When we ask where do alpacas live, we're really asking about the origin of one of the most exceptional natural fibers on Earth.
Alpacas are native to the high-altitude regions of South America, especially the Andes mountains in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. These remote landscapes, with their intense climates and open skies, shape the alpacas’ fiber in ways no laboratory ever could.
Their wool is not just soft. It’s an elegant response to the cold, the wind, and the extreme sun of their environment.
Understanding where these animals thrive helps us understand why their wool feels so rare, so warm, and so alive.
Let’s explore their natural habitat and see how place and tradition are woven into every fiber.
A story that began thousands of years ago
The history of alpaca wool is as rich and layered as the fabric itself. It’s not just a fiber, it’s part of a story that began long before us, woven through generations and rooted in the highlands of the Andes.
From “Allpacu” to alpaca: roots in Aymara and Quechua
The word “alpaca” comes from “Allpacu” or “Paqo,” terms used in Aymara and Quechua, the native languages of the Andes.
But it’s more than a name. It reflects a relationship between people and animal that goes back over 6,000 years. A relationship built on respect, care, and deep knowledge of nature.
Ancient Peruvians and the art of domestication
Long before industrial wool, ancient Peruvian cultures were selectively breeding alpacas for the quality of their fleece.
They knew how to read the land, the seasons, the animal. They turned fiber into fabric, fabric into identity. What they began then, artisans continue today, still by hand, still with patience.
Alpaca wool as status, tribute, and textile legacy
In pre-Columbian times, alpaca wool was a symbol of prestige. The Inca elite wore garments woven from the softest fleeces, and entire communities offered wool as tribute to the empire.
It wasn’t just warm. It was sacred. A resource treated with reverence, valued not only for its beauty, but for what it represented.
Today, when you wear alpaca, you wear part of this story, one that stretches across centuries, mountains, and memory.
The Peruvian Andes: home to 80% of the world’s alpacas
When we talk about alpaca wool, we’re really talking about the Peruvian Andes. This vast mountain range is not just a backdrop, it’s the heart of alpaca life and culture.
Highlands of Arequipa, Puno, Cuzco, and beyond
Most alpacas in the world live in Peru, concentrated in regions like Arequipa, Puno, and Cuzco. These highland areas are remote, breathtaking, and often untouched by modern noise.
The climate is extreme, cold, dry, and pure. And it’s exactly what alpacas need to grow the warm, soft fleece that makes them so special.
Raised by small herding communities
Alpacas are not mass-produced animals. They’re raised by families and small-scale herders who pass down their knowledge through generations.
These communities don’t just care for the animals, they live with them, protect them, and understand them in a way that machines never could.
Living at 3,800 meters above sea level
Yes, really. Alpacas thrive at altitudes of around 3,800 meters, where oxygen is thin, the nights are freezing, and the landscape is as raw as it is majestic.
That’s what gives their wool its incredible thermal properties. It’s nature’s response to one of Earth’s toughest climates.
And it’s in this environment, so wild, so quiet, so high, where the finest alpaca fibers begin their journey.
What makes alpacas so special
Alpacas are more than just beautiful animals, they’re a symbol of balance between nature, culture, and resilience. Everything about them, from their fleece to their footprint, tells a story of quiet strength.
Built for survival in extreme climates
Alpacas live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Freezing nights, strong winds, intense sun, and yet they thrive.
Their fleece isn’t just soft to the touch. It’s an incredible natural insulator, designed by evolution to protect without overheating. That’s what makes it feel light, warm, and breathable all at once.
Fleece as income and cultural heritage
For thousands of years, alpaca wool has been a source of livelihood and pride for Andean communities. It’s woven into local economies, traditional techniques, and generational knowledge.
It’s not just fabric. It’s identity. And every garment made with alpaca connects back to this heritage.
Gentle on the land, essential to rural life
Unlike many grazing animals, alpacas are gentle on the environment. Their padded feet don’t damage the soil, and they nibble rather than uproot grass, allowing pastures to regrow naturally.
They’re low-impact, highly valued, and play a vital role in sustaining rural life in the high Andes.
That balance, between usefulness, softness, and sustainability, is what makes alpacas truly extraordinary.
Adapting to the Andes
Alpacas are true masters of adaptation. Over thousands of years, they’ve evolved to live, and thrive, in one of the planet’s most extreme environments: the high Andes.
Warmth without weight, even when wet
Alpaca fleece is naturally insulating, yet incredibly lightweight. Unlike many other wools, it keeps its warmth even when exposed to moisture.
That means you stay cozy without the bulk, and the garment remains breathable and soft no matter the conditions.
UV-resistant fleece for high-altitude sun
At high altitudes, the sun is intense and unforgiving. Alpaca fiber has a natural resistance to ultraviolet rays, which helps protect the animal, and, in turn, your clothing, from sun damage.
This built-in UV defense is part of what keeps alpaca garments looking rich and vibrant over time.
Evolved for 40-degree temperature swings
In the Andes, it’s not unusual for temperatures to shift by 40 degrees Celsius in a single day.
