Cueva de las Lechuzas

Cave of the Owls - Cueva De Las Pavas - Owls Cave - Monzón Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Parque Nacional Tingo María. 8.5 km east of Tingo María town. Huanuco Department, 120 km north of Huanuco city. About 8 hours drive from Lima. In the Tingo Maria National Park
Open:	no restrictions. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch.
Dimension:	A=660 m asl
Guided tours:	n/a
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
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History

Description

The Cueva de las Lechuzas (Cave of Owls) was named after the owl like birds which live in great amounts in the cave. Actually this are not owls but Guácharos (Steatornis caripensis), so the cave should be better named Cueva de los Guácharos. There are also parrots, swallows and bats. The cave was equipped with a wooden path some time ago, but still it is necessary to bring light.

This cave lies in a chain of mountains near the town of Tingo Maria. The mountains are known as La Bella Durmiente or Sleeping Beauty, because it seems to be the profile of a beautiful young woman laying on her back. The cave is located at the end of a narrow ravine, where a stream flows creating small beaches and ponds surrounded by an exotic vegetation. The cave is described as gigantic with fours chambers, up to 40 m high and some massive speleothems, and it is a visit to remember. In one of the pools, there is a natural formation in the shape of a beautiful woman.

There is a legend associated with this cave dedicated to Diosa del Agua (The God of Water). The cave is well known for its Histoplasmosis, but they do not tell you this on the guided tours. The cave is home to a large colony of birds which are known as theguacharos or santanas, which look like owls. Swallows, parrots and bats also inhabit the cave.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.