9- Day Mountain Expedition

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Basic+

Upscale

Weight limit

Imagine this: untouched beauty of New Zealand, crystal-clear rivers, preserved natural landscape, fire- cooked fresh meals, good company and sleep under the stars. Every detail of your adventure is perfect, every day you explore ruggedness and isolation of the mountains. Sharing time with the pack horses in locations that few others can access.

This is more than a horseback ride; it’s a journey of a lifetime! Take New Zealand off your bucket- list, achieve new goals, gain new skills, get fresh emotions and life- long memories!

Angie L. is the provider and guide of this trip

The provider speaks: English

I am the "go to" gal if you need anything sorting out. A line dancer, rock n roller, watercolourist, singer, ukulele playing horse adventurer.

View Angie`s tours

Tour highlights

Unforgettable Trails

Explore breathtaking landscapes and experience the heart of the action

Delicious Meals

Enjoy hearty meals throughout your adventure, leaving you energized for each day

Comfortable Accommodation

Relax and unwind in cozy accommodations after a day in the saddle

Route details

Your adventure begins at the picturesque St. Bathan's Station, where you will meet your trusty horse companion and expert guides. Please arrive dressed and ready to ride, as we will be heading straight out onto the trails.

After a brief introduction, we will pair you with your perfect equine match, carefully selected to ensure a harmonious partnership between horse and rider. With your luggage taken care of and transported to our evening accommodation, you will be free to focus on the exhilarating 2-hour ride ahead.

As we explore the stunning St. Bathan's Station, you will catch a glimpse into the authentic world of high country life. Witness shepherds at work, skillfully herding flocks of sheep with the help of their loyal canine companions. We are grateful to Don for sharing this incredible location with us, and we are always warmly welcomed by the friendly locals, who generously open their doors to us despite their busy schedules.

Riding time: 2 hours

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour provider's comments

This tour is for intermediate and advanced riders. Equestrians should be in good physical shape and with good riding ability. Not suitable for complete novices.

Horse Breed: We have bred our own station bred horses replicating the first pioneers horses that lived and worked in the high country. They are surefooted and kind born on the mountains, raised on the mountains and worked in the mountains. Our horses live in a herd environment. We believe that they are so happy because the know who they are and where they come from living in that family group.

Tack Type: We use western tack, saddles are made in new Zealand by a Canadian saddler Graham Turner Dove saddles.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Basic+

Upscale

Hotel

1 night

Camp Site

7 nights

This is a very isolated high mountain trail and as such, accommodation is basic in parts therefore we utilise tents and sleeping mattresses.

1st night- Vulcan Hotel, set Bathans, Wi-Fi available;

2nd night- 10 bunk back hut, Dunstan Valley, no Wi-Fi;

3rd night- 10 bunk back hut, Lindies pass mountains 5000 feet above sea (limited mobile coverage due to altitude);

4th night- 6 bunk basic, back hut set in native bush (we also carry tents) no Wi-Fi;

5th night- 6 bunk back hut in Timaru Creek (we also carry tents) no Wi-Fi;

6th night- 8 bunk basic back hut beside a stream no Wi-Fi;

7th and 8th nights- historic homestead, twin shared rooms, hot showers, flushing toilets, lounge snug no Wi-Fi.

Vulcan Hotel, set Bathans, Wi-Fi available.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Otago, Queenstown-Lakes District, Queenstown Airport

Calculate tour price with tickets from your city

Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Tour conditions

Included

airport transfers from and to Queenstown airport (T&C’s apply in time to meet the trail);
9 days program;
8 riding days;
8 nights accommodation;
full board (3 meals a day) plus morning and afternoon tea (we carry flasks of hot water so that we can stop somewhere lovely and enjoy the scenery);
English speaking guides;
camping equipment;
pack horses;
horse equipment;
first aid kit (this includes a horse first aid kit, we carry a sat phone, e purp and hand held radios);
we provide a complementary glass of wine each evening but any other alcohol is clients responsibility.

Extras

international flights to and from New Zealand;
personal travel insurance (we require all riders take out travel insurance. When looking for a travel insurance policy make sure it covers horse riding as an activity as well as any adventure activities that are not covered under standard insurance policies);
additional accommodation before and after trip;
additional meals;
alcoholic beverages;
tips, gratuities and personal expenses.

Group size

up to 10 tourists

Duration

9 days

8 nights

It's important to know

Sleeping bag suited to mountain terrain;
2 changes of clothes: warm woollen/ merino clothing/ thermal underwear, with long sleeves (including long Johns). Your thermals can double as your "jammies";
Good set of wet weather trousers & jacket, ensure you can fit your warm clothing underneath these. It is so important for your own comfort. Your waterproofs can be your best friends when the weather turns nasty so choose wisely;
Warm hat/gloves/warm socks/ scarf (snood/ buff);
Suitable foot ware for riding and walking. Light foot ware to wear in the huts (slippers, jandles). It is worth re waterproofing your boots before you ride;
Helmets: we strongly recommend you wear a riding helmet/ please bring your own if you have one. Helmets are mandatory for novice riders and children. We do have helmets you can borrow;
Sun glasses/ sun hat/ sun screen/ Auzzie brim for your riding hat;
Bring power packs for charging your phone or camera, some riders bring solar charging power packs and they work great;
Toiletries / chap stick/ insect repellent/hand sanitizer/ wet wipes/ Covid mask (if required);
Water bottle or small flask;
Waterproof stuff bags for clothes/camera/ sleeping bag. Saddle bags and blue bags are not waterproof. Zip lock plastic bags are a good alternative if you don't have stuff sacks because they seal to keep the water out. Bring the extra-large ones for your clothes;
Hot water bottle if you feel the cold at night;
Ear plugs (these are a must if you are adverse to people snoring as we do share bunkhouse accommodation) sleeping mask;
Micro towel (you can buy in most camping shops);
Small torch or head torch;
If you take medication, remember to bring enough for the trail;
Set of togs for swimming (in summer time);
Panadol or equiv. (if you think you will require this);
Alcohol or none alcoholic beverages, of your preference, remember space is limited on pack trails so go for tinned beer, tins of rtds or boxed wine. As these fit into the smaller spaces that are left;
Chocolate (or other sweeties you can’t resist);
A book/ music or reading downloads.