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Manarola

Manarola is part of Cinque Terre in Liguria.

By train
From Pisa Centrale (direction La Spezia). The price is around. There are plenty of trains everyday. You can also take a train from Genoa to Monterosso or Levanto and obtain a Cinque Terre day pass for (as of 2016) which allows you to hop on any train between Levanto and La Spezia and includes the fees for entry into the Cinque Terre park.

Do
Besides enjoying the beauty of this small town, hiking the trails to the other towns is definitely worth a day or two in the area. See Cinque Terre for more information on the paths.

When you arrive at the train station, you may need to go underground to reach the main platform. Head down the tunnel toward the city. During World War 2, the residents spent the nights here for protection. There is a wonderful art gallery with oil paintings and watercolors of the cinque terre towns. Turn right and up the hill -- this road used to be a stream, with bridges crossing, similar to Venice. The stream was paved over and you can still hear the running water. About halfway up, there is still an old water wheel. At the top is the church of S.Lorenzo.

To get to the via dell amore, go back through the tunnel towards the train station. Around the back are steps leading up to the trail. Be sure to have your ticket (available at the cinque terre office near the train station.)

title: Manarola


text:
Manaslu Trek

The Manaslu Trek is in the Gorkha district of Nepal.

Understand
The Manaslu Trek (or Manaslu Circuit Trek) is a 14-day tea-house trek which circumnavigates Mt. Manaslu, the 8th highest peak in the world (8,156 m). The trek has all the elements of other treks in Nepal including both Hindu and Buddhist culture, protected wildlife, rhododendrons and wild flowers, a 5000+ m pass, raging rivers, precarious bridges and stunning mountain scenery.

The trek is much easier than it used to be with greatly improved trails along the Budi Gandaki river gorge. In terms of difficulty, it is comparable with the Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. It's highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular unhindered views of Manaslu that appear midway through your ascent of the valley.

Just over 2,000 people complete the trek per year with more than half visiting in October. This is substantially fewer than visiting Annapurna, Everest or Langtang. There are two main reasons for the fewer numbers.

The first reason is that the trek used to require camping, as there were too few tea-houses along the trail. In particular there was no lodge below the Larkya La (a pass at 5135m) requiring an enforced night of camping. This is no longer the case. Since 2010 there has been a tea-house below the pass and others regularly spaced all the way up from the starting point at Arughat. A few of the tea-houses are still rustic compared to counterparts on the Annapurna Circuit, but most are comfortable.

The second reason is that the trek has restricted area status. This means it requires a special permit (see below), that the group have two or more members and that a registered trekking guide accompanies the group. In 2011, for Nepal Tourism Year, the permit fee was reduced to USD50 per week. The fee for this permit has since been increased to USD100 plus USD15 for every day over 7 days, counting only those days needed for trekking between Jagat and Bhimtang.

These two factors together have made the trek affordable for budget traveler and it is now being referred to as The New Annapurna Circuit.

Prepare
You have to arrange this trek through a registered trekking agency, even though you may just be two people with a single guide. You can book a local agency on-ground after you reach Nepal in both Pokhra and Kathmandu, or book the trek inclusive of guides and porters through registered international agencies or aggregator sites. The agency is necessary for arranging the permit, as individual tourists are not permitted to do that.

In addition to the restricted area permit are entry fees for two national parks and a blue TIMS card:

 * Restricted Area Permit: USD100 per week (plus USD15 per day over seven) which must be bought through a through a registered trekking agency. Normally only one week is needed from Jagat to Dharapani if not visiting Tsum Valley.
 * Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) entry fee: NPR3,000 (approx €26 or USD30 in 2018)
 * Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entry fee: NPR3,000 (approx €26 or USD30 in 2018)
 * Blue TIMS card: USD10 for the blue TIMS registration card for group trekkers.

Prepare as you would for any other trek equipment-wise. Water purification such as a Steripen (UV), iodine or a portable filter will be needed. Get fit.

Get in
In present days the trek generally starts at soti Khola. This is a simple 7-8 hour bus ride from Kathmandu costing around US$7. It's a completely off road driving, so a private 4/4 jeep can be another option to reach Soti Khola, if you want to have your own private vehicle. Ensure you book in advance and check with local four-wheel jeep rental companies in Kathmandu. Jeep rentals often cost around USD150 to USD220.

Go
Check the online Manaslu Trek map to understand the locations mentioned in the itinerary.

Travel from Kathmandu to Soti Khola [800m good lodges]. The bus may take you further than Arughat depending on the state of the road ahead. Sleep there or continue to Arket [750m basic lodges] or Soti Khola [800m good lodges] to get a head start. Otherwise the standard itinerary with days of 6 hours or less of walking is as follows:

 * 1) Soti Khola to Machha Khola, 5h (Fish River) [1000m good lodges]
 * 2) Machha Khola to Jagat, 6h(Jagat means tax collection point) [1400m good lodge (25 rooms 50 pax) ]
 * 3) Jagat to Deng, 6h [1860m good lodge called Manaslu Trekkers Home (20 rooms 40 pax)]
 * 4) Deng to Namrung, 6h [2600m reasonable lodges]
 * 5) Namrung to Lho, 4h [3100m reasonable] or Shyala [3500m basic]
 * 6) Lho To Samagaon, 4h [3500m good]
 * 7) Rest day in Sama – Manaslu Base camp excursion optional
 * 8) Samagaon to Samdo, 4h [3800m reasonable lodges]
 * 9) Samdo – excursion up to Tibetan border (Rui La pass, 7-8 h) recommended.
 * 10) Samdo to Larkya Phedi, 4h [4460m good lodge]
 * 11) Cross the pass and reach Bimtang, 8h [3700m good lodges]
 * 12) Bimtang to Tilje, 6h [2100m good lodges]
 * 13) Tilje to Jagat, 6h (roadhead, sleep or jeep to Besisahar depending on time) [1300m good lodges]
 * 14) Besisahar [800m good lodges] – Public transport departs from here.

