Self-financed via ecotourism, NGO Inka Terra Asociación (ITA) produces scientific research for biodiversity conservation, education and sustainable development of local communities. Established in March 2001, its activities began in 1978 under the company name Cusco Amazónico. Since then, ITA performs biodiversity inventories to study existent life and measure Inkaterra’s impact over its areas of influence: the Amazon rainforest of Madre de Dios, the cloud forest of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the City of Cusco, and the Cabo Blanco Ocean and desert.

With the support of more than 200 specialists since 1978, ITA has registered 812 bird species at Inkaterra areas (equivalent to 93% of bird diversity in Costa Rica); 372 native orchid species at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (the world’s largest collection found in its habitat, according to the American Orchid Society); and 365 ant species at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica (world record according to Harvard Professor E.O. Wilson), among other flora and fauna species. To this date, 28 new species to science have been found at Inkaterra areas: 19 orchids, 4 amphibians, 1 butterfly, 2 bromeliads and 1 tropical vine.

Among its conservation projects, stand out the Andean Bear Rescue Center, which studies the only bear species native to the Southern Hemisphere; the Inkaterra Canopy WalkWay, hanging bridge system to study wildlife in the rainforest canopy; and the Technical Study to justify the creation of Peru’s first marine reserve, in the tropical sea con Cabo Blanco (2012).

Committed to sustainable development of local communities, ITA has designed agroforestry projects for the production of organic and carbon-free goods. Workshops on sustainable fishing techniques are also organized for artisanal fishermen, as well as educational activities on environmental awareness.

ITA’s initiatives are supported through diverse alliances with National Geographic Society, Global Environment Facility (United Nations), Conservation International, Latin American Development Bank (CAF), World Bank Group, International Game Fish Association, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, among other influential institutions.

NEWS FROM OUR DESTINATIONS

INKA TERRA ASOCIACIÓN ORGANIZED BIRD BANDING WORKSHOP

In collaboration with CORBIDI, a bird banding workshop was organized at Inkaterra Explorer Guides Field Station, located in the Madre de Dios rainforest. Participants were able to develop bird banding methods and excelled their skills on bird identification and registration of biometric data such as size, weight and wingspan. Learn more about bird banding, a reliable method to study bird population in an ecosystem.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRESENTS INKATERRA’S ANDEAN BEAR RESCUE CENTER

The NatGeo website has launched a video on the Andean Bear Rescue Center, located at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. This conservation project studies the largest arboreal mammal in the Neotropic ecozone, which has a vulnerable conservation status according to IUCN. Produced by GLP Films, the video shows how Inka Terra Asociación studies habitat management (including reproduction and reinsertion-into-wildlife programs) and conservation necessities for this iconic species of the Machu Picchu cloud forest.

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX FEATURES INKATERRA LA CASONA’S HISTORIC RELEVANCE

A recent article published by Relais & Châteaux features Cusco’s first boutique hotel: Inkaterra La Casona, a 16^th Century manor house which had Spanish Conquistador Diego de Almagro and Libertador Simón Bolívar among its illustrious guests. Its historic relevance is highlighted through the design by Denise Koechlin, which took five years to achieve. “Preserving its original architecture and decorated with colonial furniture, retablos, Pre-Columbian textiles and original murals, the 11-suite building is a gateway to Cusco’s fascinating past”, the authors said.

CAPTAIN NORM ISAACS: MARCH REPORT

In his latest report, Captain Norm Isaacs is enthusiastic about better days for fishing onboard the Miss Texas, due to favorable weather conditions during March.

“With the conditions we’ve had recently I have to believe more and bigger are in our very near future”, states Captain Norm about his recent expeditions in the Cabo Blanco sea.

PHOTO GALLERIES

INKATERRA PRESS ROOM

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