Horseback Riding and Equestrian Vacations

New Zealand

The Real Thing:
Riding through forest and lake country, a real taste of pioneering New Zealand - 8 days/9 nights                                                                                                        The Seaward River:
Traversing high-country sheep stations and riding down the rugged Seaward River Gorge - 4 days/3 nights.                                                                                   Station to Station:
Deluxe ride over high-country sheep stations staying at homesteads each night - 5 days/6 nights.

The Overnighter:
Shorter ride across station land and staying at local farmhouses - 2 days/1 night.

Mountains to the Sea:
A challenge for confident riders: long days in the saddle on the mighty Clarence River from Hanmer to Kaikoura - 8 days/9 nights.

"The Real Thing"

8 Days - 9 Nights High Country Adventure

Day 1. Dec. 24th.After arriving at Christchurch you will transfer to a
Farmstay near Hurunui Horsetreks base "P.M".
Day 2. We roll our swags, load the pack horses and ride out from our base at
"The Peaks", 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 farms amongst sheep and cattle to a shearing shed by
the Hurunui River where we spend the night. Our evening meal will be a
barbecue . (Shed has a kitchen and flush toilet)
Approx. 4 hrs riding.
Day 3. Today we continue following the old gold trail through the scenic
Hurunui Gorge and Maori Gully to where the Seaward River flows into the
Hurunui River.
We leave the Hurunui River and the packhorse team here and follow the Seaward
River up through it's narrow gorges, crossing the river several times before
the upper valley opens up in front of us. We stop for lunch beside the river.
After lunch we leave the river and ride up the long, tussock covered, rocky
ridge,quite steep in places, which takes us amongst a host of sub-alpine
plants up on to the top of the Puketeraki Range (approx.1200 meters) that
separates the Seaward and the South Branch of the Hurunui river.
After a brief stop to enjoy the awesome view, we lead our horses down the
side of a steep shingle slide into the valley of the South Branch and on to
"Eskhead Station". Eskhead is an historic high country station of 16,000
hectares running 11,000 sheep and 600 cattle.
Here we meet our packhorse team and visit the historic cob homestead and bunk
down in the shearers quarters for the night.
( bunkhouse, hot showers, flush toilets)
Approx. 5.5 hours riding
Day 4. After a cooked breakfast at Eskhead we follow the South Branch for a
while and ride out under "Eskhead" (1864 meters) and the Dampier Range to the
stations hut at "Deep Creek" where we stop for lunch.
After lunch we cross the Esk River and ride through the Red Tussock wetlands
of the Island Hills and their associated wildlife including Paradise duck and
Canada Geese. We pass the Studleigh Range, across the river and over tussock
covered terraces to discover Lake Mason, secluded amid native beech forest .
The hut on the forest edge is our home for the night. (rustic hut / tent)
Approx. 5 hours riding.
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, fish for a trout or just relax
with a book.
Day 6. Today we go for a day ride without the packhorses, over the Catherine
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 a meal with
the family that farms this 18,000-acre property.
We bunk up in the shearers quarters for the night. (Bunkhouse / hot showers /
flush toilet)
Approx.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 the Seven Hills woolshed and a barbecue meal.
Approx. 5 hours riding.
Day 9. Leaving Seven Hills behind we ride along the banks of the Hurunui
River, gentle after it's 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 and then enjoy
one of Mandy's afternoon teas after which you will be returned to your
Farmstay.
Approx. 4.5 hrs riding.
Day 10. Transfer to Christchurch "A.M."

Highlights
scenery, station life, beech forest, native birds, river crossings, mountain
passes, lakes, fishing opportunities, natural hot pool

Ability required = Novice +
Pace = easy
Average hours riding per day = 5.

Note: Where it is at all possible, we ride independently of the packhorse
team.
Routes described can vary due to seasons and weather conditions

Cost NZ $1595.00 per person


"Refreshing your spirit"
mountains to the Sea" $1675.00
8 days - 9 nights (includes transfers and farmstay)


All prices are retail in NZ Dollars per person, g.s.t.inclusive, and valid
until April 30 2001

Note

There are good bus services at either end of the trip and a range of
overnight accommodation options

Bookings are essential
Farmstay and country hotel accommodation by arrangement.
Routes can vary due to seasons and climatic conditions.

New!!!

Introduction to Guiding and Backcountry Trekking

A five day high country adventure focused on developing skills such as
Guiding, Packing, Navigation, Leadership and Crisis Management

Cost: NZ$995.00

 

CONTACT US

Africa - Australia - Austria - China - England - India

Ireland - Italy - New Zealand - Wales - Contact - Home

Eastern Trekking Associates

http://www.horsevacations.com
Shelly and Albert Morris
PO Box 357
Thomson, Georgia 30824
phone Outside Georgia 1-888-836-6152
In Georgia: 1-706-541-2450
Email: rides@horsevacations.com

Web site copyright Eastern Trekking Associates.