Alpaca Farming Across the Americas

March 11, 2012

Wow, what an adventure the past day has been! Jesse and I arrived to Mallkini Alpaca ranch yesterday around 2 pm and the first 24 hours on the ranch have been magnificent.

We arrived to the ranch after a 7 hour drive from Cusco... but the scenery and sights made the journey very enjoyable, as did one of our guides, Patrick, who shared with us much local knowledge. We had the pleasure of stopping between Cusco and Puno where many Peruvian women sell their goods. And of course, we are excited to stop on our journey back to help support the local market. Throughout the drive we also saw many small towns and substinence farmers. Because it was Saturday, many people were bringing their animals (sheep, cows, llamas) to the market.

When we arrived to the ranch we were greeted by the manager of the ranch Moises and enjoyed a delicious hot meal of beef, rice and vegetables (all the meals have been delicious!). Our driver and Patrick joined us for lunch before thy returned to Cusco leaving Jesse, Cynthia (our translator) and I to enjoy the next four days together. After lunch, we had the pleasure of walking around the ranch and seeing some of the 4,000 alpacas. We learned much throughout the walk from our host and the ranch vet. Before dinner, Moises shared with us the history of Mallkini. Mallkini has a rich history and today us owned by Mitchell & Co, the world's leading producer and exporter of Alpaca fibre products. Mallkini is the largest privately owned Alpaca operation on the Altiplato and has both Huacayo and Suri Alpacas. The ranch is manager by Moises and his son. In addition to alpaca farming and breeding, Mallkini invests in the local farmers and their families. In addition to providing local farmers education on alpaca breedig and health, Mitchell initiated a social program at Mallkini. The Mirasol Project was initiated in 2006 and started fully running as a boarding house and school in 2009. The program provides the children of alpaca farmers a goodschool and proper nutrition.

After a delicious dinner, Jesse and I were beyond exhausted from our travel days and went to bed around 9 pm so we would be well rested for our 8 am horse backing adventure throughout the 9,000 acres of Mallkini in the Andes. What a beautiful, spectacular trip!

We left the ranch by 8:30 and set off to visit some of the different herds of alpacas. In Mallkini there are 9 herds each consisting of 250 to 500 alpacas. We were led by the vet, Carlos, and our translator, Cynthia, came too. We set off with four horses and a foal (one of the horses was it's mother). Given I only rode a horse once in my life, I was very, very nervous but also excited. Jesse has ridden horses her entire life, so she was a pro! I was nervous for probably the first hour and a half... Until we climbed a steep mountain (that even made Jesse nervous) and I realized my horse really knew what he was doing! The sights were absolutely breathtaking! it was so, so amazing, the pictures don't do it justice an they're also amazing (see below).

The first herd we visited was all female alpacas and some llamas. Both the alpacas and llamas had some crias (babies). And we had the chance to meet the person watching and taking care of the herd. She was a 6 year old girl. Could you believe that?! And she knew exactly what to do with the hundreds of animals. When we were chatting, she excused herself to herd some of the alpacas and llamas closer to the group. Sure enough, moments later 25 alpacas and llamas cam running towards the others.

We met 3 girls at the next herd. The herd was entirely female alpacas and their crias. Here, we had the opportunity to pet a cria after the 11 year old caught it to show us. The girl was watching the herd with her two younger sisters for the weekend while their parents went to town. During the week, the girls attend the school at Mallkini. What amazing little girls!

Upon arriving back to the ranch around 1 pm (4.5 hours later) we had a delicious lunch (do you sense a pattern?all the food is delicious!) and finally a hot shower! in the evening, we met with Moises, the manager, Carlos, the vet and Daniel, a genetics expert to talk about alpacas... There is so much to know!

FUN ALPACA FACTS:

Llamas, alpacas and vicuñas are all in the same family. The main differences are their size and fiber quality.
Female alpacas are pregnant for 11 months before giving birth to one cria.
Alpacas typically live for 18 to 20 years.

Tomorrow we'll be visiting the school and talking with the community, the children, and the teachers!

Enjoy the photos!

-Leah