{"id":4081,"date":"2026-03-21T13:35:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T13:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/?p=4081"},"modified":"2026-03-21T13:47:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T13:47:12","slug":"cusco-is-nature-discover-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Cusco is nature: Discover it!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visiting Peru and not setting aside a little time to <strong>get close to its wild flora and fauna<\/strong> is a travel mistake you really shouldn\u2019t make. I would even dare to say it would be unforgivable not to explore \u2014 even if only for half a day \u2014 at least one of the <strong>77 areas protected by the Stat<\/strong>e, true ecological strongholds of biodiversity that represent <strong>18 per cent of the country\u2019s territory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we add to that the regional and private conservation areas \u2014 lands protected by local communities and individual landowners \u2014 the options for <strong>escaping into parks, reserves and sanctuaries<\/strong>, among other environmental categories, become numerous and wonderfully diverse. There are no excuses. Venture into the surprising and ever-changing geography of <strong>one of the planet\u2019s<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bancomundial.org\/es\/news\/feature\/2013\/06\/06\/peru-pais-megadiverso-que-invierte-en-areas-naturales-protegidas-gpan-pronanp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">megadiverse countries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Peru is an explosion of life<\/strong>. It is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographicla.com\/animales\/2020\/04\/jaguar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">jaguar<\/a> waiting patiently for its prey. It is a spectacled bear scattering the seeds that will restore the forest. <strong>It is a hummingbird sipping nectar from flowers<\/strong>.<strong> It is a humpback whale<\/strong> mating along the northern coast. It is a majestic condor soaring high above, a <a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourslima.org\/en\/lima-the-vicunas-of-cajatambo\/\">vicu\u00f1a<\/a> beautifying the plains, an Andean puma patrolling through the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0610.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0610.webp 867w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0610-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0610-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0610-550x365.webp 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So much to discover across its <strong>84 life zones<\/strong> (out of the 117 found on the planet), which are home to more than <strong>500 species of mammals<\/strong>, 450 species of reptiles (ranking fifth worldwide), and 1,900 species of birds (second or third place on the planet). And there is even more wildlife, along with more impressive figures: within our territory there are <strong>18 mountain ranges<\/strong>, and 71 per cent of the world\u2019s tropical glaciers are found in <strong>Peru \u2014 your next destination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A destination that, more often than not, has <a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/why-to-visit-cusco\/\">Cusco<\/a> as its unique or main setting. If that is your case, don\u2019t worry. <strong>Nature, flora and fauna are just as extraordinary in this Andean and Amazonian region<\/strong>. Within its 71,986 square kilometres, you will find sanctuaries, national parks, communal reserves, as well as conservation areas that include forests and high-altitude landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Between history and biodiversity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2907-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/machu-picchu-memories-of-a-train-trip\/\">Machu Picchu <\/a>is much <strong>more than a llaqta (stone city or village)<\/strong>. In its forested and mountainous surroundings, flora and fauna reveal themselves in many different ways. Did you know that? Perhaps you did, perhaps not \u2014 either way, it doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m going to share several details about <strong>the biodiverse side of one of South America\u2019s most iconic destinations<\/strong>, declared a <strong>Mixed Cultural Heritage Site<\/strong> by UNESCO in 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here, the past and nature come together in a place filled with energy. Because of the <strong>outstanding historical and cultural value<\/strong> of its archaeological sites and monuments, it was declared a Historic Sanctuary by the State, as explained on the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gob.pe\/institucion\/sernanp\/informes-publicaciones\/1793255-santuario-historico-de-machupicchu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">gob.pe<\/a> website. But that\u2019s not all: Machu Picchu \u201c<strong>also holds significant environmental value<\/strong>, with forested areas, steep mountains and snow-capped peaks\u201d, as noted on the same site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So now you know \u2014 keep your eyes wide open, not only to be amazed by the monumental stone walls of the <em>llaqta<\/em>, but also, why not, to look out for some of the species that inhabit this <strong>transition zone between the Andes and the Amazon<\/strong>. Many of them are representative and emblematic, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gob.pe\/institucion\/sernanp\/noticias\/884277-conoce-mas-sobre-el-gallito-de-las-rocas-ave-nacional-del-peru-que-se-conserva-en-22-areas-naturales-protegidas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Andean cock-of-the-rock<\/a> \u2014 <strong>Peru\u2019s national bird <\/strong>\u2014 the Andean condor, the fox, the puma, the vizcacha and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographicla.com\/animales\/2024\/08\/los-4-datos-que-debes-conocer-sobre-el-oso-de-anteojos-la-unica-especie-de-oso-que-vive-en-sudamerica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the spectacled bear<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-1024x680.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-1536x1020.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-2048x1360.webp 2048w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0622-550x365.webp 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might not be lucky enough to spot them. But they are there \u2014 high in the mountains, hidden among the foliage and, at times,<strong> just a few steps from the urban area of Machu Picchu Pueblo<\/strong>, where I once saw a female bear with her cub. <strong>They were feeding in the trees<\/strong> (they are magnificent climbers thanks to their large claws) that line the banks of the Urubamba River.