Lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu: A Hidden Gem of Breathtaking Beauty
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting allure of Lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu, a hidden gem nestled within the
heart of the Manu National Park. This pristine lake offers a unique and immersive experience that promises to take
your breath away.
Natural Splendor: As you set foot near the shores of Lake Machuwasi Manu, you’ll find yourself surrounded by an untouched paradise of awe-inspiring natural beauty. Towering trees, lush foliage, and vibrant flora frame the tranquil waters, creating a scene straight out of a dream.
Biodiversity at its Best: Lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu is a haven for biodiversity, where an incredible array of
wildlife finds sanctuary. Prepare to witness a symphony of birdcalls and the occasional rustle in the underbrush, as
numerous species coexist harmoniously in this captivating ecosystem.
Boat Adventures: Embark on boat excursions that will transport you across the serene waters of Lake Machuwasi
Manu. Glide gently through the water as you observe rare and exotic birds taking flight, monkeys playfully swinging
in the trees, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of elusive aquatic creatures beneath the surface.
Immersive Nature Walks: Explore the surrounding jungle on guided nature walks that lead you through a tapestry of plant life and diverse ecosystems. Your experienced guide will unravel the secrets of the rainforest,
sharing knowledge about medicinal plants, local traditions, and the delicate balance of this extraordinary ecosystem.
Sunrise and Sunset Magic:
Experience the captivating magic of sunrise and sunset reflected in the mirror-like surface of the lake. These
moments are not only picturesque but also profoundly spiritual, as they invite you to connect with the rhythms of
nature and find solace in the stillness of the Amazonian wilderness.
Cultural Encounters: Engage with indigenous communities living along the shores of Lake Machuwasi Manu. Immerse yourself in their culture, learn about their way of life, and gain insights into their deep connection with the
land. This exchange is a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons and foster mutual understanding.
Unforgettable Memories Await: Lake Machuwasi Manu is more than a destination; it’s a journey into the heart of one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems. This hidden treasure invites you to reconnect with nature, explore
the unknown, and create memories that will forever be etched in your soul. Embrace the allure of Lake Machuwasi
Manu, where every moment is a precious gift from the wild.
lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu:
It is located 1.5 km or 10 minutes drive by road from the town of Salvation, capital of the province of Manu – Lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu . It is a small lake of 40 ha in area located on the right bank of the Rio Alto Madre de Dios.
Being an abandoned Alto Madre de Dios River meander, is swampy vegetation, becoming a natural refuge for many
species of wildlife, this gives an excellent opportunity for bird watching on the lake or cocha Machuwasi.
You can permanently observe various species such as hoatzin, the pussy heron, large and small white heron,
sporadically on its shores can observe mammals such as tapir Tapiro, agoutis, peccaries or peccaries, among others
on the lake. It also has trails to explore the surrounding forests and a beach where you can make walks. It is
administered by the Provincial Municipality of Manu that, since 2005, promotes its use as part of the development of
the town.
Location Lake Cocha Machuwasi Manu
Cocha area Machuwasi is located 1.5 km west of Villa Salvation, District of Manu province of Madre de Dios Region;
on the right bank of the Madre de Dios River just 20 minutes from Villa Salvation; within the Transition Zone of
Manu Biosphere Reserve between 83 ° 50 ‘south latitude and 10 ° 20’ west longitude.
Tourism sectors :
Within the area of Machuwasi Cocha (lake) are 8 zones for tourism in the Peruvian jungle, which are:
Lake Road Trips: is the designation given to the carrosable trail that enters the area of the Cocha Machuwasi, with a length of 500 meters approximately plant formation which consists of grasses and shrubs as expastizales. The
incidence of birding is little in this area of the jungle. Currently this site is not being used efficiently because it is only
one way to enter the lake.
Trips Rio Alto Madre de Dios: in this area we see diversity of birds and that runs along the beach of Rio Alto Madre de Dios, helicoetum and crops, is a road whose soil is quite shocked because for compaction soil during rainy
ponds are formed in much of the way into the jungle, with a distance of approximately 400 m. About this sector
could say that is being optimally used, there is just entering the only groups of tourists entering the Cocha Machuwasi.
Trocha travel by Pacal: is the name given to the road that enters the area just west part of the Municipal
Stadium, which after traveling by grasslands entered by a trail that crosses a pacal or Guadual, moving to integrate
Oje to gauge, but before going through a reduced primary forest and swamp forest, has approximately 1100 m.
Currently it not is used (potential) is a path in which you can see thunderclaps (Pasture) and birds clearly Bamboo (pacal).
Travel using the Cocha Machuwasi:
This sector is the most important area because it can see the great diversity of birds in the forest, both sailing on the
lake of Cocha Machuwasi as resting on the pier (with the necessary equipment on their trips). Currently this site is
being used and exploited efficiently because it is the main attraction in the Manu.
Travel using the Playa del Rio Alto Madre de Dios: this sector has made up CETICOS landscape units (Cecropia sp.), Cañabravas (Ginerium sagitatum) booby (Tessaria integrifolia) and sheltering birds corisachas as
flooded forests (Caliandria Sp.) furnariids, Vireonides, Tyrannidos, Trochilidos, etc, as well as typical of rivers and
streams as Laridaes, Ardeidaes, Scolapacidaes, Rallidaes and Charadridaes species. We can say that this sector is
being optimally used, with the input and the means by which to enter the Cocha Machuwasi.
Travel by Trocha Oje: is a circular trail in which you can observe many species of birds like anthills carpenters and generally birds of Amazonian tropics, with a length of 1150m about is the longest trail in the area to which You
can access the No. 2 pier after crossing the Cocha Machuwasi in a boat. The incidence of being traveled this trail is short; But sometimes they visit the Pier No. 2 as a resting point.
Trocha Taricaya trips:
a small trail that follows almost parallel to Driveway 2 with nearly 700m through a forest made up of heliconias,
cañabravas and CETICOS, bordering a small oxbow lake called Taricaya. Only 50% of groups entering the area, use this Trocha.
Trocha travel by Huicungo: this trail enters the area from the West Beach area of Rio Alto Madre de Dios, he
passes through a Swamp Forest, bordering the Yellow Cocha and joins the Trail Oje its west side, has a distance
approximately 400 m, with palms, heliconias, shrubs, ferns and Dante trees, is an ideal haven for birds cryptic. This
trail is currently out of service and still just a guide uses this trail, precisely because of the variety of habitats and soil
formations which takes place, is a highly potential trail.