New Zealand Pack Trip

14 Days | From £3275pp

New Zealand ( Best airport: Christchurch)

Join the longest pack trip in New Zealand in the heart of the South Island, on this trail riding expedition. Cross some of the largest rivers in New Zealand, (some taking up to an hour to cross). The surefooted, steadfast horses travel alongside free-running pack horses and make sure that riders are in safe hands. A real adventure for intrepid and adventurous travellers.

Camping in shearers huts and under canvas adds to the magic of this ride, on some nights there is no electricity or running water, and every night meals are cooked around an open fire. A good bottle of New Zealand wine is never far away.

The Riding

As well as long (and potentially deep) river crossings, there are steep ascents and descents. The horses are used to this terrain and it is up to the rider to trust their mount and let them find their way. Riders dismount and lead their horses on the downhills which can sometimes be for up to one hour (totalling around 2-3 hours of walking on foot per day). The pace of the ride is taken at a walk due to the rough terrain and the pack horses which accompany the ride, carrying all the food and equipment. This was how it was done in the old ‘muster days’, when there were no helicopters and 4X4’s like there are to help the land owners nowadays. Using pack horses is a dying art and to experience it is something completely unique.

There is a fair amount of walking with your horse involved on this ride – horses are always led downhill and some of the downhills are steep, sometimes for up to one hour (totalling around 2-3 hours of walking on foot per day).

Riders are required to help with the horses, such as catching, grooming, tacking/un-tacking, feeding and watering. Everyone on the expedition mucks in with pitching tents and food preparation creating a strong sense of camraderie within the group. The ride will need your assistance to saddle and load the packhorses, after the swags have been weighed and strapped together. Packhorses normally walk free. At times you may be required to lead a packhorse, or ride in front to keep them under control.

After arriving at camp you will take the bridle off, unsaddle your horse and put the saddle blanket in the sun to dry. When dry the blankets need to be brushed, then all the gear is stacked on a tarpaulin and covered for the night. If you are not a horse person and would like to help, there is always a need in the kitchen.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This ride is suitable for riders from novice to experienced level. Although the ride is taken at a walking pace only (although there is the odd spot for a trot or canter), riders should be in good fitness and health to be balanced in the saddle and ready for long hours riding (around 6-9 hours per day). Riders are required to be able to mount and dismount unaided although there are often plenty of rocks and logs available to help.

Guides and Group Size

Hosts, Lawrie and Jenny, have over 20-years experience in running their adventurous trail rides in this wilderness area, operating from Lawrie’s childhood home. The breeding of their distinctive Clydesdale Thoroughbred cross horses developed quickly, and the herd currently stands at 80 strong, and are also used extensively for mustering stock. Lawrie and Jenny know the high country like the back of their hands, and Jenny is in charge of cooking and packing; homemade pies and cakes are her speciality.

Any questions?

The Horses

There are 70 horses on the farm with 40 available for riding. Both the riding horses and pack horses are a delightful mix of Clydesdale X Thoroughbred, they are sure-footed having been bred in the hills and are very comfortable to ride – like gentle giants! The horses range between 16hh and 18hh. These horses have been bred in hill country making them sure footed and fast walkers, a pleasure to ride.

Tack and Riding Equipment

The tack used on this ride is Australian stock saddles (made in New Zealand) and single-rein bridles. The riding is English style.

Accommodation and Dining

The accommodation ranges from tents to a woolshed, muster huts and a B&B. On some night there will be no electricity or running water but there will usually be a stream or river nearby to wash in – also great for a swim at the end of a day in the saddle! On some nights there may be a hot shower. Toilets also range from long-drop (whilst camping) to normal toilets. Airbeds are provided.

The food on this ride can be described as good, healthy farm food. Expect meals such as steak, mince and stroganoff. Jenny, one of the hosts, cooks everything herself from scratch using local ingredients. Her pies and cakes are legendary! Tea, coffee and water are included in the price of the holiday. Alcohol and canned drinks are not included, nor provided, but riders are invited to bring along their own supply with them. This can also be pre-ordered in advance and will be waiting for you on arrival.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Christchurch Airport and transfer to the Waitohi Downs, the base for this expedition. Meet the hosts and fellow riders over dinner and discuss the adventure ahead.

Day 2 Riders mount their horses to begin their exhilarating adventure. We ride up hilly country, along the Hurunui River, reaching the Lake Sumner Road. We pass the beautiful Maori Gully, crossing the Seaward River and riding up the South Branch to Eskhead Station. We overnight in good shearers quarters with electricity and hot showers.

