Walking with alpacas: Why alpaca walks are great for travel couples

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Walking with alpacas is one of the most memorable experiences we have had since we moved to Ireland. We got to walk alpacas in Ireland (in Kerry County to be precise) and loved it. We know keep an eye open when we travel to see if we can reiterate the experience. Walking alpacas is an activity that has grown quickly all over the world and we are here for it!

In this post, you will find everything you need to know about alpaca walks, from our experience to safety rules and the budget needed for this activity. We also included a list of alpaca farms where you can walk alpacas in Europe, including in the UK, Ireland, and beyond Europe like in Canada, Australia and the USA. 

About walking alpacas

An alpaca walking experience is an unforgettable walking in nature experience and we definitely encourage anyone  who is a bit curious about these animals to try it out. Going to walk the alpacas is not just good for photos, it’s way more than that. Going on a walk with the alpacas makes you discover the region you are in in a different way. It opens your eyes on places you might not have discovered without this experience. It also installs some peace and quiet and lets you focus on the moment, admiring the view and taking in the cuteness of the animals. On an alpaca farm walk, you usually also learn a lot about the alpacas, their behaviours and the history along with the history of the place you are in and how alpacas came there. Alpaca walks are a complete experience!

Why is walking with alpacas a great activity for couples?

Walking with alpacas is a great activity idea for couples in general but even more for couples whether you are steady or on a first date. Here are a few reasons why. 

Alpaca walks are limited in age

First, a walking alpaca experience is usually limited to children aged at least 10 years old or older. Some alpaca walks are even restricted to adults only. This means that going on an alpaca walk with your partner will be child free, more quiet and with more conversation. There won’t be any child crying or fussing about the weather, or anything else. 

Romantic alpaca walks

Second, each alpaca walking farm usually offers themed alpaca walks such as a Christmas alpaca walk, an alpaca and Prosecco walk or even a Valentine’s day alpaca walk where you and your partner can hold the alpaca together and share the snuggles. These experiences allow you to get to know each other better! Some alpaca farms also offer other activities such as practicing yoga with alpacas.

Cuteness 101

Of course, walking with alpacas is extremely cute. Alpacas are super quirky, fluffy and nice. Walking an alpaca is a unique experience that you and your partner will be talking about long after the walk. Sometimes, you even get to see baby alpacas at the farm. You will be reminiscing together about the crazy level of cuteness, believe me!

Beautiful sceneries

Finally, when you are taking alpacas for a walk, the host usually organises the walk in a way that has you discovering beautiful sceneries and views and exploring unique locations such as magical forests. Walking alpacas is available in several places in the world such as Ireland or Virginia in the USA. The walk usually takes a couple of hours so you can easily pair it with another romantic activity such as visiting the Charlottesville wineries in Virginia or spending a few days in Dublin as a couple !

Going on an alpaca adventure with your partner will both be a beautiful moment and create unforgettable memories! 

What is the budget for walking with alpacas?

To take an alpaca for a walk, you will need to book either online or by phone at the relevant alpaca farm of your location. Although some farms are happy to take you on a walk for free, it is quite rare and most farms do charge a fee that goes towards taking care of the animals and income. To go walk with an alpaca, you should aim for a budget of about €30 per person. However, some farms charge way less (down to €15 per person) while some charge more, especially for specific experiences such as yoga with alpacas or alpaca walks and prosecco. Some farms also charge more if the group is smaller. In the UK, you can search for wowcher alpaca walk or groupon alpaca walks to get discounts. 

Safety tips when walking with alpacas

Are you scared of walking alpacas? Alpacas are generally kind and safe and you shouldn’t be scared of getting hurt while walking with alpacas. Don’t worry, in this section, we will tell you more about our experience and how the hosts made us feel safe while we were walking with alpacas.

Safety rules

The first thing to know is that when you arrive on site, you don’t take alpaca for a walk right away. First, your host will let you know about any safety rule they have and usually they will also tell you more about the behaviours you can expect. The main behaviour you can expect is usually that alpacas like to stop and snack on leaves!

One thing we would recommend to remember is that alpacas are kind of like horses in the sense that you shouldn’t stay behind them. If you stay behind them, they might kick because they won’t see you. They can also get scared if they see you coming from behind without knowing what you are. It is better to come from the side. 

One obvious safety rule to know is to not make huge movements around them that could scare them. Always be chill and relaxed so you don’t install fear in them.

We recommend listening to your host as they know their animals better than anyone else. If they tell you to do something, just do it as they care about your safety and their animals’. 

Another thing to know is that you won’t be going on a walk by yourself. The hosts will come with you so they are here if you have any problem. 

