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Manu National Park (PNM) is located in the provinces of Paucartambo, Cusco and Manu, Madre de Dios. The Park's area is 1,716,295.22 hectares and was established to save and protect a representative sample of the area’s unique and abundant biodiversity and varied landscapes (Amazonian lowland tropical rainforest, including varzea, oxbow lakes, Mauritia palm swamps, and Andean climes of southeastern Peru.) Since there is no other area as such on the planet, the aim of this park is also to sustain tourism that follows strict guidelines for ecological and culturally appropriate use.

The Manu National Park is divided into three zones: the "core zone" which is only accessible for scientists and researchers, the "reserved zone" which is only accessible for a limited number of tour operators and their tours and the "cultural zone" which is openly accessible and where local people live in small villages. When choosing a trip to Manu National Park, keep in mind that chances to see exotic wildlife are by far higher in the reserved zone than in the cultural zone.

In 1968, thanks in great part to the work of Peruvian taxidermist and conservationist Celestino Kalinowski and British Naturalist Ian Grimwood, a large proportion of the Manu River watershed was set aside for conservation. Kalinowski, who had been working in the area for more than 20 years, travelled deep into Manu with Grimwood in 1967. Grimwood had been invited by the Peruvian government to locate the site for Peru´s first Amazonian Park. Upon his return to Lima, Grimwood wrote “Manu is the best for a Park, beyond a shadow of a doubt in Peru”. The area was formally declared a National Park in 1973.

Overall, more than 15,000 species of plants are found in Manu, and up to 250 varieties of trees have been found in a single hectare. The reserve is a destination for birdwatchers from all over the world, as it is home to over 1025 species of birds, more than the number of bird species found in the United States and Canada combined. It is also acclaimed as having one of the highest abundances of land vertebrates ever found in Latin American tropical forests.

Additionally, the existence and aims of the park is to promote and facilitate research, education and recreation while contributing to the preservation of archaeological and cultural heritage. As a UNESCO heritage site it contributes to the recognition and protection of cultural diversity and self-determination of the area’s indigenous peoples.

The PNM protects one of the most important areas of the planet in terms of mega diversity of biological species. Its large extent crosses frigid highlands exceeding 4,000m (13123ft); rugged forested mountains that give rise to a multitude of small streams and valleys; High cloud forest and finally the plain Amazonian forests. This magnificent and unique scenery includes a large and complex river system and guarantees the presence of a variety of ecosystems little affected by man.

Since 1977, the PNM holds the status of Biosphere Reserve, which was awarded by UNESCO. In its borders are the Territorial Reserve Kugapakori and Nahua ethnic groups, the National Shrine Megantoni and Amarakaeri Communal Reserve. In turn, in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, adjacent to PNM (and inside) northwest sector there is an unknown number of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation.