Easter: 6 protected natural areas that you can visit this season

Easter is associated with tourism and in fact it is a good date to take advantage of offers and discover new destinations. Knowing protected natural areas can be anyone's dream, as these places show truly admirable, curious and wonderful ecosystems.

The flora and fauna of these places are unique landscapes and have outdoor activities, which provide a great benefit to the mental and physical health of its visitors.

That is why the National Service for Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) shows us six destinations of protected natural areas in which tourists can fully enjoy the long holiday in Easter week.

1. Guañape Islands — National Reserve System of Guaneras Islands, Islets and Points in La Libertad:

These islands are located southwest of the town of Puerto Morín in the province of Virú, La Libertad region. They have a great coastal marine biodiversity and are home to nearly one million guano birds, more than 3,000 Humboldt penguins and 5,000 chusco sea lions.

Entry to the Guañape Islands is only possible through an authorized tour operator.

Hours: Visits can be done on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, prior coordination and confirmation by the tour operator.

Costs: Fees vary as follows. National adult (17 to 65 years): S/11.00 soles, local adult (inhabitants of La Libertad): S/5.00 soles, national minor (5 to 16 years): S/5.00 soles, local minor (La Libertad): S/3.00 and foreigner: S/30.00 soles.

2. Pómac Forest Historical Sanctuary in Lambayeque:

Here nature and history developed one of the largest carob forests in Peru, called “The Millennium Forest”. Here you can learn about the mystery of the Sicán culture and its adobe pyramids and the landscape that it shows. You can explore the forest on horseback or by bicycle and watch birds.

Hours: Visits can be held from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m.

Costs: Fees vary as follows. Adults S/ 11.00 soles and minors S/ 5.00 soles. Residents of the Lambayeque region have a special discount showing their ID.

3. Los Mangares de Tumbes National Sanctuary:

Considered one of the most unique destinations in the world due to its diversity of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna, where the majestic mangroves that reach up to 25 meters high stand out. You can take a boat ride from the city of Tumbes through this green paradise where you will also find abundant crabs, fish and birds.

Hours: Visits can be held from Monday to Sunday from 8:00am to 16:00pm.

Costs: Fees vary as follows. Adults S/ 11.00 soles and minors S/ 5.00 soles. The inhabitants of the city of Tumbes have a special discount showing their ID card.

4. Palomino Islets — National Reserve System of Islands, Islets and Guaneras Points in Callao:

It is located just 30 minutes from Lima, in the province of Callao, is one of the largest colonies of Chusco sea lions in Peru and a wide variety of guano birds in the Cavinzas Islands and the Palomino Islets.

On the tour you will also see the area of Chucuito, La Punta, El Camotal, San Lorenzo Island and the Fronton, until you reach the Cavinzas Islands where there is an important colony of Humboldt penguins and then the Palomino Islets visitors can enter the sea to see the sea lions more than close in established spaces and respecting the minimum distances.

These are the only companies authorized to make the tour in the area of the National Reserve: Ecocruceros S.A.C., Mar Adentro Excursions E.I.R.L., T&T Turismo y Servicios S.A.C., Technical Diving of Peru S.A.C., Spondylus General Maritime Services S.A.C., Ecotourism Islands of Callao E.I.R.L., and Tourist Services M&G S.A.C.

Hours: Visits can be held from Monday to Sunday from 8:00am to 16:00pm.

Costs: Fees vary as follows. Adults S/11.00 soles and children under 16 years old S/ 5.00 soles.

5. Lagunas de Mejia National Sanctuary in Arequipa:

This National Sanctuary is one of the few stops along the Peruvian coast for migratory birds from other continents on their north-south journey, with up to 211 species of birds, such as the blue heron, the white-breasted heron and the gray-hooded gull. It is a privileged destination for bird watching, especially in the summer season, managing to register more than 30 different species in a single visit.

Hours: Visits can be held from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 16:30 p.m.

Costs: Adults S/15.00 soles and minors S/ 5.00 soles. The inhabitants of the province of Islay have a special discount.

6. Tingo Maria de Huánuco National Park:

Tingo María National Park is located just 12 hours from Lima. There you can see the mountain range known as Sleeping Beauty, which has lush jungle vegetation with its complex system of underground caverns such as the famous “Cave of Owls”.

On the south side of the Park is the Tres de Mayo sector and it has three impressive natural falls with crystal clear waters, you will also appreciate a colorful dance of the cockerel of the rocks. In the Quinceañera sector you cross in a huaro over the Huallaga river where you can enjoy a waterfall that shapes a quinceañera, it is a very humid pre-montane tropical forest life area, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Hours: Visits in each area have different times. “Cueva de las Lechuzas”, the opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. “Three of May” from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 15:00 hours and “Quinceañera” from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 16:00 hours.

Costs: Adults S/11.00 soles and minors S/ 5.00 soles. The inhabitants of the Huánuco region have a special discount, presenting their DNI.

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