Alpacas have adapted to this with a fleece that regulates temperature beautifully. It warms without overheating, insulates without trapping moisture, and responds naturally to changes in climate.
It’s a fiber designed by nature to handle extremes, and bring you comfort wherever you are.
Wearing alpaca means something more
When you wear alpaca, you’re not just putting on a garment, you’re connecting with a story. A quiet story of origin, care, and time.
A link to ancient Andean craftsmanship
Alpaca wool has been part of Andean life for thousands of years. It was spun and woven by hand long before modern industry existed, crafted with the same tools and techniques still used by many artisans today.
Each piece carries that lineage, a thread that ties the present to the past.
Ethical, sustainable, and deeply rooted in tradition
Alpacas live gently on the land. They don’t overgraze or damage the soil, and their wool is harvested without harm.
The communities that raise and shear them often work in harmony with their environment, keeping alive traditions that are both ecological and cultural.
Choosing alpaca means supporting a way of life that values people, animals, and the planet.
Protection and performance, woven into every piece
Alpaca wool isn’t just beautiful, it performs. It insulates, breathes, repels moisture, and resists wear.
All of this, naturally. Without blends, coatings, or treatments.
It’s a fiber that protects you, moves with you, and quietly reflects the world it comes from. And that’s what makes it feel so special to wear.
Knitbrary: where tradition becomes timeless
In the highlands where alpacas roam, Knitbrary finds its essence, but it’s in A Coruña, Spain, where that essence takes shape.
Each garment is designed and carefully finished in our studio in A Coruña, combining the richness of Andean fibers with the precision and sensibility of European craftsmanship.
The alpaca wool we use, from royal alpaca to the exquisitely rare Vicuña, is sourced directly from Peru, where local herders and artisans care for the animals and gather the fleece with respect and knowledge passed down over generations.
But it’s here, in the calm of our Spanish workshop, where that raw beauty is transformed into timeless pieces, guided by a slow philosophy and attention to every detail.
We don’t believe in rushing. Each Knitbrary piece is crafted with care, not in seasons or trends, but in rhythm with inspiration and the natural pace of things.
We also work with undyed fibers whenever possible, allowing the natural tones of the alpaca to shine, from soft ash greys to warm earth tones, drawn directly from the animal’s own coat.
Whether it’s one of our signature coats or a delicate knit for daily life, wearing Knitbrary is a way to connect with something real: a garment that honors its origin, respects its process, and carries within it the beauty of what lasts.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are all alpacas from Peru?
Not all alpacas live in Peru, but most of them do.
Peru is home to around 80% of the world’s alpaca population, thanks to its high-altitude ecosystems and deep cultural ties to these animals.
It’s in these Andean regions where alpacas produce the finest and most sought-after fibers, thanks to the climate, altitude, and ancestral breeding practices.
Why is alpaca considered a sustainable fiber?
Alpaca wool is naturally sustainable. It requires no chemical treatments, dyes can be plant-based, and many garments are made from undyed fibers that come in a wide range of natural colors.
Alpacas also need less water and food than other livestock, and their wool is biodegradable, making it a responsible choice for those who care about long-term impact.
How do alpacas impact their environment?
Alpacas are remarkably gentle on the land.
Unlike animals that trample or uproot vegetation, alpacas have soft-padded feet and graze without destroying grass roots, allowing fields to regenerate naturally.
They also produce low methane emissions compared to other grazing animals, adding to their environmental friendliness.
What makes Andean alpaca wool unique?
Alpacas raised in the Andes produce exceptional fiber quality, and it’s no coincidence.
The extreme altitude and climate stimulate a dense, fine, and thermally adaptive fleece. Combined with traditional Andean shearing and sorting techniques, this results in wool that is softer, stronger, and more breathable than many other natural fibers.
It’s this perfect blend of environment and tradition that makes Andean alpaca wool so distinctive, and so valued.
Is alpaca wool itchy?
Not at all. One of the most loved qualities of alpaca wool is its incredible softness. Thanks to its smooth, hollow fibers and lack of lanolin, it feels gentle against the skin, even for those who are sensitive to other types of wool.
How long do alpaca garments last?
With proper care, alpaca garments can last for decades. Its fibers are naturally strong and less prone to pilling or stretching. They’re made to be worn, loved, and passed on.
Can I wear alpaca in warm weather?
Yes, and you might be surprised. Alpaca wool is thermoregulating, which means it insulates in the cold but breathes in the heat. It keeps you comfortable without overheating, making it perfect for year-round wear.
What’s the difference between alpaca and cashmere?
Both are soft and luxurious, but alpaca is more durable, warmer, and less likely to pill. It also resists moisture and holds its shape better over time. And unlike cashmere, alpaca comes in a wide palette of natural colors with no dyes needed.
Why does Knitbrary use undyed alpaca?
Because nature’s palette is enough. Alpaca fleece comes in over 20 natural shades, from ivory and ash to rich browns and soft greys. By leaving fibers undyed, we reduce environmental impact and celebrate the quiet beauty of what’s already there.