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Church at the Plaza in Cusco

Peru covers an area of 1,285,216 sq km of which 62 % is Andean slopes and tropical forest – ´Selva` ; 26 % is ´Sierra`, the andes highlands, with an average of 3000m and 50 % of Peru´s population; the dry coastal region – ´Costa` - though 2250 km long - only covers 11 % of Peru´s surface and – due to Lima - holds 44% of the population.

Peru is divided in 3 geographical and climate zones. On the coast summer is from December to April, with temperatures up to 35 ° C, while may to November is cooler and mostly cloudy (humid)- due to the garua fog.

In the sierra April to October is dry season, hot during the day and cold at night, November to March is rainy season, with clear days and mostly afternoon rains.

The rainforest´s seasons are the same as in the sierra, but temperatures are up to 35 ° C. and the humidity is high, especially during the rainy season.

Peru´s population has reached almost 27,000,000 which results in a population density of 19 inhab./ sq km (in Europe it is over 200 inhab./ sq km).

The indigenous population is considered over 3 Million belonging to the Quechua and Aymara; in Amazonia there are over 40 ethnic groups totaling 250,000 people. Apart from Spanish (castellano), Quechua is spoken, in rural and remote areas this language of the Inkas is more important than Spanish, and is now tought in schools again.


The Peruvian Amazon
Amazonia is the forest with the greatest extension on earth and being a tropical rainforest it is famous for its high biodiversity. Due to the late migration of man to (South-)Amerca, Amazonia includes vast areas of primary forest.

In central Amazonia there were found up to 500 tree species on 1 ha, whereas in other tropical forests the number is between 100 and 200 per ha.


View on the Alto Madre de Dios River

Also concerning animals the diversity is extremely high, one sixth of all bird species lives in Amazonia.

The scarcity of nutrients is the mayor reason for the diversity of species, competition is high, every niche has its – specialized- being and there are multiple ways of defense and protection.


Sacsayhuaman Ruins

The Amazon being the largest river system in earth and the second longest river on earth, has a length of 6518 km (Nile: 6671 km).

Afluents of the Amazon are the Rio Marañon, Rio Huallaga and Rio Ucayali, all having their origin in the Peruvian Andes.






Updated:

Amazon Trails Peru Tour Operator
Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco - Peru
Tel: (+51 84) 437374 (telefax) / mobile: 984714148
Skype: amazontrailsperu
e-mail: info@amazontrailsperu.com

USA representative : World Class Travel
800-771-3100 (Toll free USA and Canada)
352-371-3100 (local phone)
e-mail: amazontrails@peruperu.com

Cusco / Trekking / Inka Trail Links
 
Also Visit:

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- Manu oxbow lake

· Why go to Manu?

Manu is situated in the peruvian part of the Amazon basin and is one of the world´s great wilderness areas where wildlife is still undisturbed and plentiful.

The Manu Biosphere Reserve protects Tropical Alpine Grasslands ( Puna), Elfin ( temperate) and Cloud Forests, High Rainforest and Lowland Rainforest. In these different ecosistems we can find an extraordinary variety of animal and plant species:

So far 15.000 plant species, over 1000 bird species and 200 species of mammals have been identified in Manu.

According to biologists no other rainforest Park can compare with Manu´s biodiversity ( 40 % more bird species than in the brazilian Amazon) and opportunities to observe wildlife, e.g. at the Mammal- and Macaw Salt Licks.

Manu is remote, away from civilisation and scarcely populated, which distinguishes Manu from other rainforest destinations like Pto. Maldonado. Some of the indigenous tribes in Manu have no contact to civilization.

Some birds are endemic to this area as e.g. White tufted Sunbeam(Aglaeactis castelnaudii), Red and white Antpitta (Grallaria erythroleuca), Puna Thistletail (Schizoeaca h. helleri) and White cheeked Tody Tyrant (Poecilotriccus albifacies).

No other area in America offers such excellent viewing of rare or difficult to observe animals.

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Macaws

· Why go with Amazon Trails Peru?

We were founded by experienced, professional Manu guides - most of them grew up in the rainforest - , who make sure that you have the best opportunities to observe wildlife without disturbing the animals.

Our guides are bilingual and give you a comprehensive impression of the rainforest ecosystem and provide you with an unique, learning rainforest experience at a fair price.

Amazon Trails Peru aims to train local people and work with them, support lodges and enterprises owned by local people and communities (e.g. Casa Matsiguenka).

· Why go to Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj?

Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj are private reserves, situated in pristine primary rainforest, only a short boat ride from Boca Manu. In Blanquillo there is the big Macaw Clay Lick and 2 oxbow lakes with ideal conditions to observe giant otters from a wooden catamaran.

Maquisapayoj has an elevated platform to observe tapirs at night – surrounded by dense forest.

Nobody else around in hundreds of kilometers of rainforest!

Both places are surrounded by plenty of private walking trails to discover, ideal to observe animals.·

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Tapir

· Ecotourism and Conservation

Manu is a very rich/ biodiverse but fragile ecosystem.

Being home of several endangered species, e.g. Giant Otter, Harpy Eagle, Giant Anteater, Ocelot and Wooly Monkey, ecologically sustainable tourism in Manu is imperative and a low tourism flow is favourable.

Visitors should be informed about rainforest conservation and favorabletourism activities have to be controled ( e.g. don´t get too close to the animals).

Ecotourism also is an important economic activity for the inhabitants of the rainforest that permits its use without distroying the rainforest resources.

That´s why it´s very important to involve local people in Manu tourism!

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Tapirplatform in Maquisapayoj
 
     


Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco - Peru
Tel: (+51 84) 437374 (telefax) / mobile: 984714148 - Skype: amazontrailsperu
e-mail: info@amazontrailsperu.com
 
USA representative : World Class Travel
800-771-3100 (Toll free USA and Canada)
352-371-3100 (local phone)
e-mail: amazontrails@peruperu.com
Important: All Phographic Material is propierty of Amazon Trails Per�
The sounds of birds you can hear on this site have been recorded in Manu
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