The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has rich biodiversity due to a combination of factors, is within a wide range of altitudes, which provides a range of temperatures, and also the high mountains create favorable microclimates for the evolution of certain species and subspecies.
Thanks to the diversity of the existing micro regions inside the Machu Picchu reserve, you can find an impressive diversity of Machu Picchu animals in the area. That is why we have made a compilation of these Machu Picchu animals, beautiful creatures that we can see on our route to the citadel.
The strategic location of Machu Picchu between the Andes and the Amazon allows the presence of microclimates that lead to the formation of fragile ecosystems that make life possible, small species; as insects, birds, and mammals, among them stand, the “Cock of the Rocks” (rupicola peruviana) Peru’s national bird, the Andean bear or spectacled bear, the condor, the kettle from the mountain, the dwarf deer, hummingbird of sword peak, river otter, Andean fox, the capisos, toucans and torrent duck, as the most representative; among these are some endangered species.
The Andean bear or spectacled bear is categorized as vulnerable both in Peru and globally, it is estimated that populations of spectacled bears in Peru will decrease by 30 percent in the next 30 years.
Another species that although being recovered, is still in the status of threatened species, is the cock of the rock (Rupicola peruviana).
The decrease in the number of these species is due to the loss of their habitats, because of forest fires caused by human activity, plus persecution and hunting to which they are subject. In 2014 was initiated the monitoring of the occupation of a spectacled bear was searched for the conservation and reproduction of the species.
Machu Picchu is also the home of one of the most diverse bird populations in the world. There are over 420 species and varieties of birds that nest in the area, making it a great destination for bird watchers. Many of the bird species found here are endemic, meaning that Machu Picchu is the only place in the world where you can find them. Studies suggest that this could be due to the extraordinarily stable climate that characterizes the area. Some of the unique birds found in Machu Picchu include the Versicoloured Barbet, the White-Tipped Swift, and the Collared Trogon, among others.
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"Andean condor" Vultur gryphus |
"Torrent Duck" Margaretta armata |
"Hooded siskin" Carduelis magellanica |
"Green Jay" Cyanocorax Incas |
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"Black backed grosbeak" Pheucticus aueroventris |
"Blue and Yellow Tanager" Thraupis bonariensis |
"Giant Hummingbird" Patagonia Gigas |
"Green-tailed trainbearer" Lesbia Nuna |
 "Cinnamon flycatcher"
Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea |
"Masked Trogon" Trogon personatus |
"Cock of the Rocks" Rupicola peruviana |
Uropsalis Lyra |
Inhabitants par excellence of the high Andean plains, the Andean camelids are species perfectly adapted to their environment. Two of them - the Llama (Lama Glama) and the alpaca (Lama pacos) - were domesticated by the Andean man more than ten thousand years ago to serve as beasts of burden, while the other two - the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) and The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) remain in the wild, although its skin is used by man due to its high quality.
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"Llama" |
"Alpaca" |
Vicuña |
 Guanaco |
What animals live in Machu Picchu? if you want to know more about wildlife in Machu Picchu. We recommend you to visit Machu Picchu, you can choose between different tours. These range from a full-day excursion to Inca Trail tours through the Urubamba Valley of the Cusco region. The multi-day tours can be combined with climbing the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains, but you can also walk along the Urubamba River, follow in the footsteps of the Inca Trail 4 days on their original paths, visit other archeological sites such as Llactapata, Sacsaymarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna and you can combine with the Rainbow mountain tour is a trek through the Andes villages with living traditions. In case the 4 days Inca Trail is sold out, the best option hike is the Short Inca Trail, this trail is part of the Classic Inca Trail or alternative treks to Machu Picchu, such as Salkantay Trek. This trail is the best alternative hike to the lost city of the Incas. There are no limits to your thirst for adventure around Machu Picchu!
On the day trips, you travel by train and make your way from Aguas Calientes to the paths that lead you through Machu Picchu.
