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The mighty Hurunui River
flows out of a remote region in the mountains of
New Zealand's Southern Alps. Its headwaters lie
in thickly forested conservation land --
stronghold for some of the rare and endangered
animals and plants which are unique to New
Zealand.
Imagine a land of snow-tipped
mountains, rolling green hills and river-slashed
valleys; of ice cold sapphire lakes, and dense
bush ringing with birds under a clear sky. Where
the loudest sound you will hear over the tinkle
of crystal water dancing over brown stones is
that of your horse cropping the grass in the
early morning dew.
We travel
from the edge of the Canterbury Plains, over the
foothills and deep into the mountains of New
Zealand's Southern Alps.
 IT-NZRT06 
Rates: Include meals and lodging in
shearer's sheds & bunkhouses, 8 riding days, 4-7
hours per day, wine with dinner, natural history
guide.
10 days/ 9 nights $
2,345
-- based on NZ$ 2,995
Dates 2008
10/17-10/26 10/31-11/09
11/14-11/23
11/28-12/07 12/12-12/21
Dates 2009
01/02-01/11 01/16-01/25
01/30-02/08
02/13-02/22 02/27-03/08
03/13-03/22
04/03-04/12
availability & reservation
Meeting: Hanmer
Airport: Christchurch
Transfer: Included around 3:30 PM
Level:
Intermediate
Tack:
Australian Stock
saddles
Horses:
Thoroughbred / Clydesdale
Pace: Moderate, trots and canters
Min/Max: 1-10
riders
Note:
This ride is supported by 4- wheel Drive
vehicle, not packhorses. Refreshments are served after the
horses are taken care of at the end of each days
riding. Routes described can vary due to seasons
and weather conditions
Itinerary
Day 1: After arriving
at Christchurch you will transfer to Lazy
Acres farmstay near Hurunui Horsetreks base
where your guides will join you for dinner.
(Dinner, bed & breakfast).
Day 2: We roll our swags, eat a hearty
breakfast then saddle up and ride out from our
base at "The Peaks".
We ride up through the Waitohi River, under the
shady willows stopping for lunch and a swim at
the Mt Noble boundary. Passing under Mt Noble
and Gola Peak we ride on to Mt. Whitnow Station,
a High Country sheep and cattle station.
Arriving late afternoon, we take care of our
horses, enjoy cool refreshments and later dinner
in comfortable surroundings. Here we camp in
the shearers quarters (beds, showers, flush
toilet and kitchen) Approx 7.0 hrs riding.
Day 3:. After a hearty breakfast we
saddle our horses and ride over a low pass
(approx. 900metres.) into the Seaward valley,
following the Seaward River, surrounded by
mountains, down through its awesome, deep
gorges.
We cross the river many times and stop for lunch
by a deep, clear swimming hole further on above
its confluence with the Hurunui River. Then
after following the road for a short time to the
junction of the North and South branches of the
Hurunui River we ride up through the bush in
Boulder Gully to a low saddle. Dropping down
into Starvation Gully we follow it out to Lake
Taylor Station where we spend the night in the
shearers quarters. We dine with the family who
own Lake Taylor Station. (Bunkhouse, showers,
flush toilets and kitchen) Approx. 6 hrs
riding.
Day 4: Today we ride out past Lake Taylor
and over the Munro Saddle back into the wide,
tussock terraced upper valley of the Hurunui’s
South Branch. We follow the South branch up as
far as the Mason Stream and ride up over the
terraces to to discover Lake Mason, secluded
amid native beech forest, where we will be based
for the next few days. Lake Mason is actually
two lakes separated by a shingle spit. We camp
at a small, rustic shepherd’s hut . Approx. 4 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 or just
relax with a book.
Day 6: Today we go for a day ride, over the
Catherine Saddle 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 another meal with
Dave and Rosemary Gunn who farm this
18,000-acre property. We overnight in the shearers quarters
for the night. (Bunkhouse / hot showers / flush
toilet)
Approx.5.5 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 a camp on a forested terrace above
the Hurunui River. Approx. 5 hours riding.
Day 9: Leaving our camp 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 after which you will be transferred to your
Farmstay. Approx. 4.5 hrs riding.
Day 10: Morning transfer to Christchurch
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