When it comes to world-class nature destinations, Peru is hard to beat. This wildly diverse country features snowcapped Andean mountains in Ancash, towering sand dunes and red beaches in Paracas, dry forests in Cerros de Amotape, and of course, millions of hectares of the world’s most important rainforest, the Amazon. The country’s national parks and reserves protect all this and more, and while some take an adventurous spirit to reach, all are amazing examples of eco-preservation. Here are the Peru national parks and reserves you should tack onto your travels.
1. Paracas National Reserve
Desert meets ocean in this national reserve with multiple personalities — here you’ll find one of the only red beaches in the world, lagoons full of pink flamingos, and cultural history dating back to the Paracas people who lived here from 900 BCE to about 100 ACE. Grab a board to hit the surf, wander the coastal paths, or book a dune-buggy excursion to get up close and personal with Paracas’ desert landscape.
The reserve is also a popular access point for visiting the Ballestas Islands, Peru’s own version of the Galápagos Islands known for Humboldt penguins, humpback whales, boobies, and sea lions.
2. Manú National Park
Want to go wildlife watching in the Peruvian Amazon? Then Manú National Park is the place to be. This sprawling national park encompasses the region where the Tropical Andes and the Amazon Basin meet, and this verdant cradle is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famous for its ecological diversity. Pumas, jaguars, armadillos, giant river otters and more birds than you can shake a stick at all inhabit this remote forest zone, and patient travellers are handsomely rewarded with an unforgettable Amazon experience.
The park is divided into three zones, and only two of them are accessible to visitors: the cultural zone (where Indigenous communities live and provide tourism experiences) and the reserved zone, a wildlife habitat only accessible via organised tour.
3. Huascarán National Park
This park has a flair for the dramatic — located in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, the second highest mountain range in the world after the Himalayas, Huascarán National Park is an explosion of sharp snow-covered peaks, grassy valleys and alpine lakes striking enough to make even the most jaded hiker pause in sheer awe. Huascarán itself is Peru’s highest mountain, topping out at 6,768m (22,204 ft). This is Peruvian high-altitude adventure at its finest, so strap on those boots for a day hike or a multi-day trek; no matter what you choose, Huascarán rolls out some of the best mountain views on the planet.
Access Huascarán from the friendly adventure hub of Huaráz, which will likely be your home base as you acclimatize to the altitude. Always plan for an acclimatization day or two before setting out — even if you don’t plan on scaling the mountain itself, some of Huascarán’s hikes will take you up to 4,500m.
4. Otishi National Park
Otishi National Park sits north of Cusco and was established to protect part of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range and its unique geological features, including the headwaters of three Amazonian rivers (the Urubamba, Ene and the Tambo). The forested park is known for its boisterous collection of orchids, and it’s also home to several fascinating animals including the Peruvian spectacled bear and the national bird of Peru, the bright red Andean cock-of-the-rocks.
Access to this park is limited – touch base with Peru’s national park service (SERNANP) before heading out.
5. Rio Abiseo National Park
Travel-wise, Rio Abiseo is a double whammy — this national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the impressive number of archaeological finds discovered here that point to continuous human habitation since 6,000 BCE. Scientists and archaeologists have uncovered shelters, ceremonial sites, storage buildings and roads dating back thousands of years. The park offers some top-tier nature finds, too: the yellow-tailed woolly monkey was thought to be extinct until it was found here in the 1970s, and the park encompasses several waterfalls, lagoons, and hectare after hectare of cloud forest.
One of the most remote parks in Peru, Rio Abiseo is tough — but not impossible — to access. Note that you’ll need a permit from Peru’s park service in order to visit.
6. Tingo Maria National Park
Established back in 1965, Tingo Maria is one of Peru’s oldest national parks. Located in the high forest of the Yungas region, this lush park may be off the radar of most, but it’s worth a stop for its fascinating rock formations and unusual wildlife. Head straight to the park’s centrepiece, Owl Cave, a dramatic cavern home to bats and a population of oilbirds — one of the world’s few flying nocturnal birds. Like their cave neighbours, they use echolocation.
Above ground, butterflies, ocelots, capybaras and other rainforest creatures take up residence, making Tingo Maria a great stop for wildlife lovers.
7. Cordillera Azul National Park
Another one of Peru’s sprawling Amazonian national parks, Cordillera Azul was established to protect its unique combination of high and low forests draped across its rippling hills and mountains. The park is managed by the local non-profit CIMA (Cordillera Azul) in conjunction with Peru’s national park service and several local Indigenous communities that live in the area, making it a model for sustainable eco-tourism in Peru.
To enter, all visitors need a permit from Peru’s park service, and a guide is highly recommended.
8. Tambopata National Reserve
Located near the Amazon gateway town of Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata National Reserve offers a rainforest getaway with some unique offerings: watch the macaws swoop rhythmically through the air at the reserve’s clay licks or take a boat trip onto nearby Lago Sandoval to see if you can spot giant otters and caimans.
Are you a night owl? Set out on a guided night walk to see some of the forest’s fascinating nocturnal creatures before bunking down at one of the area’s ecolodges.
9. Yaguas National Park
Peru’s newest national park, Yaguas, encompasses one of the largest intact forests remaining in the world, protecting a whopping 8,689 sq km (3354 sq miles) and the several Indigenous communities who relentlessly advocated for its national park status.
This park remains more or less off-limits to visitors for now, but watch for news about the amazing conservation work coming out of the area.
10. Cerro de Amotape National Park
This list covers a fair share of rainforests — how about a dry one? Cerro de Amotape protects two important areas, the Pacific Tropical Forest and the Equatorial Dry Forest, making it a unique eco-combination that thrills wildlife enthusiasts. Here you’ll find mighty Andean condors, crocodiles and newly discovered bird species like the white-necked jacobin.
The park centres on the River Tumbes, and visitors can go for a paddle or opt for a birdwatching trip should they want to keep their feet on dry land.
Peru National Park FAQs
How many national parks are there in Peru?
Peru is home to 15 national parks and 17 national reserves. There are also a number of sanctuaries, protected forests, and nationally-recognized historical sites, making for a total of 76 protected areas.
What percentage of Peru is national parks?
Over 17% of Peru is protected by national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.
What is Peru’s largest national park or wildlife reserve?
Alto Purús National Park is the largest national park in Peru, protecting over 25,000 sq km of Amazon rainforest.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Peru’s national parks?
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required for entry into Peru’s national parks, but many global health agencies advise visitors to be vaccinated against the disease if they are travelling to regions where mosquitos are present (ie, the Amazon).
Do I need to worry about malaria in Peru’s national parks?
Malaria is a risk at any national parks east of the Andes (Manú, Tambopata, and Pacaya-Samiria) and in some areas of the northern Pacific coast where mosquitos are present.
