History of Alpacas

Alpacas were once a sacred treasure of the ancient Incan civilization, revered for their incredibly soft, luxurious fleece—often compared to cashmere. In fact, alpaca fiber was so prized that it was reserved exclusively for Incan royalty, earning it the nickname “The Fiber of the Gods.”

Native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, alpacas have thrived for thousands of years in the high-altitude regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. They were first introduced to North America in 1984, when they were imported to Canada and the United States, sparking a growing interest in sustainable luxury fiber farming.

Alpacas were domesticated over 5,000 years ago and remain an integral part of Andean culture and economy today. They belong to the South American camelid family, which includes:

• Vicuna – wild, fine-fleeced and rare
   
• Guanaco – wild and adaptable, ancestor of the llama
   
• Llama – domesticated for packing and transport
   
• Alpaca – domesticated for fleece, gentle and graceful
   

Alpacas are a symbol of resilience, elegance, and sustainability—and they continue to enchant people around the world with their beauty, intelligence, and extraordinary fiber.