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| New Zealand: South Island: Riding Tours through New Zealand Mountains |
| What: |
Outfitter offers 9 night wilderness camping/sleep rough rides through and around the region of New Zealand's impressive mountains as well a customized inn to inn type ride for 6 nights. |
| Dates and Rates: |
The Hurunui:
2008: Oct. 17, 31, Nov 14, 28, Dec 12
8 days/9 nights includes transfers
2009: Jan 2, 16, 30, Feb 13, 27, April 2
Rates: $2314.00 US/1160 GBP/1455 E
The Station to Station Ride:
08/09: Starts on Monday by request.
Rates: $1989 US/ 994 GBP/ 1250 E.
5days/4 nights
Rates: $1232 US/616 GBP/775 E
3 days/2 night |
| Horsesense: |
Rides are for Intermediate riders who are capable of riding at least four to six hours daily, mounting and dismounting without assistance and grooming their horses. The horses are sturdy creature necessary to negotiate what can be a very rugged terrain and include thoroughbred/Clydesdale, purebred and crossbred Connemaras. They use Australian style stock saddle. |
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| New Zealand 's South Island and the mountains this outfitter explores occurs amidst the beautiful scenery revealed in Lord of Rings, trilogy recently placed on screen. The area is one of great beauty. The rides now offer vehicle support throughout and has abandoned it use of pack horses. This is one of the longest established riding holidays and it has earned a reputation for delivering a very good product. Please allow yourself an extra day on transfers to catch your land legs especially if you are flying one of those long international flights. |
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| ITINERARY |
“The Hurunui” Trek (8 days - 9 nights)
A true high country adventure, exploring the magnificent scenery and station life that surrounds the awesome Hurunui River . This ride uses a Four Wheel Drive support vehicle instead of pack horses. Our gear and refreshments await us at the end of each days ride . |
| Day 1: |
After arriving at Christchurch you will transfer to Lazy Acres farmstay near Hurunui Horsetreks base where your guides will join you for dinner. (Dinner, bed & breakfast).
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| Day 2: |
We roll our swags, eat a hearty breakfast then saddle up and ride out from our base at "The Peaks".
We ride up through the Waitohi River , under the shady willows stopping for lunch and a swim at the Mt Noble boundary.
Passing under Mt Noble and Gola Peak we ride on to Mt. Whitnow Station, a High Country sheep and cattle station. Arriving late afternoon, we take care of our horses, enjoy cool refreshments and later dinner in comfortable surroundings.
Here we camp in the shearers quarters (beds, showers, flush toilet and kitchen) Approx 7.0 hrs riding. |
| Day 3: |
After a hearty breakfast we saddle our horses and ride over a low pass (approx. 900metres.) into the Seaward valley, following the Seaward River, surrounded by mountains, down through its awesome, deep gorges.
We cross the river many times and stop for lunch by a deep, clear swimming hole further on above its confluence with the Hurunui River.
Then after following the road for a short time to the junction of the North and South branches of the Hurunui River we ride up through the bush in Boulder Gully to a 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. (Bunkhouse, showers, flush toilets and kitchen) Approx. 6 hrs riding. |
| Day 4: |
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 Mason Stream and ride up over the terraces to discover Lake Mason, secluded amid native beech forest, where we will be based for the next few days.
Lake Mason is actually two lakes separated by a shingle spit. We camp at a small, rustic shepherd’s hut and use tents for accommodation. Approx. 4 hours riding.
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| Day 5: |
Lake Mason. This is a rest day for horses and riders who can take the time to appreciate nature, swim in the lake or just relax with a book. |
| Day 6: |
Today we go for a day ride, over the Catherine Saddle following the Hurunui River above Lake Sumner towards the Main Divide. Our objective is the natural hot pool nestled in the forest above the Hurunui River and a pleasant, refreshing soak. There are several river crossings, spectacular scenery and we return to Lake Mason for the night. Approx.6.5 hours riding. |
| Day 7: |
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 Lake Sumner, where there are spectacular views of Mt.Longfellow(6227ft.),Mt.Emerson(5998ft), Niggerhead(4564ft),The Nelson Tops and Main Divide.
We stop for lunch on the grass flats beside the beautiful bush edged Loch Katrine. Here we take another break before riding on past picturesque Lake Taylor to Lake Taylor Station where we can enjoy a hot shower and another meal with Dave and Rosemary Gunn who farm this 18,000-acre property.
