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OVERVIEW
The
least populated territory in Peru, with only 600,000
people living in its 80,000 kM2 (30,880 sq miles) of
jungle area. Its capital Is a riverside city known as
Puerto Maldonado with 25, 000 Inhabitants.
Most of
Puerto Maldonado's visitors use the town as a launching
point, but if you are staying for a day or two, make
sure to see the following:
Plaza de Armas. The main square in Puerto
Maldonado is much like the main squares all throughout
South America. Great for picture taking, eating ice
cream, or just sitting around.
Confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers.
This is in the eastern-most part of town, next to the
government buildings, and has a lovely courtyard great
for picture taking.
Monkey Island. A medium sized island situated in
the middle of the river, the home of hundreds of monkeys
and several different species. Watch out the monkeys
will try to "borrow" anything that is not attached to
your person or not secured in a backpack.
Lumber yard. Although this sounds silly, those
interested in tropical conservation won't want to miss
this first hand look at the economic drivers behind
deforestation.
Market. Here you can buy everything from a side
of beef to Led Zeppelin CD's. Goods here are slightly
more expensive than in other parts of Peru, since Puerto
Maldonado imports many goods from other parts of Peru
and doesn't produce them themselves.
El Jaguar Zoo & Disco. Yes, you read that
correctly. Puerto Maldonado has a modest zoo complete
with local fauna, and at night the place is billed as a
night club. Go get trashed with the brown capuchin
monkeys at this place.
The Obelisk. An eight-storey lookout tower that
lets you go up for just a few sol. The outside of the
obelisk has beautiful sculptures made by a local artist,
telling a typical story about the jungle. Once up there
you get a good view from the city and the surrounding
Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers.
RESERVES
Manu National Park.
This immense
1.5 million-hectare park has successive tiers of
vegetation rising from 150 to 4,200 metres above sea-level.
The tropical forest in the lower tiers contains an
unrivalled variety of animal and plant species. Some 850
species of birds have been identified and rare species
such as the giant otter and the giant armadillo have
found refuge there. Jaguars are often sighted in the
park.
Recognized as a natural heritage of mankind and a
biosphere reserve by UNESCO, Manu is an example of
intact jungle, the virgin Amazon far from civilization.
On entering the labyrinth of rivers and cochas (lakes),
the traveler enters a universe of repeated surprises and
delights. As opposed to other places in the jungle where
man has hunted, Manu offers visitors great numbers of
animals that show no fear in the presence of man.
JUNGLE
LODGES
There are several lodges which offer very Interesting
eco-touristic services. These lodges, although rustic,
are suited to provide the vlsitors' requirements. There
is also a private Investigation center In the area.
CLIMATE
The weather is cold and dry In the highlands, warm
In the valleys, cold and humid In the cloudy forest and,
warm and humid In the lower jungle. The rainy or 'winter"
season runs from December to March, and the summer or
dry season (ideal for tourism), from April to November.
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