There’s something utterly magical about alpacas. Perhaps it’s their gentle nature, their curious eyes, or the way they hum softly as they walk beside you. At Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, our Alpaca Trek Experience invites you to step into the serene world of these enchanting animals and discover the joy of trekking through the beautiful Kent countryside with an alpaca companion by your side.
Why the Alpaca Trek is Unforgettable
Alpacas are among the most gentle, calming animals you’ll ever meet. Originally from the high Andes of South America, these intelligent creatures have captured hearts around the world with their soft fleece, inquisitive personalities, and peaceful presence. Our alpaca residents at Eagle Heights are no exception—they’re friendly, well-socialised, and absolutely love their treks through the countryside.
The Alpaca Trek combines the therapeutic benefits of spending time with animals, the physical and mental rewards of outdoor exercise, and the beauty of the Kent landscape into one unforgettable experience. It’s mindfulness in motion, adventure with a gentle soul, and a memory you’ll treasure forever.
What’s Included in Your Alpaca Trek?
Your Own Alpaca Companion
The heart of this experience is the alpaca you’ll be paired with for your trek. Each of our alpacas has their own distinct personality—some are confident leaders who stride ahead, others are more contemplative and prefer a leisurely pace. Some are curious and will stop to investigate interesting plants or views, whilst others are focused trekkers who know exactly where they’re going.
Our experienced handlers will match you with an alpaca that suits your personality and experience level. You’ll be given a lead rope and shown how to walk with your alpaca companion, and then you’re off—exploring the countryside together as a team.
Walking with an alpaca is unlike any other animal experience. They’re calm and steady, their presence is soothing, and there’s something deeply satisfying about moving through nature at their pace, seeing the world from their perspective. You’ll quickly develop a bond with your alpaca, and many visitors tell us they find the experience genuinely therapeutic.
A Guided Trek Through the Kent Countryside
Your trek is led by our knowledgeable handlers who know the area intimately. They’ll share insights about the local landscape, point out wildlife and plants of interest, tell you fascinating facts about alpacas, and ensure you’re comfortable and confident throughout your walk around the Foundation.
The pace is gentle and relaxed—this isn’t a race! It’s an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the restorative power of nature and animal companionship. In our fast-paced world, the Alpaca Trek offers something increasingly rare: time to simply be present.
Learn About Alpacas
Throughout your trek, you’ll learn all about these fascinating animals. Our handlers will share insights into alpaca behaviour, communication, and care. You’ll discover how alpacas communicate through body language and humming sounds, what they eat, how their fleece is used, and why they’re such special animals.
You’ll learn about their origins in the Andes, where they’ve been domesticated for thousands of years and are prized for their incredibly soft fleece. You’ll understand their social structure—alpacas are herd animals who thrive on companionship. You’ll discover their quirks and preferences, and you’ll come to appreciate why they’ve become so beloved around the world.
This isn’t just a walk—it’s an educational experience that deepens your connection to the natural world and broadens your understanding of animal behaviour and welfare.
Complimentary General Admission to Eagle Heights
As with all our experiences, complimentary general admission to Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is included with your Alpaca Trek. This means you can arrive any time from when we open and stay until closing if you wish. You’re not restricted to just your trek time!
Make a full day of it: enjoy your Alpaca Trek, then explore our grounds and meet our 50+ other animal residents including over 30 rescued huskies, meerkats, and more than 20 species of birds of prey. Watch our spectacular flying demonstrations featuring eagles, owls, and falcons, grab lunch or refreshments at our tearoom, and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. The whole day is yours to enjoy.
The Practical Details
Who Can Participate: The Alpaca Trek is suitable for ages 16 and over. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This makes it perfect for older teenagers and adults looking for a unique, peaceful outdoor experience.
Fitness Level: A reasonable level of fitness is required for this experience. The trek involves walking through countryside terrain including fields and potentially uneven ground. You should be comfortable walking for an an hour at a steady pace. If you have any concerns about the physical demands, please contact us before booking and we’ll be happy to discuss the route with you.
Duration: The trek typically lasts around 1 hour, depending on pace and conditions. With your included general admission, you can easily turn this into a half-day or full-day visit.
Group Size: We require all Alpaca Trek experiences to be booked for two participants at a time. This allows us to maintain an intimate, quality experience whilst ensuring our alpacas receive the attention and care they deserve. Small groups mean a more personal experience, more time to connect with your alpaca, and better opportunities to ask questions and learn.
Timing: Alpaca Treks run at 11am and 1pm on weekends and selected weekdays throughout the year. We recommend booking well in advance to secure your preferred date and time slot.
Booking: All experiences must be booked in advance—we cannot accommodate on-site bookings. Vouchers are valid for 12 months, giving you plenty of flexibility to choose the perfect date.
Pricing: £79 for two participants—exceptional value for a guided alpaca trek plus full-day access to Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation.
What to Wear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots are essential. Dress appropriately for the weather and season—layers are always a good idea in the British countryside! Bring water for yourself, and we’ll provide everything your alpaca companion needs.
Weather: Alpaca Treks run in most weather conditions, as alpacas are hardy animals adapted to the Andean climate. However, in extreme weather (heavy storms, snow, or very high winds), we may need to reschedule for safety reasons. We’ll contact you in advance if this is necessary.
Why Choose the Alpaca Trek?
It’s Therapeutic and Calming
In our increasingly stressful world, the Alpaca Trek offers something precious: peace. There’s extensive research showing that spending time with animals reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves mental well-being. Alpacas, with their gentle nature and calming presence, are particularly therapeutic.
