Indigenous peoples have extensive knowledge of their local environment and this knowledge can be a valuable tool for climate change adaptation. Unfortunately, indigenous knowledge is rapidly being lost as a result of globalisation, migration and the continued marginalisation and impoverishment of indigenous peoples. Through the lens of three case studies from the Peruvian Andes, this paper demonstrates the invaluable role that indigenous knowledge can play in adaptation to climate change, as well as the crucial contribution outside actors can play in preserving, restoring and disseminating this knowledge.