What if, for just a few days, the South Island looked as if someone had spilled purple, pink, blue, and gold across the valleys? This ride takes place during the brief moment when the Mackenzie Basin lupins are in bloom — a short season when the land around the Ahuriri River turns bright with color beneath the snow-capped mountains. It is one of those rare landscapes that hardly looks real until you are riding through it yourself.
The trail begins in Lindis Pass, where you meet your horse and set out for a gentle first ride along the base of the mountains, searching out the first great fields of lupins. On the second day, the route follows the Ahuriri River, weaving through masses of flowers and heading toward the Clay Cliffs in Omarama, one of the striking natural sights of the district. The scent of the lupins hangs in the air, the river flashes its icy blue, and every turn of the trail seems made for a photograph.
This ride is perfect for those who want real wilderness scenery without giving up comfort at night. You stay in station shearers’ quarters, with hot showers, comfy beds, and a welcoming cookhouse and dining room. There is even the option to visit the Omarama hot tubs in the evening. If the idea of riding through New Zealand’s brief lupin season speaks to you, come while the flowers are still out!