Day 3 After breakfast, pack up, catch the horses, and ride further up the winding South Branch to Deep Creek Hut. We break to boil the billy, then start the climb ( 2 hours) up the Riding Spur to the summit of the Dampier Range, which bounds the Eskhead and Mt White Stations. We stop for lunch by a pretty tarn (mountain lake) surrounded by golden tussocks. Riding on down Andersons Spur, crossing the Esk River, we reach open flat ground and go on to Maternity Gully which becomes Ant Stream. Anna Hut, the overnight stop is just upstream from here. We need tents here as there are 8 bunks. A lovely meal is prepared over over the campfire.

Day 4 After breakfast we set off at 8:30am towards the Shearers' Quarters at Mount White Station, or Pakiti Hut if shearing is happening. The trail winds around Main Range, past Big and Little Flora, with Lochinvar country in view, crossing a stream to the lunch stop at Hill Hut. Visible over the Esk River is the Puketeraki Range, a vast expanse of peaks and ridges: Pig, Anna, and Broadleaf Spurs, follow the Parkees, the Limestone and Chest Peak in the south. Riding on round Mount White, we arrive on the ridge looking down on to the place we are to spend the night. Note there is an extra cost to stay at this shearers’ lodge of NZD 150 per person for a bed, showers, electricity and an evening meal (not included in the price, payable on site).

Day 5 After breakfast, we ride on through the wide open, developed flatland, towards the Waimakariri River at the mouth of the Esk, which is our first big river crossing. On the other side we are on the Flock Hill Station, riding over flat and downey country we stop for lunch before crossing the Tranz Alpine Railway Line. We spend the night at Castle Inn Station with hot showers and electricity again!

Day 6 An easy day today, with the packhorses unloaded, riders leave Flock Hill Backpackers and ride around the rugged mountain called Constitution and glimpse Coleridge Pass, which we crossed tomorrow. Descending to Broken River, ride up the Porter River, crossing the Christchurch Arthur Pass Highway and heading to Porter Height Ski Field Accommodation supplied with hydroelectricity for hot showers etc from a water wheel.

Day 7 Today we follow the Porter River up and over Coleridge Pass at the end of Craigieburn Range, where the headwaters of the Rakaia River, Mt Arrowsmith, Mt Algidus, Mt Hutt and the turquoise Lake Coleridge can be seen. At the bottom of the steep Coleridge Pass we stop for lunch at the edge of Lake Coleridge and Ryton Station. Back on the trail, over Ryton River, passing Lake Catherine we ride onwards to the junction of the Harper and Avoca Rivers then cross over to Glenthorne Station. Our accommodation for the next two nights is the Retreat Hut (with gas, electricity and shower).

Day 8 Rest and catch up on washing. Hike up to Lake Lillian, or walk up the Harper River to view the Pinnacles (about an hour) - or just take it easy in the sunshine and enjoy time off, like the horses.

Day 9 Pack up, ready to head out from this beautiful spot. Follow the west side of the Harper River to the Wilberforce River. On the other side we are on Mount Aldigus Station, made famous by the books written by Mona Anderson (A River Rules My Life). Lunch overlooking the Station buildings and then head to the Mathias River. One more river crossing brings riders into Manuka Point Station to camp at the Shearers' Quarters with bunks and tents. (Electricity and showers available)

Day 10 Today we cross the mighty Rakaia River, approximately 5kms of braided riverbed to cross that takes about one hour. Ride on into Glenfalloch country and then south up Lake Stream, leaving Lake Heron country to the west, Glenfalloch to the east and the Ashburton Gorge to the south. The accommodation tonight is at Mount Arrowsmith Station. (Electricity and shower)

Day 11 Riding in Mount Arrowsmith country, riding around Lake Heron we'll likely see trout leaping and then head for the Ashburton River and cross over to the vast Haketere Station; thousands of acres of tussock covered land. Leaving Lake Clearwater the snowcapped peaks of the Two Thumb Range are visible. The trail joins the road at the Potts River cutting and we continue on to the Rangitata River with views of the Mesopotamia Station homestead and buildings in the far distance. We spend the night in the shearers' quarters. (Electricity and shower)

Day 12 Today is tough! We follow Scour Creek on the old pack-track past the Felt Hut, riding over Bullock Bow Saddle on the Sinclair Range, and then down into Bush Stream, where the camp for the night is at the Royal Hut, so-called because it was once visited by Princess Anne and Prince Charles. Camping in tents tonight with no showers or electricity.

Day 13 Another tough climb today, riding up the Two Thumb range through Stag Saddle, 1924m (6314ft) to be rewarded with amazing views, (weather permitting) of Lake Tekapo, Lake Benmore, Lake Pukaki, also Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and all the high peaks. The descent takes about four hours until we reach our accommodation: Mount Gerald Station Quarters. (Electricity and shower). After a wash and brush up the horses are turned out into a huge clover paddock, to rest for the next 10 days until a new group arrives to start the ride back to Waitohi Downs.

Day 14 After a final night it's time to say a sad goodbye. Transfer to the airport.