Wanderlight Alpaca Experience plans ‘mystery agri-tourism’ addition to guided walks with alpacas

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Clues, puzzles, maps and a mysterious case of missing alpacas.

It’s a novel idea to say the least — and Katie Jackson is jumping at the chance to make it a reality.

Jackson is the owner and operator of Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, a unique operation that allows guests to embark on guided walks led by alpacas.

Launched in 2020, the business is based on Jackson’s family farm in Douro-Dummer Township. After moving to the property years ago when Jackson started her own family, she began harvesting crops to sell at local markets. Half a decade later, Jackson knew the fertile land could offer more.

She saw 160 acres of pure potential.

Instead of opting to buy expensive equipment to grow crops and take the traditional farming route, Jackson decided to follow the advice of a friend, choosing to take on more of an unorthodox approach to harness the land’s potential. She learned of a business that was offering patrons guided walks with the long-necked affable animals.

“I’d never heard of such a thing. But it planted the seed of the idea,” Jackson recalled.

Soon, she was researching how to acquire and care for alpacas.

“I thought, you know what? It’s a great idea. I’m going to try it.”

With the help of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre‘s Starter Plus Company program, provided by Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) — Jackson participated in the course in March 2020 and successfully pitched her business plan, earning a grant to help launch the venture — she did just that.

Now, Jackson’s farm is now home to 13 alpacas — Puck, Q, Heaven and Briar to name a few — and Wanderlight Alpaca Experience has welcomed scores of guests who routinely remark on how “relaxing” and “therapeutic” the short yet impactful journey is.

“It’s been a really special experience to be able to share that with people,” reflected Jackson.

Last fall, Jackson teamed up with Peterborough Youth Services, embarking on a 12-week animal-assisted trauma therapy program led by a professional therapist. Jackson hopes to bring the program back in the spring of 2024.

Wanderlight Alpaca Experience is a success.

But, again, Jackson knew she could tap into even more potential.

That’s why she participated in the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Spark Mentorships and Grants Program, a joint effort from the Tourism Innovation Lab and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism.

Applicants submitted their new tourism ideas last month before five finalists were invited to present virtual pitches on Tuesday to a panel of judges.

Jackson unveiled her idea to take the alpaca experience to new heights.

Her one-of-a-kind idea is to add “mystery agri-tourism” and a “culinary experience.”

With Wanderlight Alpaca Mystery, the idea is to invite guests to crack the case of “stolen” alpacas by solving puzzles and following a series of clues. Once the animal has been tracked down, patrons-turned detectives will then embark on the guided walk portion of the experience. To top it off, alpacas will lead their trail companions back to the main farm site, where a picnic featuring locally-sourced food and drink will be waiting.

Jackson’s pitch earned her $3,000 in seed grant funds, along with a series of upcoming business mentorship sessions.

Jackson, who works diligently to ensure the farm’s natural beauty is preserved, plans to make the mystery experience a zero-waste operation.

The idea was inspired by a trip to Millbrook’s Escape Maze.

Jackson has spoken with the operators, who install custom escape mazes, courses and rooms, and she hopes to get the new addition to her alpaca-led experience up and running by late fall of this year.

Visits are booked by appointment only online at wanderlightalpaca.ca

Spark winners included Connor McIlveen and Glyne Pease of Shamrock Acres, and Wildflower Bakery’s Scott Williams.

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