Variations
It is also possible to start from Gorkha Bazaar which is quicker to reach from Kathmandu on a smoother road. You can find onward transport to Barpak, where there is accommodation, and continue via Larpak to join the main trek. A side trip to Tsum Valley is also possible, but this also requires camping or pre-arranged homestays. Itineraries can be as short as 10 days, excluding rest days, or as much as 21 days, taken at a relaxing pace with plenty of exploring.

It is also possible to combine this particular trek with the Annapurna Circuit trek: from Dharapani, continue to Manang and over the Thorung La at speed having already acclimatized. Then fly or bus out from Jomson to Pokhara. Other options include the trek to Nar and Phu and over another 5300 m pass, taking advantage your trek-earned acclimatization and fitness.

Day trips
Popular day trips en route include a visit to Kal Tal (Kalchhuman lake) from Prok, Syarang Gompa from Bhi village, Pungyen Gompa from shyala or Samagaon, Manaslu base camp from Samagaon and a hike to Rui La, the border with Tibet which is a 7/8 hour return trip from Samdo.

Stay safe
The principal danger is altitude, specifically going too high too quickly. Follow these instructions for altitude sickness prevention. This is a serious issue. There was one death on the high pass in October 2013 from cerebral edema. Acclimatization is not to be taken lightly. Your life depends on it.

Go next
Take a bus from Besisahar to return to Kathmandu or continue onward to Pokhara.

Turn right at Dharapani and complete the northern section of the Annapurna Trek, ending at Jomsom. Another week would be needed for this option, especially if the side trip to Tilicho Lake is taken.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Manaslu Trek


text:
Manas National Park

Manas National Park is in Assam. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many species including tigers.

Climate
January 10 °C minimum and 20 °C max. In July 25 °C min. and 38 °C max.

By road
Manas is about 176 km from Guwahati. The National Highway No. 31 adjoins Barpeta Road which is 22 km to Bansbari.

By train
The nearest train station of Manas National Park is Barpeta Road Railway Station, which is 22 km to Bansbari (MusaJungle Retreat, Manas) by road. New Bongaigaon railway junction is the other nearest railway station of the park.

By plane
The Lokpriya Gopinath International Airport of Guwahati is the nearest airport.

See
The National Park has recorded 55 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. It includes Indian elephants, Indian rhinoceros, gaurs, Asian water buffaloes, barasingha, Indian tigers, Indian leopards, clouded leopards, Asian golden cats, capped langurs, golden langurs, Assamese macaques, slow loris, hoolock gibbons, smooth-coated otters, sloth bears, barking deer, hog deer, black panthers, sambar deer and chitals.

The park also has many rare species of birds. It has the largest population of the endangered Bengal florican to be found anywhere. Other major bird species include great hornbills, jungle fowls, bulbuls, brahminy ducks, Kalij pheasants, egrets, pelicans, fishing eagles, crested serpent-eagles, falcons, scarlet minivets, bee-eaters, magpie robins, pied hornbills, grey hornbills, mergansers, harriers, ospreys and herons.

Sleep
There are many resorts and lodges around the national park.

Lodging

 * Birina
 * Florican

Go next

 * Bongaigaon

title: Manas National Park


text:
Manasquan

Manasquan is a shore community of 5,800 people (2018) in southern Monmouth County, New Jersey and is known for its beaches, recreational fishing and home-town feel.

Get in
Manasquan is less than two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, and can be easily reached by car via exit 98 off the Garden State Parkway (GSP) or RTE 195.

New Jersey Transit offers bus and train service to Manasquan between Bay Head, NJ and Newark, NJ.

Get around
The town of Manasquan is easy to navigate because a single road, Main Street runs through the business district where you will find a host of small boutiques and locally owned businesses.

See

 * The Inlet: a jetty that allows for superb surfing at its designated beach, as well a station for fishers. The parking lot that parallels the inlet is a youthful social gathering spot that is always eventful if you get bored.
 * The Beach in Manasquan is divided between lifeguard stations. The southernmost of the Inlet is a surfing only beach and extends to the north to Sea Watch. The beach is 1 mile long, and is paralleled by the boardwalk made of asphalt, where cars are not allowed.

