In the case of world-class nature locations, Peru is tough to beat. This wildly various nation options snowcapped Andean mountains in Ancash, towering sand dunes and crimson seashores in Paracas, dry forests in Cerros de Amotape, and naturally, hundreds of thousands of hectares of the world’s most vital rainforest, the Amazon. The nation’s nationwide parks and reserves shield all this and extra, and whereas some take an adventurous spirit to succeed in, all are superb examples of eco-preservation. Listed below are the Peru nationwide parks and reserves you need to tack onto your travels.
1. Paracas Nationwide Reserve
Desert meets ocean on this nationwide reserve with a number of personalities — right here you’ll discover one of many solely crimson seashores on this planet, lagoons stuffed with pink flamingos, and cultural historical past relationship again to the Paracas individuals who lived right here from 900 BCE to about 100 ACE. Seize a board to hit the surf, wander the coastal paths, or ebook a dune-buggy tour to rise up shut and private with Paracas’ desert panorama.
The reserve can also be a well-liked entry level for visiting the Ballestas Islands, Peru’s personal model of the Galápagos Islands identified for Humboldt penguins, humpback whales, boobies, and sea lions.
2. Manú Nationwide Park
Need to go wildlife watching within the Peruvian Amazon? Then Manú Nationwide Park is the place to be. This sprawling nationwide park encompasses the area the place the Tropical Andes and the Amazon Basin meet, and this verdant cradle is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve well-known for its ecological variety. Pumas, jaguars, armadillos, big river otters and extra birds than you’ll be able to shake a stick in any respect inhabit this distant forest zone, and affected person travellers are handsomely rewarded with an unforgettable Amazon expertise.
The park is split into three zones, and solely two of them are accessible to guests: the cultural zone (the place Indigenous communities reside and supply tourism experiences) and the reserved zone, a wildlife habitat solely accessible by way of organised tour.
3. Huascarán Nationwide Park
This park has a aptitude for the dramatic — positioned within the coronary heart of the Cordillera Blanca, the second highest mountain vary on this planet after the Himalayas, Huascarán Nationwide Park is an explosion of sharp snow-covered peaks, grassy valleys and alpine lakes putting sufficient to make even essentially the most jaded hiker pause in sheer awe. Huascarán itself is Peru’s highest mountain, topping out at 6,768m (22,204 ft). That is Peruvian high-altitude journey at its most interesting, so strap on these boots for a day hike or a multi-day trek; it doesn’t matter what you select, Huascarán rolls out a few of the greatest mountain views on the planet.
Entry Huascarán from the pleasant journey hub of Huaráz, which can possible be your property base as you acclimatize to the altitude. All the time plan for an acclimatization day or two earlier than setting out — even should you don’t plan on scaling the mountain itself, a few of Huascarán’s hikes will take you as much as 4,500m.
4. Otishi Nationwide Park
Otishi Nationwide Park sits north of Cusco and was established to guard a part of the Vilcabamba Mountain Vary and its distinctive geological options, together with the headwaters of three Amazonian rivers (the Urubamba, Ene and the Tambo). The forested park is understood for its boisterous assortment of orchids, and it’s additionally house to a number of fascinating animals together with the Peruvian spectacled bear and the nationwide hen of Peru, the brilliant crimson Andean cock-of-the-rocks.
Entry to this park is proscribed – contact base with Peru’s nationwide park service (SERNANP) earlier than heading out.
5. Rio Abiseo Nationwide Park
Journey-wise, Rio Abiseo is a double whammy — this nationwide park can also be a UNESCO World Heritage Website because of the spectacular variety of archaeological finds found right here that time to steady human habitation since 6,000 BCE. Scientists and archaeologists have uncovered shelters, ceremonial websites, storage buildings and roads relationship again hundreds of years. The park affords some top-tier nature finds, too: the yellow-tailed woolly monkey was considered extinct till it was discovered right here within the Seventies, and the park encompasses a number of waterfalls, lagoons, and hectare after hectare of cloud forest.
