Alpacas are one of the most fascinating animals, thanks in no small part to their expressive faces and incredibly soft fleece. While you may love seeing alpaca videos on social media, or yearn to have a hobby farm where you can have an alpaca of your own, there's nothing quite like spending some hands-on time with one of these intriguing creatures.
Kensington Prairie Farm in Langley, about an hour's drive from central Vancouver, is home to several alpacas, and you can tour the grounds while getting the chance to lead an alpaca along with you.
Called "alpaca walks," these intimate tours are pre-booked and last for about 30 minutes apiece. During the walk you'll be teamed up with an alpaca (up to two people per "halter" or lead) for a walk led by a farm employee. You'll get the chance to feed your alpaca, say hello to the other alpacas, and meet some of the other farm residents, like the chickens, cows, and pigs. Plus you'll come away with a wealth of knowledge about alpacas, like the mating sound the fellas make, or why alpacas don't give birth anytime but the morning.
Though their ultra-soft fleece - used for fibre for various products - makes snuggling an alpaca appealing, the truth is some alpacas can be more on the surly side. You'll be teamed up with a friendly alpaca, but also will get a rundown on the ways the alpaca likes to be touched, and other important behavioural notes. I got to check out Kensington with Wendy, a sweet alpaca who tried to steal a kiss or two from my son, who was doing the leading; she was enjoying her time with him because he's not quite as tall as she is, which makes an alpaca feel comfortable.
Once your alpaca walk is done and your new fleecy friend is back with her friends, you can head into the store to see the incredible array of products available for purchase. Kensington's owners work closely with artisans in Peru - the native home of alpacas - to create functional and decorative items, from ornaments to sweaters. Fibre from Kensington's alpaca herd is also available as wool for knitting. And, yes...they do have some food products made using alpaca meat, like sausages. Additionally, the farm store stocks things like fresh eggs, and products made by other local Langley producers and artisans.
If you aren't up for an alpaca walk, you can still visit the farm - but not touch the animals - with general admission visits or educational farm tours.
Alpaca Walks are $90 per halter, maximum two per halter, and must be booked in advance. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour start to prepare for the walk; if you miss the safety talk at the start, you will not be permitted to go on the tour.
Walks take 30 minutes and take place at 10 and 11 a.m. on Fridays and Sundays. Book your tour via e-mail: info@kpfarm.com.
Kensington Prairie Farm is located at 1736-248th St in Langley, B.C.
