MANU, Paraiso Natural by far the richest, most extraordinary biological transect in the Peruvian Amazon, or the world, starts in Cusco and runs northeast by road and river to the great Manu Wilderness. Manu offers by far the greatest quantity and diversity of animals and plants in the world. No other destination in Peru or beyond can compare with Manu Nowhere else can you enjoy a superbly intact transect of tropical habitats from Andean grasslands and cloud forests down to foothill and lowland forests.

The great biodiversity of this national park is due to it starting in the eastern slopes on the Andes and plunging down into the lowlands, thus covering a wide range of cloud forest and rainforest inhabitats. The most progressive aspect of the park is the fact that so much of it is very carefully protected, a rarity anywhere in the world.

After Perú introduced protection laws in 1973, Unesco declared Manu a Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site in 1987. One reason the park is so successful in preserving such a large tract of virgin jungle and its wildlife is that it is remote and relatively inaccessible to people, and therefore has not been exploited by rubber tappers, loggers, oil companies or hunters. A visit to Peru is not complete without spending at least a few days in this unique area, where macaws (Ara sp.), a tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a peccaris or even a jaguar may be seen.

Visit Manu with a specialised tour operator and you will not only find untouched and pristine tropical rainforest, but you will be encouraging local conservation-oriented tour operators to preserve this wonderful ecosystem.

SAS Travel Peru has been guiding visitors to the area for many years, and our staff is trained to make your stay an educational, exciting and unforgettable experience and is one of the few Official Manu Park operator in Peru and offer fixed departures every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.