Rental Information
Backcountry Adventures ( Hunting / Hiking / Fishing / Research )
Llama rentals are recommended only for experienced backcountry travelers. We provide healthy, well conditioned pack llamas, quality saddles and packs, and a free training clinic to teach you the necessary llama care skills for a successful trip. You are responsible for the care of the llamas during your trip, and for your own camping equipment. To help you get where you want to go, we have available the rental of a stock rack that stands in the bed of your pickup, or various sized stock trailers, depending on how many llamas you rent. Alternatively, we do shuttle llamas to a destination of your choice for a fee.
You are responsible for obtaining any permission or permits for where you want take the llamas. You can do this at many sites in the West at a trailhead, but plan ahead if permits/permission are required (see forest service sites for details).
Llama rentals are recommended only for experienced backcountry travelers. We provide healthy, well conditioned pack llamas, quality saddles and packs, and a free training clinic to teach you the necessary llama care skills for a successful trip. You are responsible for the care of the llamas during your trip, and for your own camping equipment. To help you get where you want to go, we have available the rental of a stock rack that stands in the bed of your pickup, or various sized stock trailers, depending on how many llamas you rent. Alternatively, we do shuttle llamas to a destination of your choice for a fee.
You are responsible for obtaining any permission or permits for where you want take the llamas. You can do this at many sites in the West at a trailhead, but plan ahead if permits/permission are required (see forest service sites for details).
$60 / day / llama
The rental price includes the llama, halter, lead rope, ground line (for keeping them in camp), saddle and panniers.
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Each pannier's large main compartment is approximately 10x20-inches and 16-inches deep. It can hold a hard plastic half-size Coleman cooler, and has two outside pockets that are large enough to each hold a gallon milk jug. If you use the llamas during hunting seasons, we can supply fluorescent-orange "don't-shoot-me" neck bands.
A $75 equipment deposit is required for each llama and set of llama equipment (pack saddle, panniers, lead rope, halter). This amount is returned to you after your trip upon return of the llama and equipment in good condition.
We require a rental of a minimum of 2 llamas, as llamas are herd animals and don't do well on their own.
If your adventure is in Idaho, you will be assessed Idaho State Sales & Use Tax of 6%.
The rental price includes the llama, halter, lead rope, ground line (for keeping them in camp), saddle and panniers.
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Each pannier's large main compartment is approximately 10x20-inches and 16-inches deep. It can hold a hard plastic half-size Coleman cooler, and has two outside pockets that are large enough to each hold a gallon milk jug. If you use the llamas during hunting seasons, we can supply fluorescent-orange "don't-shoot-me" neck bands.
A $75 equipment deposit is required for each llama and set of llama equipment (pack saddle, panniers, lead rope, halter). This amount is returned to you after your trip upon return of the llama and equipment in good condition.
We require a rental of a minimum of 2 llamas, as llamas are herd animals and don't do well on their own.
If your adventure is in Idaho, you will be assessed Idaho State Sales & Use Tax of 6%.
Trailers, Stock Racks, Shuttles and more
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Stock Rack Rental Rate:
$60/trip up to 5 days, then $20/day **Not available after Sept 30th** **Only available at the Caldwell location** We have several self-standing stock racks that can be slid into the back of a pickup by two strong adults, then cam-strapped in place, only touching the bed. Two sizes are available: one to fit full-size long-bed (8-foot) and another to fit a short-bed (6-foot) pickup. Pickup beds must measure at least 48 inches wide between the wheel wells. A short-bed rack will fit 2 llamas and a long-bed rack will fit 3 llamas. A $75 equipment deposit is required for a stock rack rental. This amount is returned to you after your trip upon return of the stock rack in good condition. This option is only available through September because it is too hard on the llamas in the cold months. |
Trailer Rental Rate:
$175/trip up to 5 days, then $45/day We have several small trailers that can haul up to 3 llamas, and larger trailers to haul 5, 8, or 10 llamas. The small trailers use a 2-inch ball, the larger trailers use a 2 5/16-inch ball. Ideally, the ball on your vehicle should be about 18 inches above the ground (measured from the base of the ball to the ground). We have electric adapters to hook up wiring on most any vehicle. A $300 equipment deposit is required for a trailer rental. This amount is returned to you after your trip upon return of the trailer in good condition. |
Options for Pick-up and Drop-off
**Please review this section before deciding on the Date Range and Location you want to request**
Idaho, Caldwell (near Boise)
FREE pick-up and drop-off
Shuttle fee required
Shuttle fee required. We will take the llamas to the destination of your choice (a trailhead or where ever you choose).
