Tambopata
~200 mThe easiest way into the rainforest: a short flight, then the river
The Amazon
Manu
From the Andes down to the jungle, for travellers with time
- Altitude
- ~350 m (1,148 ft)verify
- Altitude band
- Low
- Time needed
- 5–7 nights
- Zone
- The Amazon
Manu is a biosphere reserve that runs from the high Andes to the lowland rainforest, and the overland trip in shows you every layer: puna grassland, cloud forest with cock-of-the-rock, then the river. It takes longer than Tambopata. That's the point.
Altitude note: The road in descends from Andean passes above 3,500 m through cloud forest to lowland lodges around 300–500 m (verify).
No altitude effects expected. Altitude, explained
Highlights
- Cloud forest birding
- Cock-of-the-rock leks
- Macaw and tapir clay licks
- Remote river lodges
What to eat here
Juane
Rice, chicken, olives and egg wrapped in a bijao leaf and boiled. Traditionally eaten for the San Juan festival in June.
Cacao
Peru grows fine-flavour cacao, much of it from native varieties. The beans taste fruity long before they become chocolate.
Coffee
Grown on the misty eastern slopes. Salkantay trekkers pass coffee farms on the way down to Machu Picchu.
Camu camu
A small, very sour river fruit packed with vitamin C, usually drunk as juice.
The Amazon
Nearby too
Iquitos
~105 mThe largest city you can't drive to, and the gateway to river cruises
Add Manu to your trip
Tell us when you'd like to go and what you'd love to see. Your Peru Specialist will come back with ideas, honest advice on altitude and timing, and a clear price.