Peru Trip by Bus

Get to know the Vicuñas at the National Reserve of Pampa Galeras (Ayacucho-PERU )

Pampa Galeras National Reserve

The National Reserve of Pampa Galeras is located 3 hours from the city of Nazca and it hosts around 70% of the Vicuñas in  the world. This reserve was established on 1967, but its name was changed to the National Reserve of Pampa Galeras DAchille on 1993 in tribute to the conservationist. It has the characteristic green color of ichu, under an intense blue sky, which was outlined by different types of cactus and hills of stones.



The Vicuña is the smallest of the andean camlids and it fiber has been classified as the finest animal fiber on earth. It is the most representative animal in Pampa Galeras and the purpose of this reserve is to protect them, as the vicuña produces the finest fiber, it is in demand, and for a time was in danger of extinction. Poachers, however, continue to hunt the species, gradually whittling its numbers to 170,000 worldwide, of which 100,000 are found in Perú in areas over 3,800 metres of altitude.



Vicuñas at Pampa Galeras

We can also find small groups of Guanacos, another type of andean camelids which live free in the pampas.
The most impressive bird is the andean condor, we can see the pissacam the kiula and some andean geese as the pato jerga and the pato sutro. You can also find some foxes and cute vizcachas.

Every year from June 22nd to 24th, they celebrate the International Vicuña Festival. One part of this festival consist in the ancestral ritual known as The Chaccu, which is the annual vicuña shearing, practised by the members of the commune of Pampa Galeras National Reserve.
These events are organized by the National Council for South-American Camelids (CONACS), the Lucanas Peasant Community and its district municipality. They aim to enhance the value of the vicuña as a national resource and reassert the peasant customs, values and practices of the High andes communities connected with this fine south-american camelid, with music, dancing and typical dishes, leading up to the central activity of the celebration: The Chaccu (herding, capturing and shearing of the vicuñas).