Do
Manasquan is known for its beaches, surfing, inlet, and for commercial and recreational fishing. Private and charter trips can be made through several fishing shops in the area.
 * Gee Gee's Arcade, 201 Beach Front, on the Manasquan boardwalk.
 * Manasquan Inlet is known for fishing all year round. Fluke and striped bass are a nice catch while in season. It borders the surfing beach where a lot of competitions are held. Many party and fishing boats can be seen traveling through the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean.
 * Beach. Wide and long beach, great for swimming, surfing and fishing. Season Badge: Adults- $60, seniors (65+) $20, children under 12 are free. Weekly Badge: Saturday-Friday ($30). Daily Badge: weekdays $6, weekends $7.
 * Sea Devil Party Boat {{phone|+1 732 701-10948, 405 Channel Drive Point Pleasant Beach. Departs from Point Pleasant which is the town next to Manasquan. Offshore Tuna Trip (Yellowfin Tuna, Albacore Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, Bigeye Tuna, Wahoo, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Skipjack), Inshore Blue Fishing Trip (Blue Fish, Striped Bass, Bonito, Fluke, Sea Bass), Inland River Cruises, Memorial Services.
 * Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area is known a "dog friendly" beach. There are some small hiking trails. The conservation area provides great views of the Manasquan Inlet.
 * Fisherman's Memorial Statue
 * Manasquan Inlet Jetty Provides great views of the coastline and ocean.

Buy

 * Inlet-Outlet Surf Shop - Store 146 Main Street, . A surf shop that aside from surfboards, surfing equipment, and skateboards, sells "surf-brand" clothes, bathing suits, men and women's footwear, and accessories.

Eat

 * Gee Gee's 201 Beach Front ($9-15) No dress code. A landmark pizzeria on the boardwalk right next to the arcades. Has indoor, and outdoor seating with picnic tables and umbrellas. Big slices of pizza, cheese fries, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, subs, salads, hot dogs, chicken, and ice cream. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open after the bars close.
 * Carlson's Corner, 432 Beach Front, off the beach, you order at the window and eat on the picnic benches on the inlet, or bring your grub back to your beach towel. Serves burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes, etc.
 * Max Devro’s, 142 Main Street. Typical American upscale casual fare. Serves nachos, burgers, fries, and other American staples.
 * Blend On Main, 152 Main Street. Upscale cuisine focused on steaks, seafood, and salads.

Drink

 * The Osprey Nightclub, 201 First Avenue (corner of Main). . Dress code- no flip-flops, tank tops, or hats. Opens May 16 for the season. Has been around since the 1970s and remains popular. Has live bands every weekend.
 * Leggett's Sand Bar {{phone|+1 732-223-39518, 217 1st Ave. Brick oven pizza and live bands. An oceanside hot spot during summer. Becomes very crowded at midnight on the weekends, as in you have to squeeze through the crowd, so get there early.

Sleep

 * Nathaniel Morris Inn Bed & Breakfast, 11 Marcellus Avenue. Established in 1882 and is recognized by the Mansquan Historical Society as one of the 'Gentennial Homes' of Manasquan. Each room is decorated with antique furniture and accessories. Accommodates guests of 13 and older. There are five varying rooms. Room rates: Winter- Oct 15- May 15, Summer: May 16- Oct 14. Winter weekdays: $115-175, Weekends $155-195. Summer weekdays: $155-225, weekends $175-275. Between January and April, the Nathaniel Morris Inn serves tea from 1-3 PM. They also provide picnic lunches.

title: Manasquan


text:
Manassas

Manassas is a small city in northern Virginia with a strong Civil War presence. The First Battle of Bull Run was fought nearby.

By train

 * Train operators:
 * Routes stopping in Manassas:
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Crescent between New Orleans and New York City via Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
 * Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. Manassas is on the branch to and from Roanoke.
 * Virginia Railway Express
 * Operating weekday commute trains to and from Washington, D.C.

Get around
Manassas is mainly served by I-66, U.S. 29, Virginia State Route 234 Business and Virginia State Route 28, which runs through the City's historic downtown. PRTC Transit operates a limited regional bus system.

Sudley Road (Route 234 Business) runs North/South through Manassas; it is the main shopping artery of the city.

Do

 * Golf: lots of courses, but the premier is Robert Trent Jones GC on the lakeside in Gainesville. The Solheim Cup is played here 13-15 Sept 2024 - the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, USA versus Europe.
 * Golf: lots of courses, but the premier is Robert Trent Jones GC on the lakeside in Gainesville. The Solheim Cup is played here 13-15 Sept 2024 - the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, USA versus Europe.
 * Golf: lots of courses, but the premier is Robert Trent Jones GC on the lakeside in Gainesville. The Solheim Cup is played here 13-15 Sept 2024 - the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, USA versus Europe.
 * Golf: lots of courses, but the premier is Robert Trent Jones GC on the lakeside in Gainesville. The Solheim Cup is played here 13-15 Sept 2024 - the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, USA versus Europe.

Eat
Manassas is fairly close to Washington DC, so there's a decent selection of minority ethnic restaurants in addition to regular fare. In addition, many chains are represented in Manassas including Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Golden Corral, Great American Steak and Buffet, Red, Hot and Blue, Hooters, Logan's Roadhouse, and local favorite Five Guys hamburgers. Manassas is also known locally for its unusually high number of 7/11 convenience stores per capita. This includes two on Sudley Road that are inexplicably right next door to each other. Local favorites are concentrated in the historic Downtown. The city of Manassas has a meals tax.

