Transfer and Other Options:

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive at the trekking base at Mt Lyford in time for the warm up session, starting at 2pm and running through to 5pm.  This session ensures that you are matched with the best horse and gear for your personality, level of experience and body type.  Once matched up with your horse, you’ll spend time learning some of the natural horsemanship techniques used by Mt Lyford Horse Trekking; the result being a smooth and enjoyable experience over the next few days. From the trekking base, drive to nearby historic Sherwood Lodge, where you will enjoy pre-dinner champagne cocktails, followed by a 4 course fine dining table d’hote evening meal, served by Sherwood’s butler, before retiring to bed for a good night’s sleep before your trekking experience starts.

Day 2 After a hearty cooked breakfast, you will be transferred back to the trekking base at Mt Lyford, where you will then start your trek. Today you will be riding for 5-6 hours, at an altitude of between 1,500 – 2,500 feet, crossing three high country stations (farms).  The ride takes you through native beech and manuka forest, exotic pine plantations, crossing tussock and grasslands, all with views of the Amuri basin, dropping down to cross the Lottery River, before arriving at Sherwood Lodge for the evening. Enjoy a swim in the pool to cool down, or a soak in the hot tub to loosen up, before drinks and dinner are served.

Day 3  Breakfast, then walk out the door to your waiting horse, for a long day in the saddle.  With 8-9 hours in the saddle, at between 1,500 to 2,300 feet, you’ll have spectacular views over high terrain. Riding across three cattle and sheep farms, you’ll be riding mainly through pasture today, with the opportunity to meet New Zealand’s famous merino sheep.  Views along the Amuri Range and out across the Waiau River Valley. Arriving at Creek Valley Camp, you’ll leave the horses and guides and be transferred over to Sherwood Lodge, for a soak in the hot tub, dinner and accommodation.

Day 4  After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to your horses and guides to start the day’s trek over the pass to Chatterton Farm, near Hanmer Springs. Today you’ll be riding for 7 – 8 hours, over the top of the Amuri Range, via the Lyndon Pass.  Riding is mainly on a good formed track, passing a large waterfall before lunching at the top of the pass with views out over the Amuri basin on one side, and down into the Hanmer basin on the other. The day ends at Chatterton Farm, where you’ll leave the horses and guides for a quick transfer into Hanmer Springs village, where you’ll be staying at the historic Heritage Hotel.  After soaking in the thermal pools for which Hanmer Springs is renowned, you’re free to choose your dinner and evening entertainment from a range of restaurants and bars in the township.

Day 5 7-8 hours riding, at altitudes of between 1,000 and 1,800 feet. Today you’ll be transferred back to Chatterton Farm, to ride back to Creek Valley Camp, via the Leslie Pass. This pass is not as high as the one going over, but has some wonderful stands of native forest and is easy going. Arriving at the camp, you’ll be transferred back to Sherwood Lodge for the evening’s meal and accommodation.

Day 6 After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to meet your horses and guides at Creek Valley Camp. The final day’s trekking, today you’ll be riding for 8-9 hours, 1,000 to 2,300 feet, from Creek Valley Camp to Sherwood Lodge.  Today you’ll retrace some previously ridden trails across the Amuri Range and down into the Lottery River, up to Sherwood Lodge. The last evening of the trip at Sherwood Lodge.

Day 7 A leisurely breakfast sets you up ready for departure onto your next destination.

--Subject to changes.

From November to April (summer to early autumn in New Zealand) the Mt Lyford area experiences maximum average temperatures of 19 to 23 ° C, and lows between 5 and 10 ° C. This area of New Zealand is known for its relatively dry summers – but the famous New Zealand adage “four seasons in one day” is sometimes true!  Be prepared for sun, rain or wind!

Winter and spring (May – October) can be cool, with daily maximum temperatures of between 9 and 16 ° C, and minimums as low as -1 ° C. Winter can also be wet, and (when the weather is dry) it is common to awake to hard frosts on the ground. It can snow from time to time in the winter, especially at higher altitudes.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one month beyond the intended period of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months except:
1. nationals of the UK who may stay for up to six months;
2. nationals of Australia who may stay indefinitely.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact their nearest New Zealand Immigration Service to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
3. Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien (non-citizen) passports issued by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.