On the road between Cusco and Pisac, is located at an approximate elevation of 12,000- ft the Awankancha Museo Viviente del Ande Peruano, a museum/store and pens, displaying representatives of the four South American camelids. This operation is sponsored by the Peruvian government. The purpose of this place is to educated the public (tourists) of the role of these animals in Peruvian (Inca) history and current economy. The four types are: the Guanaco, the Alpaca, the Vicuna, and the LLama. The Guanaco: Considered wild and free-roaming, It can be found at elevation of up to 4,000 m in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and Ecuador. In Argentina they may be found throughout Patagonia, as far south as Tierra del Fuego, and as far north as the Peninsula Valdez at sea level. The fiber of the Guanaco is fine and treasured but not that common. The Vicuna: The vicuna is free-roaming and has been protected by law under the rule of the Inca, and by the current governments. They live in the Andes between elevations of 3,200 m to 4,800 m. They are usually captured once a year and shorn. They usually only produce one pound of wool per animal a year. The vicuna fiber is by far the finest and the majority of the fiber is shipped to Europe and Asia. A scarf, made from Vicuna fiber may fetch up to $10,000 and a men's suit made from vicuna fiber by a European fashion house may fetch up to $100,000. To my knowledge there were no products for sale made from Vicuna fiber at the Museum/store. The Alpaca The alpaca is domesticated from the Vicuna, there are two types, the Huacaya and the Suri. Alpaca fiber is used by the local Quechua to make blankets, scarfs and other products. Highly prized are items made from 'Baby Alpaca' which refers to the first shearing of an alpaca, usually when it is less than a year old. THERE IS ONLY ONE FIRST SHEARING. At this museum/store, and at other legitimate outlets, products made form 'Baby Alpaca' are certified, however, when shopping at the open air markets of the local towns, when asking if these products are made from baby alpaca, the local Indians will always nod. Alpaca also are used as food supply, i.e. steak etc. The Llama Domesticated from the Guanaco. Llama are used as beast of burden by many tribes in South America, they are also used as food supply and their fiber is used for textiles This picture was taken on 25 August 2014, Sig...