Go next

 * Centreville: don't go there next, go there at the same time. With Centreville road (SR 28) connecting Centreville and Manassas, they're almost two different parts of the same city.

title: Manassas


text:
Manaus

Manaus is a metropolis of Brazil with about 2.6 million inhabitants in the center of the Amazon rainforest. Traveling to Manaus means taking a trip to the Amazon: there are countless jungle hotels that offer a huge variety of tours, from more adventurous to more relaxing, such as walking in the jungle, fishing, visiting riverside communities, alligator spotting, tree climbing, rappelling, and bototherapy. In the center of Manaus there are several monuments, historic buildings, churches, a large number of museums, and numerous Belle Époque buildings still preserved and spread throughout the region.

Understand
Its name means Mother of Gods in the indigenous language. Two rivers run side by side for many miles of different colors, running together: the "Meeting of Waters". Legend has it that they never mix.

The wealth of the primeval forest becomes visible first of all in the architecture of the city. The city enriched and the rubber barons afforded big European luxury such as the Amazonas Opera House. Other monuments from this epoch are the Mercado Municipal, and the arts center Palacio Rio Negro, located among fascinating Portuguese façades. Today Manaus is a foreign trade zone. Foreign enterprises pay no import duties here, guaranteeing a certain income for the city and the region. Electronics, wood industry and oil refineries have settled in the outskirts in industrial areas. The harbour is the most important trading center for the care of the city with regional, national and international products.

The city is pleasant and friendly, although quite hot, and is still a major port, and a good starting point for river tours.

The Rio Negro (northern) branch of the Amazon is the color of strong tea, peaty brown and its comparative acidity means few mosquitoes. At Manaus the Amazon rises and falls almost twenty meters between seasons. In May and June it's at its peak, full and very wide, spreading way out into the trees. In November and December it's low; still massive but with sandbars.

Of all cities you can reach when voyaging along the Amazon River, Manaus is by far the most expensive.

Climate
In the heart of one of the most humid tropical forests in the world, expect a lot of heat and humidity in Manaus. Average temperatures in Manaus tend to exceed 30º C (86º F), but with a greater thermal sensation, due to humidity. In September, temperatures often reach 40º C (104º F).

Manaus does not have winter, summer, spring or autumn; there are only two seasons in the city: a rainy season (from December to May), with long periods of continuous rain and frequent thunderstorms that fill the rivers, forming igapós (forests flooded by rivers, similar to swamps), and a season drought (from June to November), when it still rains, but to a lesser extent. At that time, the rivers lower the waters and begin to form beaches on the banks.

Regardless of the time you visit, it is recommended to wear light clothes and an umbrella to protect yourself from showers and high temperatures.

By plane
Manaus is over 2.700 km from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro which takes about four hours by air. Coming from North America or Europe, if you can't get a direct flight, the best option price- and route-wise is probably to connect in Fortaleza, the international hub of Northern Brazil (and it might be considerably cheaper to buy an international ticket to Fortaleza and independent domestic one from Fortaleza to Manaus).

Direct international flights:

Buenos Aires:

 * Miami: daily with American Airlines and once a week with Latam
 * Orlando: once a week with Gol Linhas Aéreas
 * Panama City: 4 days a week with Copa Airlines

Brazil flagship airlines Latam, Gol and Azul have frequent direct flights to major Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília, as well as regional capitals, and Azul also flies to the triple border town of Tabatinga. Regional airline Mapoperates a turboprop fleet to towns such as Tefé, Parintins, Altamira and Porto Trombetas.

From the airport to the region of the Amazonas Theater, city bus line 306 costs R$ 3,80 and line 813 with aircon costs R$ 4,20 (the latter are similar to minivans and you'll feel cramped if carrying big luggage). A similar ride costs around R$ 20 on mobile hailing car apps when no surge factor is in place, and R$ 52 by conventional taxis (as at April 2019).

By boat
Manaus is a major destination for boats on the Amazon River. From Belém on the Atlantic Coast, it takes about five days. Boats go to Porto Velho two-three times per week. Tabatinga on the border with Colombia can also be reached by boat from Manaus, with connections further on to Iquitos in Peru. For finding boat connections between Tabatinga and Manaus Navegam covers this route. If you want to save a few hours on your way to Colombia or Peru, ask the according boat company if they stop in Manacapuru, so you can take the boat from there.

By bus
Due to road conditions, there is very little (if any) long-distance bus service originating from major cities in Brazil. There are daily buses to Boa Vista in the north and to destinations in Venezuela. The bus from Caracas in Venezuela takes about 36 hours, but it is air-conditioned, has comfortable reclining seats and a toilet.

Get around
Manaus is very big in area, its urban part sprawling some (versus  for Paris or  for Buenos Aires). If you plan to move around the city independently, it's important to find accommodation either downtown or close to the main axis of Av. Constantino Neves and Av. Djalma Batista.

The main city transit option is buses, and the fare is R$ 3.80 (April/2019). One can change buses free of charge at the city terminals T1, T2, T3 and T4, or use a city bus card to board a second bus within 1.5 hr free of charge. To get a card, visit one of SINETRAM offices - the first card for each person is free, then R$ 15.

There is a system of city bikes called MANÔbike, but it's only available downtown where distances are walkable. Besides, Manaus is somewhat hilly and inconvenient for most uncommitted riders.

See

 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg
 * Encontro das Águas - Manaus.jpg

Adventure trips to the rainforest
There are a number of companies operating jungle adventure trips from Manaus, but only a few seem to be more established and reputable. First you need to check if the Tour Operator has a valid Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board) registry. Then you make up your mind what you really want. You need to travel at least 100 km from Manaus to see virgin rain forest and the wild life you are looking for.

