This is probably the most pristine conservation unit in the world. The reserve itself is over half the size of Switzerland, and much of it is completely unexplored. Uncontacted Amazonian people still inhabit the upper reaches of Manu´s forest.
The variety of birds is astounding; the reserve holds over 1000 species, significantly more than the whole of Costa Rica and over one tenth of all the birds on earth.
After to cross the Andes the route proceeds to the cloud forest of the eastern Andean slopes. Trees are continuous from the treeline at 3300 ms.a.s.l. down in to the Amazon basin, and on to the borders of Brazil and Bolivia.
Driving slowly down through the cloud forest, every 500 ms. Loss of elevation produces new birds. This is the home of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. A visit to one of their leks (courtship sites) is one of the world´s great ornithological spectacles. There are also two species of Quetzal here; in fact, these humid montane forest are home to a mind-boggling variety of multi-colored birds; a mixed flock of tanagers, honeycreepers and conebills can turn any tree into a Christmas Tree.
In Manu the forest is intact, and special birds such as the Amazonian Umbrellabird, and Blueheaded and Military Macaws can be found.
The beaches are packed with nesting birds in the dry season; Large-billed terns scream at passing boats and Orinoco Geese watch warily from the shore. Huge colonies of Sand-colored Nighthawks roost and nest on the hot sand.
This forest has produced the highest day-list ever recorded on earth, and it holds such little-seen gems as Black-faced Cotinga and Rufous-fronted Ant-thrush. Antbirds and furnarids creep in the foliage and give tantalizing glimpses until, eventually, they reveal themselves in a shaft of sunlight.
A trip to Manu is one of the ultimate birding experiences, and topping it off with a visit to a macaw lick is a great way to finish; hundreds of brightly colored macaws and other parrots congregate to eat the clay essential to their digestion in one of the world´s great wildlife spectacles.
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