High Country Horses · Wakatipu Basin, New Zealand
A back-country horse trek in the Wakatipu high country above Glenorchy
A back-country horse trek with High Country Horses, from Mid Rivers Farm at the head of Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, deep into the dramatic high country of New Zealand's South Island, the scenery of many a film. You ride sure-footed station horses across river flats and up into the mountains, with nights out in the back country. The farm also runs shorter rides, from a couple of hours upwards.
The multi-day back-country trek covers real high-country terrain with river crossings and long days, so you should be reasonably fit and comfortable at walk, trot and canter. High Country Horses also run short rides for complete beginners.
Sure-footed New Zealand station horses, at home in the high country and its rivers.
Days ride out from the farm across river flats and up into the tussock high country, covering good ground with canters on the open flats and careful going in the mountains, camping out in the back country along the way.
Nights out in back-country huts on the trek, with farm lodging around the ride.
All meals are provided on the trek.
Best months: November to April
The New Zealand summer and autumn are the season for the high-country trek.
Nearest airport: Queenstown (ZQN); the farm is near Glenorchy, about an hour away
Transfers: Reached from Queenstown via Glenorchy; the operator advises on the meeting point
Fly to Queenstown, then on to Glenorchy.
