It was named after the Ampay snow-capped mountain, which guards the city of Abancay, just like the forests covering the surrounding mountains. It is situated in the department of Apurimac, province of Abancay, Tamburco district. It has an area of 3 635, 5 hectares. Among its diverse wild fauna, there are mammals such as the Andean fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the Peruvian mountain vizcacha (Lagidium peruanum), the Peruvian guemal or taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis), and birds such as the Andean gull (Larus serranus) and the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus).The flora is characterized by the intimpa tree (Podocarpus glomeratus), which grows in mud wallows or manchales forming forests on the hillsides.
The presence of vegetation at high altitudes offers beautiful sceneries that contrast with mountain summits covered with perpetual snow and with the aridity of the surrounding mountains. Thus, we can find beautiful areas sprinkled with giant blueflowered lupines or chochos (Lupinus sp.) and yellow-flowered herbaceous plants locally known as zapatitos (small shoes) (Calceolaria sp.), as well as various species of orchids. The Sanctuary has two lagoons. The most spectacular is the Uspaccocha lagoon, which looks like a giant crater. The snow-capped summit of the Ampay mountain is reflected in its waters.The principal objective of the Ampay National Sanctuary is to protect the relict forest of intimpa, its wild fauna, and the two major lagoons.
The presence of vegetation at high altitudes offers beautiful sceneries that contrast with mountain summits covered with perpetual snow and with the aridity of the surrounding mountains. Thus, we can find beautiful areas sprinkled with giant blueflowered lupines or chochos (Lupinus sp.) and yellow-flowered herbaceous plants locally known as zapatitos (small shoes) (Calceolaria sp.), as well as various species of orchids. The Sanctuary has two lagoons. The most spectacular is the Uspaccocha lagoon, which looks like a giant crater. The snow-capped summit of the Ampay mountain is reflected in its waters.The principal objective of the Ampay National Sanctuary is to protect the relict forest of intimpa, its wild fauna, and the two major lagoons.
