The alpaca finds its origins in the Andes. It forms part of the four camelid species of the American continent which are the alpaca, llama, guanaco and vicuña. The alpaca is a highly valued animal in the Andine cultures for its wool.

The alpaca fiber has also been considered a "treasure" by the Inca civilization. The alpaca has its natural habitat in the high plains of South America where it endures the most adverse climatic conditions with extreme temperature changes between night and day. Due to these environmental conditions and their diets, scarce in nutrients available to them in the high plains, the alpacas have developed a fiber of unique characteristics in terms of delicacy and resistance.

There are two types of alpacas: huacaya y suri.