Franklin Levinson-New Zealand

Hurunui Horse Treks

GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome

Thank you for choosing to join us on an adventure of a lifetime through the remote and spectacular high country of southern New Zealand.

Please read the following information carefully.

hat to wear:

Ø Comfortable trousers for riding in.(jodhpurs,riding jeans, trackpants, etc). Men may like to wear lycra cycle shorts under their pants.

Ø Warm woollen socks

Ø Riding or Tramping/hiking boots with a heel and good ankle support

Ø Sunhat.

Ø Comfortable clothes for the evening.

What to bring:

Ø A warm change of clothes, if you feel the cold polyprop / thermal underwear is a good idea on Spring and Autumn rides

Ø personal toiletries, face cloth and towel.

Ø insect repellent

Ø gloves

Ø swimsuit

Ø sunblock

Ø Drink bottle

Ø camera and plenty of spare film

small torch and batteries.

Maximum baggage weight allowed is 12kg

What we provide:

Ø Horse, tack & guide

Ø Meals and accommodations (double or twin share)

Ø Transfers to & from Christchurch

Ø Oilskin riding coat

Ø Saddle Bags

General Notes

Ø On our rides we prefer to treat you as our guests rather than tourists.

Ø The land we will be riding over is mainly private land where we travel as a privilege rather than as of right.

Ø As guests we have responsibilities to our hosts along the way, to the environment and to each other to help ensure that your adventure is all that you want it to be.

Ø Getting involved is one of the key elements of these rides and for most people adds much to their experience.

Ø You will be responsible for the grooming and saddling of your own horse each day.

Ø Your guides will instruct and assist you in this and check your horse before you set out each day.

For safety and courtesy please observe the following:

Ø Walk and lead your horse out of camp in the morning.

Ø Stay at the pace set by the trek leader. Pace is mainly walk; trot or canter may be possible solely at the discretion of the trek leader, based on terrain, weather conditions, rider experience level, presence of livestock, etc

Ø Let your horse drink when he wants to

Ø Always wear footwear you would be comfortable walking a long distance in

Ø Listen to your guide’s instructions and respect them

Ø Use environmentally friendly soaps & shampoos

Ø Use wash bowls provided and empty onto ground away from rivers and lakes.

Ø Respect the homes of our hosts along the way and remove your shoes when entering.

Ø Please do not bring cellphones as there is no cell phone coverage in the area

Ø Please ask for clarification if you do not understand any instruction from your guides

Ø Should you need to adjust your girth while mounted please ask a guide to assist.

Ø Do not follow to closely to the horse in front.

Ø Ride alongside by all means but keep at least a horse length between you and any horse in front.

Ø Do not ride off before the last rider is mounted or the last horse has drunk at a water stop

Ø Do not hold your horse back so you can trot / canter up to the rest of the group

Ø Do not drop rubbish along the way; Our motto is “If you take it in, you take it out”

Ø Do not smoke on your horse. If you must smoke at other times please consider your fellow travellers.

Ø Cigarette butts must be handed to the guide as there is always a fire risk.

Ø Do not leave a campsite without informing a guide of your intentions

Ø Ask your guides about anything you are unsure of or require help with.

Thank you for riding with us, we hope you enjoy your adventure.

Liam & Heather

Directors

A true high country adventure, exploring the magnificent scenery and station life that surrounds the awesome Hurunui River. This ride uses a Four Wheel Drive support vehicle instead of pack horses. Our gear and refreshments await us at the end of each days ride.

Day 1: After arriving at Christchurch you will transfer to Lazy Acres farmstay near Hurunui Horsetreks base where your guides will join you for dinner. (Dinner, bed & breakfast).

Day 2: We roll our swags, eat a hearty breakfast then saddle up and ride out from our base at "The Peaks".

We ride up through the Waitohi River, under the shady willows stopping for lunch and a swim at the Mt Noble boundary.

Passing under Mt Noble and Gola Peak we ride on to Mt. Whitnow Station, a High Country sheep and cattle station. Arriving late afternoon, we take care of our horses, enjoy cool refreshments and later dinner in comfortable surroundings.

