The beauty of Machu Picchu goes far beyond its stone walls. This due to the dense bushy area that surrounds the maximum architectonic expression of the Inca culture, which is home to numerous flora and fauna species, some quite vulnerable or in danger of extinction.

Home to an exuberant flora, more than 2800 species have been identified in the Sanctuary. Such as the evergreen alder (Alnus jorullensis) and shrubs of quinual (Polylepis racemosa) in the lower parts; and high-andean grasslands in the higher areas. In addition, there are diverse types of tree-ferns, bamboos, epiphytes-plants like  bromeliads and orchids, these last two exceeding over 400 species, including various which are endemic to the region.

At the Historic Sanctuary there are more than 400 bird species, among them the fabulous Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) and the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupícola peruviana), considered the national Peruvian bird. Likewise, there is an interesting diversity of humming-birds, such as the Sparkling violetear (Colibri coruscans),

On the other hand, the most important mammal of the Sanctuary is the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), endemic in South America and considered vulnerable.  Other important species are the puma (Felis concolor), the taruca (Mazama chunyii), an andean deer, and a wide range of monkeys, like the Lagothrix sp., which is also in danger of extinction.

All this natural wealth finds itself surrounded by great and overwhelming snow peaked mountain ranges, such as the Salkantay (6,271 m.a.s.l.) towards the south, and La Verónica (5,750 m.a.s.l.) northeast bound, while the waters of the Vilcanota, the sacred Inca river, flow through the magic geographical area of the Historic Machu Picchu Sanctuary.