Zarate Forests Of A Wildlife Oasis near Lima

Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating routes for mid-mountain trekking near Lima, is the forest of Zarate. Wildlife Refuge located at the top of the valley of San Bartolome and often covered by a magical mist. Today I share the record of my first trip to this unique adventure oasis of life, color and breathtaking natural viewpoints, which was recently declared as a reserve.

We start this new adventure into the door of the former cinema Orrantia. In this first visit we were a group of 6 people, 2 women and 4 children. As usual, looking forward to this unique forest and all that would imply that walk filled us with emotion.

So, we left the still uncrowded Javier Prado Avenue to reach the central highway which took us to Chosica. After buying fruit for the trip, we took the car in park Echenique (then whereabouts of all the buses left for different populations of the Rimac River valley and Huarochiri). About two hours we reached the picturesque town of San Bartolomé (km.55 Central Road), from where we began our trek uphill for a winding and narrow path, steep, rugged and impressive abysses that at times we removed the breath. Some sections were lost among the foliage and had to climb up the mountain goat-style. Much of the route was surrounded by various crops and welcoming villages of people, always ready to lend a hand to the walker and have unique legends, they allowed us a glimpse of that wonderful magical world view, which is transmitted from generation to generation. On that first visit and later told us the story of the Lord who called Zarate Cattle living in the highest part of the forest and after him this unique forest called his name.

After a long and strenuous hike of more than 7 hours, we reached the top of the forest, about 3100 meters high. From the natural viewpoint, as a reward, we saw dazzled the magnitude of this beautiful paradise still cling to life, a great diversity of trees, shrubs and wild animals, steep and vertical space of over 1,000 hectares in size. Zarate Forests are possessed of a great variety flora and fauna, but mainly of unique plants, typical of this area, as well as over 65 varieties of birds, some of them only seen in the trees of this, sometimes cloud forest.

No doubt this wonderful little large wood is a natural refuge for wildlife, as well as an excellent container landslides of this fragile ecosystem. Since ancient times, has been visited by adventurers eager for new opportunities and overcome challenges to undertake this place so hard, but at the same time dazzling landscapes, natural pastures, wildlife such as deer, cougars, bobcats among others, as evidenced by this are the archaeological remains and cemeteries, crop terraces and irrigation canals unique (surprising because they are located in these areas as steep) the same as those found in different parts of the forest, considered the most southerly of the western slopes of the Peruvian Andes.

For years sporadically visit this beautiful forest. Without doubt one of the best routes to mid-mountain trekking. Over the years, access to this unique natural haven has been improving, however small villages have not changed substantially and the presence of goats in the preying continuously without anyone doing anything to prevent this grazing as lethal to these fragile lands for many years.

Precisely for this reason and for all what this oasis of life, lost among the hills of the Central Highway, for me and thousands of people, caused us much joy DECLARATION OF AREA RESERVED TO A MAIN PART OF THE FOREST OF Zarate. Hopefully, this statement really would protect the wildlife refuge and also allowing more research in this unique area and allow better infrastructure and greater access to this beautiful place, but without changing or disrupting their natural environment; load caring capacity, and involving the people in this great project of ecotourism and protection of this special ecosystem of wildlife so close to this great megacity. We congratulate those who made this statement and from now we hope that this forest is carried out with criteria for sustainable and responsible development.

To understand and appreciate this unique forest is necessary to visit, a weekend is ideal, but you must have good physique and want to walk uphill. Here I share some tips that I hope helps.

* First, the best time to visit is from April to July, after rains everything is green and colorful.

* Take good camping gear, sturdy shoes with good grip and a walking stick

* Comfortable, warm clothing, a good sunscreen, sunglasses, a good hat and mosquito repellent.

* Fresh and dried fruit, hydrating, energy bars, chocolates and water

* And do not forget personal documents, a gift to share with the children in the area, good humor and willingness to reach the summit and eager to enjoy the outdoors.

From this side of the magical mist

Friends of

See you on the next trip!

From this place of the magical mist.

Irene Lourdes Bravo Ascue

http://www.ecoaventuravida.com