<strong> It was a magical moment<\/strong> and a completely unexpected sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are other natural treasures as well, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.infobae.com\/peru\/2025\/03\/24\/descubren-nueva-especie-de-orquidea-en-machu-picchu-conoce-cual-es-su-conexion-con-la-cosmovision-inca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">orchids<\/a>. These reach \u201cexceptional levels within the sanctuary\u201d, <strong>where \u201c340 species have been recorded<\/strong> \u2014 around 20 per cent of the total variety of the <strong>1,700 species identified in Peru<\/strong>\u201d, as noted on the previously mentioned website. Waqanki (\u201cyou will cry\u201d) and wi\u00f1aywayna (\u201cforever young\u201d) are the Quechua names of two particularly striking native orchids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>High-altitude rainforest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6371-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First lesson: the cloud forests of Paucartambo Province (Cusco region) are like <strong>giant sponges that absorb water<\/strong> and then release it slowly and steadily. As the water flows downhill, <strong>it forms streams and ravines<\/strong> that feed the great rivers of the Lowland Amazon. That is their importance, and why they are part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/manu-adventure-in-the-peruvian-amazon\/\">Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second lesson: <strong>the Andean cock-of-the-rock (<em>Rupicola peruvianus<\/em>)<\/strong> is both brave and an <strong>outstanding dancer<\/strong>. Brave because its colourful plumage \u2014 bright red or orange on the body and head, with black wings \u2014 makes it easy for predators to spot. The males put themselves on display so that the females (whom they \u201cwoo\u201d with unusual dance movements) and <strong>their chicks can remain safe \u2014 always safe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third lesson: Manu is not only fascinating in Madre de Dios (<strong>where the forest opens into vast Amazonian plains and navigable rivers<\/strong>). It is equally remarkable in Cusco. In this region, highlights include the <strong>Tres Cruces del Oro viewpoint<\/strong>, famous for its spectacular sunrises; <strong>the cock-of-the-rock leks<\/strong> along the Paucartambo\u2013Pilcopata route; and the <a href=\"https:\/\/acca.org.pe\/conservamos-con-ciencia-y-tecnologia\/estaciones-biologicas\/wayqecha\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Wayqecha Biological Station<\/a>, which welcomes visitors eager to learn about the importance of cloud forests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-1024x680.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-1024x680.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-768x510.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-1536x1020.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-2048x1360.webp 2048w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC0656-550x365.webp 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is Manu \u2014 this is <strong>Cusco showcasing its biodiversity<\/strong> in its high-altitude forests, which in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservamospornaturaleza.org\/ruta_new\/ruta-del-kosnipata\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Kos\u00f1ipata Valley<\/a> transform into pristine primary rainforest. <strong>Farewell to the mountain greenery<\/strong> at Patria and Atalaya \u2014 the end of the road and the beginning of river travel by boat towards the lodges of a national park that, across <strong>its 17,163 square kilometres, embraces a wide range of ecosystems<\/strong>, including areas rising above 4,000 metres above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You decide whether to extend your excursion for several days or <strong>remain on the Cusco side<\/strong> to learn a few more lessons. Perhaps about <strong>the spectacled bears that live in the mountains and travel great distances<\/strong>. Maybe about the birds that attract ornithologists and birdwatching enthusiasts. Or perhaps about the orchids that grow vigorously in <strong>a forest that absorbs and creates water<\/strong>\u2026 creates life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cusco is conservation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC2594-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The territory of Cusco is so valuable that, beyond the areas protected by the State, the regional government has created <strong>conservation areas within its boundaries<\/strong>. The aim is to preserve natural landscapes that provide important ecosystem services to local communities, while also serving as <strong>refuges for many species of flora and fauna<\/strong> that are vulnerable or endangered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of their unique characteristics, these Regional Conservation Areas (ACRs) include or are linked to<strong> well-known destinations<\/strong> such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.culturacusco.gob.pe\/parques\/choquequirao\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Choquequirao<\/a>, an archaeological site reached on foot along a trail that winds through the Apur\u00edmac River canyon; or <strong>Ausangate<\/strong>, one of Cusco\u2019s revered apus (<a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/peru-the-country-of-the-apus-sacred-mountains\/\">sacred mountains<\/a>), where a five-day trekking route leads you across landscapes thousands of metres above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/acca.org.pe\/acr-tres-canones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tres Ca\u00f1ones<\/a>, in the province of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rumbosdelperu.com\/destinos-largos\/17-11-2025\/espinar-brindis-destino-maravilloso\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Espinar<\/a>, is another ACR with great tourism potential. Here, the Apur\u00edmac River receives the waters of <strong>the Callamani and Cerritambo rivers<\/strong>. On its own, this meeting of waters might seem unremarkable \u2014 were it not for the fact that the <strong>river channels are enclosed by towering walls of volcanic rock<\/strong>. It is a spectacular formation that you can admire from a bird\u2019s-eye view at the top of the archaeological complex of T\u2019aqrachullo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"765\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20250822_104454.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20250822_104454.webp 765w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_20250822_104454-300x226.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 765px) 100vw, 765px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add to this the groves of long-lived <a href=\"https:\/\/www.actualidadambiental.pe\/conoce-la-puya-raimondi-la-reina-de-los-andes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Puya de Raimondi<\/a> \u2014 <strong>plants that can live for a hundred years<\/strong> and are considered to have <strong>the largest flower cluster in the world <\/strong>\u2014 along with forests of que\u00f1uales (<em>Polylepis<\/em>), a native tree now endangered, and a rich variety of Andean wildlife. Here you may find tarucas (Andean deer), condors, pumas, vizcachas, llamas and alpacas, among many other species that inhabit altitudes between <strong>3,500 and 5,000 metres above sea level.