The Waitohi Trail
The Waitohi Trail includes two nights' luxury accommodation with owners, 3 course dinner with wine, bed, breakfast, packed lunch and three days trekking in the high country and rivers.
A unique opportunity to meet the people who own the sheep and cattle stations along the way and experience the culture of the New Zealand high country.
"The Hurunui"
Itinerary
"Through the clouds"
"Riding along the Hurunui"
"Waitohi River"
Day 1:
We begin all of our treks with a short introduction on how we handle our horses on the ground, this is done individually in our round pen where you experience “Join Up” with your mount and understand how we ride our horses, so you can ride safely, enjoying good communication and leadership with your horse; we train our horses through respect and trust.
When everyone is happy we leave our base at The Peaks on our first day´s adventure following the Waitohi River we stop in the shade of the willows by the river and enjoy our picnic lunch. If the weather is suitable we take a swim in one of the swimming holes on the river. Then we move on following the beginning part of the historic gold trail over to the West Coast to Seven Hills Station. (approx. 4.5 hrs riding)
At the end of your days ride you can enjoy a cold beer (or your favourite drink) whilst your horse munches its much earned feed before being turned out into the paddock for the night. Then you will be transported back to our base where you are spoilt for choice – take a hot shower, have a soak and pressure massage in our new hydro-therapy spa, just enjoy the tranquillity of our garden, and relax in one of the hammock chairs with a chilled Sangria or wine to drink on the deck with views of the mountains all around you. Presently, your dinner is served ‘al fresco’ beside the pit fire in our river stone walled garden, the delicate scent of the herb garden permeating the air.
Day 2:
After a hearty breakfast, great coffee and your saddle bags packed with a tasty lunch you are taken out to Seven Hills Station where we catch and saddle our horses. Today we leave Seven Hills and follow a trail through the bottom end of Mt Mason Station, crossing the Waitohi River into Mt Noble Station. We stop here for lunch by the babbling river and if it´s hot we can revive our feet in the cold spring water. In the afternoon we climb up onto Windy Ridge where you get your first glimpse of the Hurunui River and follow the trail down through the native bush to the Lake Sumner Road. The horses spend the night in the lower paddocks at 7 Hills Station. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)
At the end of your days ride you can enjoy a cold beer (or your favourite drink) whilst your horse munches its much earned feed before being turned out into the paddock for the night. Then you will be transported back to our base where you are spoilt for choice – take a hot shower, have a soak and pressure massage in our new hydro-therapy spa, just enjoy the tranquillity of our garden, and relax in one of the hammock chairs with a chilled Sangria or wine to drink on the deck with views of the mountains all around you. Presently, your dinner is served ‘al fresco’ beside the pit fire in our river stone walled garden, the delicate scent of the herb garden permeating the air.
Day 3:
On our last day we ride along the banks of the tranquil Hurunui River, 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 ride across country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx. 850m) with its panoramic views of the Amuri Basin, down to our base where we unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses down and then enjoy afternoon tea or a cold beer. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)
We generally arrive back at approx 3.30 pm giving you plenty of time to either return to Christchurch or carry on with your journey North.
We use a Four-Wheel-Drive vehicle to transport our gear, which allows for a ride with a more varied pace and in which you can experience the true freedom of the high country on horseback.
Our gear and refreshments await us after the horses are taken care of at the end of each day's ride. The emphasis throughout is on quality, in luxury accommodation, open fires, terrace, good food, wine and a great riding experience with very knowledgeable guides.
Ride includes:
- Horse riding, guides and land permits
- Safety helmets and oil skins
- Insulated lunch box
- Bed Linen or sleeping bags
- Hydro Therapy Spa
- Taxes
Approximate average of six hours
Key :: Beginners: 
Novice:
Intermediate:
Advanced:
