pet the alpacas in the sacred valley
the sacred valley
Aside from the stunning landscapes, the valley is home to various fascinating archaeological sites as well.
In fact, the Sacred Valley was inhabited by small Andean communities until the conquest of the Incas that built terraces, temples and cities, which are still possible to visit today.
If you are looking for a peaceful getaway and to take a break from your hectic travels, the best place to relax in the valley is definitely Huycho. A peaceful village that seems to be stuck back in time, surrounded by majestic lush mountains.
In Huycho, you can find a peaceful B&B run by a friendly local family — Inkasaire Beautique Lodge. We had a very good experience during our stay, in fact, it was our favourite accommodation in Peru.
The view is exceptional, you can sit on the balcony while having breakfast and enjoying the mountains right in front. The garden is very well maintained, you can relax on the hammock while admiring the beautiful views.
The best part was the alpacas in the garden that we could feed and cuddle whenever we felt like it!
Mike — one of the owners, was very friendly and always ready to help. Moreover, he also built the entire place by himself, which is extraordinary and we really felt how much he cared to offer the best experience to every visitor!
Unfortunately, during our stay, the restaurant in Inkasaire Beautique Lodge was not functional, so we had to walk to the centre which was a bit far.
However, we found an amazing restaurant with one of the best food (and cocktails) we had in Peru — Andenia Hotel.
This stunning Hotel-Restaurant has one of the best gardens I ever saw, full of exotic plants and hummingbirds.
If you have the chance to eat here, I recommend trying the Ceviche and the Pisco Sour — a delicious cocktail from Peru, made with coconut, lime and alcohol.
what about the alpacas?
When you are travelling to Peru, you will notice that there are alpacas and lamas everywhere you go. We also found them in our accommodation.
We were able to feed the curious alpacas in the garden, and once they got to know us better and they got familiar with your faces, they wanted to be cuddled all the time.
What a heartwarming experience, also because their fur is one of the softest I’ve ever touched!
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ALPACAS
1- Alpacas’ average life span is 20 years
Just like their llama cousins, the average lifespan of an alpaca is 20 years. The longest documented lifespan for an alpaca is 27 years old.
2- Alpacas don’t usually spit
Like llamas, alpacas do not usually purposefully spit at humans. From time to time they do, but only when they feel threatened.
3- Alpacas are usually safe to be around.
Alpacas are very quiet and gentle animals. Occasionally, an alpaca may try to kick with its hind legs, but it’s usually just a reflex from being touched on its rear.
4- Alpacas cannot live alone.
Alpacas have really strong herding instincts. The best way to keep an alpaca with a companion is to have them all be the same gender. This is because even neutered alpacas can sometimes successfully bond with each other.