Location of trip
There are basically two main areas which you can explore: the Rio Negro basin and the South of Rio Amazonas. Both of these regions are (sparsely) inhabited, so you will not be completely isolated from civilization. If you want to make a trip to a reserve or a remote area, ask for a special expedition package and plan to pay much more and spend a few days for the transfer to and from the reserve. Rio Negro is an area that is great for the jungle vegetation and for the lack of mosquitoes (due to the acidity of the river). Unfortunately, the lack of mosquitoes means there are a lot fewer animals that live there. The South of Rio Amazonas is a network of rivers, lakes and channels. There are mosquitoes and wildlife, however, there are quite a lot of houses and farms—and thus civilization is a lot more visible. Most tours go to or through lake Mamori. There are quite a lot of jungle things to see around the lake, but do not expect pristine nature due to all the farming going on around the lake. There is a reserve nearby called Jurara. It also seems to be inhabited and there is not much difference between the reserve and lake Mamori. A better option may be a trip to lake Juma which is a special protected area.

Time of travel
There are two seasons in the Amazon basin: wet season and dry season. During the dry season it's very hot (that means 40 °C plus the humidity) and thus may be unbearable for some. As well, many channels and rivers dry out. On the other hand, fishing is much easier since all fish concentrates in the remaining water basins. During the wet season, it rains almost every day. When there is a storm, the amount of rain may be overwhelming. Thus, if traveling in wet season, be prepared to get wet and not dry out until the end of your trip. During the season the rivers and lakes rise several meters and many new channels are formed in the flooded jungle. Temperature-wise, the weather is more bearable and only the humidity will be a problem. The wet season lasts roughly January to July, with the best time to visit the jungle May to August.

Equipment
If you travel during the wet season, keep your important things like documents in (tested) waterproof bags/containers. Cotton clothes let your skin breathe but there is no chance that they will ever get dry. Some people find nylon/synthetic clothes to work well. Long sleeves and long pants are not 100% necessary but you will not regret wearing them. A flashlight is necessary for the night, as the jungle is pitch-black. A machete most probably will not be required on short/casual trips but is essential for longer expeditions. A lighter and a pocket knife are a good idea. The pocket knife is especially important since it can provide the only defense against the boa and the anaconda (indeed, attacks do occur). A mosquito repellent is most probably a very smart idea. It keeps other bugs away too and it reduces the risk of being infected by a disease-carrying insect. However, the number of mosquitoes in the jungle is not completely overwhelming, so for longer expeditions you may consider getting used to them. Additionally, a good guide can show you some natural repellents available in the jungle. Sun block is needed especially during the dry season. Otherwise, keep your luggage to the minimum. Do not take things you do not really need.

Dictionary of trip operators:

 * native people - people who live in the region. Most of the time that means of Portuguese descent. These are not aboriginal inhabitants.
 * native guide - a guide who is a native (see native people). If at all, usually speaks only marginal English.

Amazon tour operators
Do not buy tours from people at the airport or on the street in Manaus. The best guides are hired by the best companies; the best shysters don’t work for the best companies. If you don’t want to book a tour before arriving and want to book a tour in Manaus use a reputable published guidebook first or just look for the official tourist information center (CAT), they'll help you out and even make free calls if required. Tour companies are relatively easy to find in downtown Manaus and many will meet you at no charge.

The tour companies (even the ones in Lonely Planet) tend to trick the tourists sometimes, they ask you "may I do the reservation?" if you say yes and later cancel they will want to charge you 25%. It is not legal unless they let you know about it and make you sign something, so remain alert. Ask other tour operators to check prices.

If you take a river tour, go up the Rio Negro. From a three-night river boat trip from Manaus up the Rio Negro with a guide, you can expect to see some wildlife and visit some of the forest remnants, but two weeks or more are needed to reach untouched areas. Small two-story river boats carry five to ten people, sleeping in hammocks on the upper deck. Large boats carrying hundreds ply the river too, but the big boats don't stop between ports. The most popular place for jungle tours is Lake Mamori/Lake Juma about 100 km south of Manaus. Other recommended areas are Rio Urubu about 200 km east of and Novo Airão about 100 km northwest of Manaus. Make sure that your travel agency has a valid Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board) registration.

Amazing Tours Agency organize Rio Negro tour, boat tours, boat tickets, amazon lodges, adventure trips, fishing trips.

Buy
Besides the star mercado mentioned above, these are some optionsː

Local Cuisine
Local cuisine is rich and varied and can be found in many restaurants and stalls. You may try:

 * tapioquinha, a glutinous pancake made from manioc starch, usually buttered and filled with tucumã palm fruit and farmer’s cheese.
 * tacacá, an Amazon local soup.
 * pamonha, made from green corn and coconut milk boiled in corn husks.
 * bolo de macaxeira, a tasty glutinous translucent cake made from manioc.
 * sugar cane juice, a favorite drink among locals.

The region is also known for its exotic fruits like:
 * creamy white cupuaçú.
 * iron-rich açaí.

Around the port
The area between Av. Floriano Peixoto and the port has many small restaurants that offer food for decent prices. Directly at the port at the big market (2 blocks downstream from Mercado Municipal) food stalls offer even cheaper alternatives.