Idaho, Caldwell (near Boise)
FREE pick-up and drop-off
- Pick-up can be scheduled Monday - Saturday. The location is our ranch at 26950 Harvey Road, Caldwell, ID 83607. We can meet as early as 6:00 am Mountain Time at this location.
- Drop-off can be scheduled Monday - Sunday. We ask that you arrive before dark, but we know sometimes things happen on the trail, so just do your best and keep us informed as soon as you get back in service. Please note that we are closed on Sunday, so if you choose a drop-off on that day, we will give you instructions about where to drop the trailer (if applicable), how to put the llamas in a holding pen, where to put the gear, etc. Thank you - we appreciate your respect in this regard.
Shuttle fee required
- Delivery and retrieval requires a *Shuttle fee, and can be scheduled Monday -Saturday. A location to pick-up in Baker City is by the County Fairgrounds, on East Street near the corner of D Street. We can meet as early as 8:00 am Pacific Time at this location. For retrievals, we'd like to meet no later than 7:00 pm Pacific Time. It takes us an hour and a half to drive to Baker City, so if you come back at another time than we have arranged, we will need at least some travel time and possibly not be available at all, at least for a time. We will work with you the best we can to make it reasonable for both parties. Please note that retrievals from Baker City are not available on Sundays, although a drop-off at the Caldwell location is available. If you choose that option, the shuttle fee would be reduced by 50%. *The Shuttle fee to Baker City is $200 through the spring and summer months, and $475 otherwise.
Shuttle fee required. We will take the llamas to the destination of your choice (a trailhead or where ever you choose).
- Delivery and retrieval is available Monday - Saturday through reservation of a Shuttle, and requires an extra fee that we calculate with a formula that takes into account current gas prices and mileage to delivery location. If the delivery location is in Idaho, you will be assessed Idaho State Sales & Use Tax of 6%.
Trip Details
Rental Agreement:
All renters will be required to read and sign a Rental/Event Agreement. This form outlines the cost and general terms of the rental and release of liability for any accident in connection with use of the rented items, as well as the terms regarding negligent care or acts of renters and those they allow to use the llamas or equipment. This contract will be mailed to you for review after you have submitted the Trip Request Form (link found aboove).
When you pick up the llamas, we require an Equipment Deposit. The Equipment Deposit is to cover potential injuries, repairs or cleaning of items rented: $75 for each llama, whether or not you take the gear we offer (which includes a pack saddle, panniers, lead rope, and halter), $75 for a stock rack, and $300 for a trailer. The equipment deposit check will be held (not cashed) and then returned to you after the trip upon return of all llamas and equipment in good condition. Minor wear and tear are considered normal, and will not be charged. Avoidable damage to llama packs such as tears, broken zippers, and excessive blood and food stains may be charged a repair/cleaning fee of $20 or more per item, depending on damage. Repair fees for major damage to equipment will be charged accordingly. Arrangements may be made, depending on availability, to pick up the panniers early so you can get packed before picking up the llamas.
Training Clinic: Free
There is a mandatory training session for all handlers. The training session lasts about an hour and can be done on the day of departure, or scheduled earlier if desired. We'll cover the entire process of packing and caring for llamas in the back-country, including how to load your panniers, tying on top loads and bulky items, llama management in camp and on the trail (feeding, tying, staking them out, crossing water and other obstacles), along with trail etiquette.
Llama Availability
This Calendar allows you to see the general availability that we have for llama reservations. It is not exact, however, because it may show that two llamas are available for a certain time period, but they may not be the same two llamas! So please keep that in mind as you peruse what dates would work for you.
All renters will be required to read and sign a Rental/Event Agreement. This form outlines the cost and general terms of the rental and release of liability for any accident in connection with use of the rented items, as well as the terms regarding negligent care or acts of renters and those they allow to use the llamas or equipment. This contract will be mailed to you for review after you have submitted the Trip Request Form (link found aboove).
When you pick up the llamas, we require an Equipment Deposit. The Equipment Deposit is to cover potential injuries, repairs or cleaning of items rented: $75 for each llama, whether or not you take the gear we offer (which includes a pack saddle, panniers, lead rope, and halter), $75 for a stock rack, and $300 for a trailer. The equipment deposit check will be held (not cashed) and then returned to you after the trip upon return of all llamas and equipment in good condition. Minor wear and tear are considered normal, and will not be charged. Avoidable damage to llama packs such as tears, broken zippers, and excessive blood and food stains may be charged a repair/cleaning fee of $20 or more per item, depending on damage. Repair fees for major damage to equipment will be charged accordingly. Arrangements may be made, depending on availability, to pick up the panniers early so you can get packed before picking up the llamas.
