Lose yourself in Manu National Park

Under a canopy of lush green leaves, where the Amazon basin meets the Tropical Andes, there exists a place untouched by civilization. Spanning a mammoth 1.5 million-hectares, the Manu National Park is one of the largest areas of tropical wilderness in the world, and the crowning jewel in Peru’s environmental crown. 

Encompassing high Andean Puna grasslands, mountain cloud forests, Yunga forests and lowland rainforest, the national park is a beacon of hope for nature lovers. 

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More than 1,000 species of mammals and birds continue to thrive in the area, including the Peruvian jaguar, giant otters, and a host of sloth species. 

The niche habitats created by the park’s extraordinary position are also home to hundreds of species of reptiles and insects, many of which remain undiscovered by scientists. 

This diverse population of creatures exist in perfect harmony, thanks to the world-class variety of plants and trees. The flora in Manu National Park accounts for a whopping 10% of the world’s vascular plant species, and includes colossal ceiba trees, which can grow to more than 210 ft tall.  

It is this abundance of life which has earned the park international acclaim as one of the most outstanding places for nature lovers. Notoriously difficult to visit and navigate, intrepid explorers must do so as part of a guided expedition, led by a professional naturalist tour guide. Ranging from three to eight days, these tours are the safest and best way to discover the park, and provide unrivaled insight to its story. 

The colonial city of Cuzco is the gateway to southeast Peru, and makes the perfect starting point for an adventure into the wilderness. Characterized by Incan archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture, this golden city provides fantastic access to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and of course, Manu National Park. 

There is a host of tour operators who run all-inclusive trips to Manu from Cusco. Most of them are based in the city, and offer similar packages from around $100 a day per person.

A typical three day tour begins with an early morning pick up in Cusco, followed by an 8 hour drive to overnight accommodation in Manu National Park. The journey offers a fantastic view of rural Peru, with its dry inner-mountain valleys, and vibrant villages. Some companies offer a stop-off at the pre-Inca funeral towers of Ninamarca.

As your transport continues towards Manu via the lofty Acjanaco Pass the surrounding valleys will transform into boggy, tropical pools. Looking down toward the lowlands is truly a sight to behold, and goes some way to capturing the magnitude of Peru’s natural landscape. 

At this point in the journey you will begin to see some of the vibrant bird life which resides in the park, including scarlet colored Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks. 

Your overnight accommodation will depend on your tour, but most are located in the Pilcopata, near the national park. 

Your second day will start bright and early, as you set out for nearby Port Atalaya. Here most tours will commence a boat trip down the Madre De Dios River, where your guide will help you spot various tropical bird species. 

Some tours, including the three day option by Wild Watch Peru, include a 2km hike through primary forest. This is a fantastic opportunity to spot primates and Giant Kapok trees. For thrill seekers, Manu Adventures offers an optional grade I & II rafting session on the Koñeq, or a ride on the canopy zip line. 

Your third day will see you travel by land to the Macaw Clay Lick, where hordes of parrots and parakeets congregate to eat the clay. 

Amazon Trail Peru offers keen hikers an afternoon walk through primary rainforest, to the mammal salt lick of the reserve. You will spend the night on an elevated platform, where you have a high chance of observing wild tapir. If you have opted for a longer tour, you will spend the next few days exploring more of the forest by land and water. The forest has numerous flat trails, and your guide will be able to point out the extraordinary wildlife which populates its fringes. 

One of the best times to observe mammals is at night, when creatures including jaguars, South American Coati and Deer venture out.  Manu Jungle Trips offers optional guided night walks with its tours, as well as the opportunity to sleep under the stars in specially adapted tents. 

The return leg to Cusco will once again offer spectacular views of the region. The Ausangate Mountain is particularly worth staying awake for, standing at a mighty 6,384 m.