Drink
Downtown drinking near the Teatro Amazonas, lately spreading towards the refurbished Praca da Saudade. Others options in the Ponta Negra area, including the "Estrada do Turismo" -a string of nightlife spots along the road to the airport.
 * Tuesdays(!) and Fridays have hundreds and hundreds of people gather at a string of drinking shacks known as Calçadão da Suframa. Some have live music, often forró. One spot is Casa do Terror, a cobwebbed hole-in-the-wall where a shirtless Cearense in a cowboy hat spins old LPs of boleros and bregas.
 * Crocodillo (Centro) is a dance club with decent music and reasonable drink prices.
 * Festivals Festivals are usually held in the Sambódromo, a huge stadium on Rua Constantino Nery. Carnaval is held here as well as many other festivals, including Manaus’s popular Boi.
 * Gay: The two main clubs are Humps and A2, both located in the city centre.
 * Upscale dancingat the Tropical Hotel.
 * Gay: The two main clubs are Humps and A2, both located in the city centre.
 * Upscale dancingat the Tropical Hotel.

Sleep
Jungle accommodation, hotels and other lodgings located outside the municipality of Manaus are not included in this list. Please see the Go next section below for links to the appropriate articles.

Budget
Lots of cheap hotels and pensões can be found around Av. Joaquim Nabuco. Many of these have hourly rates, and are not very pleasant, and often quite smelly. The area gets dodgy in the late evenings.

Heat and sun
The climate is very hot and humid. Packing thin, light-colored clothing will help you suffer the least during the day. Locals are often seen using umbrellas as sun-protection while walking the streets, and you should consider doing the same.

Vaccinations
Do take yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before landing in the Amazon region. One shot of this vaccine offers lifelong protection.

Manaus and the nearby jungle regions most tourists visit on 2- to 5-day tours are relatively malaria-free, so one should ponder carefully if the benefit of malaria drugs offset the many inconveniences. Malaria drugs are known to cause lack of energy and belly discomfort in a number of people, and the frequent need to visit the toilet might spoil boat rides and longer tours. Also, some doctors, following a more modern line, have been recommending tourists to carry the drugs but to only take them if symptoms arise, as this is efficient enough. Do your own research and decide on the best approach for yourself. Mosquitos that are malaria carriers are more active from dusk to dawn.

To avoid mosquito bites, apply insect repellent often, wear pants and long sleeves, and consider treating your clothes with permethrin.

Stay safe
Manaus is fairly safe for a Brazilian city of its size. As always, deserted streets are a bad idea after dark. Avoid the east zone, it has a really bad reputation.

Go next

 * Presidente Figueiredo – 130 km. Offers archaeological grottoes and caves, waterfalls, and native scenery.
 * São Gabriel da Cachoeira – 900 km by boat. Home of many Indian tribes and the Pico da Neblina, the highest mountain in Brazil.
 * Barcelos – 500 km by boat. Small town up the Rio Negro famous for white beaches, sport fishing and the highest waterfall in Brazil.
 * Boa Vista – 750 km. By bus or with the national airlines, from Boa vista you can fly to Guyana and Suriname.
 * Praia do Tupé – 25 km by boat. Nearby white sand beach
 * Manacapuru – 100 km. Paraiso d’Angelo chalets on black water
 * Parintins – 440 km by boat. boi festival in June
 * Mauês – 280 km by boat. guaraná festival
 * Jau National Park – Jungle expeditions leave Manaus for this huge park near Novo Airão (200 km). The Park is a World Heritage site and stands out in the state of Amazonas.
 * Rainforest tours for Mamori River (90 km) and Mamirauá south of the city near the Amazonas river reached by the Transamazônica road.

Jungle accommodation
Areas near Manaus that offer lodging in the jungle (rather than in a town), include
 * Iranduba – 40 km. Including the Ariau river, pioneering in jungle tourism. Accessible by the bridge from Manaus, although the jungle lodges are mostly reached by boat.
 * The Mamori river – 90 km. Accessible by the BR 319 highway, across the river from Manaus
 * The Juma river – 250 km by boat. Somewhat off the BR 319
 * The Tupana river – 190 km. Further south on the BR 319

title: Manaus


text:
Manavgat

Manavgat is a city in Pamphylia near the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, midway between Antalya and Alanya. It's the main city of a district with a population of 252,941 in 2022: this total includes over a hundred outlying towns and villages, such as the beach resort of Side.

Understand
Pamphylia is a long thin coastal plain, so it offers fertile ground and easy overland transport, both otherwise uncommon on the rugged Mediterranean coast of Turkey. So Manavgat is a modern market town making its living from agriculture - the more important ancient city was a few km south at Side, which has a harbour and developed into a large Roman settlement. The area was taken over by the Seljuks in 1220 and the Ottomans in 1472, none of whom saw a need for great fortifications or lavish palaces here. Not much happened for another 500 years, then Side became a tourist resort, and spread and spread along the beach far beyond its original core. Most visitors are therefore just passing through Manavgat to reach that strip. For itself the town is best known for its waterfalls, but further up in the mountains are scenic canyons.

By plane
Antalya Airport 75 km west is the usual arrival point for international visitors. It has package flights from Europe and domestic flights from Istanbul (IST and SAW), Ankara and other Turkish cities.

