Birdwatching

Peru harbors an extraordinary diversity of bird species, and new species are discovered every year in the cloud forests and Amazon jungle, inaccessible mountain ranges and inter-Andean valleys. To date, ornithologists have registered 1,730 species (nearly 20% of the world's total), of which 300 are found all over the country. Peru also posts world records in species per area (650 in Tambopata) and the record for the largest number of species sighted in a single day (361 around the biological station of Cocha Cashu, Manu).

Birdwatchers will find Peru to be a veritable paradise of bird species which are limited to unique and fragile habitats, migratory species from distant parts of the planet, species which have disappeared in other parts of the world and which abound in unexplored nooks of Peru, as well as teeming flocks of birds which mark the life-cycle of life in the sea, the jungle and Andean lakes.

Birdwatching in Cusco and Machu Picchu

The department of Cusco features a major diversity of species that are appreciated by ornithologists from all over the world.

Lake Huacarpay or Lake Lucre (3,000 masl) is the best spot for sighting the main bird species in the Cusco region. The lake, with its tranquil waters, sprawling totora reed clumps and flooded areas, is overlooked by hills studded with cacti and trees.

At the same time, the dirt road between Ollantaytambo and the town of Quillabamba (Cusco cloud forest) offers visitors a chance to cross over an incredible range of altitudes and eco-systems, in addition spectacular views of nearby peaks, particularly Mount Veronica (5,750 masl). The area known as San Luis features many of the bird species found elsewhere around the country.

The Machu Picchu historic sanctuary,
and particularly the forests that line both banks of the Urubamba River, below the citadel of Machu Picchu itself, are home to the habitats of an enormous variety of bird species, calculated at more than 400, such as the cock-of-the-rocks (Rupicola Peruviana), considered Peru's national bird. The area also features brightly-colored orchids and tree-born ferns, considered treasures of the sanctuary.

Climate: Rainy during the summer months (from December to March). Sunny from May to September, although rain showers are common. Temperatures reach a maximum of 27° C, and rarely drop below 11° C.

Access:
- Lake Huacarpay is located 25 km south of Cusco.
- To reach the Abra Malaga pass, travelers should take the road from Ollantaytambo (97 km from Cusco). - To study bird species in the Machu Picchu area, watchers should take the trail from Aguas Calientes (the town of Machu Picchu), continuing downstream for several kilometers.

Remember to read our "Recommendations" for your trip to Peru, as well as other important issues in our "Tips" section.

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