Training Clinic: Free
There is a mandatory training session for all handlers. The training session lasts about an hour and can be done on the day of departure, or scheduled earlier if desired. We'll cover the entire process of packing and caring for llamas in the back-country, including how to load your panniers, tying on top loads and bulky items, llama management in camp and on the trail (feeding, tying, staking them out, crossing water and other obstacles), along with trail etiquette.
Llama Availability
This Calendar allows you to see the general availability that we have for llama reservations. It is not exact, however, because it may show that two llamas are available for a certain time period, but they may not be the same two llamas! So please keep that in mind as you peruse what dates would work for you.
Reservations
Restrictions
We begin taking reservations for the next year following Labor day of the current year.
Reservations for next year will be accepted at 8:00 am Mountain time for:
Please fill out this FORM and submit it, and we will accommodate your reservation depending on availability.
Once we receive your Rental Agreement via email, you have several options for returning the signed Agreement and the Payment:
Agreement Options:
📬Mail the signed agreement to 26950 Harvey Rd, Caldwell ID 83607
📧Scan and email the signed agreement to info@thundercreekllamas.com.
📱Text a picture of the signed Rental Agreement to info@thundercreekllamas.com
🖋️Use Adobe Fill & Sign app to digitally edit and sign the Rental Agreement and email it to info@thundercreekllamas.com.
Payment Options:
⭐Venmo @Lorena-Holmstead (preferred). If you don't have Venmo, you can download the app and join with my referral link: https://get.venmo.com/jHrCHasBXfb
⭐Mail the check (made out to Thunder Creek Llamas) to 26950 Harvey Rd, Caldwell ID 83607.
⭐Pay via Zelle to Bruce Holmstead at 208-571-7574.
💲PayPal to bruce.holmstead@gmail.com (3% fee will be added to the charge unless "Friend" option is used).
💲Pay via credit/debit card over the phone. Call Lorena at 208-571-7574 (3% fee will be added to the charge).
We begin taking reservations for the next year following Labor day of the current year.
Reservations for next year will be accepted at 8:00 am Mountain time for:
- Existing customers Tuesday after Labor day
- New customers Friday after Labor day
Please fill out this FORM and submit it, and we will accommodate your reservation depending on availability.
Once we receive your Rental Agreement via email, you have several options for returning the signed Agreement and the Payment:
Agreement Options:
📬Mail the signed agreement to 26950 Harvey Rd, Caldwell ID 83607
📧Scan and email the signed agreement to info@thundercreekllamas.com.
📱Text a picture of the signed Rental Agreement to info@thundercreekllamas.com
🖋️Use Adobe Fill & Sign app to digitally edit and sign the Rental Agreement and email it to info@thundercreekllamas.com.
Payment Options:
⭐Venmo @Lorena-Holmstead (preferred). If you don't have Venmo, you can download the app and join with my referral link: https://get.venmo.com/jHrCHasBXfb
⭐Mail the check (made out to Thunder Creek Llamas) to 26950 Harvey Rd, Caldwell ID 83607.
⭐Pay via Zelle to Bruce Holmstead at 208-571-7574.
💲PayPal to bruce.holmstead@gmail.com (3% fee will be added to the charge unless "Friend" option is used).
💲Pay via credit/debit card over the phone. Call Lorena at 208-571-7574 (3% fee will be added to the charge).
For folks using their own trailer, we require that llamas be transported in a double axle trailer, with at least 5-foot sides and a solid floor. No single axle trailers...this makes for a really rough ride. Preferably, the trailer is enclosed, with adequate ventilation and rubber mats on the floor. An option is to rent a stock rack from us for your double axle trailer, if you have one with shorter sides or a flatbed. All trailers are subject to our approval. Llamas cannot be transported in stock racks after Sept 30th.
Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel a confirmed reservation, please review the following:
Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel a confirmed reservation, please review the following:
- 50% Trip Deposits are non-refundable.
- We realize there are weather, fire, family, tag availability, or other circumstances that may arise which necessitate changes to your reservation. If this is the case, the following parameters apply:
- A change of dates will be allowed once.
- See Reservation restrictions for when reservations for future years can begin. We would prefer that you can reschedule your trip for the current or following year.
- The rescheduled trip is subject to llama availability.
- Rescheduled trips are subject to increased fees, depending on the Rental Rates applicable to the year of the trip.
- A change of dates will be allowed once.
- Your contract is transferable to another party for a $50 Transfer fee. Thunder Creek Llamas will not be responsible for finding another party to whom you can transfer your contract.
- THUNDER CREEK LLAMAS retains the right to cancel due to unforeseen conditions or for other reasons. If we cancel, full refunds will be given.
- The rental season is very busy, and trips are often scheduled almost a year in advance and must often be coordinated around other rental dates. If you decide to return early from your trip, we do not offer a refund or credit.