Our trip through South America has been all Andes save for the occasional visit to our old friend, the Pacific Ocean. Despite our suspension airbag deterioration, we decided a stopover in the Amazon Rainforest, via the Manu Road, was in order.
The far western arm of the Amazon
Months ago, when crossing into Peru at the furthest east border crossing, we were in the Amazon Basin, but there was no forest to be seen. Manu National Park, because of it’s past isolation and more recently it’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, now boasts the title: worlds most biodiverse area. This small protected chunk of the rainforest is home to a host of yet-to-be discovered species and un-contacted tribes.
We approached the park from Cusco, crossing over a 13,000 foot mountain pass before dropping down into the jungle. Topping out at the Tres Cruces viewpoint revealed clouds as far as the eye could see.
What a rainforest looks like from above
Blind Curve Ahead
After a bush camp on the pass, we were winding our way down muddy tracks into the jungle, dropping nearly 8,000 feet in a day. Our surroundings turned increasingly green and lush with each switchback. After our descent, we continued through rock tunnels and under waterfalls gushing over the road (free car wash!).
Access to the jungle via mud and rocky tunnels
Jungle Camping
The conditions slowed us considerably so we opted for our first jungle bush camp and set out to explore via foot. Jumping out of the truck we were swarmed with large curious insects. Seemingly bored with humans, they left as quickly as they came, but not before one could take a chunk out of my arm.
We walked around the lush forest crawling with life. Spotting a number of odd plants and animals, we unfortunately couldn’t name a single one. So we made up names such as the vintage metallic couch-patterned hummingbird.
We ventured out a second time to experience the jungle on a moonless night. Our headlamps revealed wildlife desperately escaping the spotlight. We caught a glimpse here and there but the true marvel was the physical feeling all around us, a thriving ecosystem, an independent pulse. Afterward, we settled into the camper and fell asleep to the foreign sounds of the amazon enveloping us.
Welcome to the Jungle
So when do you guys do battle with the cannibalistic tribes, which is I’m assuming what you meant by “uncontacted peoples”.
Luckily these cannibals have never seen or heard of bear mace, so you can go ahead and add “blind” to the “uncontacted peoples” title.
So well written, as usual! I have been lucky to see some of this in Ecuador. Glorious! My favorite part are all the different leaf shapes and colors if green.