Adventure Horse Trekking NZ · South Island, New Zealand
Horses "born for the high country," staying in real shearers' quarters
Adventure Horse Trekking NZ, run by Angie and John, rides quiet, surefooted horses along time-worn trails once used by Māori hunting parties, pioneers and gold miners through Central Otago's high country, snow-fed rivers and alpine lakes. Signature treks include the Mountain Musterers Trek and the annual Cavalcade. Accommodation ranges from 100-year-old musterers' huts and shearers' quarters to historic cottages, one reputedly New Zealand's oldest and most haunted pub.
These are real backcountry pack treks over mountain terrain, with river crossings and long days, so you should be a fit, balanced rider comfortable at all paces over uneven ground. The horses are quiet and surefooted, but the country is genuine high country.
Quiet, surefooted horses at home in the high country and its rivers and passes.
Treks follow old musterers' and miners' trails deep into Central Otago's high country, riding for the day across stations, over passes and through snow-fed rivers, with nights in historic huts, shearers' quarters and cottages. Run by Angie and John, the trips are small and personal, with the horses and the country doing the talking.
Historic high-country accommodation: hundred-year-old musterers' huts, shearers' quarters and cottages, with a luxury lodge on some trips.
All meals included, cooked on the trek.
Best months: December to April
The New Zealand summer and autumn, from December to April, are the season for the high-country treks.
Nearest airport: Queenstown (ZQN)
Transfers: Central Otago is reached from Queenstown; the operator advises on the meeting point for each trek
Fly to Queenstown via Auckland or Christchurch, then on to Central Otago.
