Camelids are even-toed ungulates: hoofed mammals, distinguished by their elongated double-toed splayed feet. They are mostly large, plant-eating animals that differ from ruminants, such as cows and sheep, in several important ways: they have a three- chambered stomach (as opposed to four), a divided upper lip with each half separately mobile, a tooth in the upper part of their jaw that is isolated from the rest, and elliptical red blood cells.

There are four species of camelids in the Andes: llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas. The indigenous people of Peru and the Andes have bred, developed and depended on these animals for centuries.

The two wild species of camelids are the Guanacos and Vicuñas. Llamas are descended from Guanacos and Alpacas from Vicuñas.

One can observe wild herds of Guanacos, (Lama guanicoe), running freely on the open plains of the Peruvian Andes. They are tall, elegant creatures with long necks and reddish brown double coated pelts. They live in small herds comprised of a male, his harem of females and their young.

They have a cinnamon to reddish brown coat, with white underneath, gray faces and ears that stand straight up. They are double-coated, as is the llama, and have coarse hair in the outer coat and softer hair underneath. Their hair is highly prized and considered by some to be even finer in quality than that of their hairier relative, the alpaca. They are fast runners and can be seen running on the altiplano of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina and Patagonia. These animals can reach speeds of approximately 56 miles per hour.

The llama (Lama peruana) was developed from the guanaco by indigenous livestock breeders over the centuries. Because of their height and strength, they are valued for their abilities as pack animals. They are also distinguishable by their longer head. They are used to a lesser degree for meat and fiber. In western countries, they are kept as pets.

They are friendly creatures, who are well adapted to life as companions to humans. They exhibit a variety of behaviors within the herd, sometimes spitting and ramming each other to display rank. An interesting fact about their spitting behavior, is that the content of the spit varies depending on the degree of emotional intensity the llama is experiencing; i.e.; they will draw the spit from further back in one of their three stomach compartments, the more excited they are.

Llama fiber is used in clothing; the coarse guard hair is used for rugs, ropes, and wall hangings; the softer undercoat is used for sweaters, socks, scarves and hats. They vary in color from black to tan to reddish brown to white.

Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) do not carry loads; they have been developed for their fiber and their meat. Alpaca wool is highly valued for its softness, lightness and warmth. They are very woolly and have a more uniform color than llamas. They also have straight ears and short tails, as opposed to the "tipped" ears and longer tails of llamas. Their fleece is washed, spun into thread, dyed and woven into garments, such as scarves, jackets, socks, blankets, sweaters, hats, etc.

There are two types of alpaca, Huayna and Suri. Huayna alpacas are by far the more common and they have a dense, wooly sheep like pelt. The Suri, which comprise only 6 to 10% of all alpacas, possess long, thin locks that are prized for their luxurious silky texture. Huayna are considered hardier and better adapted for the harsh Andean mountain temperatures, than the Suris. This is due possibly to the fact that their hair grows thickly over their backbone, while the backbones of the Suri are exposed. Their fleece parts in the middle over the back, thus exposing the animals to the cold.

Smaller and more delicate than the Guanaco, the Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is the smallest camelid. Their wool is very soft and fine, and is the most expensive natural fiber in the world. In the time of the Inka, it was worn only by royalty. Vicuñas have recently been downgraded from endangered to vulnerable status, as their population has increased from around 60,000 to 250,000 animals in recent years. This is due to the success of indigenous management programs.

Vicuña live above the tree line in the Andes. They are fleet, shy and swift. They graze on bunch grasses and often lick calceous rocks for minerals. They have inspired Inca legends and were considered sacred animals by the Inca. One of the legends pertaining to them says the first Vicuña was a beautiful maiden who was promised in marriage to a hideous king. She would only agree to the marriage on the condition that the king bestow upon her a coat of the purest gold. He agreed, and that is how these animals got their golden fleece.

In the olden days, Vicuña fleece was harvested in community round ups, known as chaccus, only every four years, due to the scarcity of their hair. They were gathered into pens and their pelts sheared, before being released unharmed. This custom has been reinstated by the indigenous people who manage their populations today. These chaccus are accompanied by rituals, songs and prayer. At least in the Andes, the sacred treatment of these beautiful animals still continues.

Kuoda Tours brings people to see camelids and to participate in natural camelid fiber and weaving workshops in indigenous villages, in less-visited areas of the Peruvian Andes.