Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

Day 1 and 2
Arrival in Christchurch during the day (depending on your flight). Free transfer to your hotel and free days to recover from the jet-lag or visit Christchurch and its suroundings.

Day 3
Transfert from Christchurch to the farmstay where our guide will join us for dinner and give a briefing on the ride.

Day 4
After introduction to your horse we have a safety breif, then saddle up and ride up through the Waitohi River, under the shady willows, stopping for lunch and a swim along the way. Then after following the old goldtrail to the West Coast for a while, we ride over steep hill country and down to a local homestead. We dine with the farm owner and spend the night in his comfortable cottage.
(approx 5 hrs riding)

Day 5
We follow the Waitohi River up through some spectacular country to Mt Mason Sation. Passing under Mt Noble and Gola Peak we ride on to Mt Noble Station, a high Country sheep and cattle station. Arriving late afternoon, we take care of our horses, enjoy coll refreshments and then have a barbeque dinner with the station owners.
Accommodation is in a small cottage with optional camping tents.
(approx 7 hrs riding)

Day 6
After a hearty breakfast we saddle our horses and continue through Mt Noble Station, rising up and over the spectacular Windy Ridge with magnificent views of the mountains in all directions.
Then following the road for a short time to the jonction of the north ans south branches of the Hurunui River we ride up through the bush in Boulder Gully to low saddle. Dropping down into Starvation Gully we follow it out to Lake Taylor Station where we spend the night in the shearers quarters. We dine with the family who own Lake Taylor Station.
(approx 6 hrs riding)

Day 7
Today we ride out past Lake Taylor and over the Munro Saddle back into the wide, tussock-terraced upper valley of the Hurunui's South Branch. We follow the south branch up as far as the Masson Stream and ride up over the terraces to dicover Lake Mason, secluded amid native beech forest, where we have lunch. Leaving Lake Mason behind we ride through a beech forest with some trees up to 400 years old, around a swamp and up over the Catherine Saddle to the top of the Lake Sumner, where ther are spectacular views of Mt Longfellow (6227ft.), Mt Emerson (5998ft;), Niggerhead (4564ft.), the Nelson Tops and Main Divide. We carru on past Loch Katrine and Lake Shepherd to opur home for the night, the shearer's quarters at the Lakes Station.
(approx 8 hrs riding)

Day 8
After the long day ysterday we give the horses (and riders!) a bit o a rest with a shorter ride around the picturesque lake Shepherd. There may be an opportunity here for a swim.
(approx 3 hrs riding)

Day 9
Today we ride around the Three Sisters hills and visit the outfall af Lake Sumner into the Hurunui River. We return again to Lake Taylor Station and the hospitality of its owners.
(approx 5 hrs riding)

Day 10
After leaving Lake Taylor Station we ride up through Stavation Gully and its sub-alpine vegetation to the Eskhead Saddle on the Oronoko Range. We stop for a while to take in the breathtaking views, then lead our horses down a tussok ridge and have lunch beside the South Branch of the Hurunui River.
Crossing the South Branch and Seaward once again, we ride down through the Hurunui senic gorge to the Seven Hills woolshed above the Hurunui River. From here we are transported to our accommodation for the night (comfortable cottage).
(approx 5 hrs riding)

Day 11
Returning to our horses at the woolshed, we ride along the banks of the Hurunui River, gentle after its wild ride through Maori Gully, under the impressive Hooligan Range with Mt Mizar, Ben Cliberick, Phyllis Fell and Mt Catherine on the opposite side of the river.
We lunch below Mt Salf beside the Hurunui, after which we head across again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle with its panoramic views of the Amui Basin.
On reaching our base we unsaddle, unpack, wach the horses down after which you will be transferred to your farmstay.
(approx 4 hrs 30 riding)

Day 12
After a last breakfast, you will be transfered to Christchurch for your return flight (or extra stay).

Note: This itinerary is either with packhorses or 4wd support (see dates of departure).

To get the most of your trip to New Zealand we can add a tour of other regions in campervan or rental car, Malborough vinyards, Milford Sound fjord... or the practice of activities such as bungee jumping or white water sports and kayaking in the fjords or lakes. Ask for more ideas.

We can also arrange for an extra stay in Australia or Pacific Islands.

Horses
Horses are mainly station bred, Thoroughbred / Clydesdale cross, strong, bold hunter types, the traditional hack favored by New Zealand stockmen and women.

Tack
Our guides pride themselves on the quality and condition of the tack and equipment they supply. All equipment starts a trek clean and oiled, and everything is inspected at the end and sent for repairs if necessary. Spares of vital tack are carried in case of unavoidable mishap.
Saddles: We ride in the Australian style stock saddle made famous by "The Man From Snowy River". They have breast plates and circingles. A synthetic wool saddle cover is supplied for extra comfort.
Bridles: Our horses are ridden in snaffle bits, fitted to English and stock bridles. We have bridles specially made for our biggest horses.

Requested riding level
For those trails you need to be ok at all gaits outdoor and have a good physical condition.
You will have to walk and lead your horse out of camp in the morning. Getting involved is one of the key elements of these rides and for most people adds much to their experience. You will be responsible for the grooming and saddling of your own horse each day. Your guides will instruct and assist you in this and check your horse before you set out each day.
Your guides will appreciate your assistance in other areas whilst on the trek: ie helping groom and saddle horses.

You will be guided by professional guides who are very good riders and who know perfectly well their region and environment.

You will be accommodated in comfortable cottages or shearers quarters (bunk room) with hot running water and flush toilets.

Please contact us to check the best available flight rate from your country.

If you don't want to get the whole package with the 2 nights in bed and breakfast in Christchurch to visit and recover from the jet lag, just ask us.

In the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere:
Summer: December to February
Autumn: March to May
Winter: June to August
Spring: September to November

New Zealand comprises two long thin islands that run north-south and, as such, there is a noticeable difference in the climates of the top of the North Island, which is sub-tropical, and the bottom of the South Island, which is temparate. Overall, however, New Zealand's is a very mild climate making it a suitable holiday destination all year round.



Kaikoura Christchurch: the climate of this zone is greatly dependent on the lie of the massive Southern Alps to the west. Summer temperatures are warm, with highest temperatures occurring when hot dry foehn northwesterlies blow over the Alps and plains. Mean annual rainfall is low, and long dry spells can occur, especially in summer. For much of the time summer temperatures are moderated by a cool northeasterly sea breeze. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 18°C to 26°C, but may rise to more than 30°C. A temperature of 42°C has been recorded in Christchurch. Winters are cold with frequent frost. Typical winter daytime maximum air temperatures range from 7°C to 14°C.

It is important to know that New Zealand, such as Australia, has a UV exposure much stronger than in Europe. For this reason, it is necessary to use an efficent sunblock as well as sunglasses and hat, and this even when the temperature is low or the sky a bit cloudy.