Blogs from Manu National Park, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 6

Spent the past week at Manu Biosphere Reserve which is an Amazonian tropical rainforest. The major highlight was encountering 4 rare sightings of jaguars - one resting in the shade, two courting and mating, and another at night that almost pounced on us from a tree. What beautiful and majestic looking cats. Brilliant!!! Shame my digital camera wasn't up to scratch; I wish I still had my SLR and 300mm lens. Saw heaps of other wildlife as well, such as - Mammals - 6 species of monkeys such as saddleback tamarins, red howler monkeys, night monkeys, black spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, white-fronted and brown capuchins. Also saw a giant otter which was very shy, and huge peccarys which are really ugly and stinky wild pigs. Rodents - Capybaras (world's largest rodents). Reptiles and Insects - Caimans ... read more

We made it back to Cusco this morning, a little worse for the wear, but quite enjoyed the trip! Peru is approximately two-thirds jungle. The most pristine and protected of the jungle is an area called the Manu Biosphere Reserve consisting of 20,000 square kilometers. It is also the most virgin/pristine jungle probably because it the hardest to get to and the most expensive to get to! There are 13 species of monkeys here (more than anywhere else in the country), 15,000 plants, 1,300 butterflies, and more than a milion insects that have not been even close to documented. To visit Manu Reserve, it is compulsatory to have a guide and there are only eight tour groups with permits to visit the area. We went with a highly recommended group called Manu Expeditions and paid $2700 ... read more

Okay so let's call it a draw. Granted, I landed some great punches. I saw dozens of spiders, Caimans (alligators), Jungle life, and some amazing scenery. But the jungle hit back hard with rain, strong rivers, and, a painful uppercut, a bridge collapsing out from underneath my above Peru-average weight. Let me break the trip down. Day 1: Bus ride into the Jungle Arriving at the tour agency at 7:00 am I was happy to see everythign was well underway for our trip. In front of me was our private van that was to take us ten hours along a winding dirt road into the launching off point for Manu, Peru's most famous entrance into the Amazon basin. After piling into the van we hit the road by 7:20, excited but tired. Our guide, Rider (named ... read more

What a wonderful way to wake-up - to the sound of a roaring river surrounded with natural light. There are probably on 2 better ways to wake up, but that's a different kind of blog. (Angelina Jolie, if you're reading this, call me!) Breakfast was simple, yet elegant and delicious, consisting of granola, an egg omelet and bread. Ok, my definition of elegant has really gone down hill on this trip. There was also cinnamon-laced hot chocolate that was awesome. Anyhow, with Stinky Buns not feeling too well, the guide, Silly Buns, and I took off on our morning walking tour of the Cloud Forest. It was nice to walk through it while our guide explained a lot about the flora. I lost a fight with a wasp and it bit me on my chest. Now ... read more

- FOOD: Excellent food on the tour, especially the soups and supplies of popcorn. Live termites that taste of mint. Animal shaped biscuits (so yummy) and Sublime bars - we're addicted. - AREA: In the jungle, the mighty jungle.... WOW. A must experience. Everything is huge - including the spiders. Such a variety of plant and animal life, but didn't see any anacondas still. Mountain biking, white water rafting, canopy sliding and staying in wooden lodges in the middle of the jungle. - PEOPLE: Fantastic tour group. Apart from them, we didn't see many others except for the lucky few that live in the tiny villages in the jungle. - WEATHER: It ain't called a rainforest for nothing.... Monday 20th: I persuaded Stephen (who is Belgian living in New York by the way - I'm getting ... read more