One of the distant parks in Peru, Rio Abiseo is hard — however not not possible — to entry. Observe that you simply’ll want a allow from Peru’s park service in an effort to go to.
6. Tingo Maria Nationwide Park
Established again in 1965, Tingo Maria is considered one of Peru’s oldest nationwide parks. Situated within the excessive forest of the Yungas area, this lush park could also be off the radar of most, but it surely’s value a cease for its fascinating rock formations and weird wildlife. Head straight to the park’s centrepiece, Owl Cave, a dramatic cavern house to bats and a inhabitants of oilbirds — one of many world’s few flying nocturnal birds. Like their cave neighbours, they use echolocation.
Above floor, butterflies, ocelots, capybaras and different rainforest creatures take up residence, making Tingo Maria a fantastic cease for wildlife lovers.
7. Cordillera Azul Nationwide Park
One other considered one of Peru’s sprawling Amazonian nationwide parks, Cordillera Azul was established to guard its distinctive mixture of excessive and low forests draped throughout its rippling hills and mountains. The park is managed by the native non-profit CIMA (Cordillera Azul) along with Peru’s nationwide park service and a number of other native Indigenous communities that reside within the space, making it a mannequin for sustainable eco-tourism in Peru.
To enter, all guests want a allow from Peru’s park service, and a information is extremely really useful.
8. Tambopata Nationwide Reserve
Situated close to the Amazon gateway city of Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata Nationwide Reserve affords a rainforest getaway with some distinctive choices: watch the macaws swoop rhythmically by means of the air on the reserve’s clay licks or take a ship journey onto close by Lago Sandoval to see should you can spot big otters and caimans.
Are you an evening owl? Set out on a guided evening stroll to see a few of the forest’s fascinating nocturnal creatures earlier than bunking down at one of many space’s ecolodges.
9. Yaguas Nationwide Park
Peru’s latest nationwide park, Yaguas, encompasses one of many largest intact forests remaining on this planet, defending a whopping 8,689 sq km (3354 sq miles) and the a number of Indigenous communities who relentlessly advocated for its nationwide park standing.
This park stays roughly off-limits to guests for now, however look ahead to information in regards to the superb conservation work popping out of the realm.
10. Cerro de Amotape Nationwide Park
This checklist covers a justifiable share of rainforests — how a few dry one? Cerro de Amotape protects two vital areas, the Pacific Tropical Forest and the Equatorial Dry Forest, making it a singular eco-combination that thrills wildlife fans. Right here you’ll discover mighty Andean condors, crocodiles and newly found hen species just like the white-necked jacobin.
The park centres on the River Tumbes, and guests can go for a paddle or go for a birdwatching journey ought to they wish to maintain their toes on dry land.
Peru Nationwide Park FAQs
What number of nationwide parks are there in Peru?
Peru is house to fifteen nationwide parks and 17 nationwide reserves. There are additionally quite a lot of sanctuaries, protected forests, and nationally-recognized historic websites, making for a complete of 76 protected areas.
What proportion of Peru is nationwide parks?
Over 17% of Peru is protected by nationwide parks, reserves and sanctuaries.
What’s Peru’s largest nationwide park or wildlife reserve?
Alto Purús Nationwide Park is the biggest nationwide park in Peru, defending over 25,000 sq km of Amazon rainforest.
Do I want a yellow fever vaccine for Peru’s nationwide parks?
Proof of yellow fever vaccination shouldn’t be required for entry into Peru’s nationwide parks, however many international well being companies advise guests to be vaccinated in opposition to the illness if they’re travelling to areas the place mosquitos are current (ie, the Amazon).
Do I want to fret about malaria in Peru’s nationwide parks?
Malaria is a danger at any nationwide parks east of the Andes (Manú, Tambopata, and Pacaya-Samiria) and in some areas of the northern Pacific coast the place mosquitos are current.