A bird’s eye view of Machupicchu

When you first think of Machupicchu, surrounded by a cloud forest in the province of Urubamba, birdwatching might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

While there are a total of nearly 200 tourist spots among the ancient Incan citadel, all of them—the archaeological sites, the temples, the water fountains, the monuments, and the former residences—are all located among astounding natural beauty and incredible biodiversity. In recognition of how much this site has to offer, it is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected natural area. Its more than 80,000 acres, with forested areas, steep mountains, summits, and snow-capped mountains, are home to a wide variety of animal and plant species.

Machupicchu owes much of its exotic biodiversity to its location between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon, a location very conducive to developing many species. The Urubamba River, which flows across it from east to west forming a deep canyon, is also a contributing factor to the natural beauty of this area among the ruins.

If you can believe it, Machupicchu is also home to more species of birds than the entire country of Costa Rica! In Machupicchu alone, more than 420 species of birds have been spotted. Among them are the Andean Condor, who tend to live in windy areas like among mountains. The Black-and-chestnut Eagle, an endangered species, can also be spotted in the canopy. The Green Jay is a very vocal bird with an unmistakable blue head, yellow underside, and green back. The Masked Trogon can be spotted all along the Inca trail—a standout with its bright red and green coloring and long tail. Seen at low levels along the treetops is the blue and Yellow Tanager. In fact, there are many tanagers in the Machupicchu area. The Cock-of-the-rock, Torrent Duck, and endemic Incan Wren may also be spotted here.

Species including the spectacled bear, Andean fox, puma, vizcacha, and white-tailed deer also call this natural area home. But that's not all—there are nearly 400 species of butterflies, 15 amphibian species, and 25 reptile species (nine types of lizards and 16 types of snakes).

Alder, white cedar, red cinchona, white pacae, basul, Brazilian coral trees, chachacomo, yanay, laurel, and forests of unca are all types of flora you can see on your visit to Machupicchu.

Interestingly (and perhaps surprisingly), Machupicchu is an orchid paradise. While over 400 species have been recorded, it's likely there are as many as 1,000 throughout the area. You're likely to observe orchids along the routes and paths that cross the sanctuary. There is even a nature reserve near the Vilcanota River protecting over 370 species, the largest collection of native orchids according to the American Orchid Society.

For unique birding experiences and captivating natural beauty where you least expect them, Machupicchu is the place to go!