Safety Q&As

Can you walk a llama? Sometimes, a pack of alpacas also counts a couple of llamas. Usually llamas don’t get walked and if they do, the hosts will walk them.

Can you ride an alpaca? No you cannot ride an alpaca. Their body structure is not built to carry heavy loads like humans. They also don’t like having anything on your back, you included! If an alpaca farm offers for you to ride an alpaca, they are neither ethical nor respectful of the animal and we recommend going somewhere else.  

How much can an alpaca carry? Very little. As explained above, their bone structure isn’t made to carry heavy loads.

Can alpacas spit? Yes, alpacas will spit if they feel in danger but they do not spit as much as llamas. They are generally chill and mellow animals. 

Our experience walking with alpacas

Our experience made us feel very safe and we didn’t once feel a bit scared while walking our alpacas. When we arrived at the alpacas farm, our hosts first welcomed us and gathered us with the other guests outside to tell us about alpacas and safety rules. We could see the alpacas in their park but we didn’t get to interact with them before the safety rules were set out. We appreciated that our hosts told us more about their behaviours and what to expect. This is important as during the walk, you are in charge of walking your alpaca.

After explaining the safety rules to us, we went to get our alpacas. Our hosts guided us with where to stand and wait, how to hold the lead and how to walk in a line with them. They also explained to us what kind of behaviours we could expect and how to react.

To be honest, from our experience, alpacas are very mellow. As long as they get to snack on a few tall herbs, and get a few snuggle, they are happy. We were allowed to snuggle them, and touch them as well. 

Our alpacas also seemed to know exactly where to go during the walk so there wasn’t a lot of guiding to do. The experience was really nice in that way as we were able to fully enjoy the moment without having to really guide them. 

There was a couple of spots that were a bit more slippery or that some alpacas didn’t like as much (they can get scared easily just from branches or the wind lol). Our hosts always told us about those spots and let us know if we needed to put them on a shorter lead ahead of time. Both our hosts were with us and ready to intervene if necessary. The only time they had to was when the alpacas decided it was time for a snack (again lol), so nothing to worry about!

During our alpaca walk, we got to feed them. Again, even though they obviously like a snack, they weren’t aggressive or anything like that. They get excited but it’s not scary, more funny. 

Where can you walk alpacas and how to book your experience?

The first thing to know is that not all alpaca farms to visit offer alpaca walks for visitors. There are some alpaca farms that just own alpaca packs to breed them and sell them to other alpaca farms. 

Now if you’re looking to walk an alpaca, you should search the following terms in google to find the best alpacas farms or an alpaca centre near you:

• alpaca walking near me,
• walking alpacas near me, 
• walking with alpacas near me
• walk an alpaca near me
• alpaca walking experience near me
• walk a llama near me alpaca farm near me to visit
• alpaca trekking near me
• alpaca experience near me
• alpaca walks near me
• alpaca walking farm near me

Walking with alpacas is becoming more and more popular so lots of alpaca walking farms have developed around the world in the past years. In the next sections, we have set out alpaca farms in Ireland, in the UK, in the USA, in Canada, and in Australia to save you some time!

Choosing the right alpaca farm to walk with an alpaca

Just like with everything, when an activity becomes popular so do unethical behaviours. Owning and farming alpacas is usually a regulated activity monitored by independent bodies. Alpaca owners need to respect certain standards and treat their animals with ethics and respect. When choosing an alpaca farm to walk an alpaca, make sure to check the standards of the alpaca farm you want to go to. 

Some of the things to look for include:

• Whether they are approved by the relevant regulatory body in that country
• Comments from previous visitors on Airbnb experience or on their alpaca websites
• You can also type [name of the alpaca farm + reviews] in google to se if anything negative pops up
• Whether they allow you to ride alpacas. If they do, then they are unethical. 

Walking with alpacas in Ireland 

Alpaca walks are quite popular in Ireland. Whether you are visiting the Wicklow Mountains National Park or the Dingle Peninsula, you’ll be able to find alpaca farms which offer alpaca walks or alpaca treks in Ireland. Experiences of walking alpacas Wicklow offers include K2 Alpacas. Experiences of walking alpacas Ireland offers in the West, includes The Naked Sheep which is where we walked Pluto and Monkey as per the photo below! We loved our hosts and Mia explained everything really well to us. It was a lovely experience!

Walking with alpacas in the UK

Alpaca walks have developed quite well all over the UK and it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to find an alpaca walking experience near you. Below we have gathered some of the best rated alpaca walks in the UK by regions, counties and big cities. 

