They are designated to protect a
species or an animal or plant community by declaring it intangible,
and to preserve natural formations that are of scientific
or scenic interest. At present, six national sanctuaries protect
0.11% of Peru's land. (PROMPERU)
AMPAY
Location Department of Apurímac
Established 1987
Size 3,635 hectares
It
was established in 1987 on 3,635 hectares to protect the intimpa
forests of the Peruvian Sierra. Intimpa is Peru's only native
conifer and thrives in dense forests that provide shelter
for unique and diverse animal wildlife, made up principally
by bird species.
A number of glaciered lakes and crystal-clear streams flow
down Ampay, a snow-capped peak that towers over the region
and gives its name to the protected area.
Climate: Sunny and dry
from May to October, though nights are extremely cold (when
frosts and -5 ºC temperatures are not unusual). Rain
season is from December to March.
Access and Services:
The sanctuary can be reached by taking one of many horse trails
that leave the village of Tamburco, on the outskirts of the
city of Abancay, which in turn is reached by road from Cusco
(six hours away) or from Andahuaylas (a three-hour trip.)
Length of stay: At least
a three-day stay to camp out by the Sanctuary's lakes is recommended.
(PROMPERU)
CALIPUY
Location Department
of La Libertad
Established 1981
Size
4,500 hectares
This National Sanctuary
was established in 1981 on 4,500 hectares to protect rare wild
flora specie, the world's greatest inflorescence plant: the
Puya Raimondi.
HUAYLLAY
Location Department
of Pasco
Established 1974
Size 6,815 hectares
Huayllay is a spectacular
rock forest of capricious forms, for that reason, in 1974 was
created this National Sanctuary, to protect these formations
geologic, in whose scope is found the presence of an only tree,
the quinual. The fauna is poor.
SWAMPS
OF TUMBES
Location Department of Tumbes
Established 1988
Size 2,972 hectares
Located
on the northernmost tip of Peru's coastal strip, the Tumbes
mangroves are the southern limit for many animal and plant
wildlife species related to this unique ecosystem. The sanctuary
was created in 1988 on 2,972 hectares to protect the largest
mangrove forests of Peru and particularly the large and varied
animal community that they sustain. Invertebrates stand out
here, in particular the wide variety of mollusks, including
black clams, 34 species of crustaceans, 33 types of snails
and over 100 kinds of fish. Additionally, the sanctuary is
a key spot for breeding marine species with commercial value
like lobster. Migratory and resident birds, the endangered
American alligator as well as the mangrove raccoon are some
of the Reserve's most interesting residents.
Climate: Tropical and
sunny most of the year with yearly average temperatures of
around 25 ºC. Sporadic downpours from December to March
become more intense with the arrival of the El Niño
weather oscillation.
Access and Services:
From Tumbes, this can be reached on regular flights, or by
the North Pan-American Highway. The sanctuary lies 24 kilometers
from the city down the road to the Ecuadorian border. Sunblock
and repellent are recommended, as well as information about
site schedules, especially if camping is planned.
Length of stay: One full
day. The park can be easily reached from the city of Tumbes.
(PROMPERU)
MEJÍA
LAGOONS
Location: Department
of Arequipa
Established 1984
Size 690 hectares
In the province of Islay, about
6km south of Mejia is the little known Mejia Lagoons. These
lakes cover an area of about 690 hectares, separated from the
coast by just a sandbar, are thus an important habitat for coastal
and migratory birds. It is a great place for bird watching,
especially in the early morning.
TABACONAS
- NAMBALLE
Location: Department of Cajamarca
Established 1988
Size 29,500 hectares
The sanctuary was created to protect
the ecosystem of the zone, where are some endangered species
on the verge of extinction. In addition, the sanctuary has a
system of medicinal lagoons called Arrebiatadas. Also, in Tabaconas
and in Namballe there are petroglyphs.
HISTORICAL
SANCTUARIES
These areas award intangible
status to natural areas that are also historical landmarks.
