Are you looking for a unique destination in Peru with jungles, mysterious caves, and stunning landscapes? If so, Tingo Maria National Park should be your next destination. Located in the Leoncio Prado province (Huanuco), this natural sanctuary protects one of the most representative and accessible samples of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. It offers the perfect setting to enjoy nature.
Established as a protected area in 1965, the park is famous for being home to the Sleeping Beauty mountain range, a striking geological formation that dominates the city skyline. Iconic species live here, such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the oilbird, and a variety of orchids. The park's geography, which combines deep caves, waterfalls, and cloud forests, makes it an ideal place to plan your next Amazon trekking holiday.
To help you make the most of your visit, we have compiled a list of the best things to do in Tingo Maria. Below, you will find the best attractions, which guarantee a safe, fascinating and totally immersive experience.
The Tingo Maria National Park is considered the second oldest natural protected area in Peru. It protects a unique biodiversity of high jungle and iconic rock formations. Established in 1965, the Tingo María National Park is Peru's second natural protected area. It houses biological diversity typical of the high jungle, as well as very special scenic beauty. One of the park's distinguishing geographical features is a mountain range that resembles a lying woman, known as "The Sleeping Beauty".
Climate: The climate is tropical and rainy, with an average temperature of 76° F and an average annual precipitation of 118 inches. Relative humidity is between 80%.
It is located in the High Jungle ecoregion (Peruvian Yungas) in the Mariano Dámaso Beraún district of the Leoncio Prado province in the Huánuco department.
Tingo Maria National Park is home to a wide variety of birds, with an estimated 364 species present. Standout species include the cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana), guacharo (Steatornis caripensis), and various species of parrots, woodpeckers, and toucans. The most important places to observe birds are: The Tres de Mayo tourist sector, the Cueva de las Lechuzas, and the Quinceañera.
The following mammals are present: puma (Puma concolor), jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), tigrina (Leopardus tigrinus), aquatic opossum (Chironectes minimus), margay (Leopardus wiedii), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), otter (Lontra longicaudis), peccary (Tayassu tajacu), squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and common pichico (Saguinus fuscicollis).
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The Tingo Maria National Park has recorded a large number of butterflies, with approximately 320 species identified, including many of the Morpho genus.
The flora is typical of high forests. In the higher parts of the park (1,800 m.a.s.l.), the vegetation is dense with diverse thickets covered in mosses, lichens, bromeliads, and other epiphytes. As you descend to 700 m.a.s.l., the forest becomes taller and tree ferns appear, sharing space with tree species from the Lauraceae, Clusiaseae, and Rubiaceae families. Numerous orchid species are associated with these trees.
The forest on the lower slopes of the mountains is even taller, and trees from families such as the Meliaceae, Lauraceae, Myristicaceae, and Moraceae are common. The most well-known species are the cumala, white requia, moena, and sapotillo.
The Tingo Maria National Park is divided into three sectors.
The Cueva de las Lechuzas is the main tourist attraction of the park. Located 7 km from Tingo María on the road to Monzón, it takes 10 minutes by car to reach it. It comprises the entrance boulevard, the Cueva River Bridge, and the picnic area in the Water Hole sector, which is 300 meters away. From there, you can access the Cueva de las Lechuzas. Inside the cave, you will find stalactites, stalagmites, mantles, and columns formed over thousands of years. The cavern is home to an important colony of guacharos (Steatornis caripensis), as well as bats, insects, amblypygids, porcupines, and other animals.
In addition, there are tourist orientation services, photography services, hygiene services, and the sale of snacks, handicrafts, homemade ice cream, and typical dishes and drinks of the area.
It is located south of the park, 14 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, a 20-minute drive on the highway to Huánuco. This place is accessed by vehicle via a suspension bridge over the Huallaga River in the hamlet of Tambillo Chico.
At the beginning of the tour, you will see orchids, butterflies, birds, medicinal plants, and ornamental plants. You can also see the beautiful three-tiered waterfall of crystal-clear waters, such as the Gloriapata waterfall at 1.8 km, the Sol Naciente waterfall at 4.76 km, and the Salto del Ángel waterfall at 5.46 km.
It also has tourist orientation services, accommodation, sale of snacks, typical dishes of the area and drinks.
This attraction is located 7 km from the city of Tingo María on the road to Huánuco (a 10-minute drive). You can access it by crossing a huaro over the Huallaga River, followed by a 1-kilometer walk. You will arrive at the Quinceañera Waterfall, where you can enjoy a 43-meter waterfall. It is part of a life zone of very humid pre-montane tropical forest surrounded by exuberant vegetation.
It also offers tourist orientation services, as well as the sale of snacks and drinks. It provides transportation services in Huaro.
There are many routes to Machu Picchu, but none are like the Inca Trail, the most famous hiking route in the Americas. After flying from Lima, Peru's capital, you will arrive in Cusco. For four days, you will walk along a path through forests and dense fog, passing by millenary stone steps, and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities. The entire time, you will enjoy majestic views.
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