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Meet the South American relatives of the camels of Africa and Asia. To do so, click on one of the arrows or into the graphics.
On the way to the Paso de Jama, at above 4000 m asl., those who carefully observe the landscape might discover small herds of vicuñas. These camelids live on the Altiplano and - in contrast to some of the tourists visiting the area - are well adapted to the high elevation. Vicuñas are shy wild animals who feel well in the vast highland areas. For the Inca, this animal and its wool were sacred. Only the rulers were allowed to dress themselves in clothes made from that noble material. The fine vicuña wool is rare and expensive still today. The animals are strictly protected by law and the traditional shearing only takes place every two years. Vicuñas are the smallest among all camelids, and they have a slim, gracile figure. Have you already visited Cafayate together with Anna Alpaca? The woolly alpaca is the domesticated form of the vicuña: it is a production animal bred by human. Alpacas are kept as pack animals on the one hand, and for their fine and warming wool on the other hand. Products made of alpaca wool are popular all around the world, because this type of wool is less heavy than sheep wool, soft, and skin-friendly.
