Glen Lyon: Your Epic Horseback Adventure

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Midscale

Upscale

Weight limit

Glen Lyon Station is a stunning spot on the shores of Lake Ohau with outstanding views and rich history. Back in the day, Māori would come here to gather roots, birds, and eels. Then, in 1857, European settlers started farming the land.

This is just what we call “high country” - it’s way up high, from 550m to 2100m above sea level! The station is huge- 8322 hectares, with 5000 merino sheep and Angus cattle grazing there.

And get this - Lake Ohau is in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, making it an awesome place for stargazing and dreaming!

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

Digital Detox

A great opportunity to connect with Papatuanuku “Mother Earth” and recharge your batteries

Go Fishing

Lake Ohau is well- known for its brown trout and rainbow trout fishing

Capture Stunning Views

Do not forget your camera to capture outstandingly beautiful views of Lake Ohau and “Aorangi” Mount Cook

Route details

Pick up from Queenstown at 11am. Due to heavy traffic in Queenstown we only have 2 locations that we now pick up from: outside the Station Building on the corner of Shot over and Camp Streets in central Queenstown or Queenstown airport. Please be at your location at least 10 mins prior to pick up.

Upon arrival at the shearer’s quarters, we will gather for a delightful afternoon tea. This is your chance to meet your personal adventure horse teammate – they will be saddled and ready to greet you.

Pack your saddle bags with your camera, essentials for the ride, and anything else you will need for the next three days. Then, we will set off to explore the vast and breathtaking Glen Lyon Station! Our accommodation is simple and rustic, housed in the shearer’s quarters with hot showers, flushing toilets, and electricity. Remember to charge all your devices tonight – this will be the last chance for three days!

You will receive our signature blue saddle bags, giving you time to organize your gear and get to know your fellow riders over dinner. Your remaining belongings will be waiting for you at the Glen Lyon quarters upon your return.

We are excited to embark on this adventure with you!

Riding time: 1 > 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

Midscale

Upscale

Camp Site

2 nights

Cabin on the boat

3 nights

Guest House

1 night

1st night- Shearers Quarters at Glen Lyon Station, showers, soft beds, flushing toilets;

2nd night- 12 bunk well resourced back hut, open fire, long drop toilet, (we carry tents if you want more privacy);

3rd night- 6 bunk back hut, long drop toilet, high country shower, (we carry tents with matresses);

4th night- 12 bunk well resourced back hut, open fire, long drop toilet, (we carry tents if you want more privacy);

5th night- Shearers Quarters at Glen Lyon Station, showers, soft beds, flushing toilets;

6th night- Motel in Omarama, family room or twin shared.

Shearers Quarters at Glen Lyon Station, showers, soft beds, flushing toilets.

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);
7 days program;
6 riding days;
6 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

7 days

6 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.