We hope that visiting our alpacas is a very enjoyable experience for you.  But it’s important to remember that contact with farm animals carries a risk of infection because of the microorganisms – or germs – they naturally carry.

There have been incidences of illnesses associated with petting/animal farms, which serve as a reminder for anyone that washing hands thoroughly after contact with the animals or equipment is very important.

You must wash your hands with the soap and water provided after handling the animals or have been in their surroundings – particularly before eating.   Although we can avoid obvious dirt, there will be millions of invisible bacteria spread all around the farm which can get onto your hands.  Germs are mostly transmitted from hand to mouth.

It is important not to rely solely on hand gels and wipes for protection, because these are not suitable against the sort of germs found on farms. Children and vulnerable people should also be closely supervised to ensure they wash their hands properly, as they are more at risk of serious illness.

We hope that by being aware of the risks of infection and making sure you wash your hands thoroughly,  you can help to avoid illness and enjoy a fun day out.

This activity is not suitable for people who are pregnant.

As already mentioned, alpacas are herd animals and so when introduced to large open spaces, obstacles, new people or new challenges they may be startled and this may set off the others in the same way.  The best way to deal with the situation is to remain quiet and calm, let the moment pass and they will soon settle down.

Alpacas behave differently in a field to being on a halter.  When on a halter, alpacas will normally allow you into their space and with a degree of calmness.  They will allow you to touch their neck but they do not like you stroking their heads especially near the eyes and will quickly shy away.

Never touch the rump of your alpaca or any other, although it may be necessary for a handler to do so if encouraging an alpaca to move out of danger.

Your alpaca like any other animal will feed off your behaviour.  If you are calm this will feed back to the alpaca.

Just so you know, alpacas may need a toilet break!  If one alpaca goes to the toilet, the rest may copy!  If this happens, we just wait until they have finished doing what they need to do before moving on.

Your lead has a knot 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, but should have two hands on the lead at all times.

You should never let the alpaca lead in front of you as you may be kicked.  The moorland path is narrow and so you will need to lead the alpaca from the front. In more open spaces, it is better to lead your alpaca from the right hand side.

If you are in danger of falling or being dragged, drop the lead. However if you are dealing with a passing car or other danger, you need to make a judgement between your safety and that of other people and the alpacas.  The Trekking Guide will give advice in these situations.

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.

Please do not allow the alpacas to eat any vegetation while trekking in case what they eat is poisonous.  We will encounter Bracken on the trek which is poisonous to alpacas, so please do not let them eat it.

We don’t encourage the alpacas to eat treats whilst trekking to avoid bad habits forming.  We do however treat them to a snack when we stop for refreshments, and when we get back to base.

We do spend a couple of minutes on a small country road to get onto the bridleway.  If we meet a car, the alpacas will be led onto the grass verge with bottoms facing inwards!  Unless the car will wait for us to pass safely.

The bridleway across the moor is mostly flat but rough underfoot.  There are loose stones and some mud, puddles and streams to negotiate.  There are also two pairs of kissing gates to go through.  The alpacas have experience of this route and going through the gates, but it is important not to get too close to other alpacas whilst negotiating these obstacles.

There is plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy along the route and there will be an opportunity to take photos along the way.

Our trip across the moor will take us to our refreshment stop where you and your alpaca can rest up and enjoy a drink and a delicious homemade snack.  If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking.

You must always wash your hands after handling the alpacas.

We will also take this opportunity to have a chat about alpacas and answer any questions or queries you might have.

The weather in the Peak District is very unpredictable.  Depending on the time of year you will need to protect yourself from sun, rain, wind, cold and insects.

Please wear sturdy footwear.  Please do not attend wearing open toed sandals, shoes with heels or fashion footwear.  Your shoes are likely to get dirty!  Be prepared to walk for 40 minutes to 1 hour each way.

This route is not suitable for people with disabilities, buggies, mobility scooters or wheelchair users, small children or children being carried.

Please do not bring an umbrella or carry large pieces of photographic equipment.

We do provide bespoke experiences to suit all, so please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Horses can get spooked by alpacas. In the worst case they may bolt or rear causing harm to the rider.  The trekking guide will provide advice at the time of the best course of action to take, hopefully in agreement with the horse rider.

Our alpacas have been trained with our dog and so are used to him, and he to them.  But there may be other dogs walking on the moor that have never seen an alpaca before.  We hope the dog’s owner will take control of the dog and the trek will pull into the side to allow the dog and owner to pass safely.

Sheep graze on the open moorland and can be hidden by the heather.  If the alpaca sees movement, it may cause the alpaca to jump.  If this happens, keep hold of the alpaca if possible and wait for the alpaca to assess the situation.  Hopefully, all will be well.  This also may apply if a pheasant or other bird pops up suddenly.

Remember! NOT to have the lead wrapped around your hand, and if the alpaca bolts and you are in danger, LET GO of the lead!

We need to be respectful of all bridleway users.  Where possible, the trek will pull over and allow the pedestrian or cyclist to pass or for us to pass them.  Mostly people are very happy to see the alpacas, but we must be mindful of the people that may not want to see them!

You need to be alert and in charge of your alpaca at all times. SO, please ensure that your phones are on silent throughout the trek, and please refrain from using your phone until we reach a suitable stopping place, the refreshment point, or finish the trek.

As the path across the moor is so narrow, we respectfully ask that you wait until it is safe for everyone to stop before getting out your phones or cameras to take pictures.  There will be a couple of opportunities along the route and when we stop for refreshments.

Once we are all back in the field and the gates are closed you will be instructed how to remove your alpaca’s halter. Please do not release your alpaca until you are advised to do so.  This is also a time you may wish to take more photos and treat your new furry friend.

Please wash your hands after your walk at the hand washing facilities point, and use the sanitising gel afterwards.