MANU Natives&Nature

Introduction

60% of Peru is covered by tropical forests. In particular, the Manu Amazon rainforest has characteristics that make it a very interesting area to explore:

• It has one of the greatest biodiversity in Peru.

• It can be easily reached from Cusco by land thanks to a new paved road.

• It is still little reached by tourism, so it retains its cultural and naturalistic integrity.

• It is home to several native communities, mainly of the Harakbut, Machikenga and Yine ethnic groups.

• Our itinerary takes place in an area that is not yet lowland forest, so the climate is not extremely hot and humid and the presence of mosquitoes and insects is still limited; there are rock formations and modest geographical differences, therefore waterfalls and various water courses.

This trip has different motivations besides those related to nature and contact with a native community; it can also be defined as a trip from the Andes to the Amazon, from Cusco to Antisuyo.

We will explore very different ecosystems, rediscovering at a naturalistic, cultural and historical level a path that exists and has been traveled for several centuries by cultures much older than ours.

From Salvación we will set off and discover the native community of Shintuya. It was in the 1950s when some Dominican missionaries arrived in this area and founded this community as a meeting place for the Harakbut ethnic group.

Following the Madre de Dios River we will reach natural hot waters, completely immersed in the Amazon jungle. Here we will also have our small lodge, where we will spend the night.

We will have the opportunity to explore the surroundings, day and night. We will visit waterfalls, lakes and discover many varieties of animals and birds unique to this part of the jungle.

On this tour, in addition to Andrea, an experienced connoisseur of this part of the forest and in this case also a linguistic interpreter and translator, we will also be accompanied by native guides who, in addition to showing us some of the secrets of this territory, will have the opportunity to share part of their ancestral culture.

Later we will continue along Madre de Dios river to the Pantacolla area for a visit and walk in the jungle, where we will have the opportunity to admire one of the most majestic ecosystems in this part of the region, a natural border between the Manu park and the Amarakaeri nature reserve.