DESTINATIONS IN PERU - NATURE PROTECTION AREAS

Peru is one of the countries with the highest diversity of species worldwide. Its broad range of climates and landscapes provide perfect conditions for millions of animal and plant species.
Due to its topographic structure and the three dominating climates, you can find 28 out of the Earth´s 32 natural habitats within Peru's territorial borders. National parks such as Manu in the Southern rainforest are profoundly abundant in countless varieties of both animals and plants. In order to secure the continuity of these unique biotopes in times of ever growing industrialization, they have been classified as protected areas. The first of these zones were converted into a nature protection areas in the 1960's.

To give an overview of the numerous different categories and forms of nature parks, we defined some terms as they are valid in Peru on this page.

Huascarán - Manu - Río Abiseo - Cerros de Amotape/ Biosfera Noroeste - Manglares de Tumbes/ Biosfera Noroeste - Machu Picchu - Bosque de Pómac - Junín - Paracas - Lachay - Titicaca
Pacaya Samiria - Tambopata

Department: Junín and Pasco (Highland)
Foundation: 1974
Altitude: 4100 metres
Size: 53,000 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: Junín is especially popular among birdwatchers and known for its Chinchay Cocha lake (Lago de Junín), Peru's second largest lake. Under perfect conditions you can observe 36 different species of birds in this area. Also foxes and guinea pigs are among the reserve's natural inhabitants.
The lake is situated in the Pampas of Junín that feature a breath-taking landscape.

Activities: The National Reserve Junín is especially suitable for hikes in the breathtaking landscape as well as for bird watching.

Tips: Combine your visit in Junín with a trip to the Central Andes. The towns of Jauja, Tarma and Huancayo are still little known to tourism, but guarantee spectacular landscapes as well as authentic Peruvian traditions and culture. Find more about the travel region Central Andes by clicking here.

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Department: Ica (Coast)
Foundation: 1975
Size: 335,000 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: Situated around 300 kilometres South of Lima, the peninsula of Paracas is a popular destination among travellers to Peru. A guided tour through this nature paradise, also including the island San Gallán, will definitely be worth a stop on every traveller's classic Southern route through Peru. Besides its breathtaking beauty, this desert landscape is also archaeologically interesting. Around 700 to 200 BC the highly developed Paracas culture had settled in the region. Among other technical advances, they possessed of the knowledge of successfully carrying out surgeries to the cranium, as findings of well-preserved mummies prove.
During a boat trip in the coastal waters you will be able to observe dozens of the 216 domestic bird species and 180 types of fish as well as 20 water mammals.

Activities: It is best to visit Paracas on a guided tour. Besides the observation of numerous animals you will also be able to admire the spectacular findings of the Paracas culture.

Tips: Combine your trip to the Paracas reserve, with a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands in the morning. Also Ica and Pisco are not far away from the Paracas peninsula.

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Department: Lima (Coast)
Foundation: 1977
Size: 5070 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: 150 km North of Lima you will find the National Reserve Lachay in the middle of a dry and sparse desert landscape. Only two types of landscape can be found in this area: coastal desert and rolling hills. Vegetation grows on the hills between August and November, when the climate is humid, during the other months all of the area is desert.
Bird watchers will enjoy observing up to 60 different species - among them sometimes even the condor, coming down from the Andes. Also deer and pumas, originally not encountered in this region, can be seen from time to time as well as small reptiles and a multitude of insects.

Activities: Exploring the Lachay National Reserve is best done through trekking, although you should be aware of the terrain and not underestimate the physical effort it takes to ascend them.

Tips: The Lachay reserve is still not thouroughly developed in terms of tourism and not so frequently visited as other regions. It could be seen as an insider's tip and can easily be visited from Lima in a day trip.

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Department: Puno (Highland)
Foundation: 1978
Altitude: 4100 metres
Size: 36,180 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: The Titicaca National Reserve covers almost a fourth of this, the highest navigable lake in the world. Situated in the department of Puno, the reserve contains an incredible array of biodiversity and unique cultural treasures that are representative for whole Peru.
With over 87 species of birds, 26 of fish and 9 types of amphibians, Lake Titicaca is a paradise for nature lovers. Also the flora is extremely diverse. Most outstanding plant is the reed that also serves as basis for a whole branch of industry. Out of this reed grass locals build and cover houses, produce handicraft and boats and even build whole islands on which people live.

Activities: On the one hand nature lovers will enjoy themselves observing flora and fauna during treks, hikes or boat trips. On the other hand, visits to the numerous archaeological sites should not be missed from your itinerary. So far, not too much is known about those cultures, that inhabited the shores of the lake long before the Incas - an invitation to all hobby archaeologists and researchers!
During your boat trip in the typical reed boats you can furthermore relax and just soak in this unbelievable panorama.

Tips: Lake Titicaca is almost an obligation for any traveller to the Southern parts of this beautiful country and can perfectly be fitted in between visiting Arequipa and Cusco. Also short side trips to the Bolivian side of the lake can easily be completed within one or two days.

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Department: Loreto (Rainforest)
Foundation: 1982
Size: 2,080,000 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: The Pacaya Samiria natural reserve encompasses the area between Marañon and the Ucayali river valleys. About 3 hours drive from Iquitos, the reserve offers you the opportunity to observe a multitude of different animal species. You will also be able to see many animals in danger of extinction, such as the Manatee and the Pink River Dolphin, which is endemic to the Amazon river. The Pacaya Samiria reserve is also known as the "mirror jungle" due to the reflections of the flora and the sky on the water surface of the rivers.

Activities: For nature lovers, researchers and adventurers, the incomparable beauty of the landscape of Pacaya Samiria will turn out to be paradise on Earth. During boat trips on rivers or hikes through the prime forest you can best experience the incredible biodiversity of Pacaya Samiria.

Tips: Come and explore Pacaya Samiria with a rainforest program of one of our lodges. We recommend our partner Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge.

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Department: Madre de Dios (Regenwald)
Foundation: 2000
Size: 274,690 hectares
Status: National Reserve

Description: Less than one hour upstream from Puerto Maldonado, is located the Tambopata Candamo reserve. It is the ideal alternative for those, who don't have time to go as far as Manu National Park. Puerto Maldonado is also known as the "World capital of biodiversity" and indeed in Tambopata you will encounter a unique diversity in flora and fauna. Furthermore the region around Puerto Maldonado is famous for the number of orchids and butterflies you can find there.
Both in water as well as on land, you will be able to observe numerous animals. The Madre de Dios and its feeders are inhabited by caimans, anacondas, electric eels, water turtles and piranhas. In Lake Sandoval you will furthermore find a family of, at the moment, 10 giant otters. On land you have the opportunity to see various species of monkeys, capybaras, hundreds of birds as well as reptiles and insects.

Activities: Those who appreciate typical jungle flora and fauna will definitely enjoy their visit to the Tambopata reserve. During walks and boat trips on rivers and lakes you can soak in the environment the best way.

Tips: Staying at a rainforest lodge, surrounded by millions of square kilometres of untouched rainforest (very often with fantastic views of lakes or rivers) even further contributes to the jungle-experience. Our partner Sandoval Lake Lodge offers (besides its classic programs of 3 or 4 days) combined programmes with the Heath Wildlife Centre on the Bolivian side of the Heath River.

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