On May 14 it celebrates its 58th anniversary as a natural area protected by the State
One of the natural jewels that the Huánuco region is home to is the Tingo María National Park, which this May 14 celebrates its 58th anniversary as a natural area protected by the State. Possessing a formidable landscape beauty, where the “Sleeping Beauty” stands out, this blessed geographical space is home to a notable and unique biodiversity that has earned it international recognition in competitions such as the Green Destinations Story Awards.
The Tingo María National Park is the second protected natural area created in Peru, on May 14, 1965, by Law No. 15574, with the objective of protecting the natural areas called Sleeping Beauty and the Cave of the Owls. Likewise, to conserve the exceptional wild flora and fauna, as well as to guarantee the socio-economic development of the surrounding towns and promote local tourism.
Location and extent
It is located in the district of Mariano Dámaso Beraún, province of Leoncio Prado, department of Huanuco, in the high jungle ecoregion. It has an area of 4,777 hectares.
Boundaries
The limits of the Tingo María National Park are determined as follows:
To the north: right bank of the Monzón River, from the Cueva de las Owls tourist area to the meeting with the Huallaga River.
To the east: With the Huallaga River on the right bank, heading upstream along the limits of the slopes and passing through the areas of Brisas del Huallaga, Afilador, Las Orquídeas, Puente Prado, La Perla, Cueva de las Pavas, Quezada and Tambillo Grande .
To the south: left bank of the Tres de Mayo ravine from the vicinity of its mouth to the Huallaga River to the Gloriapata waterfall.
To the west: It begins from the Gloriapata waterfall, following the Tres de Mayo ravine, reaching the Perdido River swallowhole, continuing upstream until the meeting of the Santa and Colorada ravines, crossing north until reaching the summit and following the Oro river. until its arrival at the Monzón River.
Biological importance
The Tingo María National Park houses a biological diversity typical of the high jungle region, as well as a very particular landscape beauty. One of the geographical features that distinguishes the park is the formation of a mountain range that resembles a lying woman and is known as “Sleeping Beauty.”
Another of the characteristic geological formations of this protected natural area is the Cueva de las Lechuzas, which is a magnetic point for tourists, as well as its exuberant waterfalls. The park protects ecosystems that ensure the presence of water in the area and that allow scientific research and environmental education to be carried out.
Fauna and Flora
Tingo María National Park has a great variety of birds, with an estimated 364 species. Highlights include the cock-of-the-rock, guacharos, various species of parrots, woodpeckers, toucans, among other birds. The most important places to observe birds are: Tres de Mayo tourist sector, Cueva de las Lechuzas and Quinceañera.
Among the mammals, the presence of the puma, jaguar or otorongo, margay, water opossum, margay, ronsoco, otter, peccary, puffin and the common woodpecker is reported.
As for invertebrates, a large number of butterflies have been recorded, with approximately 320 species reported, highlighting the butterflies of the morpho genus.
The flora present is typical of the high jungle. In the highest parts of the Tingo María National Park (1,800 meters above sea level) the vegetation is dense, with diverse thickets loaded with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes that cover the rocky outcrops.
As you go down in altitude (700 meters), the forest becomes higher, tree ferns appearing, which share the space with tree species from the Lauraceae, Clusiaseae and Rubiaceae families, associated with these are numerous species of orchids.
On the lower slopes of the mountains, the forest is even higher and trees from families such as Meliaceae, Lauraceae, Myristicaceae, Moraceae, among others, are common. The best known species are the cumala, the white requia, the moena and the sapotillo.
Climate
The climate in Tingo María National Park is tropical and rainy, with an average temperature of 24.5° C. Annual precipitation fluctuates between 3,000 and 3,500 millimeters, with a relative humidity of 80%.
Tourism sectors
The Tingo María National Park has three sectors:
Tourist sector Owl Cave:
It is the main tourist attraction of the Park, located 7 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, on the road to the town of Monzón. It is made up of the entrance avenue to the Cueva River bridge, with a Picnic area located in the Ojo de Agua sector 300 meters from the entrance access to the Cueva de las Owls.
Inside the cave we find stalactites, stalagmites, mantles and columns, formed over thousands of years, the cave houses an important colony of guacharos, bats, insects, porcupine, among others.
This sector has tourist orientation services, photo taking, hygienic services, sale of sandwiches, crafts, artisanal ice cream, typical local dishes and drinks.
Check-in time is from 08:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the activities that can be carried out are bird watching, flora and fauna in general; ecotourism, camping, recreational activities in the Cueva River spa where there is a picnic area.
Tourism sector Tres de Mayo
It is located south of the Park, 14 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, on the stretch of the highway to Huánuco, a trip of approximately 20 minutes by vehicle. This place is accessed through a suspension bridge over the Huallaga River located in the Tambillo Chico hamlet.
At the beginning of the tour you can see an orchid garden, butterfly garden, aviary, medicinal, forest and ornamental plants. You can also see beautiful waterfalls with three falls of crystalline waters such as Gloriapata at 1.8 kilometers, Sol Naciente at 4.76 kilometers and Salto del Ángel at 5.46 kilometers. In addition, there are tourist orientation services, accommodation, sale of sandwiches, typical local dishes and drinks.
Check-in time is from 08:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the permitted activities are bird watching and flora and fauna in general, community tourism, camping and recreational activities such as hiking and visiting the waterfalls.
Quinceañera tourism sector
Located 7 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, on the stretch of the highway to Huánuco, this attraction is accessed by crossing a huaro over the Huallaga River. Then you must walk approximately 1 kilometer to reach the Quinceañera waterfall. There you can enjoy a 43-meter waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation typical of the premontane ecoregion. This destination has tourist orientation services, sale of snacks and drinks, and huaro transfer service.
Entry time is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the activities that can be carried out are bird watching and flora and fauna in general, hiking, bathing in the crystal clear waters of waterfalls and other recreational activities.
Worldwide recognition
Tingo María National Park was recognized as the only Peruvian destination among sustainable tourism stories in the world by obtaining second place in the Thriving Communities category of the Green Destinations Story Awards 2023.
The award-winning story is “Tingo María National Park, conserving its biodiversity and ecosystem services for the benefit of the population,” which describes how communities and park management identified and developed three new business opportunities for their benefit, implementing sustainable practices.
This international recognition, granted by the Green Destinations organization, rewards the most sustainable and environmentally friendly tourist places. The People's Choice Award recognizes, among these destinations, the one preferred by the public in the world for being one of the most inspiring, outstanding and innovative stories.
In 2022 and 2021, Tingo María National Park, along with other national destinations, entered the Top 100 list of the Green Destinations Story Awards, an international recognition that highlights the most sustainable tourist destinations that inspire the world through their stories.
With these recognitions, Tingo María National Park becomes one of the tourist destinations preferred by the public in the world, which stands out for promoting a variety of eco-sustainable opportunities for the benefit of local communities, thus contributing to guaranteeing their quality improvement. of life while taking advantage of natural resources in a sustainable way.
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