Alpaca walks in Scotland

Looking to for experiences of walking with alpacas Edinburgh offers? We got you covered! Finding a walk with alpacas Scotland offers is actually possible! Alpaca walking experiences in Scotland include Bobcat Alpacas and Netherfield Alpacas (llamas and alpacas). While in Scotland, make sure you take the time to road trip through the country and visit the Corpach Shipwreck! From the visiting the castle to doing the River Ness Walk, a trip to Inverness is also something to add to your list while in Scotland! As you see, Scotland has lots to offer with and beyond alpaca walks!

Alpaca walks in Norfolk

Experiences of walking with alpacas Norfolk has to offer include Unicorn Alpaca Walks and  Hilly Ridge Alpacas which is an experience of alpaca walking Ipswich offers. Norfolk Alpacas and Burnt Fen Alpacas are also options. While in Norfolk, you might want to stop by Wells-next-the-Sea to enjoy the outstanding beauty of this lively harbour and make a day trip out of your special experience!

Alpaca walking Hampshire experiences –  New Forest National Park

There are quite a number of experiences of walking with alpacas Hampshire has to offer. All the experiences are New Forest alpaca walking experiences. If you search for walking alpacas Hampshire or alpaca walking New Forest, a lot of alpaca farms come up.  Below we have listed a few experiences that are well rated. 

• Hensting Alpacas:  Located in Otterbourne, Hampshire, Hensiting Alpacas is the perfect farm if you are looking for experiences of alpaca walking Portsmouth has to offer or alpaca walking Eastleigh is known for.  The farm offers morning walks along with afternoon walks. More information for booking here. 
• Petlake Farm: This farm offers alpaca walks from April to October with the possibility to walk one alpaca together or to walk one alpaca each. More information here.
• Slowhayes alpacas: This farm offers several experiences including one hour meet and greets with alpacas,  an afternoon tea with alpacas or a mindful walk with alpacas available from May to September. you can also combine the afternoon tea experience and the walk to double up on your alpaca time! More information here. 
• Sandy balls alpaca walk: The Sandy Balls Holiday Village in the New Forest National Park also offers the opportunity to walks alpacas. You can find more information here. 

Experiences of alpaca walking Northwich offers

Near Northwhich, you will find two alpaca walks experiences: 

• One is Great Budworth Alpaca Walking which offers 90 minute long walks with an alpaca on the lead and a tour of the other farm animals. 
• The other one is Cheshire Alpacas. In addition to walking with alpacas Cheshire Alpacas offer, you can also hire alpacas for your wedding, do educational visits and do Alpaca Pilates sessions!

Alpaca walking experiences near Manchester

There are several experiences of alpaca walking Manchester and the Manchester area have to offer:

• If you are looking for alpaca walking Southport has to offer, then try Natterjack Alpacas
• Holly Hagg farm Alpaca Walks: Located one hour from Manchester, this is one experience of walking alpacas Sheffield has to offer. You can take alpacas and llamas on a walk through the woodlands. More information here.
• White Peak alpaca farm: Located 40 minutes from Manchester in Cheshire, they offer walks with alpacas. More information here. 
• Walton gardens alpaca walk: Do you want to walk Jim or Topaz and learn more about alpacas from the rangers? Find out more here. 
• Alpaca walking Oakmere: Located 50 minutes from Manchester, this farm allows you to take your alpaca on a walk through the countryside. More information here. 

Alpaca walks near London

If you are visiting England, there is a good chance you are looking for walking with alpacas London, alpaca walking Bucks, alpaca walking Quex or even walking with alpacas Northamptonshire or alpaca walking Pennybridge. Here are a few alpaca walking farms in these locations: 

• Herrings Green Farm Alpaca Walk
• Alpaca Walking Spring Farm: Spring Farm Alpacas is a great one if you are wanting an alpaca walking Sussex experience 
• Northiam alpacas

Walking with Alpacas Kent County 

One of the most popular place to go walking with alpacas in Kent is Kenward Trust Alpaca Walk. They offer meet and greets and alpaca walks. Note though that during the busy season, you might have to share your alpaca as a team during the walk. 

Other alpaca farms in Kent include:

• Woodland View alpacas: They offer Quex Park alpaca walk experiences including alpaca trekking. 
• Lower Bush alpacas: From meet and greets to mindfulness experiences and walking with alpacas, Lower Bush Alpacas offers a range of activities for everyone. 
• Capstone Farm Alpacas: This farm offers alpaca trekking experiences that last 1h30 minutes and where you will be able to walk alpacas and take photos.

Experiences of walking with alpacas Lincolnshire offers

Alpaca walking Midlands experiences are popular! You can walk alpacas at Homefield alpacas, JandJ Alpacas or Big Sky alpacas. 

Alpaca walking Newcastle offers

Barnacre Alpacas offers at least one hour long walks with alpacas. The walks are gentle and through the countryside.