Walking through beautiful countryside with an alpaca by your side is a form of moving meditation. Your mind slows down, your breathing deepens, and you become present in the moment. It’s mindfulness without trying—the alpaca, the landscape, and the rhythm of walking naturally bring you into a state of calm awareness.
Many visitors tell us the Alpaca Trek was exactly what they needed—a break from screens, deadlines, and the constant demands of modern life. It’s a chance to reset, recharge, and remember what really matters.
It’s Perfect for Animal Lovers
If you love animals, the Alpaca Trek offers a unique opportunity to spend quality time with these enchanting creatures. Unlike a quick photo opportunity or viewing from a distance, this is a genuine connection—you’re walking together, communicating through gentle cues, and experiencing the world as a team.
Alpacas are curious, intelligent, and surprisingly affectionate once they get to know you. You’ll be charmed by their soft humming, their inquisitive noses, and the way they look at you with those big, soulful eyes. It’s a connection that stays with you long after the trek ends.
It’s Suitable for Older Teens and Adults
At 16+, the Alpaca Trek is perfect for older teenagers and adults looking for a more sophisticated animal experience. It’s ideal for couples seeking a unique date, friends wanting to try something different together, or parents and older teens looking for a shared adventure.
The age requirement ensures participants can handle the responsibility of leading an alpaca and can appreciate the more contemplative, mindful nature of the experience. It’s not about high-energy thrills—it’s about connection, presence, and gentle adventure.
It’s Great Exercise Without Feeling Like Work
The Alpaca Trek gets you moving, breathing fresh air, and enjoying the physical benefits of walking—but it doesn’t feel like exercise because you’re too engaged with your alpaca companion and the beautiful surroundings. It’s fitness that’s genuinely enjoyable, which makes it sustainable and rewarding.
It’s a Unique Gift Experience
Searching for a special gift for someone who has everything? The Alpaca Trek is the kind of experience that creates lasting memories. It’s thoughtful, it’s unique, and it’s so much more meaningful than material possessions. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or simply showing someone you care.
You’re Supporting Conservation and Animal Welfare
Every penny from your Alpaca Trek goes directly towards the care of our animal residents and our conservation work. We’re a non-profit dedicated to wildlife education, conservation, and providing affordable outdoor activities. When you book an experience with us, you’re not just treating yourself—you’re supporting our mission to protect animals and raise environmental awareness.
We’ve successfully reintroduced Common Buzzards and Barn Owls to the local area, we maintain our grounds chemical-free, we’ve planted 100 native trees, and we work closely with conservation organisations. Your booking makes all of this possible.
It’s Exceptional Value
At £79 for two participants, the Alpaca Trek offers outstanding value. You get a guided trek with your own alpaca companion, expert guidance throughout, educational insights about these fascinating animals, and full-day access to Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation including flying demonstrations and all our other residents. It’s a complete day out for less than the cost of many single activities.
What Our Visitors Say
The Alpaca Trek consistently receives glowing reviews. Visitors describe it as “absolutely magical,” “so peaceful and calming,” and “the highlight of our visit.” Many people comment on how therapeutic they found the experience, and how connected they felt to their alpaca companion.
Couples tell us it’s the perfect date—active but not exhausting, unique but not gimmicky, romantic but not clichéd. Friends describe it as a brilliant bonding experience. Solo visitors appreciate the chance to enjoy nature and animal companionship without feeling alone.
There’s something about walking with an alpaca that brings out smiles, laughter, and a sense of childlike wonder. It’s impossible not to fall in love with these gentle creatures.
Meet Our Alpaca Family
Our alpaca residents are a wonderful group, each with their own personality and quirks. Some are confident and outgoing, always first to greet visitors. Others are more reserved, taking their time to assess new people before deciding you’re worthy of their attention. Some are playful and curious, whilst others are dignified and serene.
What they all share is a gentle nature and a love of their treks. They know the routes, they enjoy the exercise and mental stimulation, and they genuinely seem to enjoy the company of their human walking partners. Our handlers know each alpaca intimately and will share their individual stories and personalities with you during your trek.
Planning Your Visit
Eagle Heights is located in the beautiful Kent countryside at Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, DA4 0JB. We’re just five minutes from the Swanley Interchange, making us easily accessible by car. If you’re travelling by public transport, Eynsford train station is a 1.4-mile walk away (though be warned, there’s a steep hill!). Local taxi services are available with advance booking.
We’re open daily from 10:30am to 5pm between April and September, and Friday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm between October and March. Your Alpaca Trek will take place at either 11am or 1pm depending on availability, but with complimentary general admission included, you can arrive when we open and stay until closing.
We recommend arriving early to explore Eagle Heights before your trek, or staying afterwards to enjoy the flying demonstrations and meet our other residents. Either way, you’ll have plenty of time to make the most of your visit.
Don’t forget your camera—you’ll want to capture the joy on your face as you walk with your alpaca companion through the beautiful Kent countryside!
Your Adventure Awaits
The Alpaca Trek at Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is more than just a walk—it’s a journey into calm, a connection with a gentle soul, and an experience that nourishes your spirit. Whether you’re seeking peace, adventure, animal connection, or simply something wonderfully different, this is your invitation to discover the magic of alpacas.
The countryside is calling. Our alpacas are ready to walk with you. All that’s missing is you.
Book your Alpaca Trek here and prepare for a gentle adventure you’ll never forget. Your alpaca companion is waiting.
