In southern Peru, 2 hours south of Cuzco is an astonishingly beautiful rainbow colored mountain known by the locals as "Montaña de Siete Colores" meaning "mountain of seven colors". In Quechua, the language of the Peruvian Andes, Rainbow Mountain is called Vinicunca and is an important holy and spiritual site. Until the past decade, the mountain was covered in snow, with its stripes hidden under glaciers. As local temperatures have increased due to climate change, the snow has melted, revealing the colorful mountain beneath. Each of 14 colors is caused by a specific combination of mineral deposits. The best time to visit Rainbow Mountain is generally between April and October.

   The Rainbow Mountain is northwest of Puno, closer to Cuzco. While not in the same area as Puno, we became so intrigued with the story of this mountain, we just had to detour to hear more about it. . .

Why is Peru's Rainbow Mountain colored like a rainbow?

   Tucked onto our shelves amongst other gifts for children are the softest, fuzziest, most huggable stuffed animals. Coming from Puno, Peru, these handmade adorable furry friends are made from especially soft and squeezable Alpaca wool. Each is one-of-a-kind with unique patterns and personality like the alpacas themselves. Hypoallergenic and amazingly soft, they make very special companions or exceptional gifts.

 

   Alpacas belong to the same camel family as lamas, but alpacas are smaller and have short noses and ears, and their fur is much softer than lamas. 

    Alpacas were  domesticated by the Incas more than 6,000 years ago  and raised for their exquisite fleece. Due to its quality and all of its superhero characteristics, alpaca fiber was reserved exclusively for the elite and nobility.

   Cuteness break:  Alpacas make good pets and this little girl and her pet alpaca are just the cutest!

   Over thousands of years, Alpaca fleece has evolved into a thermal regulator of sorts. The wool creates pockets of microscopic space with the ability to hold air inside, heating via the animal's body warmth, or insulating against the heat of the sun. Their fleece creates the perfect coat for the alpaca's environment, becoming a natural barrier to keep cold air from getting to the skin at night, and in the heat of the day, keeping them comfortably cool. Thanks to their perfectly evolved fleece, alpacas keep comfortable and safe no matter the climate change, allowing them to never get too hot or too cold.