5 Native Peru Animals To Spot During Your Luxury Peru Vacation

With one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, there are many incredible Peru animals worth keeping an eye out for during your trip here.

From venturing deep into the Amazon Rainforest to spot the elusive jaguar and curious monkeys, to meeting friendly alpacas and rare spectacled bears up in the towering Andes - there’s a lot to see here in Peru. As such it’s worth getting to know the very best animals in each region of Peru, and how you can plan your trip to maximize your chances of seeing them all.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the very best Peru animals and wildlife, and where you’ll have the best chance of seeing each individual species. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions later in this article.

Incredible Peru Animals: Which Are The Best To Spot?

Peru is home to a massive number of endemic species - which includes over 100 mammal species and 144 bird species. However in this list we’ll cover the most popular - which are also virtually guaranteed to be seen when you travel through Peru.

The Condor

The Andean condor is the largest flying bird on the planet, with a seriously impressive wingspan of up to 10.8ft (3.3 meters). Native to Peru’s Andes mountains, they nest on high cliffs and soar above the valleys, while using their incredible eyesight to scan for prey. One of the best places to spot condors is in the high altitude Colca Canyon near Arequipa, where they are most active in the morning, and multiple sightings are possible as they dive between the rocky valleys.

Key Fact: The condor is the largest flying bird on Earth 

Best Place To See Them: Colca Canyon

The Alpaca, Llama And Vicuña (Camelids)

While all belong to the same camelid family, each of these species - that hail from the Peruvian Andes - has a distinct look. Alpacas are fluffy, more round and docile, while llamas tend to be bigger, narrower and have a more standoffish temperament. Vicuñas are the rarest of the three given they are both shy and aren’t domesticated - which are the smallest and produce ultra-fine wool. They are all easy to spot around the Cusco region, and are usually curious around humans.

Key Fact: The wool of vicuñas and alpacas are commonly used for luxurious garments

Best Place To See Them: Cusco and Lake Titicaca

Cuy

Also known as the Peruvian guinea pig, the cuy has been one of the country’s most historically important animals. Originating from the Andes and rural highlands, they were first domesticated by pre-Inca civilizations as a ceremonial species - and are still as important in today's society in many rural parts of Peru. You’ll often find them roaming freely indoors in parts of Cusco and in towns along Lake Titicaca, while it’s also possible to see them in highland areas like Arequipa and Ayacucho.

Key Fact: Cuy were first domesticated over 5000 years ago by ancient Andean cultures

Best Place To See Them: The Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca

Spectacled Bear

The only native bear species in all of South America, the spectacled bear is often one of the most popular animals to try and spot during a trip to Peru. Easily recognizable by their cream-coloured dots around their eyes, spectacled bears are mostly found around the dense cloud forests that sit right between the high Andes and humid Amazon Rainforest. While wild sightings are rare, more and more tourists are starting to see them wandering around Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, as well as in cloud forests around Chachapoyas.

Key Fact: South America’s only native bear species 

Best Place To See Them: Aguas Calientes, Chachapoyas

Amazon River Dolphin

One of the most iconic Peruvian animals, the Amazon river dolphin (also known as the pink river dolphin) is a true wonder to spot. Usually seen swimming gracefully along Amazonian river channels, these species are actually born gray - and slowly begin to turn pink as they age. The Amazon river dolphin is found in the deepest rainforest of Peru around Iquitos, where sightings are possible both on an Amazon cruise, and also when heading deeper into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Key Fact: The only dolphins species on Earth to change from grey to pink as they age

Best Place To See Them: Iquitos

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Peru Animals

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about different Peru animals, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

What Is Peru’s National Animal?

The vicuña is the national animal of Peru, which looks similar to the llama and hails from the higher altitude Peruvian Andes regions such as Cusco and Lake Titicaca. The vicuña has always been regarded as a highly valuable animal throughout Peru’s deep history, where the Inca once reserved vicuñas only for their elite and royalty - while today its fine wool is often regarded as one of the most valuable and luxurious on the planet.

Does Peru Have Monkeys?

There are over 50 known-recorded species of monkeys in Peru, most of which are native to the regions of the Amazon Jungle. This includes spider monkeys which are often seen swinging from branch to branch high up in the canopy, the loud howler monkeys, as well as the infamous pygmy marmoset - which is amongst the small monkeys found on the planet. The best places to spot monkeys on a trip through Peru include Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, as they are both major gateways into the Peruvian Amazon.

What Are The Native Animals In Peru?

Peru is home to dozens of incredible native animals, all of which can be spotted on a trip through the country. In the Andes we can spot giant andean condors, vicuñas and alpacas - while the famous spectacled bear can also be found in the lower altitude Andes. In the Amazon we can see pink river dolphins, anacondas and potentially even jaguars if we are lucky - while the humboldt penguin can be spotted along Peru’s Pacific coasts.

Overview Of The Very Best Peru Animals To Spot During Your Vacation

And that’s all for this guide on some of Peru’s most fascinating animals, and how to spot them during a trip through the country.

One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, Peru is home to all kinds of exotic animals that live in regions like the Amazon Rainforest and Andes Mountains. This includes various species of monkeys, dolphins and the jaguar in the jungle - to alpacas, spectacled bears and condors in the mountains. You’d even be surprised to learn that we can even spot penguins just off the coast of Peru too!

Are you looking for the most unforgettable wildlife spotting experiences during your Peru vacation? Here at the LuxuryPeruTravelCompany, we have decades of experience tailoring vacation packages exactly how you dream them to be. Get in touch with our expert team now, and start planning your luxury Peru vacation today.