Vicuñas are sacred animals to the people living in the central Andes region. Sign up for newsletter today. There are actually four major types of South American camelids: alpaca, vicuña, llama, and guanaco. Wrapped in Luxury This famous South American animal often features on postcards and is seen as the typical image of Peru. Since then, the population has steadily increased. The governments have enacted further regulations in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, which limit the shearing of vicuña as well as require an official certification from the governments to prove its ethical production. Since the time of the Inca, vicuña have unfortunately been victims of poaching, thus decreasing their numbers to near extinction in the 1970s. Report inappropriate content . Baby alpaca clothes are made from the fleece of the first shearing of alpaca, which is supremely soft. Now Kathleen calls Lima her “home away from home,” although she frequently visits the warm, sunny northern Peru to see friends and surf. If you care about the planet and also like to support local producers, you’ll probably be interested in some of these shops. Not many stores will carry it – only the really high-end ones – and the goods will usually be locked up. The Incas, who greatly revered the vicuña, called it the "queen of the Andes". Even by Kiton’s standards, the white vicuña isn’t cheap: $115,000 for a coat, $75,500 for a suit jacket. Learn about the history and purpose of the quipu, with insights from anthropologist and best-selling author of The Last Days of the Incas Kim MacQuarrie. Learn more about the reason why vicuna products are so expensive by reading this interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about Vicuna fiber and products. In the U.S., Vicuña products will cost upwards to $6,000 for a sweater and you’ll be able to get it for about half that in Cusco. Vicuña wool is extremely sought-after on the international market. Our Vicuña is a most rare, exclusive and very special high-quality noble hand knitting yarn. Peru for Less specializes in fully customizable trips. Sweaters – llama, alpaca or vicuna. Vicuña: Living Wild and Free After a short time in Peru, sh If you’re reaaaally feeling fancy, upgrade to a vicuna sweater and wrap yourself in some of the finest wool in the world. Photo by Francesco Veronesi/Flickr. One yard of natural vicuña fabric sells for more than $1800! The holy grail of all fibers, it was more valuable than gold to the Incas. 4 reviews. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Order by December 15 for Christmas Delivery with Free Shipping*, Experience Vicuna: The finest animal fiber in the world. Kathleen McAfee. Facebook 0 Twitter LinkedIn 0 Reddit 0 Likes. Today, the Vicuna is the national animal of Peru and is represented on the Peruvian coat of arms. The Vicuña has never been domesticated and still roams free in the High Andes at 4000 meters above sea level. But this isn’t the only reason apparel made from vicuña wool is so coveted and expensive. “We have collectors who buy from every run,” de Matteis says. The natural fibers of the vicuña are the rarest in the world due to the strict conservation restrictions on the shearing process. The Vicuña is one of two wild South American camelids, which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes; the other being the Guanaco. Our Peru For Less Travel Blog is a living library of travel information, knowledge, and advice from a group of travel loving experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things in South America. Photo by Vintspiration/Flickr. 24/7 in-trip support. Where can I purchase vicuna or alpaca wool sweaters in Peru? While significant efforts have been made to protect the vicuña, poaching remains a serious concern. Most people have heard of the prized baby alpaca wool woven to make elegant scarves and warm sweaters. Vicuña. Vicuñas have an unusually fine and warm coat that protects them from the freezing nights of their natural habitat. Once reserved exclusively for royalty, Vicuña fiber, with its gorgeous golden color, is considered the finest natural fiber in the world. In Peru specifically, the best cities in which to purchase alpaca wool products are Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. Wall Street Journal about Vicuna fiber and products. Only Inca royalty was permitted to wear it. After a short time in Peru, she fell in love with the culture, the people, the food, and the way of life. In some cities -- especially Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa -- antique textiles and ceramics are still available. An authentic vicuña coat sells for about $22,000! This beautiful shawl has a subtle diamond shaped pattern. It is extremely lightweight, yet warm and incredibly soft to the touch. Vicuñas are cousins of llamas and were celebrated by the Incas for their fine wool. Wild vicuña roam freely in the Andes Mountains of Chile. During the Inca rule, the localities practiced the shearing ritual known as chaccu, which involved the herding of wild vicuña once every four years into stone corrals, a practice still performed in the present day in Peru. They produce wool that is very fine. To own a garment with the Kuna label means to posses something from nature, in its purest state. Once reserved exclusively for royalty, Vicuña fiber, with its gorgeous golden color, is considered the finest natural fiber in the world. Alpacas produce high quality and high quanity wool, and therefore, are the most breeded. This animal is the National symbol of Peru. Limited quantities of fiber are available each year adding to the mystique of this amazing animal. It is available only in natural colors and for the first time now available for hand-knitting. They are also protected by law throughout the nation, but poaching remains a problem. Previous. Today, Cusco and the villages surrounding the old Inca capital are the undisputed epicenter of Peru's textile industry, with both alpaca and vicuña goods in high demand. Alpaca fiber – including Royal alpaca and Baby alpaca – is far more common than vicuña fiber. Because of its rarity and unique properties it is considered to be the yarn of the yarns, which has wonderful wearing qualities. If you wanted to hand-knit your very own creation using Vicuña yarn, a ball weighing 1oz would cost you $300.00, and of course, you would have to pre-order it! However, alpaca and vicuña produce the highest quality wool. The Vicuna wool is the best in the world, even better than Merino wool, and you can buy it for the best price in Peru. