Walks & Bookings

BOOKING YOUR WALK

Voucher enquiries

Please see "voucher page" for details of purchase and redemptions

Accompanying people
To avoid disappointment at the venue.

To ensure the Alpacas are not swamped by people, numbers are restricted.

For Health and Safety requirements , we need visitor / staff ratios to be adequate for the numbers attending .

This is to ensure there are not numerous excess people milling around the Alpacas on the walk.

Numbers are restricted and unexpected people or people wanting to walk with you, but not lead an alpaca etc, will not be able to accompany you I am afraid .

Bookings are available from.
Wednesday to Sunday.

Each walker will have their own alpaca.

Unlike other venues, we do not require walkers to share an alpaca , this enhances the experience for both the walker and the Alpaca.

Bookings can be made online.

Please read the info on our site ,we know its long and you are busy .

It will however possibly save you money or embarrassment

Please make sure you enter your correct email address ,how many children (If any)and their ages.

If you do not receive a confirmation email, after you have made your booking. The booking has not gone through properly.

Wed - Sun 0900 - 1200

Walking Information

Walks are at 10:00 am only

Walkers must arrive before the health and safety talk given at 0950 am.

No dogs allowed on site

Dunreyth Alpacas try to personalise their walks rather than have large groups ,unless these have been specifically booked .

Each walker will have their own alpaca
This is to maximise the experience for the Hoooman.
This also allows the Alpaca to relax in your company .

Two people sharing one alpaca is not an option.

Cost

The cost is £25 per Alpaca.

We are still one of the least expensive Alpaca Walks company .

Not only were we the first to offer this delightful experience in the UK ,our price has remained the same over 16 years.

Arrival

Please arrive *at least 15 mins* prior to your booked time at 10AM for the H&S briefing.

Unfortunately, if you miss this you cannot take part in the walk .

The walk heads out at 10am promptly

Please inform us if you are running late so we can assess whether it is possible to wait.

Young Children walking with an Alpaca

Children 6 years and over are welcome to walk an alpaca,

No children under six years old are allowed out on the walks .

All children must be well behaved and calm at all times due to the alpacas nervous disposition.
Groups of Children , require one adult only as a responsible person to walk with them .

The Walk

Participants must be able to walk unaided and have good balance, the terrain is very uneven and can be slippery. No babies carried or in slings are allowed on the walk as an obvious H&S hazard

It is up to you to judge your fitness to take part .

The walk takes approx. 60 min . We take a track through woods to a view point and then retrace back to the start point.(Please be aware .It is an uneven surface an not suitable for anyone with mobility or balance difficulties)

The length of time of the walk is dependent on the speed the Alpacas walk, you will then be invited to see our shop and finished garments made from our own Alpacas .

Inclement weather

We do walk in the rain if safe to do so. If it is extreme weather we will rebook the walk.

Sensible, sturdy footwear is essential. In wet weather suitable wet weather gear advised.

Dunreyth Alpacas has taken all the required precautions to comply with government guidelines to ensure a safe environment on site .

Hand Washing

All groups/Individuals will be directed to group specific hand washing stations .

All animals carry bacteria and handwashing after your visit, is an essential part of good hygiene.

Cancellations/reduction in party numbers

*If you change the date of your booking , an admin fee of £2.50 per person will be charged. Should you cancel/reduce the numbers of your booking at short notice i.e. less than 48 hrs. Or you miss the walk due to being late You will lose any payment/voucher

Should Dunreyth Alpacas cancel your booking due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances then an alternative walk will be offered via a voucher valid for 12 months .
Please take note to avoid disappointment at the venue

Accompanying people

Numbers are restricted and unexpected people will not be able to accompany you.

We are not allowed signs to our site.

We are not part of Adsdean farm

Please do not call into the big house, we are just beyond it.

Post walk drinks/meals can be had at the Barleymow pub in Walderton

https://thebarleymow.pub/

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Understanding alpacas

Alpacas are largely confident and curious while out walking and will enjoy looking around and meeting people. They take most things in their stride but they don’t like confined spaces and may need some time and encouragement to deal with strange obstructions. Sometimes if one of us slips or breaks a twig it can startle one alpaca which startles the others, so be on the lookout for them making sudden movements and just stay stable and calm. They will soon settle down.

When free in the field alpacas will back off if you try to touch them as they are making sure they won’t get caught.

Once they are haltered and on a lead they give up their need to avoid you and will walk happily beside you. You may be able to lightly touch the neck but this is infringing their space so it isn’t polite to try it too often. Likewise an alpaca should respect your space and not nudge or nibble you. Never touch the rump, although our experienced handlers may do so to encourage an alpaca to move out of danger.

Alpacas are herd animals – they believe in sticking close together for safety. If one gets left behind he may start to run to catch up. For the safety of the people at the back, the front party needs to stop and wait if a gap opens up between the alpacas

Your guide will be aware of the situation and act accordingly.

If you drop the lead your alpaca will stay in the group and not run off unless very alarmed. We can then pick up the lead and carry on.

They trust us to be good, calm, confident leaders.

Leading Techniques

Your lead has a loop at the end. This makes sure it doesn’t pull out of your hand.

Do not wrap the lead around your hand – you need to be able to drop it quickly if you are in danger.

Alpacas don’t like a tight lead or being dragged. You can encourage them forward using short ratchet movements: pull – release – pull – release. Give them time to work out new situations.

Most of the time you should keep the lead loose and you may hold it with just one hand at the end.

When you need more control, place your second hand on the lead, about 8 inches from the alpaca’s head.

If you are in danger of falling or being dragged, drop the lead. Watch out for the lead rope getting wrapped round your alpaca’s neck. If this happens, hold the end of the rope and manoeuvre yourself around the alpaca so you are back on the right side.

Terrain

The walk can be steep in places with rough paths, loose stones and some mud. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to walk for about an hour.

This is a walk in rough terrain along a track to a viewpoint. We can tailor the walk to suit most people’s abilities.

It is not suitable for buggies, very young children or people with mobility difficulties .

Horses

Horses get spooked by strange things like alpacas. In the worst case they may bolt or rear causing harm to the rider.

Our policy is to move the alpacas well off the track into the woodland to let them pass.

Dogs

Everyone is asked to keep a look out for dogs and alert the group. If we see people approach and they have a dog we ask them to put the dog on a lead. Position the alpacas well into the side of the path if the dog is loose. Most dogs act cautiously but can always turn aggressive despite owner’s proclamations to the contrary.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

No dangers here, but we need to be respectful. For cyclists we step to the side of the track to allow them to pass easily. For pedestrians we look for signs that they are wary of the alpacas and again keep out of the way. If pedestrians show an interest we will stop to talk. This is a nice way to brighten up someone’s day and good manners.

Cameras

Taking photos is part of the experience so feel free to snap away during the walk or at the viewpoint.

Back in the field

Please don’t detach the lead from your Alpaca. A handler will take the Alpaca from you and release it into the field.

Please wash your hands after your walk. Hand wash facilities are available on site in the Grey Barn, which will be pointed out to you.