Birds on the Inca trail

The historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu where the Inca trail is located has 406 registered species of wild birds; which can be seen along the Inca trail and in its 32,592 hectares; This trail is considered a paradise for bird watchers.

The birds on the Inca trail that can be observed live between 1800 meters and 6000 meters of altitude.

Due to its blessed location, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu has endemic species of birds, this means species that can only be found along its 45 kilometer route.
The Inca trail has 10% of Peru’s birds.

In 1995, an in-depth investigation of birds on the Inca trail was carried out and around 400 species were discovered; At least 50% of all these species can be easily observed on the 4-day Inca Trail tour.

Inca Wren

The most representative birds on the Inca trail

Along the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu we can find different types of hummingbirds and striking birds that can be seen in the more than 14 microclimates within the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Among the most representative birds of the Inca trail are:

Andean Guan

1. The Royal Churrete (cinclodes aricondes), an endemic bird of Peru
2. The Ash-breasted Bull (anairetes alpinus)
3. The Inca Wren (thryothorus eisenmanni)
4. The Andean Grey-breasted Toucan (andigena hypoglauca)
5. The Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus)
6. The Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii)
7. El Relojero (Momotus aequatorialis)