By bus
Buses from Istanbul run every hour or so and take 13 hours to Manavgat; they may run via Afyon or via Bolu and Konya, and they continue to Alanya. In 2023 an adult single is about 800 TL. From Ankara they take 9 hours via Konya, from Izmir 8 hours via Denizli (for Pamukkale), and from Adana 9 hours via Mersin and Antalya. Operators on these routes include Metro Turizm, Pamukkale and Flixbus.

Another route from Istanbul or Ankara is to take the YHT fast train to Konya, which connects with buses to Antalya, Manavgat and Alanya, taking 6 hours.

Buses from Antalya run every 30 min and take an hour, for a fare of 100 TL. Operators include Alanyalilar and Güney Akdeniz, the long-distance bus lines don't offer tickets for this short hop. From Side take a dolmuş.

There are two bus stations in Manavgat. is east of the town centre and final station for all domus heading from the hotels do Manavgat. All busses of the company "Manavgat Seyahat" heading to Antalya Otogar do start here about every 45 minutes. These are white coaches with the writing "Manavgat". They sell tickets in the bus for about 150 Lira. You can enter and leave the bus all along the route. It is possible to get off at a tram station close to Antalya airport (e.g. station "Yonca" or "Cirnik"). The tram services the airport and Antalya city center.

the bus station for long distance busses to Izmir, Istanbul, Konya or Denizli is just off D400 west of town centre. They do not sell tickets for the short rides to Antalya and Alanya there, eventhough the busses do stop in these towns.

By road
By road follow directions to Antalya then pick up highway D400, which hugs the Mediterranean coast.

Get around
City centre is compact enough to walk. Take a local bus or dolmuş to reach the otogar, ruins at Side, or the waterfalls - these last are signed Şelale - Sarılar.

See

 * Town centre is entirely modern, ranged along Antalya Cd the former coastal highway. Selim Hatun Mosque by the river bridge is a re-build.
 * (meaning "Dungeon") is a tumbledown stump in a riverside park.
 * City museum is on 4517th Sk, 200 m north of the castle. It's closed in 2023.
 * is an easy excursion, as the ruins start by Side bus station and extend 2 km towards the coast.
 * is an easy excursion, as the ruins start by Side bus station and extend 2 km towards the coast.
 * is an easy excursion, as the ruins start by Side bus station and extend 2 km towards the coast.
 * Little Waterfall (Küçük Şelale) is only 200 m further upriver, so you can stroll there after seeing the main falls. They have only a metre drop and there's no charge here; it's sometimes trash-strewn. Also described as "The Little Falls" are some underwhelming rapids at the north edge of the city, so if a taxi driver offers to take you to the falls for a surprisingly small fare, that's where he has in mind.
 * is a deep scenic gorge winding through the mountains, nowadays a National Park. Two Roman bridges vault across its side-canyons.
 * is the ruin of an ancient Hellenistic city, in the hills 1 km north of the village of Bucakşeyhler. (It's also referred to as Seleucia, but that was probably on the coast.) There's an agora, gate, mausoleum, Roman baths, necropolis, and temples and churches. Being remote, Lyrbe hasn't been plundered for stone so it's well-preserved. The site is free to explore 24 hours and you'll probably have it to yourself.
 * Lots more ruins in the mountains to the north, but they're difficult to access, and only a trained archaeologist could distinguish their crumbly masonry from the crumbly bedrock.
 * Lots more ruins in the mountains to the north, but they're difficult to access, and only a trained archaeologist could distinguish their crumbly masonry from the crumbly bedrock.

Do

 * River trips start from near the main bridge and go downriver to Titreyengöl ("trembling lake") in the east beach strip of Side.

Buy

 * Supermarkets: lots of small stores, especially along Güllük Cd running east-west through city centre. Şok is the main chain of stores. "Cadde Market" means "street market" but it's just a store on Güllük Cd like any other.

Eat

 * Hisar Cd is the main eating strip, coursing north-south a few blocks back from the river.

Drink

 * Güllük Cd has a handful of bars, including Cafe Bistro Lava, Waffle Bar, Chronos Nargile Cafe and Shift gastro-pub.

Sleep

 * River Hotel is opposite Sansa on 4017th Sk. Only if you're stuck.
 *  Side is better for accommodation, as it's package-tour territory and has dozens of good hotels. The strip stretches out for 20 km on either side, but several hotels are central, a short ride from Manavgat.
 *  Side is better for accommodation, as it's package-tour territory and has dozens of good hotels. The strip stretches out for 20 km on either side, but several hotels are central, a short ride from Manavgat.
 *  Side is better for accommodation, as it's package-tour territory and has dozens of good hotels. The strip stretches out for 20 km on either side, but several hotels are central, a short ride from Manavgat.

Connect
Manavgat, Side and the coastal strip have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Side is just a few km south, effectively the beach strip for Manavgat, but with extensive Roman ruins.
 * Alanya east also has a long beach strip, and a citadel perched on a crag.
 * Belek west pitches itself as a golf resort, like the Algarve but with better kebabs.
 * Antalya further west for most visitors is just a busy transport hub, but it has several museums and antiquities.

title: Manavgat


text:
Manawatu

The Manawatu is an area of the lower (southern) North Island of New Zealand. It is centred on the city of Palmerston North and a broad flat river plain, much of which has been formed by the mighty Manawatu river, one of the few rivers in the world to bisect a mountain range.

