Travel destinations Peru – Nature

Huacarpay

The Huacarpay wetland includes 4 permanent lakes (Waton, Lucre, Pumaorco, Choquepujio and Huáscar), a seasonal lake (Huacarpay-Muyan), 2 swamps (Una and Pisqonniyoc) and 2 rivers (Lucre y Huatanay). All around there are many archaeological remains and countless terraces, both of the Inca culture and of earlier cultures. To the north, the wetland borders the Wari citadel of Pikillaqta. «Huacarpay» is derived from «Wakar», the Quechua name for great egret (Ardea alba). There are also many other species of birds, resident and also many migratory birds – 108 were counted – e.g. purple crested sylph (Oreonympha nobilis), rust-faced canastero (Asthenes ottonis), emperor finch (Poospizopsis caesar) and striate-fronted cluster nester (Phacellodomus striaticeps).

Geographical location

30 km southeast of Cusco.

Extension

1979 ha.

Altitude

3040 m.

Average temperature

January: 13,4 °C, February: 13,4 °C, March: 13,6 °C, April: 12,9 °C, May: 11,6 °C, June: 10,6 °C, July: 10,3 °C, August: 11,3 °C, September: 12,7 °C, October: 13,8 °C, November: 13,9 °C, December: 13,4 °C.

Average high and low temperature

January: 19,9 °C / 7,0 °C, February: 19,7 °C / 7,2 °C, March: 20,2 °C / 7,1 °C, April: 20,4 °C / 5,5 °C, May: 20,0 °C / 3,3 °C, June: 19,9 °C / 1,3 °C, July: 19,5 °C / 1,5 °C, August: 20,7 °C / 2,0 °C, September: 20,7 °C / 4,7 °C, October: 21,7 °C / 6,0 °C, November: 21,4 °C / 6,4 °C, December: 20,1 °C / 6,8 °C.

Average rainfall

January: 116 mm, February: 110 mm, March: 91 mm, April: 35 mm, May: 8 mm, June: 4 mm, July: 5 mm, August: 6 mm, September: 21 mm, October: 35 mm, November: 51 mm, December: 85 mm. 

Source of statistical data: es.climate-data.org/.

Photo: ANDINA.

Travel programs:

		PTW-CUS009 Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas Half a day In the valley south of Cusco there is a multitude of sites, villages and landscapes, old farms and noble mansions.