Tanya and I visited Manu in 2001, and it still remains one of Tanya's highlights, (not the least because of our magnificent guide Jorge who like Tanya loved birds).

Unfortunately the weather did not play along and for much of the trip it was cloudy.
For photography, the jungle is extremely challenging due to steamy, dark conditions and the fact that the wildlife usually remains tantalisingly out of sight.

Nevertheless, the experience of boating down the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers and experiencing the pristine beauty of Manu will not be forgotten.
The Cloud Forest and viewing the mating displays of the Cock-of-the-Rock at dawn were also fascinating.
Night walks in the Jungle were also an exciting if somewhat unnerving experience.
We were also lucky to see a Giant Otter family and on the trip out we were extremely fortunate when Jorge spotted a Jaguar on the river bank for a fleeting moment (only one of two sitings he had that year).

Manu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.