Here we camp in the shearers quarters (beds, showers, flush toilet and kitchen) Approx 7.0 hrs riding.

Day 3:. After a hearty breakfast we saddle our horses and ride over a low pass (approx. 900metres.) into the Seaward valley, following the Seaward River, surrounded by mountains, down through its awesome, deep gorges.

We cross the river many times and stop for lunch by a deep, clear swimming hole further on above its confluence with the Hurunui River.

Then after following the road for a short time to the junction of the North and South branches of the Hurunui River we ride up through the bush in Boulder Gully to a low saddle. Dropping down into Starvation Gully we follow it out to Lake Taylor Station where we spend the night in the shearers quarters. We dine with the family who own Lake Taylor Station.

Day 4: Today we ride out past Lake Taylor and over the Munro Saddle back into the wide , tussock terraced upper valley of the Hurunui’s South Branch. We follow the South branch up as far as the Mason Stream and ride up over the terraces to discover Lake Mason, secluded amid native beech forest, where we will be based for the next few days.

Lake Mason is actually two lakes separated by a shingle spit. We camp at a small, rustic shepherd’s hut and use tents for accommodation. Approx. 4 hours riding

Day 5: Lake Mason. This is a rest day for horses and riders who can take the time to appreciate nature, swim in the lake or just relax with a book.

Day 6: Today we go for a day ride, over the Catherine Saddle following the Hurunui River above Lake Sumner towards the Main Divide. Our objective is the natural hot pool nestled in the forest above the Hurunui River and a pleasant, refreshing soak. There are several river crossings, spectacular scenery and we return to Lake Mason for the night. Approx.6.5 hours riding.

Day 7: Leaving Lake Mason behind we ride through a Beech forest with some trees up to 400 years old, around a swamp and up over the Catherine saddle to the top of Lake Sumner, where there are spectacular views of Mt.Longfellow(6227ft.),Mt.Emerson(5998ft), Niggerhead(4564ft),The Nelson Tops and Main Divide.

We stop for lunch on the grass flats beside the beautiful bush edged Loch Katrine. Here we take another break before riding on past picturesque Lake Taylor to Lake Taylor Station where we can enjoy a hot shower and another meal with Dave and Rosemary Gunn who farm this 18,000-acre property.

We camp up in the shearers quarters for the night. (Bunkhouse / hot showers / flush toilet)

Day 8: After leaving Lake Taylor Station we ride up through Starvation Gully and its sub-alpine vegetation to the Eskhead Saddle on the Oronoko Range. We stop for a while to take in the breathtaking views, then lead our horses down a tussock ridge and have lunch beside the South Branch of the Hurunui River.

Crossing the South Branch and Seaward River once again, we ride down through the Hurunui's scenic gorge to a tent camp on a forested terrace above the Hurunui River. Approx. 5 hours riding.

Day 9: Leaving our camp behind we ride along the banks of the Hurunui River, gentle after its wild ride through Maori Gully, 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 head across country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx.770metres.) with its panoramic views of the Amuri Basin.

On reaching our base we unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses down after which you will be transferred to your Farmstay. Approx. 4.5 hrs riding.

Highlights

No pack horses, more varied pace, scenery, station life, beech forest, native birds, river crossings, mountain passes, lakes, natural hot pool

Maximum number of riders is eight unless by prior arrangement

Note: This ride is supported by 4 wheel Drive vehicle, not packhorses, so the weight limit for gear is 12kg

Refreshments are served after the horses are taken care of at the end of each days riding.

Routes described can vary due to seasons and weather conditions

You will be collected by Hurunui Shuttle at 3.00pm outside the Information Centre in Cathedral Square,

Central Christchurch on the first day. Please arrange to be there at this time. If you encounter any problems please

If you wish to combine your ride with additional pre or post trek accommodation, alternative transport is available at an

There are a range of options available, including farmstay dinner, bed & breakfast. Please contact us for details and prices.