Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [321]
Tour companies in Tumbes can arrange tours, as can Hostel Casa Grillo (Click here) in Zorritos. There are few roads into these areas and visiting during the wet months of December to April can prove very difficult.
PARQUE NACIONAL CERROS DE AMOTAPE
The tropical dry forest ecosystem of Cerros de Amotape is protected by this 913-sq-km national park, which is home to flora and fauna including jaguars, condors and anteaters, though parrots, deer and peccaries are more commonly sighted. Large-scale logging, illegal hunting and overgrazing are some of the threats facing this habitat, of which there is very little left anywhere in Peru. Guides are essential for spotting wildlife and can be arranged in the town of Rica Playa, a small, friendly village located just within the park. Although there are no hotels here, you can camp and local families will sell you meals.
During the dry season, a bus leaves for Rica Playa from the Tumbes market (S2.50, two hours) at noon. Most of the route, bar the last 18km, is paved.
Another way to visit the park is to go to the village of Casitas (pop 350) near Caña Veral; buses leave from the Tumbes market at 1pm (S10, five hours).
Agencies in Tumbes also organize tours for S30 to S90 per person, depending on the number of people.
ZONA RESERVADA DE TUMBES
This reserve is probably the best place to spot a wide range of wild animals. The forest is similar to the tropical dry forest of Cerros de Amotape, but because it lies more on the easterly side of the hills, it is wetter and has slightly different flora and fauna, including crocodiles, howler monkeys and nutria. You can also see various orchids and a wide variety of birds. There is no public transportation here, so you’ll need to either have your own wheels or come on a tour, which can cost anywhere between S30 to S90 per person.
COTO DE CAZA EL ANGOLO
This 650-sq-km extension at the southwest border of Cerros de Amotape is the most remote section of the tropical dry forest. It’s a hunting preserve.
SANTUARIO NACIONAL LOS MANGLARES DE TUMBES
This national sanctuary was established in 1988 and lies on the coast, separated from the other three dry-forest areas. Only about 30 sq km in size, it plays an essential role in conserving Peru’s only region of mangroves.
You can travel here by going to Puerto Pizarro and taking a dirt road northeast to the tiny community of El Bendito. From here, ask around for someone to guide you by canoe. Guided tours are available from Puerto Pizarro as well, though the mangroves here are not technically within the protection of the sanctuary. Another way to visit is to go to Zarumilla (pop 17,200), 5km before the Ecuador border, and seek out Oriol Cedillo Ruiz (50-7816; Independencia 690). He can arrange two- to three-hour kayak tours (per kayak S35). Access depends on the tides. Agencies in Tumbes also arrange tours for S45 to S90 per person.
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Huaraz & the Cordilleras
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HUARAZ
INFORMATION
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
SIGHTS
ACTIVITIES
COURSES
TOURS & GUIDES
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
SLEEPING
EATING
DRINKING
ENTERTAINMENT
SHOPPING
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
THE CORDILLERAS
CORDILLERA BLANCA
CORDILLERA HUAYHUASH
CORDILLERA NEGRA
NORTH OF HUARAZ
MONTERREY
MONTERREY TO CARHUAZ
CARHUAZ
YUNGAY
LAGUNAS LLANGANUCO
CARAZ
SOUTH OF HUARAZ
CHIQUIÁN
CAJATAMBO
EAST OF THE CORDILLERA BLANCA
CHAVÍN DE HUÁNTAR
NORTH OF CHAVÍN
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The mountainous region of the Cordillera Blanca is where superlatives crash and burn in a brave attempt to capture the beauty of the place. A South American mecca for worshippers of outdoor adventure, this is one of the pre-eminent hiking, trekking and backpacking