Megantoni National Sanctuary was created by the Supreme Decree N 030-2004-AG on August the 18th of 2004. Its area stretches along 215,868 has and is located in the central part of the basin of the Urubamba River, in the Cordillera of Ausangate, District of Echarate, in the Province of La Convencin, and the Department of Cusco.

This is one the few areas of the region whose vegetation is still intact, linking the highland region (puna) with the lower forest. This zone not only contains an impressive amount of unique species endemic to its latitudinal characteristics, but also serves as a continuous corridor for the fauna species, especially nowadays when climatic changes and deforestation affect the habitat of many of them forcing them to emigrate.

Megantoni Reserved Zone has much-variegated vegetation with orchids standing out in almost all the studied areas,. This great diversity is probably the consequence of the ample range of habitats this area exhibits: 10 Life Zones.

The fauna at the Sanctuary is very diversified; a a great number of bird species has been registered, as well as new and unique frog and lizard species. Besides, 5 out of the 32 mammal species found in Megantoni Reserved Zone are menaced by extinction and 12 are potential victims.

The geography of this Natural Reserve is mostly steep and mountainous with altitudes that oscillate between 416 and 3960 metres, thus creating a variety of altitudinal floors and weathers that allow the existence of its ten Life Zones. The River Pass of Mainique, which has more than 30 waterfalls on both sides of the Urubamba River, is also an important part of this Sanctuary.

The River Pass of Mainique has an extremely important significance for the Machiguenga and Yine Yami Cultures that live in the basin of the Urubamba River, because the legends regarding the origin of their ancestors, as well as diverse aspects of their lives, are tied to the waterfalls of the mainique Pass.. Travellers and adventurers come here, but mostly Machiguenga healers for it is said that the mountain rocks are the home of some sort of nature guardians, rather nature spirits, that are willing to reveal their wisdom and knowledge of medicinal plants to the healers.

The Main objective of Megantoni National Sanctuary is to preserve the intangible character of the ecosystems developing on the mountains in Megantoni, which contain immaculate forests, water sources such as that of the Tambia and Ticumpinia Rivers, and is endowed with high cultural and biological values.

THE NATIONAL SANCTUARY OF TABACONES NAMBALLE

On May 20, 1988, Law (D.S.) N 051-88-AG established this Sanctuary in the department of Cajamarca, province of San Ignacio, districts of Tabacones and Namballe. The highlands are wrap by mists, that why they are called the misty forests.

We can find there romerillo macho and hembra (male and female romerillo), bamboo and a few bracken plants. Until now, 33 species of birds and 17 species of mammals have been registered. Among these animals, some belong to species menaced by extinction: the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). There are waterfalls, lagoons, and many other attractions for the tourist. The aims of this Sanctuary are the protection of misty forests and the fauna and flora of the region.