Near Bristol

40 minutes from Bristol, you will find Cotswold Alpaca Walking experiences. While you are in the area, take some time to visit some of the Cotswolds best villages! From fairytale like Bibury to the Venice of the Cotswolds, you will definitely remember your trip here!

One hour from Bristol, you will find Warminster Alpaca Walking experiences.

Alpaca walks in Lake District

You might be looking for a walk with alpacas Lake District has to offer. Whether you are searching for walking with alpacas Cumbria or alpaca walking Windermere or simply walking alpacas in the lakes, we got you covered with the following:

• Bardsea alpacas
• Spring Meadows Alpacas walking
• Alpacaly Ever After

Looking for experiences of alpaca walking Swindon or alpaca walking Dauntsey offer?

You might be disappointed. Lane House is an alpaca farm but unfortunately Lane House alpaca walking is not available. Near Swindon, Honeyfield Alpacas is a breeding farm and you cannot walk alpacas there. 

Alpaca walks near Birmingham

In this section we have included experiences that you would be interested in if you are searching for walking with alpacas Leicester, walking with alpacas Loughborough, alpaca walking Charnwood forest, charnwood forest alpacas or walking with alpacas Derbyshire.

Anstey Alpacas and Pine Tree Alpacas are two farms that offer alpaca walks near Birmingham. Pukka Pacas is an experience of alpaca walking Ashby offers and so is going on an alpaca walk Charnwood offers. Lucky Tails Alpaca Walk is also close to Birmingham. 

Walking with alpacas Essex

In addition to Hilly Ridge (as mentioned above), Yew Tree alpacas and Madash Alpacas are farms where you can walk alpacas in Essex. 

Cresswell alpaca walking

Hemscott Hill Farm is the only place to go on alpaca walks Cresswell has to offer but also one of the most beautiful ones in the UK as you are right by the beach and therefore benefit from some of the most stunning views. 

Walking with alpacas Yorkshire

Beacon Alpaca Walks and Sheriff Alpaca Experience are two farms where you can walk alpacas in Yorkshire with your partner. 

Alpaca walking Dorchester

Experiences of walking with alpacas Dorset offers are popular and include a two hour walk with alpacas. You can also celebrate birthdays here. 

Alpaca Walking Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor Llama Walks offers both llamas and alpacas walks in the Dartmoor National Park in Devon. 

Alpaca walking Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia Alpacas is a family-run farm which offers walks in the rural wales.

Alpaca walks near Poole

Hope Farm Alpaca Walking is located near Poole in the south of England and offers walks with alpacas. You can of course feed them as well. The farm also works with rescue alpacas and other animals which you can visit as well. 

Walking with alpacas in the USA

Texas, California and Virginia all offers few experience of walking with alpacas as we have set out below. 

Alpaca walks in Texas

There are 7747 alpacas in Texas out of 192761 alpacas registered with the Alpaca Owner’s Association in the USA. Walking with alpacas near texas and in Texas is possible at the following farms:

• Walk a Paca at TX-Ture Farm in Aubrey Texas for 90 mintutes 
• Shangrillama: Located 40 minutes from Dallas, this farm offers alpaca walks from April to November 
• Aubrey Oak Alpacas Farm: You can visit the ranch and go on a bit of a walk with the alpacas. 

Walking with alpacas near California

• Old Mill Alpacas offers alpaca treks or tours all year long including in the snow! Walks are about 60 minute long. 
• Canzelle allows you to visit the alpaca ranch.
• Loomis Alpacas can organise farm visits by appointment.
• Adorable Alpacas organises ranch visits as well. 

Alpaca farms in Virginia 

An alpaca walk Virginia offers is at Point of View Alpaca Farm Virginia. Other Alpaca farms in VA include Applewood llama trekking and Meadow Gate Alpacas. Meadow Gate Alpacas is an alpaca farm in Virginia that also offers alpaca therapy, photo sessions and farm visits. 

Walking with alpacas in Ontario, Canada

To walk alpacas in Ontario, you can go to:

• S.A.M.Y’s alpaca farm
• Haute Goat Farm
• Maple Hill Urban Farm 

While in Ontario, don’t forget to visit more of the province and stunning sceneries it has to offer. For example, the Kelso Lavender Farm in Campbellville is a beautiful place to discover lavender fields without crowds of tourists.

Walking with alpacas in Australia

You can choose an alpaca farm Victoria, Australia has to offer for walking alpacas between: 

• Omaru: You can visit the farm, feed the alpacas, see babies, and come for a picnic;
• Alternative View: You can come for alpaca walks of 45 minutes.

Any questions on walking with alpacas? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.