The Chaparrí Ecological Reserve is fascinating. Entering it gives you the feeling of being enchanted, in the middle of nowhere and, at the same time, in the center of the world. It makes you feel reconciled with nature, full of life and relaxed to the extreme.
In this natural paradise there is no Internet, no cell phone signal and no cable channels. However, it just takes one look at the impressive landscape of endless dry forest to realise that those urban details are unnecessary.
Waking up to the sweet melody of a bird, having breakfast together with hummingbirds and reading a book while breathing fresh air is a luxury that you can enjoy here.
If you enjoy walking, this place has long trails to do it and you will most likely be surprised by a coastal fox, which is the smallest of South America, or by a spectacled bear pulling fruit off a tree. But fear not “because the animals that inhabit Chaparrí do not feel threatened and therefore do not attack,” explains its director, Heinz Plenge.
Variety
The reserve is located only 70 kilometers from Chiclayo. It covers 34,412 hectares of dry forest and is named after the imposing mountain that dominates the region.
This is an area that suffers long periods of drought that may last up to three years.
In this place there lives about 30 spectacled bears, Andean condors and the White-winged Guan, which was thought to be extinct until this place brought it back to life.
Chaparrí is also home to over 220 bird species, 36 of which are endemic and 5 threatened. The best hours to view these birds are dawn and dusk when the temperature drops. “If you are looking to see bats or the nine species of owls that exist here, you should go for a walk at night,” advises the scientific director of the reserve, Rob Williams.
You can go for a day to tour major areas or may choose to stay overnight at the lodge that operates inside the reserve, thus being able to live a full natural experience.
For a Day
The tour begins at the interpretive center, where a guide will explain more about the fauna and flora of the reserve.
Walking through the trail you will run into a well of natural water that comes from the vines. You will also see small amphibians and plants everywhere.
In the snake-house you can observe 15 species of boas including the famous rattlesnake, which is one of the most poisonous in the area and the cat snake, so called because it only eats mice.
“Another important point is the shaman or Mochica priest ramada, where spiritual sessions are held, tomas de San Pedro and other mystical tourism activities,” says the guide and resident of the area, Juan Carrasco.
And the most fun part for the children will be feeding the young bear that is in captivity. “He is the only one in that condition and we can not release him because he was rescued from a circus, where they removed the teeth with which he feeds,” says Carrasco.
How to get there
Start in Chiclayo and take the route to Chongoyape, which is right next to the airport. You must take a detour to the left on km 63. 150m away you will see the Asociation for the Conservation of Nature and Sustainable Tourism of Chaparrí where you will meet with you assigned guide and pay the entry fee. Then you will drive along a paved road for an hour.
More about Chaparrí
Last year, the Chaparrí Ecological Reserve received more than 5,000 visitors. 85% were domestic tourists.
The reserve has five rangers, who are residents of the surrounding community and know the animals and secrets of the reserve.
Know that it is forbidden to make loud noise, because animals can feel threatened.
Smoking or lighting fires without permission is prohibited.
It is important to wear neutral colors. It is not forbidden, but you should avoid wearing red or orange.
Do not forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, flashlight and a rain cover.
Tennis shoes are perfect for hiking through the area.
Weather
In Peru's summer months (December through March) the area is green. During the winter, it is so dry that it reveals all the species that inhabit it. It is also known that the area is inhabited by wild cats, ocelots and stealthy pumas, which have only been seen by the cameras that were hidden in the plants to study the fauna.
More info
Photo Gallery
Tour Suggested
In this natural paradise there is no Internet, no cell phone signal and no cable channels. However, it just takes one look at the impressive landscape of endless dry forest to realise that those urban details are unnecessary.
Waking up to the sweet melody of a bird, having breakfast together with hummingbirds and reading a book while breathing fresh air is a luxury that you can enjoy here.
If you enjoy walking, this place has long trails to do it and you will most likely be surprised by a coastal fox, which is the smallest of South America, or by a spectacled bear pulling fruit off a tree. But fear not “because the animals that inhabit Chaparrí do not feel threatened and therefore do not attack,” explains its director, Heinz Plenge.
Variety
The reserve is located only 70 kilometers from Chiclayo. It covers 34,412 hectares of dry forest and is named after the imposing mountain that dominates the region.
This is an area that suffers long periods of drought that may last up to three years.
In this place there lives about 30 spectacled bears, Andean condors and the White-winged Guan, which was thought to be extinct until this place brought it back to life.
Chaparrí is also home to over 220 bird species, 36 of which are endemic and 5 threatened. The best hours to view these birds are dawn and dusk when the temperature drops. “If you are looking to see bats or the nine species of owls that exist here, you should go for a walk at night,” advises the scientific director of the reserve, Rob Williams.
You can go for a day to tour major areas or may choose to stay overnight at the lodge that operates inside the reserve, thus being able to live a full natural experience.
For a Day
The tour begins at the interpretive center, where a guide will explain more about the fauna and flora of the reserve.
Walking through the trail you will run into a well of natural water that comes from the vines. You will also see small amphibians and plants everywhere.
In the snake-house you can observe 15 species of boas including the famous rattlesnake, which is one of the most poisonous in the area and the cat snake, so called because it only eats mice.
“Another important point is the shaman or Mochica priest ramada, where spiritual sessions are held, tomas de San Pedro and other mystical tourism activities,” says the guide and resident of the area, Juan Carrasco.
And the most fun part for the children will be feeding the young bear that is in captivity. “He is the only one in that condition and we can not release him because he was rescued from a circus, where they removed the teeth with which he feeds,” says Carrasco.
How to get there
Start in Chiclayo and take the route to Chongoyape, which is right next to the airport. You must take a detour to the left on km 63. 150m away you will see the Asociation for the Conservation of Nature and Sustainable Tourism of Chaparrí where you will meet with you assigned guide and pay the entry fee. Then you will drive along a paved road for an hour.
More about Chaparrí
Last year, the Chaparrí Ecological Reserve received more than 5,000 visitors. 85% were domestic tourists.
The reserve has five rangers, who are residents of the surrounding community and know the animals and secrets of the reserve.
Know that it is forbidden to make loud noise, because animals can feel threatened.
Smoking or lighting fires without permission is prohibited.
It is important to wear neutral colors. It is not forbidden, but you should avoid wearing red or orange.
Do not forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, flashlight and a rain cover.
Tennis shoes are perfect for hiking through the area.
Weather
In Peru's summer months (December through March) the area is green. During the winter, it is so dry that it reveals all the species that inhabit it. It is also known that the area is inhabited by wild cats, ocelots and stealthy pumas, which have only been seen by the cameras that were hidden in the plants to study the fauna.
More info
Photo Gallery
Tour Suggested
