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Many people enjoy the New
Zealand high-country all the more when they get a hot shower, a home
cooked meal and a comfortable bed to sleep in.
Riders on this trip also have the opportunity to meet the people who live
and work the stations, producing the wool and meat which has long been
the backbone of the New Zealand economy.
Every night is spent at a farm stay or homestead and each morning begins
with a cooked breakfast.
The ride leaves our stables at "The Peaks" and crosses sheep country
following the old gold trail into the foothills of the New Zealand
Southern Alps.
The horses pick their way up the rugged Seaward River Gorge, through beech
forest, past lakes and over several mountain passes on a challenging
journey which crosses some of the biggest stations in the district.
Lake Taylor Station is 9,000 ha with a mixture of sheep and
cattle. We are accommodated at the Seven Hills homestead with the owners
and share an entertaining meal with them. Lunch is
carried on the horses and enjoyed at a convenient spot along the way.
Bring a swimming costume and have a refreshing dip.
 IT-NZIR01
Rates: All inclusive meals, accommodation in
farms, 5 riding days, 4-6 hours per day.
7 days/ 6 nights $ 2,125
-- based on NZ$ 2,715
... if you do not need the first and
last night at the B&B .. deduct $175
... NZ$ 220
2008 Dates: Any time upon request with minimum 2
riders from October to May from Sunday to Saturday
... rates for trips after April 2008 to be confirmed
Airport: Christchurch
Meeting: The Peaks near Hawarden
Transfer: from Waikari included .
Private transfer from Christchurch $245 per car (not
per person) return
Level:
Good Novice to Intermediate
Tack:
Australian Stock Saddle
Horses:
Thoroughbred/Clydesdale cross
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters
according to riders abilities
Min/Max: 2-4 riders
Note: A more exclusive ride from farm to farm with
overnight farm stay accommodation.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Waikari, transfer to
the riding center for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to the stables in the morning around 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.
Day 3: 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 4: Ride over Munro Saddle
to Lake Mason for lunch returning to Lake Taylor Station via Lakes
Sumner and Katrine.
Day 5:
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
Day 6:
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. Approx. 4.5 hrs
riding. Dinner and overnight at the riding center.
Day 7: Departure after breakfast and drop off at the bus
station in Waikari.
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.
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