“There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same…” – Chinese Proverb
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| (At the highest viewpoint of Chinchero, Peru) |
We stopped at the highest point of the mountain range for a panoramic view of the valley. We bought a colourful Alpaca shawl and had photo shots with the decorated llamas.
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| (The panoramic view of the valley) |
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| (Alpaca products on display and sales) |
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| (Colourful caps for cool weather) |
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| (On top of the world) |
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| (Enjoying the cool weather on high altitude) |
We visited Chinchero, a small rustic town off the main road between Urubamba and Cuzco. Chinchero is home to the famous Peruvian weaving and also has a colourful market. After watching the weaving demonstration, we bought two alpaca sweat shirts for a reasonably cheap price.
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| (Alpaca and Llama) |
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| (A demonstration to extract Alpaca wool) |
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| (Alpaca products for sale) |
Many people believe that Alpacas and Llamas are the same animal. They both belong to the Camelid family, and both are from the Andean Mountain countries of Peru, Chile and Bolivia of South America. Alpacas and Llamas can be traced back to the period of the Incas but that is where the similarities stop. The Alpaca is a descendant of the Vicuna. Llamas are descendants of the Guanaco.
The Incas raised the Alpaca to produce a luxury fiber. This fiber was so highly valued that only royalty wore garments made from the fiber. Llamas were bred to be “pack” animals for meat. Llamas are also very good guard animals for Alpacas and sheep.
Although these animals are related and come from the same areas, they are very different.
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