The Butterfly House in Aguas Calientes in Machu Picchu Sanctuary

The Butterfly House in Aguas Calientes in Machu Picchu Sanctuary

Butterfly_House_Aguas_Calientes_Machu_Picchu_Sanctuary_04Welcome to the world of the butterflies, reads the sign at the entrance of Wasi Pillpi. The name means Butterfly House in Quechua, and its location within the high-altitude jungle refuge known as Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary means it can make good on its name: the sanctuary boasts more than a hundred distinct, endemic butterfly species. (In fact, probably the only sights in the sanctuary which outnumber the sanctuary are orchids and backpackers.) If you’ve got free time to spend in Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), a stop at the Butterfly House can teach you a little more about the biodiverse world in which the ruins of Machu Picchu are located.

To reach the Butterfly House, locate Butterfly_House_Aguas_Calientes_Machu_Picchu_Sanctuary_01the footpath that leads from the town of Aguas Calientes to the famed Incan ruins of Machu Picchu Citadel. It’s just a 15-minute walk along the trail, located right before the camping ground. If you walk as far as the bridge, you’ve gone too far. This is the same trail one would take to visit the Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum or Mandor Gardens.

The Butterfly House offers guided visits that last 15 to 20 minutes and cost S/10 Peruvian soles (approximately US$3.00). Unfortunately, the tour is only available in Spanish at the moment, although signage is available in Spanish and English.

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During your visit, you’ll learn about the sanctuary’s butterfly varieties, many of which are impressively camouflaged to blend in with certain local plants. You’ll also learn about the world of butterflies, passing through the developmental stages of egg to larva to pupa to butterfly.

Butterfly_House_Aguas_Calientes_Machu_Picchu_Sanctuary_05Although a little dilapidated, that only lends this butterfly farm and museum additional charm. It’s run by Aguas Calientes local Leonardo Serrano Gutierrez, who counts on the help of local volunteers as well. It’s more of a local conservation project dedicated to studying local butterfly species than a glossy tourist operation. The team not only offer guided visits, they also dedicate their time to increasing local butterfly populations through a reproduction-and-release program.

If you plan on stopping by the Butterfly House, keep in mind that it’s best to visit between 8 and 11am, as the butterflies are more active in the mornings. It’s also better to visit between April and September, as the frequent showers of the October through March rainy season causes the butterflies to seek cover, limiting visibility.

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If you have free time in Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), make sure to talk to the friendly staff of Pirwa Machu Picchu Hostel for recommendations on what to see and do- they’re always happy to help. Also, check out our more general post about things to do in Aguas Calientes.

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