Manu National Park at a glance
Manu National Park has three visitor sectors: Altoandino with Tres Cruces, Pusharo and the Río Manu. Its core zone is home to Indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation. Contact with them is not a tourist offer and nobody should look for it.
This is an independent guide, not run by the park authority or an operator. The park authority's Spanish and English pages differ on several points, listed below. Where they do, the safe plan is to confirm with your operator and at the control post.
Sectors and opening hours
The two language versions of the official page give different hours. Plan with the narrower window and confirm locally.
| Sector | Hours on the Spanish page | Hours on the English page |
|---|---|---|
| Altoandino and Tres Cruces | 03:00 to 19:00 | 07:00 to 16:00 |
| Pusharo | 07:00 to 16:00 | 07:00 to 16:00 |
| Río Manu | 05:00 to 16:00 | 07:00 to 16:00 |
The English page gives one window for the whole park, so the Altoandino and Río Manu rows are the figures that disagree. If you plan sunrise viewing in the highlands, ask before you count on the early hours.
Manu and southern Peru tours
Guided jungle tours and lodge stays in the Peruvian Amazon, including Puerto Maldonado and Tambopata, with live prices and availability.
Can you visit Manu without an operator?
The answer depends on which page you read. The Spanish page asks for authorized operators in general. The English page allows an independent visit to the Altoandino sector and asks for an operator for the Río Manu and Pusharo sectors. Both are official, and they do not match.
Treat an operator as the default, especially for the river sector. Ask the operator to confirm that it is currently authorized. The list of operators linked from the official page dates from 2024 and is out of date, so do not use it as a checklist. A solo plan for any sector needs a written answer from the park authority, not a guess.
Lodge and tour descriptions use terms such as Cultural Zone and Reserved Zone. These are sales terms. They do not replace a current map or an access permit, so ask what permit your trip operates under.
Fees, free days and rules
Park fees from the park authority's web pages, in Peruvian soles. No dated 2026 decision is shown.
| Stay | General fee |
|---|---|
| 1 day | PEN 30 |
| 2 to 3 days | PEN 60 |
| 4 to 30 days | PEN 150 |
Fees for Peruvian nationals and local residents are lower and need a Peruvian ID (DNI). The Spanish and English pages show different figures for those categories, so do not rely on either for a Peruvian companion. The Spanish page mentions promotional days. The English page does not. Do not plan on free entry.
- Register at the control post.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Do not touch or handle animals, and stay out of closed areas.
The US CDC advises you not to touch or feed unknown animals. Sightings of any species cannot be promised, and no source supports a guaranteed jaguar or other animal sighting.
Season, health and entry
Manu spans highlands and lowlands, so weather varies a lot with altitude.
Season
The park authority recommends April to November. The rainy season runs from December to March. There is no single temperature profile for the park.
Best time to visit →Yellow fever and malaria
The US CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination from 9 months for areas east of the Andes below 2,300 m (12 February 2026), and lists malaria transmission east of the Andes below 2,500 m (23 April 2025). This is not medical advice. Ask a travel-medicine clinic about your route.
Travel tips →Entry to Peru
US citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days of tourism. German citizens can stay up to 90 days per half-year, and Austrian citizens 90 days. A passport valid for at least 6 months is advised. Swiss citizens should confirm the rule with the embassy.
Peru →Keep planning
Other pages for a trip in southern Peru.
Manu National Park: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Manu?
From Cusco you drive about 9 hours to Atalaya, then continue about 7 hours by boat to Limonal for the river sector. Your operator sets the exact schedule, and road and river times vary.
How much does it cost to enter Manu?
The general fee on the park authority's page is PEN 30 for one day, PEN 60 for 2 to 3 days and PEN 150 for 4 to 30 days. Operators often include it in their package, so ask what your price covers.
Can I go to Manu on my own?
The official Spanish and English pages disagree. Plan with an authorized operator and ask the park authority in writing if you want to try a solo visit to the highlands.
Are there free-entry days?
The Spanish page mentions promotional days and the English page does not. Do not plan on free entry.
Can I visit the Indigenous groups in Manu?
No. The core zone is home to Indigenous groups in voluntary isolation, and contact is not a tourist offer. Respect the park rules and the people who live in and around the park.
Is this the official Manu website?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the park authority, operators or lodges.