Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Station

In 2005, Amazon Conservation created Peru’s only permanent field research station focused on cloud forest ecology and management.

This 1,450-acre research center, called Wayqecha (“brother” in the local language of Quechua), sits at 3,000 meters above sea level. The station is located in the Kosñipata Valley in the department of Cusco, in southeastern Peru, where it serves as a buffer along the southern edge of Manu National Park.

The Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station is one of the world’s best sites to explore the lush cloud forest ecosystem. A constant supply of moisture supports a remarkable diversity of plants, which in turn supports thriving populations of birds, amphibians, orchids, and mammals.

Wayqecha Biological Station at a Glance

Location: Kosñipata Valley, Cusco, Peru
Year established: 2005
Area of reserve: 1,450 acres (587 ha)
Trail system: 9 miles (15 km)
Geographic Coordinates: (-13.174800, -71.587200)
Elevation: 6,500-9,875 feet (2000-3010 m)
Annual Precipitation: 67 inches (170 cm)
Temperature: Average of 54.5°F (12.5°C), with evenings considerably colder and damp
Species recorded to date: 625
Number of grants awarded to work at Wayqecha: 56
Research projects hosted to date: 80+
Peer-reviewed papers based on work at Wayqecha: 28

What to do at Wayqecha?

Trails: Walk among the clouds through our trail system to discover the great diversity of flora and fauna of this magical forest, including over 200 species of birds and orchids.
Canopy Walkway: The world’s first suspended bridge in a cloud forest will allow you to experience this environment from a completely different perspective from up to 144 feet above the tree canopy.
Mirador de Tres Cruces: Wake up before dawn . to get to this famous viewpoint and witness one of the most spectacular sunrises you’ll see in your life.
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek: Walk the Manu road to a hidden place where these magnificent birds gather for a unique show of nature.
Scientific Presentations: You will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the fascinating research taking place at Wayqecha and see the wildlife captured by our trap cameras.

Wayqecha's Facilities

The Wayqecha Biological Station is an ideal venue for workshops, field trips, service projects and more.

The station offers:

Accommodations and dining facilities for up to 50 visitors
Delicious, organic meals made with local ingredients
Multipurpose meeting space with lab tables and benches
Access to 15 km/9 miles of well-maintained, geo-referenced trails, including an orchid trail
A scientific library including in-house field guides to local plant and animal communities
Easy access to Manu National Park, one of the most important protected areas in Peru
Limited internet and electricity
Restrooms and hot showers
A state-of-the-art canopy walkway, the first of its kind in Peru, where you can observe the forest from 65 to 144 feet above.

Location:

Just 3.5 hours northeast of Cusco—via a spectacular drive through the snow-capped Andes—Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station is one of the world’s best sites to explore the lush cloud forest ecosystem bordering Manu National Park.

Situated where the eastern slopes of the Andes meet the Amazon lowlands, the cloud forest absorbs moisture from passing clouds and is often blanketed in mist and fog.

The constant supply of moisture allows a remarkable diversity of plants to grow here, which in turn supports thriving populations of birds, amphibians, and mammals. The 1,400-acre property serves as a protective buffer for Manu National Park, located immediately across the road.

At Wayqecha, explore over nine miles of trails and see where the Andean grasslands transition into lush cloud forests and montane forests below. Winding through elfin forest, you can have close encounters with tanager flocks, maybe sighting a Grass Green or Golden-collared.

Listen for the endemic but fairly common Red-and-white Antpitta, or a Marcapata Spinetail. Maybe catch sight of the recently seen Orange-breasted Falcon.

Current Prices:

Dorm with shared bathroom:

Researcher: $45 night / person
Course: $65 night / per person

Cabin with private bathroom:

Researcher: $70 night / person
Course: $80 night /person

All prices above include meals and 18% Peruvian sales tax (IGV).

If you are not a researcher or course but would like to bird or explore the Amazon with us, visit this site for more information!

Facilities:

At Wayqecha, six freshly renovated cabins offer the perfect view to watch the clouds roll across the Andes. Each cabin features comfortable beds (your choice of single or double), a table and chair, a luggage and clothes rack, and its own private bathroom with hot showers.

A brand new dining room, lounge and bar welcome you for meals and provide comfortable seating for reviewing your lists at the end of the day. Max occupancy 18 (3 per cabin), minimum stay 1 night.

Children must be accompanied by their parent(s) but are welcome throughout Wayqecha. Children under age 13 are eligible for a discounted stay.

Limited internet is available in the dining hall during evening hours. Smoking is prohibited indoors. Wayqecha is not handicap accessible; paths include steps fashioned from a variety of materials including loose gravel, cement, or dirt. Physical limitations should be considered when contemplating hikes or other excursions.

Meals include local, fresh Peruvian cooking, with some ingredients grown on site in the kitchen garden. If you have special meal requirements (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.) please inform the reservation staff prior to your arrival to the station. Given the location of stations, it may be difficult to accommodate all dietary preferences and the variety of food may be limited.

Getting Here:

Wayqecha is located approximately 3.5 hours by road from Cusco. The road is paved for the first two hours of the journey, and the remainder is a winding dirt road.

The picturesque drive passes through grasslands, several Andean communities, cultural sites, and the town of Paucartambo where you can buy fresh-made bread and fruits from area farmers.

We can arrange for a private vehicle with an experienced driver. If you are prone to motion sickness, you might consider taking medication such as Dramamine.

The elevation at Wayqecha is 9,880 feet, lower than the 11,500 feet in Cusco, but still high enough where you will feel easily winded when climbing trails and stairs. Keeping hydrated is important, as is rest and eating lightly.

Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a recommended preventative medicine. Oxygen is available if needed.

Sample Publications Featuring Research Conducted at Wayqecha

Dehling, D. M., Töpfer, T., Schaefer, H. M., Jordano, P., Böhning-Gaese, K., & Schleuning, M. (2014). Functional relationships beyond species richness patterns: trait matching in plant–bird mutualisms across scales. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 23, (2014) 23, 1085–1093. doi:10.1111/geb.12193
Feeley, K. J., Silman, M. R., Bush, M. B., Farfan, W., Cabrera, K. G., Malhi, Y., … Saatchi, S. (2011). Upslope migration of Andean trees. Journal of Biogeography, 38, 783–791. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02444.x
Giardin, C. A. J., Malhi, Y., Aragão, L. E. O. C., Mamani, M., Huasco, W. H., Durand, L., … Whittaker, R. J. (2010). Net primary productivity allocation and cycling of carbon along a tropical forest elevational transect in the Peruvian Andes. Global Change Biology, A(A), 3176. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2010.02235.x
Lloyd, H. U. W., Ríos, S. S., Marsden, S. J., & Valdés-Velásquez, A. (2012). Bird community composition across an Andean tree-line ecotone. Austral Ecology, 37(4), 470–478. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2011.02308.x
Lutz, D. A., Powell, R. L., & Silman, M. R. (2013). Four Decades of Andean Timberline Migration and Implications for Biodiversity Loss with Climate Change. PLoS One, 8(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074496
Maveety, S. A., Browne, R. A., & Erwin, T. L. (2011). Carabidae diversity along an altitudinal gradient in a Peruvian cloud forest (Coleoptera). ZooKeys. doi:10.3897/zookeys.147.2047