The Ampay National Sanctuary joins the second group of natural protected areas open to tourism along with the Junín National Reserve and the Tingo María National Park, adding to the offer of ten nature destinations that have resumed their activities in regions such as Áncash, Junín, Ica, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Moquegua, Pasco and Tumbes.
Known as the “biological island of the Andes”, the Sanctuary is located in the district of Tamburco, province of Abancay (Apurímac), and was created on July 23, 1987 to preserve a remnant of the intimpa or “sun tree” in Quechua, a unique species of Peru. Also, it protects the Pachachaca river basin, a habitat for a rich mountain flora and fauna. With an area of 3,635.50 hectares, it ranges from 2,900 to 5,235 m.a.s.l., where the Ampay glacier rises, considered the natural guardian of the Abancay valley.
Within its landscapes, springs, crystal-clear streams, and the imposing forest of intimpas stand out, the most important in the country and the main conservation goal of the Sanctuary.
The Ampay National Sanctuary is located in the Apurímac region, within the Tamburco district, Abancay province, just 5 kilometers from the city of the same name. Its closeness to Abancay makes it an accessible destination for travelers who want to explore the biodiversity of the Andes without traveling long distances.
This sanctuary extends along the slopes of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, between 2,900 and 5,235 m.a.s.l., which gives it landscapes of great contrast: from humid forests to imposing snow-capped peaks. Its strategic location makes it a key space for the protection of water sources that feed the Pachachaca River basin, which are essential for the Abancay valley.
In the National Sanctuary of Ampay you can see the white-tailed deer, the Andean fox, the vizcacha, the skunk, the wild guinea pig, the taruca, and the puma; these last two species listed as endangered.
In birds, the Abancay spinetail hummingbird is commonly observed, considered endemic; the pololoco, the huallata and the condor.
Regarding the flora, the representative species of the sanctuary, the intimpa forest, the unca, the chachacomo, the wancartipa, mosses, ferns, lichens and various types of orchids are observed.
The tourist circuit begins at the Visitor Center and leads along a pedestrian path that allows the visit of the intimpas forest, between 3,200 and 3,600 meters of altitude. It has three natural viewpoints: Chuyllurpata, located in sector II, at an altitude of 3,150 meters, which offers a panoramic view of the city of Abancay and the sectors of Pucaorcco and Negromonte, as well as the upper part of Accoccasa in the sector of Corhuani.
The second natural viewpoint is Condortiana (sector II), located at an altitude of 3,250 meters, which offers a panoramic view of the Cerro San Cristóbal forest and the upper part of the Pucaorcco forest. The third is Accoccasa, located in sector I, at 3,450 meters above sea level. From there you can see the associated forest of native species of Ccanchispuquio, Ñacchero and Pacopata, as well as the upper part of Chupapata, Ullpuhuaycco and San Cristobal, being the viewpoint with the most extensive views within the National Sanctuary of Ampay.
Admission to the National Sanctuary of Ampay is free until December 31, 2020 for children and adolescents, as well as for older adults and public sector workers. The rate for adults is 11 soles and for foreigners it is 30 soles.
As part of the health protocol, all visitors are required to present, in printed or digital format on their mobile phone, the affidavit of health before entering the protected natural area.
The Ampay National Sanctuary has three natural viewpoints: Chuyllurpata, located in sector II, at 3,150 meters above sea level, which offers a panoramic view of the city of Abancay and the sectors of Pucaorcco and Negromonte, as well as the upper part of Accoccasa in the Ccorhuani sector.
The second natural viewpoint is Condortiana (sector II), located at an altitude of 3,250 meters, which offers a panoramic view of the Cerro San Cristóbal forest and the upper part of the Pucaorcco forest.
The third viewpoint is Accoccasa, located in sector I, at 3,450 meters above sea level. From there you can see the associated forest of native species of Ccanchispuquio, Ñacchero and Pacopata, as well as the upper part of Chupapata, Ullpuhuaycco and San Cristobal, being the viewpoint with the most extensive views within the National Sanctuary of Ampay.
The Ampay National Sanctuary offers its visitors a variety of activities for ecotourism and nature. Among the most popular are hiking on the different trails that go through intimpa forests and high-Andean lagoons, camping in authorized areas, and observing flora and fauna, which is ideal for spotting Andean birds or important species like the spectacled bear. Practices like landscape photography, meditation, yoga, and quiet contemplation of the environment are also allowed, as long as they are done without changing the natural balance of the sanctuary.
However, to protect this fragile ecosystem, there are certain rules. It is not allowed to enter with pets, make campfires outside of the set areas, remove plants, hunt animals, or change the trails. Also, the use of single-use plastics and creating trash are strictly controlled, encouraging each visitor to take their waste with them. In this way, the Sanctuary makes sure that human activities are done in a responsible way, ensuring the conservation of its forests and lagoons for future generations.
The Ampay National Sanctuary is located very close to the city of Abancay, in the Apurímac region. To get there from Lima, the most used route is the Nasca – Puquio – Abancay highway, with a journey of about 940 kilometers that crosses the southern highlands of the country.
Another option is to start from Cusco, taking the road to Abancay with a distance of about 200 kilometers, which makes it one of the most accessible options for travelers. From the city of Abancay, the main entrance to the sanctuary is located just a few minutes away by car or can even be accessed on foot via local trails.
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