One of the few remaining dry forest relics on the Peruvian coast is in the El Cañoncillo Private Conservation Area. Gentle walks through Huaca Colorada and refreshing swims in its natural lagoons are the classic activities that can be done here. The usual thing is to go spend the day, but you also have the option of camping and running into foxes and white-tailed squirrels. During the day you can find black and white herons, owls and cuckoos, which rest on the more than one hundred thousand carob trees of this jewel in La Libertad.
- Location: La Libertad
- Altitude: 43 meters above sea level
- Environment: Dry forest
- Suggested stay: 2 days
- Suggested clothing: Swimwear, hat, light clothing, long sleeves
- Ideal season: All year round.
What can I do inside the Cañoncillo Forest?
The first thing you can do is visit the lagoons that are part of the forest, which are known as Gallinazo, Larga and Cañoncillo, which are a point of interest where you can take photos and learn about the legends that are part of the Cañoncillo.
You can visit the hills that are located to the north and east of the forest, known as Tecapa and Santote.
You can visit the Jatanca pampas, which are located south and west of Cañoncillo.
It is also a good place to appreciate different species of animals, such as owls, coastal foxes, thrushes, among other species, and also see the carob tree, which is considered the main flora of the area.
Other activities that you can take advantage of doing within the Cañoncillo thanks to the ecosystems that surround the entire area are:
- Practice climbing.
- Practice motocross.
- Practice sandboarding.
- Camp in the surroundings of the forest.
- Visit the architectural areas
How do I get to the Cañoncillo?
The location of Cañoncillo is not that close to the city of Trujillo and due to the distance between them, the average trip can be two hours or a little more.
To access Cañoncillo by your own methods, it is important to mention that you must first reach San Pedro de Lloc and then take the San José-Tecapa-Cañoncillo route. It is a really direct route but it is important to have enough information about the path.
If you want to go by bus, you can go with two companies, Empresas Línea or Emtrafesa, which reach Pacasmayo at whose terminal you must take a bus heading towards Chepén and ask to be dropped off at the San José – Tecapa bus stop. From this point onwards it is enough to take a motorcycle taxi.
Recommendations for visiting the Cañoncillo
El Cañoncillo Forest is a protected ecosystem, so it is important to take into account some recommendations to enjoy your stay:
- Wear comfortable clothes, the environment is usually quite dry.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen, insect screen, and sunglasses.
- If you are going camping, be prepared for your stay, bring enough bags to collect garbage.
- Carry enough water and snacks for the journey.
- Bring your camera loaded to save all the memories!
What is the entrance price?
You can visit this tourist attraction from Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. Until 4pm. Admission costs S/2.
A dry forest that resists
The El Cañoncillo Natural Forest Private Conservation Area (ACP El Cañoncillo) is home to ancient carob trees that have remained standing in the face of the various threats that threaten this ecosystem. Valera explains that the forest is under pressure from the locals who need it to survive.
The secretary of the CAU Tecapa lists the main enemies of the protected area. He first mentions the illegal loggers who extract carob firewood to cook their food, but above all to meet the demand of local businesses. Then he talks about goat farmers who feed their animals with carob shoots and other plants, which does not allow the forest to regenerate. And finally, he includes beekeepers or bee keepers among the threats. Although he assures that they should not represent a risk, since they only place their hives in the trees, he explains that when extracting honey they light a fire to scare away the bees and, many times, they forget to put it out, which generates forest fires.
Best Trekking and Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Sacred Valley Bike Tour
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- 5 Days Salkantay Mountain Trek
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- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.