Humedales de Ite

Location:
Tacna, Peru

Birdwatching Types:
Birdwatching

By Lorraine Caputo

Humedales de Ite, 90 kilometers (54 miles) north of Tacna, is Peru’s largest wetlands. In part a man-made swamp (from mining activities in the early 1960s), these humedales now cover 1360 hectares and are 11.7 kilometers (7 miles) long and 800-2000 meters (0.5-2 miles) wide. The four types of ecosystems—reed swamp, grass plains, sandy beach and delta—are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Humdedales de Ite has 85 species of resident birds, among them pato colorado (cinnamon teal duck, Anas cyanoptera cyanoptera), pollo de agua (Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus) and choca (American coot, Fulica Americana). This is also a resting spot for almost 60 types of migratory birds coming from Canada, the US, as well as the Andean altiplano. Visitors include the rayador (Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger), Franklin’s gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), yanavico (Puna Ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi), jerga grande (Yellow-billed of brown pintail duck, Anas georgica) and pariguana chilena (Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis).

Getting There
From Terminal Bolognesi in Tacna, take a bus heading for Ilo and debark at Ite (frequent 7 a.m.-9 p.m., $2.70, 1.5 hours). From Ite village, the humedales are a 10-15 minute walk.

Travel Tips: September is the best month to pull out the binoculars, especially for observing the flamingos.

Price Description: Free.

Relative price: Free

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring along drink and snacks (though refreshments are available in the village) and binoculars. If day tripping, do not take valuables.

Boca del Rio and other beaches along the coast; sightseeing and the museums in Tacna.

Currencies accepted
Nuevo Sol