Nearly ten percent of Peru is incorporated into some form of protected area. The dynamic nation has seven national parks, eight national reserves, seven national sanctuaries, three historical sanctuaries, five reserve zones, six buffer forests, two hunting reserves, and a number of communal reserves and national forests. National parks are excellent places to see the natural biodiversity during a Peru vacation. It is important to visit national parks for scientific, cultural, and educational enrichment.

The largest of Peru's protected areas is the National Reserve of Pacaya-Samiria, a beautiful tropical forest region in northern Peru. Closely followed in size is the Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, another vast jungle area. Also in the Amazon region is the Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone and Bahuaja-Sonone National Park. The Amazon is home to the richest flora and fauna of any region in the world and is the largest forest in the world. Excellent places to enter the Amazon are from Peruvian cities Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos.

A smaller but equally interesting park is the Huascarán National Park. Located high in the Andes near Huaraz, this is a popular area to explore by hiking, climbing, or backpacking. Every which way the eye travels, glaciered white peaks pop through verdant valleys. The lesser visited, National Reserve of Pampa Galeras, is a completely different scene. Near Nazca, this desert-like region is home to precious herds of vicunas, the smallest member of the South American cameloid family. Other animals present on the reserve include the Andean fox, deer, vizcacha, Andean condor, and weasels.

Keep in mind when visiting these beautiful areas that many of these spaces are enormous, virtually untouched areas that are meant to combine conservation, research, and in some cases recreational tourism. There is usually a small charge to visit the national parks or nature reserves. At some parks there is a daily rate, and at others there is a fixed sum to enter. Many of the parks are in particularly remote areas and require permission to enter. Please respect Peru's protected areas so future generations can enjoy the magical deserts, mountains, and coast.