Dochidol Alpaca Ranch

In the hills of Aewol-eup on Jeju, alpacas wander unhurriedly across wide fenced meadows. Dochidol Alpaca Ranch lets you see alpacas up close, feed them and walk with them.

Guests from the Andes

The ranch's alpacas were brought in from Australia. Alpacas are camelids native to the Andes of Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. They look like llamas but are smaller with thicker fleece, and live for about 20 years. They are calm and sociable, and an alpaca that knows you may even come when you call its name. When startled or threatened, though, they defend themselves by spitting, so do not push your face too close.

Animals on the meadow

• Alpacas: the stars of the ranch, kept free-range on the grassland. You can feed them and walk alongside them.
• Valais Blacknose sheep: a breed from the Valais region of Switzerland. Their face, ears and ankles are black, so from a distance they seem to have no face, hence the nickname "faceless sheep".
• Horses, ponies, sheep, goats and rabbits: a range of other animals live around the meadows. Sheep, despite their meek reputation, are stubborn and timid, but they have good memories and can tell apart the faces of other sheep and of people even years later.

The ranch sits next to Tongnamu Park, a lodging run by the same company. Seasonal flowers bloom across the forest-ringed meadows, which makes a loop of the walking paths pleasant even between animal encounters.

Things to do

• Poncho dress-up: in the activity house overlooking the ranch you can try on a poncho, the traditional garment of Peru, the alpacas' homeland, free of charge. Ponchos are worn inside the house only.
• Key ring workshop: a paid activity where you pick pendants and parts to make your own key ring.
• View café and gift shop: a small café looks out over the meadow, and the shop sells souvenirs such as dolls made from real alpaca fleece.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30). In winter hours shorten to 09:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00); the ranch's own information gives the winter period as either November or December to 14 February. It is open all year, but irregular closures are announced on the ranch's Instagram (@alpacalogpark).
• Admission: KRW 15,000 for adults, teenagers and children; KRW 12,000 for Jeju residents; KRW 7,500 for over-65s and visitors with disabilities. Under 24 months go free, and discounts require ID or proof.
• Getting there: driving is easiest. Whether you come from Jeju Airport or Jungmun, take Road 1135 (Pyeonghwa-ro), leave at the Wondong junction and head towards the Central Radio Management Office for about 1.2 km. Search for "도치돌목장" or "도치돌알파카목장" in your navigation app. There is a car park.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours with the animals, activities and café.
• With children: under-14s must be accompanied by an adult. Pushchairs for babies under 24 months can be borrowed free of charge.
• Watch out: reaching out suddenly or teasing an alpaca can startle it into spitting. Feed the animals only in the way the ranch tells you.
• Combine it with: Saebyeol Oreum, about 5 km away, for a half day in the Aewol uplands.