Mundo Azul

© Tui de Roy

Location:
This National Park is situated in the department of Pasco (see map), province Oxampampa, districts of Oxapampa, Villarica, Huancabamba and Pouzo on a chain of mountains to the east of the Andes. It has a size of 122,000 hectares.

Year of expedition: 2002

Participants:
Stefan Austermühle
Nina Pardo
Dos Winkel
Tui de Roy
Yuri Hooker
Margaritha Prokonina

Goal:

Document on film and photograph the aquatic biodiversity of the National Park Yanachaga Chemillen.
Undertake, the first time ever, scuba diving in a rainforest river in Peru.

Description of the National Park:

The Yanachaga - Chemillen National Park was established on August 29, 1986, through Law (D.S.) N 068-86-AG.

The National Park protects one of the most amazing rainforest landscapes in Peru and an incredible, still not fully known biodiversity. Some of the characteristic and threatened tree species one can find in the Park are: ulcumano (Podocarpus rospigliossi and Podocarpus glomeratus), the Diablo fuerte (Podocarpus oleifolrus and Podocarpus utilior), cedar (Cedrela lilloi), walnut tree (Juglans neotropica), among others.

Giant River Otter (© Dos Winkell)

The wild fauna is represented by 59 species of mammals; for example: the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the jaguar (Panthera onca), the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the deer species Pudu mephistopliles, the machetero (Dinomys branickii), all of them being in danger of extinction.

Jaguar (© Promperu)

Cock of the Rock ( © Promperu)

One can also find 427 species of birds, like for example: the Harpy eagle (Harpya harpija), the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), the relojero (Momotus momota), the quetzal (Pharomachrus sp.) and tucans, among others.

There are 16 species of reptiles like the highly poisonous jergon (Bothrops sp.) and the equally dangerous shushupe (Lachesis muta), as well as the naka naka (Micrurus sp.).

In its rivers so far, 31 species of fish are registered, such as Corvina (Plagiosion auratus), Boquichica (Prochilodus nigricans) and the Lisa (Schizodon fasciatus).

Within the park exist about 60 villages of native people and there have been found different archaeological sites from the Inca and Yanesha cultures.


Girls dancing in Playa Caliente Village (© Stefan Austermühle / Mundo Azul)

To learn more about this amazing expedition read our expedition report.
To see more pictures see our photo gallery.
Dive with us in the rainforest - load down the expedition mini-video.