Research > Cloud Forest > Native Flora

Towards the late 1970’s, Inkaterra started its reforestation project within property to recover botanical species of the tropical cloud forest, aiming to attract native birds in search of food as a means to promote bird watching in Machu Picchu. The task was accomplished through observation and surveying local communities to collect their knowledge on native flora.

‘Yanay argoz’ (Nectandra furcata), ‘Pisonay’ (Erythrina falcata), ‘Pacaemono’ (Inga adenophylla), ‘Bamboo palm’ (Chusquea spp.), ‘Chalanque’ (Myrsine pseudocrenata) or ‘Platanillo’ (Heliconia sp.), as well as various species of Heliconia, ferns and bromeliads, are among local plant species sowed and nurtured to restore and conserve forest composition. The integral environmental management plan has allowed Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel to host one of the most biodiversity-rich environments in a hotel within urban limits.

Natural pollination is encouraged as a means to entice birds, butterflies and other pollinating agents. For instance, a communal lek where male Andean cock-of-the-rock specimens challenge rivals and mate with females during breeding season, has been found within property. The cock-of-the-rock plays a crucial role in forest dynamics as their diet consists of fruit. However, these birds do not digest seeds, passing through their digestive tracts and getting scattered along the ground. Hence, the cock-of-the-rock is an extremely important seed disperser.