A wonderful reason to visit Peru

While one of the joys of following the flight of Peru’s most interesting bird species is the chance to carve your own path, it’s important to remember to leave the places you visit physically untouched and unaltered. In fact, you should always try to leave a space better than you found it.

This dedication to conservation and protecting the beautiful habitats that support Peru’s vast biodiversity is especially well demonstrated by recent efforts to help save the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird, a species in danger of extinction. The Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird is endemic to and resides in the Utcubamba Valley in the Amazon, one of the area’s most biodiverse regions. Considered the most beautiful hummingbird in the world, it attracts many birders specifically and nature tourism lovers in general to the area.

The Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird faces threats of population reduction—it’s estimated that there are only around 1,000 of these species remaining. Its habitat has been destroyed by commercial agriculture and forestry. In the next 12 years this habitat could be decreased by 60 percent, reducing the population in half.

Just minutes from Kuélap, situated in the middle of the Alto Utcubamba Valley, is Amazilia Bioreserva, an operational base for voluntary conservation projects that protect ecosystems at altitudes ranging from 1,750 to 2,700 meters. Within the boundaries of the reserve is a brief stretch of the Qhapaq Ñan, an ancient Incan road.

Amazilia Bioreserva hosts local NGO Landes, who aims to develop educational, cultural, and scientific activities oriented toward conservation of the region’s biodiversity and cultural landscape.

Their current focus is on the ecological restoration of the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird’s habitat. Their work signifies the first sanctuary dedicated exclusively to ecological restoration of this species—known also as “the wonderful hummingbird—in a living laboratory with more than 200 protected hectares.

There is also an ecolodge at Amazilia Bioreserva, a completely renovated hacienda house built in 1987. Three double rooms (with individual bathrooms and hot water) are available, perfect for families and small groups of birders or nature travel enthusiasts. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, and menu highlight local seasonal ingredients. If you like pizza, you’re in luck—this is their specialty. Wood-fired pizzas made from regional cheeses, artisanal chorizo, and mushrooms from the local forest can’t be missed! Additionally, they offer activities to learn more about, investigate, and enjoy the surrounding forests, caves, and unique landscapes of Alto Utcubamba.

When planning your birding trip to Peru, consider making conservation efforts a key part of your trip to ensure many more exciting trips for many years to come. Amazilia Bioreserva would be the perfect host!