Peru is a country and culture of many colors. As far as the eye can see, indigenous clothing, flavorful dishes, and lush vegetation adorn landscapes. The winged wildlife is no exception – in Machu Picchu alone, there are estimated to be over 400 species of birds! Even more so, many of these species are endemic to the area – meaning Machu Picchu is the only place in the world where you can see them. You might spot the blue flash of a Rusty Flowerpiercer, or the yellow underbelly of a Thick Billed Euphonia. As you prepare for your trek through the ancient city, take a look through this list so you can keep an eye out for Machu Picchu’s most stunning aviators.
Best Birding Apps Covering Peru and Machu Picchu
If you’re new to birding, the good news is that Audubon is a great place to start with comprehensive global information. The important thing is to simply pay attention. Look for exposed perches and be alert for any movement that seems out of place. Audubon also states that good birders spend up to 90% of their time just listening for the creatures. When packing for your adventure, don’t forget your binoculars and download a good bird identifying app so you can really optimize your bird watching experience.
While looking for Machu Picchu’s birds, it’s also important to remember that this is their home, not yours! Following Leave No Trace principles ensures these species and their habitats will be around to admire for years to come. Make sure you stay on established trails and leave the area the same or better than you found it – that means zero trash. Our excellent guides will answer any questions you may have, but if you want to brush up on the best way to leave an environment intact before your trip, check out the Leave No Trace site.
Birds of Prey of Machu Picchu Peru
Andean Condor
This bird can travel hundreds of miles and spend hours gliding majestically along canyon walls, or above hillsides looking for a carcass to feed himself. Condors have difficulty taking off after eating, due to the great weight taken on during the meal and the bird’s massive size (their wingspan can grow to 10 feet wide!). Because of this, Andean condors live in windy areas like the mountains to help keep them aloft.
Black-and-Chestnut Eagle
Courtesy of ebird.org
This is an endangered species, so little is known about the creatures. Juvenile birds are less wary of photographers, so you might be more likely to see them hunting squirrels, monkeys and other smaller birds near the tree line. Female eagles lay a singular egg in nests made from branches collected from flights throughout the cloud forest.
Cotingas of Machu Picchu
Cock of the Rock
The male Andean Cock-of-the-rock is an unmistakable (and luckily, near Machu Picchu, a quite common) sight, with brilliant red-orange plumage, black-and-white wings, and a large fan-like crest that almost completely obscures its bill. The Andean Cock-of-the-rock can often be seen around rocky cliffs and ravines close to forest streams. In fact, its genus name, Rupicola, is derived from Latin words meaning rock or cliff inhabiting, a nod to this bird’s preferred nest sites.
Masked Fruiteater
Courtesy of ebird.org
Endemic to the area, these stubby green birds forage for fruit among the canopy of montane forests. Thankfully this vibrant species has a conservation status of “least concern,” so there’s a good chance you’ll spot one on your trek. The female masked fruiteater will be entirely green with some subtle yellow on her underside, while the males are known for their black heads and bright patches on the chest.
Hummingbirds of Machu Picchu, Peru
Green and White Hummingbird
Green above and white below, this mid-sized hummingbird is another species endemic to the Andes. Contrary to the similar white-bellied hummingbird who frequents more open spaces, the green and white hummingbird prefers humid and forested areas. This is another bird very often seen at Machu Picchu, so keep your eye out!
Gould’s Incas
Also known as the Collared Inca Hummingbird, these birds feed on the nectar of the plethora of flowers of trees and shrubs in the Andean forests. They are mostly green with a black head and orange or white collar. In general, Peru has over 118 species of hummingbirds, or colibris, which translates as “Birds of the Sun God.”
Parrots of Machu Picchu Peru
Golden Plumed Parakeet
Courtesy of ebird.org
The golden plumed parakeet can be identified by bright orange-yellow behind each of its eyes. You might catch a glimpse of their small noisy flocks floating over the cloud forest. These parakeets build their nests in cavities of wax trees, which are unfortunately at risk. Conservation efforts to rebuild the wax tree, and subsequently golden plumed parakeet populations are in place.
