The Tingo María National Park is located in the Huánuco region, 12 hours by road from Lima. Its most recognized attraction is the mountain range known as the Sleeping Beauty, a natural formation that resembles the profile of a woman lying down looking at the sky.
This area was declared a National Park on May 14, 1965, becoming the second natural protected area in Peru. Its extension is 4,777 hectares, within the High Jungle or Peruvian Yunga ecoregion, in the district of Mariano Dámaso Beraún, province of Leoncio Prado.
The park preserves a great diversity of wild flora and fauna, and protects the headwaters of the Tres de Mayo, Oro, and Quinceañera rivers, key for water supply in the area. In addition, its environment favors essential ecosystem services such as pollination, natural landscape, and local tourism.
Tingo María National Park stands out for its high biodiversity. It covers high jungle areas between 700 and 1,800 meters above sea level, with a wide variety of endemic and endangered species.
Wildlife
High Jungle Flora
The Tingo María National Park has three established tourist sectors:
It is the main tourist sector of the Tingo María National Park and is located 7 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, accessed through the highway towards the town of Monzón. On the tour we can be dazzled by the enigmatic rock formations, caves, galleries and the various freshwater streams on relaxing walks under an intense blue tropical sky and the captivating greenery of the Amazon forests.
Inside this impressive cavern we find large rocky protuberances known as stalactites, stalagmites, mantles and columns, formed over thousands of years by the action of humidity and wind. It also houses fauna in which an important colony of guacharos, bats, insects, porcupine, among others, stands out.
In this attraction, ideal for ecotourism, activities such as bird watching and other species of fauna and flora in general are allowed. It has tourist orientation services, photographic takings, toilets, handicraft shops, restaurants, a picnic and camping area, as well as a recreational area in the Cueva River spa. The entrance hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
It is located south of the Tingo María National Park, 14 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, on the section of the road to Huánuco, a 20-minute drive. This place is accessed through a suspension bridge over the Huallaga River in the Tambillo Chico hamlet.
At the beginning of the tour you can see an orchid garden, a butterfly garden, birds, medicinal, forest and ornamental plants. You can also see beautiful waterfalls of three falls of crystal clear waters such as Gloriapata, Sol Naciente and Salto del Ángel.
The permitted activities are bird watching, flora and fauna in general, hiking, community tourism and recreational activities in the falls. It has tourist orientation services, lodging, kiosks and restaurants. Check-in time is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Located 7 kilometers from the city of Tingo María, on the section of the road to Huanuco, it is a life zone of the tropical premontane humid forest, surrounded by exuberant vegetation. This attraction is accessed through the crossing in a huaro over the Huallaga River, and after a 1-kilometer walk you will reach the Quinceañera waterfall, where you can enjoy a 43-meter-high waterfall.
In this attraction you can perform activities such as bird watching, flora and fauna in general, hiking and recreational activities. It has tourist orientation services, kiosks selling snacks and drinks, and a transportation service in Huaro. Check-in time is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Tingo María National Park was recognized by the international organization Green Destinations, in October 2021, as one of the nine destinations in Peru and one of the 100 most sustainable on an international scale on the planet. It is a global recognition that distinguishes the most respectful tourist places with the ecosystem and a minimum impact on the environment and local culture.
With this world distinction, the Tingo María National Park and the other eight sustainable destinations have important promotion opportunities regarding the use of the "Top 100" logo in their social networks and on their web pages, as well as being included in the recognized world web of travel Good Travel Guide.
In March 2022, during the ITB Berlin, the leading trade fair for the world tourism industry, the Tingo María National Park and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve were highlighted as the most inspiring and innovative good practice stories of sustainable destinations from around the world in the categories Decarbonization of the supply chain (Tingo María National Park) and Nature and ecotourism (Pacaya Samiria National Reserve).