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Vicuña wool is a very fine wool made from an animal called a vicuña, a South American camelid that lives in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Scant supply means vicuña wool is valued between $180 and $272 per pound – higher than any other specialty fiber in the world! Your email address will not be published. It is possible to buy alpaca products all over South America. It stands only about 1.5 meters tall (5 feet) and typically weighs less than 150 pounds. Rely on our expert services to customize a unique experience. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Vicuñas are the smallest members of the camel family. Vicuña wool is the finest and rarest natural fiber in the world. Vicuna is the finest animal fiber in the world. Shopping in Surco, Lima Peru: In Surco can buy clothes woven of fine fibers of alpaca and vicu a, exquisite jewelry and silverware pre-Columbian Peruvian grounds, handicrafts from all regions of Peru, La Ceramica is the ancestral technique inherited from our ancestors and is … Fortunately we found the perfect property- 5.5 acres, irrigated with senior water rights, space and title for two homes and close to our "regular" jobs! It is a relative of the llama, and is now believed to be the wild ancestor of domesticated Alpacas who are raised for their coats. In the 20th century, Marlene Dietrich, Nat King Cole and Greta Garbo valued the incredibly soft touch of Vicuña. In Peru, during 1964–1966, the Servicio Forestal y de Caza in cooperation with the US Peace Corps, Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and the National Agrarian University of La Molina established a nature conservatory for the vicuña called the Pampa Galeras – Barb… Governments have also established special wildlife reserves to protect further and monitor the vicuña. Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. This can also be very expensive because the animals can only have their wool removed every 3 years. Protecting the Vicuña. Luxurious Vicuna is extremely light, amazingly soft, and provides unrivaled warmth. Hats, gloves, slippers – everything woolly is golden. Vicuna were hunted almost to extinction for their wool and meat until the 1960s when Chile and Peru created protected national parks and stopped trade in vicuna wool. The Vicuña is considered to be a wild type of Camelid. Peru's ancient indigenous civilizations were some of the world's greatest potters, and reproductions of Moche, Nasca, Paracas, and other ceramics are available. Therefore it was prohibited for the people to kill vicuña or wear its fur, a privilege reserved for royalty. Oddly enough, vicuña are not domesticated animals, mainly because they are master escape artists and exceptionally quick. Vicuña is the most opulent fiber in the world Only sold by the most exquisite and luxurious stores, Vicuña wool is the stuff of dreams. Plan your trip today! We are proud and happy to be the only one supplier of this exceptional yarn in Europe after more than 5 years of searching. The Vicuña produces the softest wool and therefore comes with the heftiest price tag. Next. Katy is no stranger to the life of an international traveler. lightweight 100% Vicuna Shawl. One vicuña will only produce about half a kilo (about 1.1 pounds) of wool a year, and the fibers are so fragile that they cannot be dyed or treated with any chemicals typically used in the textile industry. For its part, Peru’s alpaca fibre processing industry is concerned that, like vicuna, the pacovicuna fibre comes in basically one colour – cinnamon – which only permits the dyeing of dark shades in a fashion-driven market that favours whites and pastels as a rule. Vicuña. Despite this, the future of the vicuna is far from certain. The vicuña is a member of the camel family. Vicuña wool is the rarest natural fiber in the world, making it the most coveted and luxurious fabric for high fashion designers. Shopping for Textiles in Cusco. Luxury vicuna garments are sold in Kuna. The first one is Kuna, a chain that specializes in alpaca, llama and vicuna fabric. Vicugna vicugna. It is the smallest of the six species of camel, and is thought to be the wild ancestor of the alpaca. Sign up to receive our newsletter for great articles, and special deals. Katy is no stranger to the life of an international traveler. The increased regulation aims to promote the sustainable production of the prized fibers for the economic welfare of local herders as well as protect the animal in its natural habitat. Weight: 0.06173 lbs: Reviews There are no reviews yet. Windy Valley Vicuña is imported from Peru following these strict guidelines and meets all certification standards. It is also one of the most expensive wools in the world thanks to its luxurious qualities and its rarity. Each Vicuna item comes in a wooden box and includes a CITES certificate proving the fiber came from government controlled shearing operations on live animals. We sell virtually all services available in Peru, Galapagos, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. Any artisan market. Peru for Less specializes in fully customizable trips. 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