The Andean region has a rich diversity of animal and plant life. Here is just a sampling of what we saw.
Llamas are domesticated pack animals used by Andean people, including the Incans for centuries. The llama is a South American relative of the camel, though it does not have a hump. We saw llamas all over the Cusco area including this pair at Ollantaytambo.
Alpacas are related to llamas and can even be cross-bred with them. Unlike llamas , alpacas are not bred to be used as working animals but for the quality fiber of their wool. Alpaca wool is woven into beautiful scarves, coats, sweaters, blankets, hats, etc. that are sold in stores and markets everywhere in Peru. Its meat also makes for a tasty dish. These alpaca were grazing the highlands of Machu Picchu.
The chinchilla is a ground rodent with the face of a rabbit and tail of squirrel. It lives in the high Andes and is named after the Chincha people who once wore its dense, velvet like fur. This chinchilla was with her baby who was too shy to come out of the rock crevice.
Peruvians love dogs and keep them as pets. Instead of walking their dogs, they open their doors in the morning and let their dogs roam all day. We saw dogs everywhere. Remarkably, the community cleans up after each others’ dogs, so streets were quite clean.
The cantua tree produces lovely tubular red flowers – these are the national flowers of Peru.
Hibiscus were in bloom in people’s gardens in Cusco.
Wildflowers grow in the lush, fertile Andean mountain valleys. We passed this valley on our way to Chinchero.
The bull is an important work animal for Peruvian farmers. Peruvians adorn the roofs of their homes with natural terracota bulls like those show above for good luck, fertility (of crops and livestock) and to bring prosperity.