Cities

 * – home to Massey University

Other destinations

 * - popular camping ground on the Rangitikei River, which for 30 years has hosted an annual gay and lesbian New Year's Eve party

Understand
Manawatu is part of the local government region of Manawatu-Wanganui, along with the Whanganui region.

By plane
Palmerston North Airport

By bus
Intercity Coachlines operates NZ's national bus network with daily departures. Tickets can be purchased online or throughout the country at numerous agents including the i-site network.

By car
State Highways 1 and 3 run through the Manawatu.

By rail
Occasional rail connections may be possible at Feilding and Levin.

Do
Explore nature walks, cycle tracks and conservation areas. The beaches are a rolling playground for the whole family. Swimming, sailing, surfing, and fishing, diving or just lazing the hours away soaking up the sun. The children can discover places to build driftwood shelters.

Levin has a marvellous children's adventure playground, including volleyball court to exhaust their energy and a BBQ area to fuel them up for more fun.

For a bit of nature experience the Manawatu River at Foxton Beach is listed as a Wetland of International Importance. The bird life has to be seen to be believed.

Levin's Murrayfield Clyesdales is another good stop for country food at the cafe, while the kids can feed the farm animals.

Go next
Kapiti Coast, Whanganui region, Hawke's Bay, or Wairarapa

title: Manawatu


text:
Manú National Park

The Manú National Park, in the isolated region of Madre de Dios, is one of the most diverse areas in Peru and South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Understand
The Manu National Park is divided into three zones: the "core zone", only accessible for scientists and researchers; the "reserved zone", only accessible for a limited number of tour operators and their tours; and the "cultural zone" which is openly accessible and where local people live in small villages. Chances to see exotic wildlife are by far higher in the reserved zone than in the cultural zone.

Landscape
Manu National Park offers landscape from the Andes to the Amazon, which is incredibly diverse, featuring a wide variety of ecosystems. The Andes mountain range is home to high-altitude grasslands, of in elevation as well as cloud forests, which are characterized by their misty, humid conditions. The Amazon basin, on the other hand, is characterized by vast tropical rainforests, which are home to an incredibly diverse array of plant and animal life, including monkeys, jaguars, and sloths.

In addition to rainforests, the Manu and Madre de Dios river basin also includes vast wetlands and riverine ecosystems which are upper tributaries of the Amazon River itself. These riverine ecosystems are home to a variety of aquatic species, including piranhas, caimans, and turtles.

Throughout the Andes and Amazon regions, there are also a number of human-influenced ecosystems,(You can experience this along the guided tours into Manu Biosphere Reserve) such as agricultural fields and urban areas. These human-influenced ecosystems often coexist with natural ecosystems, and can have a significant impact on the environment and biodiversity of the region. Despite this, the Andes and Amazon regions remain incredibly rich in biodiversity, making them important areas for conservation and research.

Flora and fauna
There is a lot of tropical wildlife to be seen in the National Park, including jaguars, giant otters, several species of monkeys (red howler, black spider, capuchin, squirrel monkeys), caymans, turtles.

Birds are abundant, including macaws, herons, cormorants, hawks, storks and many more.

Climate
The climate is usually hot and humid. Bring light clothes, preferably with long sleeves to protect against mosquito bites.

Get in
There are two way to get to Manu:

 * To enter by a combination by bus and boat, and leave through the same boat/bus combination. This option can be a long trip. (available)
 * By plane from Cusco arriving directly to the jungle lowlands. It will take about 40 to 45 minutes.(Boca Manu airstrip is not operational on 2023)

Fees and permits
Entrance tickets are required for visiting the Manu Reserved Zone in regular programs up 5 days. These tickets are requested by the rangers at the Limonal Ranger Station (reserved zone boundary). Official tour operators purchase admission tickets from the Sernanp office in Cusco that they generally include in their tour packages. The ticket cost varies depending of the number of days you stay inside the reserved zone, so for example, for 2 nights the rate is 60 soles and for 3-5 nights, 150 soles. To visit the cultural zone, short tours of 3-4 days don't require admission tickets at all.

Get around
There are 8 tour operators who have the licence to take tourists into the reserved zone. Tours start from Cusco and usually take between 4 and 10 days. Prices range between US$350 (cultural zone) and $1500 depending on the length of the trip and the operator. All tours are guided by studied biologists and local guides.

Be careful when booking your trip and try to book directly with one of the local tour operators, instead of foreing travel agencies that sell you the tickets and usually take a massive commission and research well before booking. Make sure to ask about all the tour details before you book (accommodation, extra fees, English-speaking guide if needed, food, jungle walks, other activities). Also try to bargain about the price.

Lodging
There are several lodges and camps in the Manu area.

Manu Wildlife Center is an awesome place to see lots of birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Cabins are clean, with hot water, but no electricity. Food is very good. Various trips are available from canopy stands to one of only a few known Macaws clay licks, where hundreds of Macaws come every morning to eat bits of clay which aids their digestion.

Guadalupe Lodge, Accessible from cusco by land transport somewhat 6-7 hours drive, 6 private cabins with electricity, hot shower, WiFI and interesting location to observe birds and wildlife

title: Manú National Park