Machu Picchu is the most protected sanctuary in Peru so your adventure
wouldn’t be complete encountering the various animals that inhabit
the area. One of the rather unique creatures you will see is the alpaca.
It’s easy to mistake an alpaca for a llama. Alpacas are generally
smaller but the key difference between the two lies in the quality
of their wool. Alpaca fibres are very soft and warm making their fleece
an ideal choice for clothing material. They also have the widest variety
of colors in their fleece with over 22. The Incans made use of their
wool to create beautifully woven and colorful clothing.
The highlands of Machu Picchu are also host to one of the most diverse
populations of bird species in the world. Over 420 species nest in
the area making it a premier destination for birdwatchers. Many of
the birds are also endemic, meaning they can’t be found anywhere else.
Researchers suspect that this is due to the unusually stable climate
of the area. Some of the most commonly cited birds are the White-Tipped
Swift, the Versicoloured Barbet, and the Collared Trogon.
