Protected Area

Hornopirén National Park is located in the Palena Province of Chile's Los Lagos region. As part of the Andes chain, the park contains rugged mountains, lakes, and unspoiled Valdivian temperate rainforests. Glacier-carved mountains and active volcanoes dominate the park.

Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, Huascarán National Park and Biosphere Reserve protects the heart of the world's highest tropical mountain range in the central Peruvian Andes. The deep ravines, glacial lakes and variety of vegetation make it a site of spectacular beauty.

Nestled along the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, lies the stunning Huatulco National Park and Huatulco Biosphere Reserve. Bays, cliffs, and rocky escarpments characterize these protected areas. The reserve's terrestrial portion comprises rounded hills, isolated hills, dunes, escarpments, cliffs, mangroves, wetlands, savannas, and lowland deciduous and riparian vegetation. The marine part features bays, beaches, islands, kelp, and coral communities.

Huayllay National Sanctuary in Peru is a geological masterpiece and a biodiversity haven. The sanctuary spans the Bombón Plateau and features the stunning rock forest of Huayllay, shaped by wind, water, and ancient glaciers. This rich Central Andean wet puna ecosystem hosts various flora and fauna adapted to the challenging altitudes.

Huerquehue National Park is located in the La Araucanía region of south-central Chile. Situated in the foothills of the Andes, it is characterized by its lush, mountainous relief. Popular with hikers, its hills and streams enclose numerous lakes and lagoons with crystalline waters.

Nestled amidst the rugged and arid landscapes of the Cuyo region in central Argentina, the Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks emerge as awe-inspiring monuments to the Earth's ancient past, offering a glimpse into the distant worlds of the Triassic Period. These two adjoining protected areas, spanning an expansive pristine wilderness, form a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized and celebrated for their profound geological and paleontological significance.

The Gulf of California in northwestern Mexico was once famously dubbed the "Aquarium of the World." The striking natural beauty of the Sea of Cortez, formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, contrasts with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters.

The Itaipu Biosphere Reserve covers an area of over 1,000,000 ha (2,500,000 acres) in eastern Paraguay. It comprises an area of semi-deciduous sub-tropical forest, also known as the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest.

Itatiaia National Park, located in southeastern Brazil within the Serra da Mantiqueira range, protects significant remnants of the endangered Atlantic Forest in its lower elevations and the unique flora of the high mountain plains in its upper elevations.

Jalapão State Park, nestled in the heart of Brazil's Tocantins state, is a testament to the country's rich natural heritage. This expansive protected area, renowned for its unique landscapes and biodiversity, attracts adventurers and nature enthusiasts from around the globe. Located within the Cerrado biome, the park conserves Brazil's natural heritage, serving as a sanctuary for endangered species and fragile ecosystems.