JUNGLE TRIPS

Introduction

Fauna

Vegetation

People

F.A.Q

F.A.Q

don’t want to camp, what alternatives do you have?
We are able to change the programmes if you do not want to camp. We can provide you with lodgings with all the facilities you require; toilet, shower, cold drinks etc.
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NATURE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

Manu National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. From the puna (3350.m.s.n.m) to the low jungle (400.m.s.n.m) there exist more that 14 types of jungle.
It has high Andean forests with queuña (Polylepis) y chachacomo (Scalloñia) trees forming compact areas of jungle with bromelias and others. Zones of middle jungle forming a dense forest of trees of more than 15m hight, vines and orchids and others such as mosses, lichens and ferns. The abundance of these plants shows that this area is a high humidity zone.
The low jungle zone is characterized by its abundance of trees (more than 45m). Cedro (Cedrella), Caoba (Swietenia), Shihuahuaco (Dipteryx), Lupuna (ceiba pentadra) trees dominate this area, as well as the numerous varieties of vines that are spectacular in this area. It is estimated that there are more than 300 plants representing more than 100 families.
You can also encounter 2,000 species of plants, around 10% of all plants in the world. Of these plants more than 20% have not been identified and are a large part of on going

PLANTS

AYAHUASCA

Ayahuasca is a term most commonly used to describe a combination of plants and/or chemicals usually consisting of at least some harmala alkaloids and some N,N-DMT. The word 'ayahuasca' is from the Quechuan language and is used for both the harmala-containing vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the medicinal/divinatory brew made from it. The brew is a traditional South American preparation most commonly combining the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (harmaline/harmine as MAOI) and Psychotria viridis leaves (DMT). This combination is important because N,N-DMT is broken down quickly in the body by the Mono Amine Oxidase (MAO) enzyme and so it is not orally psychoactive unless combined with an MAO-Inihibitor, such as the harmala alkaloids.

Ayahuasca is traditionally prepared by boiling or soaking the stems of B. caapi along with various admixture plants, most commonly the N,N-DMT containing leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush. The traditional brews can also contain many other plants including tobacco, brugmansia, datura, and a long list of others.

Outside the amazon basin, in cities around the world, ayahuasca is prepared with a wide variety of ingredients including pure chemicals (sometimes called 'pharmahuasca') or the root bark from mimosa hostilis/tenuiflora (sometimes called 'mimosahuasca'), and often the seeds of Perganum harmala (Syrian Rue) as a source of MAO-inhibiting harmala alkaloids. Ayahuasca is known for its tendency to induce vomiting in many users, its rich & complex visual effects, its reported healing spiritual healing properties, and its powerful mind-changing entheogenic effects.