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Amazon
Adventures
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or 1-512-443-5393 jmc12@amazonadventures.com |
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Phone: 800-232-5658 or
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Suggested Packages
/ Amazon / Cusco / Lima
/ Lake Titicaca / Arequipa
/ Nazca
Trujillo & Chiclayo / Chachapoyas / Trekking
/ Multisport / Rafting
/ Biking
Manu park is situated in Peru, located west
of Puerto Maldonado. Access is easier and cheaper from Cusco, is one of
the most important tropical parks in the world, and was declared a "
World Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO in 1977. It is home to many different
ecological zones between 4,000m (13,120ft) and 300m (984ft) above sea
level. Manu harbors a unique variety of wildlife. Over 1000 species of
birds, 200 species of mammals, many reptiles and 10% of all the plant
species on the planet have been recorded within the park's boundaries.
The great altitudinal range within the park means that Manu is home to
several different ecosystems, which enormously increases the biological
diversity of the area. The most southerly point of the park, Acjanaco,
lies at 3500m above sea level and is described as Tropical Alpine Grassland.
It has short, scrubby vegetation and the
weather is often cold. Lower down is the Elfin Forest, characterised by
low trees, cold humid air and very diverse fauna, including a rare species
of high altitude Toucan.
Further down, between 1000m and 2500m above
sea level, the Cloud Forest begins. This is a unique ecosystem which receives
high rainfall and hosts a large number of endemic species such as the
Spectacled Bear with glasses and the Cock-of-the-Rock (the national bird
of Peru). One of the Manu Biosphere Reserve's many distinctions is that
it currently protects the largest area of undisturbed cloud forest in
the world.Lower still lies the High Forest, between the Cloud Forest and
the Amazon Basin, a diverse landscape rich in fauna. Here many indigenous
ethnic tribes have made their homes. The lowland Amazon Basin itself lies
at about 350m above sea level. No other park on Earth can compare to Manu
in terms of variety of life forms. It boasts 13 species of monkey and
one of the world's rarest mammals: the Giant River Otter.