Alpaca Trekking FAQ

We often get asked the same questions about our alpaca walks by our farm visitors so we thought we'd answer them here for anyone who's interested in joining us on a walk.

What do alpacas do in the wild?

Alpacas have never been wild, they are an entirely domesticated animal originating from the Altiplano in South America belonging to the species 'South American Camelids'. They were domesticated from their wilder cousins, the vicuña by the Inca some 6,000 years ago for their fleece.

What are they used for?

In their native homelands of the high Andes they are raised to provide milk, meat, pelts and fleece. They also have a deep spiritual significance to the people with whom they share their lives and are treated with a great deal of dignity and respect. The males also work alongside the llamas (pronounced yamas), their 'beasts of burden', to carry potatoes and manure to and from the fields.

At Hideaway Wood Farm we endeavour to offer our alpacas the same respect and dignity they deserve whilst also acknowledging them as working animals. We walk our alpacas, meditate with them, offer yoga classes amongst them, harvest their fleece, use and sell their dung as manure and work with them in Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Interventions for the wellbeing of particular in need individuals and groups.

Do you have to walk them?

Alpacas don't need walking but they enjoy the stimulation of leaving their paddock, meeting people and getting to explore the land foraging, rolling and scratching their legs and bellies in the long grass.

Do they like walking?

At Hideaway Wood Farm we use a handling and training style referred to as CameliDynamics and as part of that we offer our alpacas choice. If they don't want to come on the walk, they don't but the majority of our boys on the majority of days queue up at the fence line humming in anticipation of being taken out. One week we actually had to pause poo picking to take them on a walk because they were 'asking' so intently.

Alpacas are incredibly intelligent (you can even teach them tricks if that's your jam) and they enjoy a high level of interactions and stimulation to keep them well. Taking them out on walks supports their need to be active and engaged.

Do they have different personalities?

Completely different!

There are bold and confident alpacas, aloof ones, affectionate ones, shy ones, nervous ones, cheeky ones, playful ones... the list goes on!

Some of our boys walk with confidence and pace, others like to forage and graze the whole time, some are more nervous and vigilant than others but still 'ask' to come on the walks.

During our introductory talk we share some information about each animals temperament, behaviour and story which helps us to make a good match with their human handler. Time spent pairing in this way hugely impacts the quality of the walk and often allows people to feel connected to their chosen alpaca. Many people come back time and again to walk the animal they bonded with on a walk.

You can read more about our alpaca walks - we call it Alpaca Trekking as it is reminiscent of the role they play in the Andes - and book a trek here.

Carly x

Alpaca trek at Hideaway Wood Farm