Surrounded by the natural beauty of our jungle is one of the most beautiful parks in our Peru: the Tingo María National Park, located in the Huallaga Valley, in the department of Huánuco. Which has a variety of places to visit, these are the most outstanding:
An iconic figure of Tingo María is that of "Sleeping Beauty" which is nothing less than a large mountain behind the city and has the curious silhouette of a woman lying looking up at the sky, that is why it is known as "The city of sleeping beauty." Don't hesitate to take photos of this amazing view! In this mountain of thick and bright Amazonian green, we can find some of the most characteristic places of this region, such as the Cueva de las Lechuzas.
The famous Cueva de las Lechuzas is located on the slopes of the beautiful chain of mountains called “La bella durmiente”, due to the silhouette that forms a sleeping woman and that you can see as soon as you arrive in the city of Tingo María. It is known that this cave extends 400 meters into the mountains, but it has never been fully explored, so its real extent and whether there are other entrances or exits to it are still a mystery. The tourist route is marked by a path, so that it gives us the unique opportunity to enter this dark crevice inhabited by thousands of guácharos, a bird very similar to owls -hence the name of the place- as well as bats and other birds. and insects that rest and feed there.
But what attracts the most attention are the capricious stone shapes that, thanks to water and time, have formed inside, such as stalactites and stalagmites of different sizes and shapes. After the walk, you can refresh yourself with water from the spring that is located in the vicinity of the cave. Pure water that will make you feel like new! Finally, don't miss going through the cave during sunset to see a beautiful spectacle: when hundreds of guácharos leave the cave towards the forest in search of food in the trees, forming a colorful and bustling postcard.
It is a turquoise lagoon that is born from a fissure in a giant rock on the slopes of Cerro Cotomono, just seven minutes from the city. Its waters have a high concentration of sulfur and have an average temperature of 18 ºC. This is why healing properties are attributed to it, especially for skin diseases. If you come here, prepare your swimwear and enjoy these waters surrounded by the dense jungle vegetation of Tingo María.
If you are looking to cool off, you can go to one of the many waterfalls that Tingo María has. The Gloriapata waterfall is a 25-meter-high waterfall that ends in a crystal-clear pool where visitors can bathe in peace. The course of the waterfall then allows a second drop to form, only four meters high. The waterfall is surrounded by thick vegetation that gives it a special charm due to the diversity of orchids, trees and medicinal plants that can be found there, and in addition, you can see a diversity of insects and birds. As data we tell you that after 4:00 pm. you will be able to see the flight of the macaws or spot Gallitos de las Rocas. To get to Gloriapata it is necessary to take a walk of approx. 3 km where you must cross the hanging bridge of Tambillo Grande, a long and beautiful bridge that gives you a panoramic view of the vegetation.
On the other hand, the Santa Carmen waterfall is another beautiful waterfall of 30 meters, distributed in three descents, but when it flows out, the water forms a natural pool approximately two meters deep. As well as Gloriapata, it is surrounded by a green setting typical of the Peruvian jungle and here you can also take a refreshing dip. In addition, in this waterfall you can practice adventure sports such as caving in the caves that are around it or -depending on the time of year- trekking, canopy, rock climbing, among others. An unforgettable experience awaits you at these beautiful waterfalls!
And if you want a panoramic view of Tingo María, there is a place specially designed to show you the greatness of this beautiful destination. The Jacintillo viewpoint is a place located in the Rupa-Rupa district in the province of Leoncio Prado, and it has this name because it is located on top of the Jacintillo hill, a plain that rises 772 meters above sea level. The view that you will get from here will leave you impressed because you will be able to see the Huallaga valley as well as the river of the same name in its entirety, the green flora of the jungle and the contrast with the city of Tingo María. If you come here, you can't forget to bring your camera and take amazing photos!
Exploring the Peruvian Amazon is entering a world full of wildlife, endless jungles, and communities that preserve unique traditions. Each tour allows you to discover surprising landscapes and coexist with nature in its purest state, turning the trip into an unforgettable experience.
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
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