Which Peruvian national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its incredible biodiversity?

Manu National Park is the Peruvian national park that is a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for extraordinary biodiversity.

Established in 1973, Manu protects a remarkable sweep of habitats, from Andean grasslands and high-elevation forests to cloud forests and lowland Amazon rainforest. Its altitude ranges from roughly 150 meters to nearly 4,000 meters, creating many ecological zones in one protected area.

UNESCO recognized Manu as a Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and added it to the World Heritage List in 1987 under natural criteria for its outstanding ecosystems and biological diversity. The park covers more than 1.7 million hectares across Peru’s Cusco and Madre de Dios regions.

Visitors may encounter jaguars, giant otters, spectacled bears, giant armadillos, tapirs and hundreds of bird species. A common mix-up is confusing Manu with Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu is Peru’s famous archaeological World Heritage site, while Manu’s inscription is based on natural values.