to me, but very touristy to him. We also go for a last time to watch the macaws eating clay pebbles to help them digest. In fact, every morning at sunrise a flight of macaws comes out of the trees. They land on the rocks, flapping their wings and allowing us to observe them. Full of colour, after a few minutes they return to their homes.
Then it is time for me to take my chances and return to Cusco, more than a day’s journey from our lodge. It is also possible to spend more days fishing in the river and eating typical Amazonian food. (as you can try to Amaz restaurant in lima ) I recommend this adventure, which is more expensive than visiting Machu Pichu. But it is a real adventure in a beautiful and well-supplied biosphere, if you have the time.
