Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with onward travel plans as delays are common. Entering by bus and boat and returning
by flight is the best means of seeing Manu.
Tour costs depend on whether you camp or stay in a lodge, whether you arrive and de-
part overland or by air and whether you enter the
zona reservada
. A tour inside the zone
won't necessarily get you better wildlife viewing − although, since it's virgin jungle here,
chances of seeing larger animals are greater. If your budget allows, the more expensive
companies really are worth considering. They offer more reliable and trained multilingual
guides, better equipment, a wider variety of food, suitable insurance and emergency pro-
cedures. Perhaps most importantly, there are more guarantees that your money is going
partly toward preserving Manu, as many of these companies fund conservation costs.
All companies provide transportation, food, purified drinking water, guides, permits
and camping equipment or screens in lodge rooms. Personal items such as a sleeping bag
(unless staying in a lodge), insect repellent, sunblock, flashlight with spare batteries, suit-
able clothing and bottled drinks are the traveler's responsibility. Binoculars and a camera
with a zoom lens are highly recommended.
All lodges and tour operators in the big-money business of Manu excursions quote
prices in US dollars.
ADVENTURE TOUR
Crees
(
www.crees-manu.org
)
Cuzco
( 26-2433; Urb Mariscal Garmarra B-5, Zona 1);
UK
( 0044-207-581-2932; 7-8 Kendrick Mews, London)
Crees runs 'voluntourism'
one-week trips into the
zona reservada
(US$1150; departing every Saturday April to
December) where participants can help with projects such as reforestation and jaguar
monitoring, while at the same time getting to see parts of the jungle the tourist otherwise
couldn't reach. If one week isn't enough for you, it also runs long-term volunteer projects
(up to 16 weeks).
Bonanza Tours
( 084-50-7871;
www.bonanzatoursperu.com
; Suecia 343, Cuzco)
This local
family-operated company is run by Ryse Choquepuma and his brothers, who grew up in
Manu and know it better than most. Tours are arranged to the family home, which has
been converted into a well-appointed lodge. The land here virtually backs onto the park
proper and there are trails as well as a clay lick that attracts plenty of wildlife. Swims in
hot springs and coconut-cutting lessons are included, as is a special late-night creepy-
crawly-hunting sojourn. The four-day/three-night option with two nights at the family
lodge and one at their new lodge near Pilcopata is US$435. Bonanza also runs longer
tours into the
zona reservada
.
ADVENTURE TOUR