At present, three sites have been designates as historical sanctuaries
that protect 0.03% of Peru's land area.
CHACAMARCA
Location Department of Junín
Established 1974
Size 2,500 hectares
The
sanctuary was created to protect the scenery where was carried
out the historical Battle of Junín and lay the archaeological
remains of the Pumpush Culture. On the area abound flocks of
Andean camelidaes and its vegetation is constituted by Andean
pasturelands predominantly.
MACHU
PICCHU
World Heritage
Site: 1983 (UNESCO)
Location: Department
of Cusco
Established
1981
Size:
32,592 hectares
Much
of the beauty and charm that envelops Machu Picchu (Peru's
most important tourist attraction) comes from the spectacular
mountain forest backdrop. The sanctuary was established in
1981 on 32,592 hectares to preserve the unique flora and fauna,
the scenic beauty of the surrounding forests, and the area's
archaeological remains.
Machu Picchu is home to some spectacular wild life, like the
Andean cock of the rocks, Peru's national bird, and the spectacled
bear or ucumari, South America's only native bear. Rare dwarf
deer or sachacabra, the tanca taruca or Huemal deer and more
than 300 types of birds also live in the area.
An especially diverse and interesting flora
can be found in the park and more than 200 registered species
of orchids, many of which are in imminent danger of extinction
due to annual forest burning for farming and illegal trade.
Venerated by the local population as their Apu or guardian
mountain god, the imposing Salkantay, the region's tallest
glacier, towers over the area.
Climate:
Rainy during summer months (December to March) and sunny from
May to September, with an occasional rain shower. Maximum
temperatures normally reach 27 ºC while the minimum rarely
falls below 11 ºC.
Access and Services:
A morning train-departing Cusco runs to Machu Picchu on a
beautiful trip of approximately four hours (through the Sacred
Valley of the Incas). Also available are half-hour helicopter
flights from Cusco.
Length of stay:
Travelers should bear in mind that almost one full day is
required to enter and exit this world-class natural and historical
area. (PROMPERU)
PAMPAS
OF AYACUCHO
Location: Department
of Ayacucho
Established 1980
Size: 300 hectares
The sanctuary was created
to protect the natural heritage and the historical scenery where
was carried out the Battle of Ayacucho, to maintain the cultural
and artisan manifestations of the nearby towns and to extend
the tourist circuit: Ayacucho - Huari ruins - Quinua. Its extension
of 300 hectares is habitat of native birds likes Puna partridge,
huallata and Serrana partridge and the flora is represented
by native plant species like plantain and pinco pinco.
It
was established in 1987 on 3,635 hectares to protect the intimpa
forests of the Peruvian Sierra. Intimpa is Peru's only native
conifer and thrives in dense forests that provide shelter
for unique and diverse animal wildlife, made up principally
by bird species.
Located
on the northernmost tip of Peru's coastal strip, the Tumbes
mangroves are the southern limit for many animal and plant
wildlife species related to this unique ecosystem. The sanctuary
was created in 1988 on 2,972 hectares to protect the largest
mangrove forests of Peru and particularly the large and varied
animal community that they sustain. Invertebrates stand out
here, in particular the wide variety of mollusks, including
black clams, 34 species of crustaceans, 33 types of snails
and over 100 kinds of fish. Additionally, the sanctuary is
a key spot for breeding marine species with commercial value
like lobster. Migratory and resident birds, the endangered
American alligator as well as the mangrove raccoon are some
of the Reserve's most interesting residents.
The
sanctuary was created to protect the scenery where was carried
out the historical Battle of Junín and lay the archaeological
remains of the Pumpush Culture. On the area abound flocks of
Andean camelidaes and its vegetation is constituted by Andean
pasturelands predominantly.
Much
of the beauty and charm that envelops Machu Picchu (Peru's
most important tourist attraction) comes from the spectacular
mountain forest backdrop. The sanctuary was established in
1981 on 32,592 hectares to preserve the unique flora and fauna,
the scenic beauty of the surrounding forests, and the area's
archaeological remains.
