Alpacas, llamas, and vicuna are found in the higher regions of Peru. Besides being cute and fun to watch, you can easily buy alpaca products on your tour in Cusco, in the Sacred Valley, and near the Colca Canyon.
Alpacas near Cusco
Alpaca
- Looks like a big sheep, also “rasta” with long hair
- Typically one color only
Llama near the Colca Canyon
Llama
- Has a longer neck with head up
- May have ribbons in its hair
- Usually more than one color
Vicuna in the Sacred Valley
Vicunia
- No domesticated
- Looks more like a large gazelle
- Brown on top, white on bottom, not so fuzzy
Shopping for Alpaca Products
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Alpaca Factory near Cusco
Baby alpaca is much nicer that adult alpaca, but can be 4 times the price
- Acrylic is shiny, lighter weight, and feels cool to the touch
- Best to buy alpaca goods direct from a factory
- Better price than in a store
- Can guarantee that it is really alpaca
- Local markets mostly sell “maybe” alpaca (not “baby” alpaca, i.e., acrylic)