Blue Headed Parrot
Originally found in the Andean forests, these parrots have become increasingly popular as house pets, as they are more laid back and quieter than other species. They feed on nuts and seeds and are found in humid forested or semi-open areas. Did you know that a parrots’ colorful plumage has a special bacteria-resistant pigment called Psittacofulvins? Only parrots are able to produce this pigment that gives their feathers beautiful red, yellow, and green coloration.
Tanagers of Machu Picchu Peru
Blue and Grey Tanager
Typically traveling in pairs or small flocks, blue-gray tanagers are found in semi-open areas along forest edges and rivers. They like to eat in the middle and tops of trees, but nest in shrubbery. Their coloring is typically grey, green or purplish-blue, with a shoulder patch of lavender, dark blue or whitish. You’ll almost certainly see these common but beautiful aviators during your trip to Peru.
Parodi’s Hemispingus
Courtesy of ebirds.org
This is a small, olive-yellow tanager with a dingy face. Because of deforestation, this species is listed as “near-threatened.” Similar to its blue-grey family member, these birds are typically found solo or with a small group for foraging for insects in the understory and mid-canopy of the montane forests.
It’s no question that you will get to enjoy viewing a plethora of vibrant birds on any of our treks – and this list only scratches the surface of species that inhabit the Andean forests! But with just a little bit of extra preparation, you’ll be able to identify them as well. If you capture any stellar photos of our feathered friends, we’d love to see them! Tag us on social media @AlpacaExpeditions. Want to stay up to date on all things Machu Picchu and Alpaca Expeditions? Sign up for our e-mail list here.
Alpaca Expeditions Recognitions
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
World Travel Awards
Alpaca Expeditions is internationally recognized as a leading tourism company in Peru. As proof, we have been awarded the World Travel Award for Peru´s Best Tour Operator 2021 for the second time.
TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
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Hotel to Hotel service
Regarding the transportation provided by Alpaca Expeditions, we are committed to delivering a quality service. We strive to ensure that passengers feel supported throughout their journey. To achieve this, we coordinate closely with our guides and representatives to ensure timely pick-up at the start of their tours. Additionally, we have representatives responsible for escorting our passengers to their hotels at the conclusion of any tour.
Our drivers are not only trained in customer service but also come properly uniformed, and many are fluent in English.
Typically, all transportation types are included in each of our services. For instance, if you have booked a trekking tour, we will pick you up early, typically between 4 AM and 5 AM.
When visiting Cusco, it's important to note that traffic here is generally moderate. However, there are peak traffic times, such as between 7 AM and 8 AM, which coincide with school hours, and in the evening between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Therefore, if you have a flight during these times, it's crucial to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. The drivers of Alpaca Expeditions ensure their vehicles are prepared with all necessities before each service. They are acutely aware that delays can lead to missed trains, flights, or other connections. Consequently, they are always more than punctual, arriving at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time for any service, understanding the responsibility they carry in executing these tasks.
Personal Porter of 7KG
Remember that Alpaca Expeditions offers an extra 7 kg allowance for your personal belongings on any of our tours. We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag without any additional fee. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you reach your evening campsite. The bag should not exceed 7 kg, which includes 4 kg for clothes and 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
When you visit our Alpaca Expeditions office, you will receive your duffel bags at your briefing. The porters will carry them and return them to you at each campsite. The bags measure 66 cm in length and 36 cm in width (approximately 2 ft long by 1 ft wide). Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items, which must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). From us, these two items weigh a combined total of 3.5 kg.
Each Alpaca Expeditions porter is paid directly after each trek, allowing them to return home more quickly. They receive better wages than our competitors, health insurance, and all their equipment free of charge, including hiking boots, pants, jerseys, fleeces, jackets, hats, flashlights, sleeping bags, and high-quality food. We ensure each of our porters has a comfortable bed in a pleasant room to sleep in before and after each trek. We also visit the communities they live in, providing toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and other necessary supplies to their families, along with books for their children.
