Ampay National Sanctuary

Ampay rises directly behind Abancay to a glaciated summit at 5,235 metres, and the sanctuary protects around 3,600 hectares on its flanks, created specifically for the intimpa - Podocarpus glomeratus, one of the very few native conifers of the Andes, a slow-growing tree that once covered much of this altitude band and now survives in scattered relict stands. The forest here is among the largest left. Trails climb from the control post above Abancay through the intimpa woods to two lagoons, Uspaqocha at about 3,200 metres and Angasqocha higher up, and continue towards the glacier for those willing to make a long day or camp. Birds are good in the forest and spectacled bear are present though rarely seen. The glacier on Ampay has retreated substantially, and the sanctuary sits immediately above a growing city, with pressure from firewood cutting and fire on the lower boundary.

History

The Podocarpus forest of Mount Ampay was identified by botanists in the 1930s. In 1983 Dr. Ciro Palomino and the Asociación Cultural Apurímac presented a petition signed by more than 3000 people from Abancay and Tamburco asking for the forests to be protected, and the sanctuary was established on 23 July 1987 (Wikipedia, Ampay National Sanctuary).

What you'll find

• The intimpa forest - one of the last large stands of a native Andean conifer.
• The lagoons - Uspaqocha low in the forest, Angasqocha higher on the mountain.
• The peak - Ampay at 5,235 metres with its diminished glacier.
• The setting - a protected mountain forest directly above a city.

When to go

May to September for trail conditions. A day for the lower lagoon and forest; two days or a very long day to approach the glacier. Register at the control post.

Things to know

The climb from 2,400 metres at Abancay is steep and continuous - the upper lagoon and glacier are hard days. Weather turns quickly. Bear are present but effectively never seen. Fire damage is visible on the lower slopes.

Nearby

Abancay is below; the Apurímac canyon is east on the Cusco road.

Key facts