Manu National Park, Nature reserve in southeastern Peru.
Manu National Park is a protected area in southeastern Peru that runs from the Andes down into the Amazon lowlands. It covers cloud forests on mountain slopes, dense rainforests in the lowlands, and open grasslands at high elevations, with each zone hosting its own plant and animal communities.
The Peruvian government created this protected area in 1973 to preserve the tropical rainforests and their biodiversity. A few years later it received World Heritage status, drawing international attention to its ecological importance.
The name comes from the Machiguenga language, spoken by people who once roamed these forests and still live along the outer zones. Visitors in some areas can witness the exchange between modern travelers and communities that continue using their knowledge of medicinal plants and hunting techniques.
Anyone wanting to travel here must register with an authorized tour operator, as access is only permitted with guides. Most tours last several days and include boat trips, walks, and overnight stays in basic shelters deep in the forest.
Research stations across the area observe birds, insects, and mammals daily, with species still unknown to science turning up regularly. Visitors can meet biologists at work in the field and see how new findings are gathered on the spot.
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