Two happy trekkers standing between their two llamas

"Top ten in the world" activity for animal lovers — BootsnAll

Walk the Kaikōura coast
with your own llama

Small guided treks to the seal colony and the Kowhai River — mountain views, local stories, and the friendliest walking companions in New Zealand.

Book Your Trek See the Treks

4.8 from 108 Google reviews

A half-day trek in one minute

Bay, beaches, seal colony and the picnic — from the Kaikoura Llama Trekking YouTube channel.

Choose your trek

Two ways to meet the llamas

Guided group leading llamas with saddle bags along a Kaikōura beach Most popular

Half-day Llama Trek

Kaikōura Bay, beaches, boardwalk, seal colony & picnic

  • About 3.5 hours — around 2.5 hours of easy, flat walking with a picnic break
  • Meets 9:30 am & 1:30 pm at the clock tower, West End car park, town centre
  • Your own llama with saddle bags, plus a guide the whole way
  • Seal colony, Peninsula Walkway sections and mountain views
  • Free picnic with cake and a hot drink
Prices per person
Adults (14+)$189
Children 7–13 · own llama$119
Kids 4–6 · shared llama$79
Babies 0–3 · carriedFree
Group of 4 adults$636
Book Half-day Trek
Llama grazing beside the track on a trek Short on time?

One-hour Taster Trek

Kowhai riverbank & native woodland

  • About 1.5 hours total — a relaxed one-hour walk
  • Meets 10:30 am & 2:30 pm at Kaikoura Farm Park, 12 Kowhai Ford Rd
  • Your own llama and an experienced guide
  • Native woodland and riverbank in the shadow of Mt Fyffe
  • Easy, flat, mostly stone tracks — wheelchair friendly
Prices per person
Adults (14+)$99
Children 7–13 · own llama$69
Kids 4–6 · shared llama$49
Babies 0–3 · carriedFree
Group of 4 adults$349
Book Taster Trek

Want the llamas to yourselves? Groups of up to four can add the Exclusive option for $50 per person, paid at check-in (cash on the Half-day Trek) — for five or more trekkers it's free. Subject to no other bookings on your trek; just mention EXCLUSIVE in the comments when you book. Maximum eight llamas per trek.

White llama in a red halter looking out over the Kaikōura shoreline
Every trekker gets their own llama

The experience

More than a walk in beautiful scenery

  • You get your own llama

    Every trek starts with a personal introduction to the herd — then you choose your llama and lead them yourself for the whole walk.

  • A guide who knows every animal

    Llama behaviour, local history and Kaikōura earthquake stories — ask anything along the way. Guests mention the commentary in review after review.

  • Kaikōura, the slow way

    Seal colony, peninsula boardwalks, native woodland and riverbed — always with the Seaward Kaikōura Range on the horizon.

  • Genuinely family friendly

    Babies trek free (borrow a baby backpack), little kids can share your llama, and the Taster route is wheelchair friendly.

What trekkers say

4.8 from 108 Google reviews

“I did the 1 hour trek and we absolutely loved it! I walked Pegasus who was very well-behaved, relaxed and friendly. Kevin was a great guide who was very knowledgable and took some great photos of us! Really recommend to anyone it’s a wonderful experience!”

Phoebe W · Google review

“Had a great time on an overcast but pleasant Kaikoura morning, walking from the pier to the seal colony and back listening to (our guide) Kevin’s stories alongside Hero and Joey, our llama friends for the day. A fabulous way to spend a morning. Highly recommended.”

Daniel Smith · Google review

“We loved doing the 1 hour taster trek! Lyric and Smokey were so lovely and it was surprisingly relaxing. Kevin is very knowledgeable and a great host. We just wished we’d had more time to be able to do the 4 hour trek. We hope to be back!”

Chantelle Cornick · Google review

Read all 108 reviews on Google →

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Do I ride the llama?

No — llamas aren't ridden. You walk side by side, leading your own llama on a lead, which is exactly what makes the experience so relaxing.

How fit do I need to be?

Both treks are easy, flat walking. The Half-day Trek is two walks of roughly 1 hour 20 minutes with a picnic break in between, with some rocky sections. The Taster Trek is mostly stone tracks and is wheelchair friendly.

What should I bring?

Camera, waterproofs and a warm layer just in case, plus strong enclosed footwear (walking shoes or trainers — no open sandals). On the Half-day Trek your llama carries saddle bags, but space is limited; on the Taster Trek you carry what you bring — and you'll want two hands free for your llama's lead.

Can children come along?

Absolutely — it's a family favourite. Babies (0–3) trek free and are carried (two baby backpacks are free to borrow — please book ahead). Kids 4–6 share an adult's llama at the kids rate. Children 7–13 pay the children's rate and can have their own llama — though for the youngest we recommend sharing yours. From 14 it's the adult rate.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

Treks still run in light wind and light rain. In heavy rain we don't trek — we'll do our best to move you to another day, and if that's not possible you'll receive a refund.

There are only one or two of us — can we still book?

The usual minimum is two adults, but get in touch anyway — combining with another group is often possible, and the more notice, the more likely it works out.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel 4+ days before: full refund. Within 3 days: a $20 admin fee applies. Within 24 hours: 50% of your payment. No-show: full amount. If we have to cancel for any reason, you're refunded 100%.

How do I pay?

Book and pay online with a credit card. Prefer cash, EFTPOS, PayPal or NZ bank transfer? Contact us directly and we'll sort it out.

Find us

Meeting points & contact

Half-day Trek meets

The small clock tower, main car park, West End
(opposite the Council Offices), Kaikōura town centre

Get directions →

Taster Trek meets

Kaikoura Farm Park
12 Kowhai Ford Road, Kaikōura
(plenty of parking)

Get directions →

Contact

03 319 5033
admin@llamatrekking.co.nz

Treks run daily, morning and afternoon
(weather permitting).

Booking confirmed? You'll receive detailed joining instructions by email. Happy to shuffle start times around your other Kaikōura plans — just call.