We camp up in the shearers quarters for the night. (Bunkhouse / hot showers / flush toilet) Approx.5.5 hours riding. |
| Day 8: |
After leaving Lake Taylor Station we ride up through Starvation 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 tussock ridge and have lunch beside the South Branch of the Hurunui River. Crossing the South Branch and Seaward River once again, we ride down through the Hurunui's scenic gorge to a tent camp on a forested terrace above the Hurunui River. Approx. 5 hours riding. |
| Day 9: |
Leaving our camp behind 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 Mount Catherine on the opposite side of the river.
We lunch below Mt. Self beside the Hurunui, after which we head across country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx.770metres.) with its panoramic views of the Amuri Basin. On reaching our base we unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses down after which you will be transferred to your Farmstay. Approx. 4.5 hrs riding. |
| Day 10: |
Morning transfer to Christchurch |
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Highlights
No pack horses, more varied pace, scenery, station life, beech forest, native birds, river crossings, mountain passes, lakes, natural hot pool
Ability required = Intermediate
Pace = varied
Average hours riding per day = 5.5
Maximum number of riders is eight unless by prior arrangement Note: This ride is supported by 4 wheel Drive vehicle, not packhorses, so the weight limit for gear is 12kg
Refreshments are served after the horses are taken care of at the end of each days riding.
Routes described can vary due to seasons and weather conditions |
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“The Station to Station” Trek (5 days - 4 nights)
A more exclusive ride from farm to farm with overnight farmstay accommodation. Limited to a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 riders. Dates by arrangement. |
| Day 1: |
9.30am Arrive at our base at The Peaks. After introduction to your horse and equipment we have a safety brief, then saddle up and ride over the Kanuku Saddle down to the Hurunui River for lunch. After lunch we ride along the banks of the Hurunui River to a woolshed at the Hurunui Gorge. Leave horses here for the night and transfer to Seven Hills Homestead.
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| Day 2: |
Transfer back to Gorge and ride up through the spectacular Hurunui Gorge to Lake Taylor Station via bush track through Boulder Gully.
Base ourselves at Lake Taylor Station for the next few days and ride out daily. We dine with the owners of Lake Taylor Station in their home and spend the night in their refurbished shearers quarters. |
| Day 3: |
Ride over Munro Saddle to Lake Mason for lunch returning to Lake Taylor Station via Lakes Sumner and Katrine. |
| Day 4: |
After enjoying a cooked breakfast we leave Lake Taylor Station, riding up Starvation Gully and out onto the Oronoko Range. We drop down into the South branch at its juncture with the Hurunui's North Branch where we stop for lunch at a favored swimming hole.
After crossing the South Branch we ride down through the Hurunui's scenic gorge, past the Seaward River to the Seven Hills woolshed where we leave our horses and meet the vehicle that will carry you to the Seven Hills Homestead for the night. Approx. 5 hours riding
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| Day 5: |
Leaving Seven Hills behind we ride along the banks of the Hurunui River, gentle after its wild ride through Maori Gully. Riding on we pass the impressive Hooligan Range with Mt. Mizar, Ben Cliberick, Phyllis Fell and Mount Catherine on the opposite side of the river.
We lunch below Mt. Self beside the Hurunui, after which we head across country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx.770metres.) with it's panoramic views of the Amuri Basin Then it is down to our base where we unsaddle, wash the horses down and then have a debrief over afternoon tea.
The trek concludes at approximately 4.00pm Approx. 4.5 hrs riding.
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N.B. As is the tradition in the New Zealand high country we do walk and lead our horses down steep hills so it is essential that you wear good trekking / hiking type boots and have a reasonable standard of fitness.
Packhorses are not used on this ride; your gear will be transported to your accommodation by vehicle.
Due to the limited accommodation provided by the station owners, singles booking may be required to share a bedroom.
TRANSFERS
Transfers are not included in the cost of this ride and we suggest that if you have no vehicle you arrange to stay locally the night before the ride departs. There are a number of options, but we recommend staying at Pat Manning’s homestay in Hawarden. Take the Hanmer Connection Bus to Waikari and Pat will collect you from there.
Pat offers a special rate for our clients of $75.00 per person, which includes transfer from Waikari, dinner, accommodation, breakfast, packed lunch and transfer to our base. Please ask for this when you book. This would also be a good option for a night at the end of your trek. |
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