You’ve probably heard of llama and alpaca. They’re both domesticated South American animals, and the alpaca’s beautiful wool has become very popular in recent years, and so have the traditional Peruvian textiles that are made from this unique material. Items made from alpaca wool can be found in homes, popular hotels, and even restaurants in many places, but you’ll see them everywhere in the region. Guanacos and vicuñas are relatives of the better-known alpacas and llamas, and very shy, living in less-populated, higher-altitude regions of the Andes. You might spot one from afar, if you’re lucky.

Awana Kancha’s animals are one of its best features. All four of the native camelid species live here: llama, alpaca, vicuña, and guanaco. These long-necked animals have lived in the Andes along with the native peoples. The llama and alpaca are domesticated, providing clothing and fuel to people for over 5000 years. Llama are bigger and they’re often used as pack animals, while alpaca are wool animals. Vicuña and guanaco mostly exist in the wild, and they’re naturally very shy.

Traveling on the Belmond Andean Explorer from Cusco to Puno is a unique yet fulfilling experience, a journey between mountains and clouds, at higher altitudes. Ten hours of travel, starting from Cusco and ending at the majestic Lake Titicaca, the train allows you to keep yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Andean Mountain Range.