This is just the beginning for us, and we are always looking for ways to do more.
While the government allows each porter to carry up to 25 kg, we limit this to 20 kg to prioritize their health and safety. Each porter carries up to 15 kg of company equipment and 5 kg of personal items. This is why it is crucial to keep your personal duffel bag weight under our 7 kg limit. You might see other companies allowing their porters to carry more than the allotted weight, but at Alpaca Expeditions, we strictly adhere to these limits to ensure our porters' well-being.
Clases de Cocina
Alpaca Expeditions offers its passengers the chance to experience local cooking. We aim to immerse trekkers in Inca life by walking them through the original Inca paths and teaching them about Inca culture. Food is a significant part of Inca life, making it a special element in any tour or trek with Alpaca Expeditions.
In 2022, Alpaca Expeditions introduced a cooking class as part of each of our treks, conducted by our amazing trekking chefs and interpreted by our guides.
We will transform your dining tent into a makeshift kitchen, providing all the necessary supplies to prepare a Peruvian specialty. Your chef will guide you step by step through the process of making a traditional Peruvian meal, such as Lomo Saltado, and share some essential mountain cooking tips.
Peru is recognized as a top culinary destination, largely thanks to the popularity of our renowned beef dish, Lomo Saltado. This is most often the meal you will learn to cook, but there is also the opportunity to learn how to prepare other dishes like traditional Peruvian ceviche or even our signature drink, the pisco sour.
Cooking Class on the Inca Trail: These classes are voluntary and designed to be a fun, educational experience. Our clients consistently marvel at the amazing ability of our chefs to create culinary magic on a mountaintop. As you learn to prepare and cook Peruvian specialties, you will also see firsthand how such elaborate meals can be created on a small campsite stove.
Enjoy a cooking class in the mountains and be sure to take plenty of photos, just in case your friends won't believe your incredible experience.
Satellite Phones
The best way to hike in the mountains of Peru is to completely disconnect from technology, especially the internet and cell phones. The most impressive and exciting aspect is the opportunity to experience the true and wonderful nature that we often miss when we are at home, watching TV or absorbed in our cell phones during our leisure time. The feeling of being disconnected from work and the daily routine left at home is incredible.
However, this remoteness means limited access to emergency resources. That's why Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones for every trek.
We are prepared to assist you in case of any emergency, particularly health-related issues. For this reason, Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones, as they are one of the most crucial tools for any operator trekking in remote areas where telephone or television signals are absent. This means that every guide on our treks will be equipped with a fully charged satellite phone as well as radios. While these are primarily for emergencies, we allow our clients to use them at any time.
We ask that you cover the cost, which is $2.50 per minute. This fee can be paid in cash at our office or via PayPal once you have completed the trek.
Being just a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured of their safety. Radios, which all our guides carry, have limited reach, so Alpaca Expeditions includes satellite phones to ensure that we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain.
Portable private toilet
We understand that our clients will need restroom facilities at various times and locations during their journey. Along the Inca Trail, there are restrooms available, particularly those belonging to the communities near the trail. Alpaca Expeditions provides portable toilets to enhance this service, which will be set up at each meal site or campsite.
As with any mountain trip where we are exposed to nature, it is possible to use natural areas as restrooms. However, it is crucial to be mindful of the waste we generate, such as toilet paper or wet wipes used for cleaning. These should be carried with us and not discarded on the ground or left along the trail. Remember, the Inca Trail is a protected area overseen by a government institution. In places where garbage bins are unavailable, particularly at our camps, we provide special plastic bags for waste. Our porter team will be responsible for carrying out our waste.
Please be aware that although there are designated bathrooms for men and women, in practice, both genders often use the same facilities. Functionally, there is no significant difference between men's and women's bathrooms. Therefore, it is common for people of all genders to use whichever bathroom is available.