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Q\u2019eros\u2013Kos\u00f1ipata is another Regional Conservation Area in Cusco. Located in the province of Paucartambo, between Manu and the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, \u201cits 55,000 hectares of still-intact forests will help <strong>conserve the high Andean punas of the central Andes<\/strong> and the <strong>Peruvian yungas, considered among the most fragile ecoregions in our country<\/strong>\u201d, as explained on the website of the NGO <a href=\"https:\/\/pronaturaleza.org\/blog\/nombre-lorem-ipsum-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pronaturaleza<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One more reason to convince you that <strong>Cusco is truly a nature destination <\/strong>\u2014 and how could it be otherwise, when it lies within one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6694-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visiting Peru and not setting aside a little time to get close to its wild flora and fauna is a travel mistake you really shouldn\u2019t make. I would even dare to say it would be unforgivable not to explore \u2014 even if only for half a day \u2014 at least one of the 77 areas [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-turismo"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cusco is nature: Peru&#039;s main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Cusco is nature: Peru&#039;s main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Free Walking Tour Cusco\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FreeWalkingTourbyOrg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/580d4d9406dfb96429697340298a37c3\"},\"headline\":\"Cusco is nature: Discover it!\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1395,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/DSC6477-scaled.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Turismo\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/DSC6477-scaled.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Cusco is nature: Peru's main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/DSC6477-scaled.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/DSC6477-scaled.webp\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"Cusco es naturaleza: \u00a1Desc\u00fabrela!\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Cusco is nature: Discover it!\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Free Walking Tour Cusco\",\"description\":\"We run the best free tours of Cusco city led by Original Local Guides.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Free Walking Tour Cusco Org\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Free Walking Tour Cusco\",\"alternateName\":\"Free Walking Tour Cusco Org\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/logo-ZOHO-firma_Mesa-de-trabajo-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/logo-ZOHO-firma_Mesa-de-trabajo-1.png\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Free Walking Tour Cusco\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/FreeWalkingTourbyOrg\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/580d4d9406dfb96429697340298a37c3\",\"name\":\"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna","description":"Cusco is nature: Peru's main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna","og_description":"Cusco is nature: Peru's main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.","og_url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/","og_site_name":"Free Walking Tour Cusco","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FreeWalkingTourbyOrg\/","article_published_time":"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/"},"author":{"name":"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/580d4d9406dfb96429697340298a37c3"},"headline":"Cusco is nature: Discover it!","datePublished":"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/"},"wordCount":1395,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp","articleSection":["Turismo"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/","url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/","name":"Cusco is nature: An encounter with flora and fauna","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp","datePublished":"2026-03-21T13:35:28+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-21T13:47:12+00:00","description":"Cusco is nature: Peru's main tourist destination will surprise you with its geographical landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-scaled.webp","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"Cusco es naturaleza: \u00a1Desc\u00fabrela!"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/cusco-is-nature-discover-it\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cusco is nature: Discover it!"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/","name":"Free Walking Tour Cusco","description":"We run the best free tours of Cusco city led by Original Local Guides.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Free Walking Tour Cusco Org","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#organization","name":"Free Walking Tour Cusco","alternateName":"Free Walking Tour Cusco Org","url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/logo-ZOHO-firma_Mesa-de-trabajo-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/logo-ZOHO-firma_Mesa-de-trabajo-1.png","width":1080,"height":1080,"caption":"Free Walking Tour Cusco"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FreeWalkingTourbyOrg\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/580d4d9406dfb96429697340298a37c3","name":"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org","sameAs":["https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org"]}]}},"author_meta":{"display_name":"FreeWalkingTourCusco.Org","author_link":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/author\/freewalk\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC6477-300x200.webp","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/es\/category\/turismo\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Turismo<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Turismo<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 4 months ago","modified":"Updated 4 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on March 21, 2026","modified":"Updated on March 21, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on March 21, 2026 1:35 pm","modified":"Updated on March 21, 2026 1:47 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4081"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4088,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4081\/revisions\/4088"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freewalkingtourcusco.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}