Selva Central

Pozuzo, Oxapampa, San Ramón, La Merced, Villa Rica, Satipo

The «Selva Central» offers the unique combination of two completely different attractions: the enchanting landscape through the synthesis of jungle and mountains and the unique influence of german-speaking immigrants in the development of this area.

More than 140 years ago, Austrian and German immigrants founded the Pozuzo colony. For more than a century they lived almost completely isolated from the environment. As a result, the original customs and language (Tyrolean dialect) have survived to this day. In connection with other Germans, Pozuzo residents who wanted to escape their seclusion founded the towns of Oxapampa and Villa Rica.

The three places are at different altitudes and therefore have somewhat different climates and environmental conditions. Between them lies the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and the Yanesha Communal Reserve. A little further south, almost on the Amazon plains, is Satipo, founded by a German immigrant who was very active in the development of this area.

The way from Lima to this area leads from the coastal desert over the high Andes (more than 4800 m) first down into the jungle at 600 m, and then rises again to about 2000 m. A very impressive change of landscapes and vegetation. The most direct route to get to know most of Peru's landforms and ecosystems by land from Lima.