Área de Conservación Privada Bosque Natural El Cañoncillo, Conservation area in La Libertad department, Peru.
Bosque Natural El Cañoncillo is a private conservation area featuring three natural lagoons set within a vast landscape of golden sand dunes and carob tree forests. The terrain combines water bodies with arid zones, creating a distinctive ecosystem where vegetation grows among sandy expanses.
The area served as a home for several ancient cultures over millennia, each leaving traces through structures and artifacts. The earliest known occupation dates back several thousand years into prehistoric times.
The site holds remnants of Pre-Columbian settlements with adobe structures and pottery shards scattered across the landscape, reflecting the occupation by several ancient coastal peoples.
Getting there usually involves taking a bus from Trujillo to San Pedro de Lloc and then arranging local transport to reach the Santonte entrance. Weather conditions can affect road access, so checking conditions before visiting is worth doing.
The area supports an unexpected wildlife presence, including wild horses and coastal foxes that have adapted to the arid environment. These animals thrive thanks to the natural water sources that sustain the ecosystem.
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