Peruvian National Parks

The Republic of Peru is a small country located in northwestern South America. Peru contains three distinct regions: 1.) coastal lowlands, 2.) Andean highlands and 3.) Amazon jungle, as well as, the headwaters of the Amazon river. Peru is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, Colombia and Brazil to the east, Bolivia and Chile to the south, and Ecuador to the north.

Ahuashiyacu Waterfall in Tarapoto, Peru

Alto Mayo Protected Forest

Alto Mayo Protected Forest contains beautiful landscapes and spectacular geological formations along with a diversity of flora and wildlife. Found in the Venceremos mountainous forests of Alto Mayo Protected Forest, are more than 150 species of trees and lianas. There are also many species of orchids and other tropical plants. Among the wild animals found in Alto Mayo Protected Forest are threatened species, such as the yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda), the oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), and the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana), in addition to numerous other species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Alto Mayo Protection Forest – More Information

Alto Purús Reserved Zone

The Alto Purús Reserved Zone, located in Peru’s central Amazon region, contains much biological diversity in its pristine tropical forest ecosystems. The species of flora found in this national park include: Cedar (Cederla odorata), Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Lupuna (Chorisa integrifolia), Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis), Tornillo (Cedrelinga catenaeformis), Charapilla (Coumarouna charapilla), Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra), Mauriti Palm (Mauritia flexuosa), and Ungurahui Palm (Jessenia bataua). Reptile species found in the national park include the Boa (Boa constrictor), the Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), the black caiman (Melanosuchus Níger), and the yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), just to name a few. Mammals found in the park include the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the neotropical otter (Lutra longicaudis), the black spider monkey the monk saki monkey (Pithecia monachus), the small eared dog (Atelocynus microtis), the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), the jaguar (Pantera onca), and tapir (Tapirus terrestris), several of these species are in danger of extinction. Interesting bird species, like the roseate spoonbill (Ajaija ajaja), and the jungle condor (Sarcoramphus papa) are also found within the Alto Purús Reserved Zone.

Alto Purús Reserved Zone – More Information

Alto Purus National Park

Amarakaeri Communal Reserve

Amarakaeri Communal Reserve forms part of an international conservation corridor that includes other protected lands in the countries of Bolivia and Brazil. The national park features a tropical humid climate, with winding rivers in lowland plains, high mountain tops and highlands with deep gorges. Numerous species of plant life are found in the park due to the varied altitudinal ranges throughout this forest region. Amarakaeri Communal Reserve is home to many animal species including the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the jaguar (Pantera onca), common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothrica), the black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), tapir (Tapirus terrestris), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), and the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). Birds found in the area include Black-faced Cotinga, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Peruvian Recurvebill, Ornate and Dot-winged Antwren, Yellow-billed Nunbird , Red-billed Tyrannulet, Fine-barred Piculet, Military and Blue-headed Macaw, Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher, Cabani´s Spinetail, Ornate-Hawk-Eagle, Ocellated Poorwill, Dusky-cheecked Foliage-gleaner, Semi-collared Puffbird, Striolated Puffbird, Peruvian Recurvebill, Long-billed and Amazonian form of Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Red-billied Scythbill, Amzonian and Elusive Antpittas, Rufous-fronted Antthrush, White-cheecked Tody-tyrant, Varzea Mourner, Plumbeous Antbird, Sharpbill, and Ash-throated Gnateater.

Amarakaeri Communal Reserve – More Information

Amotape Hills National Park

Asháninka Communal Reserve

Asháninka Communal Reserve – More Information

Bahuaja-Sonene National Park

National Reserve and Calipuy National Sanctuary

Cerros de Amotape National Park

Andean-Cock-of-the-Rock

Chacamarca Historic Sanctuary

Cordillera Azul National Park

Cutervo National Park

El Sira Communal Reserve

Huascarán National Park

Ichigkat muja – Cordillera del Condor

Junín National Reserve

Lachay National Reserve

Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary

Machiguenga Communal Reserve

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary

Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary

Manú National Park

The largest and best known national park in Peru, Manu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A 10 hour bus ride from the town of Cusco, high in the Andes, the national park is somewhat inaccessible. Because of the topography ranges from just above sea level to over 12,000 feet within the park, it has one of highest levels of biodiversity of any national park on earth. There are multiple ecological zones ranging from Amazon tropical forests to Peruvian Yungas to Central Andean wet puna. Manu National Park contains nearly 20,000 plant species and the park has one of the highest number of terrestrial vertebrates found in Latin America. With nearly 10 percent of all the world’s bird species found in Manu National Park, it is a well-known paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers from around the world. Over 1,000 species of birds, more than 200 species of mammals, nearly 150 amphibians species, and approximately 100 species of reptiles have been recorded in Manu National Park. The park is also home to more than 200 species of fish, over 1300 species of butterflies and approximately 650 species of beetles. The biodiversity of Manu National Park makes it one of the most popular wildlife adventure destinations in the world.

Some of the specific species of animals that live in the national park include jaguar (Pantera onca), puma, ocelot, giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), giant anteater, southern tamandua, giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), nine-banded armadillo, brown-throated sloth, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, Brazilian tapir, capybara, pacarana, lowland paca, white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), marsh deer, Peruvian white-tailed deer, dwarf brocket, culpeo, mountain paca and spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). There are 14 species of monkeys, including pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea), Goeldi’s marmoset (Callimico goeldii), shock-headed capuchin (Cebus albifrons cuscinus), tufted capuchin (Cebus apella peruanus), moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax), Brown-mantled tamarin, (Saguinus fuscicollis), emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator), black-capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis), Peruvian spider monkey (Saimiri boliviensis peruviensis), black-headed night monkey (Aotus nigriceps), Bolivian red howler (Alouatta sara), brown titi (Callicebus brunneus), Rio Tapajós saki (Pithecia irrorata), and gray woolly monkey (Lagothrix cana).