Pongo de Mainique: A Canyon in the Heart of the Jungle

The Pongo de Mainique, one of Peru’s most beautiful and mystical places, is virtually unknown outside of the immediately surrounding region. This small canyon which divides the upper and lower portions of the Urubamba River is full of natural riches for the intrepid traveler who chooses to venture there. The biological diversity of the site is incomparable: scientists believe that the Pongo de Mainique may, in fact, contain more species of wildlife than any area of its size in the entire world. It is a place of not only immeasurable natural beauty but also of supreme spiritual significance for the people of the area. The Machiguenga tribe of the surrounding forest consider the canyon to be the most sacred site of their ancient religion. Visitors to the Pongo de Mainique cannot help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at this special place.

Biodiversity Hotspot

The extraordinary biological diversity of the area is due in large part to its unique topography. The Pongo de Mainique represents the only break in the entire Vilcabamba mountain range. The walls of the two-mile long canyon contain enough space for the forest to find a foothold, but descend rapidly enough for multiple climate zones to exist. In an area of just six square miles, you can find both cloud forest and lowland jungle ecosystems, providing the ideal habitats for an astonishing number of animal and plant species. This includes a number of endangered or threatened animals such as the spectacled bear and the jaguar as well as an untold number of as-yet-undiscovered species.

The Pongo de Mainique’s difficult, precarious terrain has also made it unattractive to loggers as well as local hunters, who prefer the much flatter surrounding areas. This stretch of the Urubamba River (the same waterway which famously runs through the Sacred Valley of the Incas) also contains some of the most treacherous whitewater rapids in all of South America, limiting river transport and fishing in the area. All this means that the Pongo de Mainique has remained remarkably untouched; in fact, it is thought to be the only place in the entire Amazonian river system where you can find completely uncut virgin forest lining the riverbank. Traveling through the canyon in your boat, you’ll be wonderstruck by the vibrant wildlife scenes that are plainly visible onshore.

History of the Pongo

The word pongo refers to a type of ravine or gorge, but the Machiguenga tribe know the place as the “Door of the Bear,” a reference to an ancient myth attributing the turbulent rapids at the center of the canyon to a thrashing, demonic bear hidden beneath the water, guarding the door to the afterlife. Historians believe that this area was a primary meeting point between the Incas and the people of antisuyo, the corner of the world which encompassed the eastern slopes of the Andes and the fringes of the Amazon Rainforest according to the Inca worldview. In more recent times, the Pongo de Mainique was one of the primary filming locations for Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, a 1982 film starring Klaus Kinski as a hubristic Peruvian rubber baron. Though its remoteness means that relatively few people have had the opportunity to visit, those who have ventured there are unanimous in their appreciation of it. Former Monty Python actor and current BBC travel documentary producer Michael Palin once referred to the Pongo de Mainique as his “favourite place in the world” in a survey of travel writers.

Pongo de Mainique Wildlife

The meeting of Andean cloud forest and lowland jungle within such a small area means that an incredible number of plant and animal species can be found in the Pongo de Mainique. The steep walls of the canyon are thick with lush vegetation providing a habitat for countless creatures. Animals you might encounter here include:

Various types of parrots
Several species of monkeys
Poison dart frogs
Jaguars, pumas, and other large cats
Spectacled bears or Andean bears
Cocks of the Rock, Peru’s national bird
Multiple types of colorful butterflies

The above species represent just some of the abundant wildlife that can be seen at this awe-inspiring jungle canyon. The Pongo de Mainique is a true paradise for nature lovers and keen wildlife observers.

Tonkini Waterfall

The most striking visual feature of the Pongo de Mainique is the gorgeous Tonkini Waterfall which tumbles over a steep vertical rock face as it plunges into the main river below. It is a truly breathtaking place, almost indescribable in its beauty. Make sure to get a picture at this most iconic sight of the Pongo, but beware of the treacherous river rapids that lie at the bottom of the beautiful cascade.

Pongo de Mainique Rafting

It’s hard to believe that the raging river bisecting the Pongo de Mainique is the same tranquil waterway that winds through the Sacred Valley of the Incas at the foot of Machu Picchu. This two-mile stretch of river is without a doubt the most difficult leg on the entire Urubamba River, and these white water rapids are considered some of the toughest to navigate in all of South America. This also makes the Pongo de Mainique one of the most exciting spots for adventure tourism in Peru. A rafting trip through the pass with an experienced guide is a thrilling and unforgettable way to experience the Amazon Rainforest while in Peru. For the truly adventurous, trips further downriver and deeper into the jungle can also be arranged with proper planning.

Get Off the Beaten Track

Whether you’re most interested in peacefully observing wildlife or taking part in some adrenaline-pumping white water rafting, a visit to the Pongo de Mainique is one of the best ways to get really off the beaten track and experience the Amazon Rainforest. A visit to the Pongo de Mainique is amazing enough to warrant its own trip, but it can also be combined with a visit to Machu Picchu and other famous attractions in the Cusco region. Plan your perfect itinerary today and come discover for yourself what makes this little-known jungle canyon so special.

Header Image: Modified from Flickr / Laberinto Verde