Chaparri Ecological Reserve | Lambayeque Tourism

Chaparrí is the first Private Conservation Area (ACP) recognized in Peru. It is an example of the proper use of natural resources by the peasant community that inhabits it.

Its objective is to preserve the dry forests and the rich biodiversity of the area. It is home to important endangered species such as the spectacled bear, the guanaco, the white-winged guan and the Andean condor. The following routes can be made:

Route of the Huachuma (also known as the San Pedro cactus): during the tour, the conservation of the medicinal properties of the flora of the place is motivated. There are 122 varieties among which the palosanto, the huatalco and the pasallo stand out. Ruta de las Vavas y del Oso: in addition to seeing specimens of both species, you can also observe the coastal fox. On this route there are endemic species in danger of extinction such as the white-headed scrub, the Tumbes woodpecker, the gray and white fly, the red-headed parakeet, the brown-browed wren, the white-tailed magpie and hummingbirds.

Description

Chaparrí is the first ACP in Peru and is led by the Muchik Santa Catalina de Chongoyape Peasant Community. It is the best place in Peru to get up close to spectacled bears (a portion of its population in Chaparrí lives in semi-captivity) and also white-winged guans. Here you can see foxes, rodents, hummingbirds and even condors. Take the interpretive path inside the forest and don't miss the opportunity to visit the adobe pyramids near the area and the petroglyphs of Cerro Mulato.

Useful data

Location: Lambayeque

Altitude: 209 masl

Environment: Dry forest

Suggested stay: 2 days

Suggested clothing: Coat and light clothing, raincoat, hat, long sleeves

Ideal season: May to December

How to get?

Chaparrí is located between Lambayeque and Cajamarca. It is an hour and a half from Chiclayo to Chongoyape. Then it is 16 kilometers to the ACP. The road is not easy, so you need to coordinate your arrival in advance.

Chiclayo - Chongoyape: is located 72 km east of Chiclayo. (1 hour public transport)

Chongoyape - Chaparrí: 17 km towards Chaparrí (45 min.) trail road.

Tourism in the Chaparri Ecological Reserve

Chaparrí is the first Private Conservation Area (ACP) recognized in Peru. It is an example of the proper use of natural resources by the peasant community that inhabits it.

Its main objective is the rehabilitation and reintroduction of endangered wildlife species and the protection of dry forests and existing wildlife species (such as auquénidos such as llamas and guanacos, the white-winged guan, bears and deer).

There are also a total of 223 birds, among the most preferred by observers are the pitajo de tumbes, the bandurria, emerald parrot, white-winged guan, hummingbird, chico, chilala, etc.

The reserve owes its name to the spectacular mountain called Cerro Chaparrí that dominates the landscape and was considered sacred by the Mochica Culture and still is for shamans throughout Peru.

In this area you can walk the route of the guans, the huachuma and the spectacled bear; only scholars or scientists who want to know the reproduction of this species have access to the turkey route.

Route of the Huachuma (also known as the San Pedro cactus): during the tour, the conservation of the medicinal properties of the flora of the place is motivated. There are 122 varieties among which the palosanto, the huatalco and the pasallo stand out.

Route of the Vavas and the Spectacled Bear: in addition to seeing specimens of both species, you can also observe the coastal fox. On this route there are endemic species in danger of extinction such as the white-headed scrub, the Tumbes woodpecker, the gray and white fly, the red-headed parakeet, the brown-browed wren, the white-tailed magpie and hummingbirds.

You can enter the private conservation area of Chaparrí, through the Tocmoche detour, Tierras Blancas sector, which is located entering Chongoyape.

History

It was 1998, for years Heinz's eyes had paraded problems facing Peruvian ecology: logging, burning of pastures, lagoons turned into mining tailings, oil spills. “To conserve, you not only need money but a lot of conviction. And I began to think about options for peasant communities and people.” A year earlier, the Law on Protected Natural Areas had been promulgated, the subject was nebulous in Peruvian law, and even more confusing for a man with a camera on his shoulder who lived in the countryside.

Decades ago, in the north, Heinz remembered photographing bears, cougars, foxes, snakes. It is the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA) that encourages it, because according to the new law, the state could also recognize conservation areas on privately owned lands, previously all natural areas belonged to the nation. "Dry forests have never been included in conservation initiatives." He did not hesitate to contact the community of Santa Catalina de Chongoyape. It was difficult to convince the community members of the other forms of healthy use that they could have of their forest and the best thing was that they would not have to cut down more trees, nor drill the land, much less allow a mining company to displace them. They unanimously requested INRENA that the ancestral mountain Chaparrí that divides the communities, Santa Catalina and Ferreñafe, and the forests that surround it, be recognized as a private conservation area. Since 2001 Chaparrí was recognized as such.

“Peoples have the right to decide what to do with their peoples,” Heinz asserts. For years it has seen entire communities lose their lands with no alternative, under the fallacious argument that "resources belong to everyone", the government and private companies are "everyone" and doing the will of "everyone" implies crushing community rights whole. As is the case of the peasant community of San Martín de Reque, which has lost its land.

Chaparri Orchard

Chaparrí is the most diverse and accessible dry forest on the north coast. Every day it receives visitors from schools, universities, institutes, tourists from places far away from the planet. There are cabins and food for all of them. The forest dazzles them by the variety of birds, bears and trees that it has. The Mochica cultural traces, alive in archaeology, the uses and appearance of its inhabitants.

"I want to see Chaparrí as a benchmark and option for sustainable economic activities, which is an example for the peasant communities adjacent to Chaparrí." The more than 25 thousand tourists who have visited the forest for ecotourism, experiential tourism or simply appreciate nature in all its splendor, support that the photographer's proposal is demonstrable. His family is committed to the project, wife, children, grandchildren and the more than one hundred community members who also believe in natural conservation accompany him. (Galia Galvez)

Recommendations

Bring repellent and sunscreen.
Wear comfortable sportswear and shoes for walking, hat and sunglasses.
Bring water and fruits for the tour.

Best 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 Perú, 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.

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.