Trekking with llamas in Peru

Trekking with llamas in Peru ? Is it that horses and donkeys are getting out of fashion as beasts of burden? Well, hardly, but truth is that in the early times in the Andes were the South American camelids the ones that performed that task.

Nowadays the llama is taking back its place and everybody loves it.

Don’t see this just as a trendy thing, because to revindicate the llamas place in this activity allows not only to preserve trails and prairies with less impact than the one caused by equines, but also to put in action breeding programs that favor owners by producing better wool and meat as well as opportunities of employment in places where there is a lack of them.

In Cuzco are eight the communities that already joined their members to the touristic routes along the Sacred Valley in Urubamba, and as an example; during a 5-day tour four of them are involved. That is social inclusiveness.

The activities are varied and the llamas can serve only as a company during a hike or form a carrying train during treks (offered up to 7 days).

However, if thinking about llamas just as a simple company seems like a nonsense, we can guarantee that is it quite an experience as Guido tells us:

“Along the Inka Naani in Ancash, where I have been about ten times in the company of llamas and other ten without them, the usually aggressive dogs got calmed when saw them -maybe because they didn’t recognize them. Moreover, I saw a half-a-ton weighing bull trying to jump over a barbwire fence -apparently because it feared the llamas. And the horses seemed to dance around them! no kidding, it was super interesting. The llama is like the king of the Andes: with its “distinguished” way of being it shows itself as a remarkable animal and the others act submissive.”

Three carrying llamas with load seen from behind. Trekking with llamas in Peru

The Inka Naani is the northern section of the great network of pre-Columbian existing trails and the goal of the trek is to get to Chavin de Huantar, the most important pre-Inca pilgrimage center of its times.

Meanwhile, in Arequipa, in the Colca Valley, convivial experiences are offered to visitors where you can join the llamas during its regular labors, like when carrying firewood or other items proper of the everyday life in the countryside. Alternatively can get to know the town of Sibayo and its cobbled streets hiring a chariot pulled by a llama.

If now you wish trekking with llamas in Peru, either if you want to go north or south, do not hesitate and get in contact with us. You can make it easily filling out this brief questionnaire or e-mailing us at english @ responsibletravelperu.com