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Manu (Villa Carmen) Biological Station

The Manu Biological Station (formerly called Villa Carmen Biological Station) is located on over 7,500 acres of land within the spectacular Manu Biosphere Reserve in Southern Peru.

Spanning an elevational gradient of 1,700 to almost 4,000 feet above sea level, Manu hosts an incredible array of species found in a variety of habitats, ranging from cloud forest to montane and lowland rainforest.

The station neighbors several indigenous Wachiperi and Machiguenga communities as well as The Wachiperi Haramba Queros Conservation Concession, established with assistance from Amazon Conservation as the first conservation concession in Peru run by an indigenous community. Manu Biological Station serves to promote sustainable agroforestry and aquaculture, host educational programs, and further incorporate local communities into conservation efforts.

The station supports a wide variety of habitats including old-growth rainforest, lower mountain forest, secondary forests, streams, rivers, waterfalls, and a highly diverse flora and fauna.

Dotted with sparkling streams, rivers, and waterfalls, Manu is an ideal place to discover the beauty and bounty of the Amazon.

Manu at a Glance

  • Established: August 2010
  • Mission: To contribute to the understanding and protection of the greater Manu landscape.
  • Location: 1.5 km north of the town of Pillcopata, district of Kosñipata, Cusco, Peru.
  • Geographic coordinates: -12.8955, -71.4038
  • Elevation: 520-1200 meters
  • Area of reserve: 3,065 hectares (7,574 acres)
  • Vegetation: Premontane rainforest, lower mountain rainforest, bamboo forest, riparian successional vegetation, secondary successional vegetation, crops and pasture.
  • Percent forest cover: 92%
  • Precipitation: 4000 mm/year; driest in August & wettest in February (rainy season Nov-March). See 2011 and 2012 rainfall data from Villa Carmen.
  • Temperature: Annual average 22°C; maximum temperature 32°C (during sunny days August – November) and down to 10°C (during cold fronts May – August)
  • Prevailing wind: NNE
  • Trail system: 22miles/35 km, elevation gain 680 m, easy to difficult

What to do at Manu?

  • Trails: Our extensive trail system will take you through the jungle between the Andes Mountains and the Amazonian lowlands to discover rivers, waterfalls, 460+ bird species, and the greatest diversity of life on the planet.
  • Sustainable Agriculture:  Learn about how food is cultivated and harvested sustainably at our research station, and how our farm-to-table process is replicated by farmers in the area. See how the food
    you eat is grown!
  • The Fish Farm: Witness the artificial ponds that are used for breeding the paco, a very important fish in the diets of the local communities. You may even be able to fish for your own dinner!
  • Scientific Presentations: You will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the fascinating research taking place at Manu and see the wildlife captured by our trap cameras.
  • Indigenous Communities: Visit the indigenous community of Santa Rosa de Huacaria Visit and the learn indigenous about its ancestral culture.

Manu's Facilities

Our Manu campus can accommodate up to 100 people. Wilderness camping is permitted. Our facilities and services include:

  • 11 Double cabins with private bathrooms
  • Two dormitories with shared bathrooms
  • Three delicious, organic meals a day made with local ingredients and coffee, water, and tea available throughout the day
  • Large multipurpose meeting spaces
  • Laboratory with equipment, tables, and benches
  • A scientific library including in-house field guides to local plant and animal communities
  • Limited internet
  • 24 hour electricity
  • Restrooms and hot showers
  • Access to 35 km/22 miles of well-maintained, geo-referenced trails
  • Easy access to the nearby town of Pillcopata
  • Access to two indigenous communities (with prior approval)
  • A sustainable agriculture program, including kitchen garden for farm-sourced meals, and on-site fish farm

Location:

Nestled in the Andean foothills, perched between the mountains and the lowlands, Manu Biological Station offers birdwatchers the opportunity to see a Blue-headed Macaw, Hairy-crested Antbird, Roufous-capped Nunlet, and charismatic Hoatzin.

The 7,600-acre property is located in the buffer zone of Manu National Park, and boasts over 25 miles of trails spanning a wide variety of habitats, including old-growth rainforest, lower montane forest, secondary forest, streams, rivers and waterfalls.

The station also neighbors several indigenous Wachiperi and Machiguenga communities as well as the Haramba Queros Wachiperi Conservation Concession, established with assistance from Amazon Conservation as the first conservation concession in Peru run by an indigenous community.

As part of your itinerary, we can book tours to the Santa Rosa de Huacaria or Queros Wachiperi indigenous communities.

Current Prices:

Please contact bherrera@amazonjourneys.pe for room options and price lists.

If you are not a researcher or course but would like to bird or explore the Amazon with us, check out our Ecolodges!

Facilities:

At Manu, six brand new cabins with floor-to-ceiling screened windows await you. Each cabin features comfortable beds (your choice of single or double) with mosquito nets, two Adirondack chairs, a luggage and clothes rack, and a luxurious private bathroom.

A brand new dining room, lounge, and bar welcome you for meals and provide comfortable seating for reviewing your lists at the end of the day.

Max occupancy 18 (3 per cabin), minimum stay 1 night. Children must be accompanied by their parent(s) but are welcome throughout Manu. Children under age 13 are eligible for a discounted stay.Limited internet available 24/7.

Smoking is prohibited indoors. Manu is not handicap accessible; paths may include steps and be fashioned from a variety of materials including loose gravel, cement, or dirt. Physical limitations should be considered when contemplating hikes or other excursions.

Meals include local, fresh Peruvian cooking sourced from the kitchen garden. If you have special meal requirements (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.) please inform the reservation staff prior to your arrival to the station. Given the location of stations, it may be difficult to accommodate all dietary preferences and the variety of food may be limited.

Getting Here:

Manu is located approximately 7 hours by road from Cusco. The road is paved for the first two hours of the journey, and the remainder is a winding dirt road with spectacular views of forests, steep ravines, waterfalls, cultural sites, and of course birds.

We can arrange for a private vehicle with an experienced driver.

If you are prone to motion sickness, you might consider taking medication such as Dramamine.

The elevation at Manu is 1,700 to 3,940 feet; however, to travel there you will start in Cusco at 11,500 feet. For those affected by altitude, keep hydrated, rest and eat lightly. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a recommended preventative medicine.

Sample Publications Featuring Research Conducted at Manu

  • Whitaker, J., Ostle, N., Nottingham, A. T., Ccahuana, A., Salinas, N., Bardgett, R. D., … McNamara, N. P. (2014). Microbial community composition explains soil respiration responses to changing carbon inputs along an Andes-to-Amazon elevation gradient. Journal of Ecology, 102, 1058–1071. doi:10.1111/1365-2745.12247

Manu Gallery

farm scarlet macaws (Ara macao)
Blue beetle (Order: Coleoptera; Family: Tenebrionidae). Villa Carmen Biological Reserve near Pilcopata, Peru. The reserve is around 600 meters in elevation and includes pre-montane rainforest and lowland rainforest. It is owned by the Amazon Conservation Association and its Peruvian sister organization, La Asociaci—n para la Conservaci—n de la Cuenca Amaz—nica.

Interested in Doing Research or Conducting a Course at Manu?

  • Email us for site availability and logistics questions at reservas@conservacionamazonica.org
  • Email any science and research related questions to lcastro@conservacionamazonica.org
  • Visit our social media pages to see the latest of what is going on at Manu! Follow us at our Manu Facebook page.

 

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