10 Day Ultimate North & South

Begin the day at 9:30am at The Peaks base between Hurunui and Waitohi Rivers in North Canterbury, receive a short introduction on how to handle your horses, and how to ride safely. Once confident you'll set off on our first 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 will take a swim in one of the swimming holes on the river. After lunch we move on following the beginning part of the historic gold trail reaching the final destination of the day: the lower paddocks of Seven Hills station. After a long day we will feed, water and clean down our horses and turn them out into the paddock for the night.

Transfers back to base is provided where you will be spoilt for choice - take a hot shower, have a soak and pressure massage in the new hydro-therapy spa, and just enjoy the tranquility of their garden in a relaxation hammock chairs with a chilled Sangria or wine to drink. Dinner is served 'al fresco' beside a pit fire.

After a big hearty breakfast with your bags packed you'll be taken out back to Saddle Stations to catch and saddle your horse. Today we ride through Mt Mason Station following the Waitohi Gorge climbing up over a high saddle, stopping for lunch enjoying the spectacular views of the South Island. After lunch climbing higher, we will walk down the other side meandering through the valleys of the Virginia area to our final destination, Double Tops Station where your horse will stay for the next two nights. (approx 5.5 hours riding)

On the third day we ride through Double Tops Station, stopping at Tommy's Cabin under the willows through Tommy's Creek into the valley with the refreshing scent of the native bush. Climbing high onto the Double Tops ride you will be rewarded with an amazing view of the sea and Christchurch Bay; here we enjoy our picnic lunch. Returning downwards we travel through another valley, then climb up and over another ridge returning to the wooldshed at Double Tops. After grooming, untacking and feeding your horse you will be greeted with a cold beer or beverage and be driven back to your accommodation at the Peaks again for the night.

After breakfast you are taken out to Double Tops Station where we catch and saddle our horses, going through the Virginia valley following a trail through the bottom of Mt Mason Station. You will see beautiful creeks and pine tree's leaving the air pristine and watching the birds fly over you catching the morning bugs. Cross over the Waitohi River into Mt Noble Station stopping for lunch by the babbling river. If it's a hot day we can revive our feet in the cold spring water. In the afternoon you'll climb up onto Windy Ridge leaving you with your first glimpse of Hurunui River, as we follow the trail down through the native bush to the Lake Summer Road, the horses will spend the night in the lower paddocks at 7 Hills Station.

Transport back to The Peaks base.

After arriving in Auckland, making your way to Pakiri you will receive your introductory ride at approx. 2pm along Pakiri Beach. Dinner with your hosts descendants of Te Kiri paramount chief of Ngati Wai and his daughter Rahui, who have lived their lives farming this land. Your accommodation will be your choice at either the beach house or in a beach cabin. (Approx 2 hours riding)

10:00am we depart Pakiri for a days riding on the beautiful white Pacific surf beach, if your lucky enough you may occasionally see wild dolphins playing in the surf and indeed ride in and swim with them! Ride along the trails in the pine forest once used by Maori warriors in ancient times, lunch at the freshwater lake Tomarata, if the weather is fine you might like to swim with your horse and cool off. After lunch we ride up over Te Arai Point where you will receive views over the beach and out to the islands which are spectacular. Accommodation will be at the Lakeview Chalets overlooking Lake Spectacle. (Approx 5 hours riding)

Your full day ride will be along the white sands of Te Arai beach (much loved by surfers for its left hand break), over Te Arai point and back through the forest. Finish up along Pakiri beach and through an ancient pohutukawa glade (if you are riding in early December these old trees will be covered in bright red blossom) to your accommodation at Pakiri. (Approx 5 hours riding)

Today we head to the Maori Marae at Leigh. We climb high above the white sands of Pakiri beach to the Pa (the lookout fortress) of the paramount chief Te Kiri the ancestor of your hosts Laly and Sharley Haddon. You will be able to look out over the ocean into the distance towards the Barrier islands and Coromandel as well as Rangitoto and Auckland city in the distance. Further travel over the beautiful farmland down to the little fishing township of Leigh. You will all sleep the night together in the meeting house on mattresses on the floor as is the custom, you will also be able to talk with the people and learn something of their history and their lives today.

If there is less than 6 people in the group we will be staying at Molly hawk Cottage; a delightful bed and breakfast lodge where you may soak in a hot outdoor bath! (Approx 5 hours riding)

After breakfast your last day will be back to Pakiri stopping for lunch at Te Kiri's Pa high above the sea. From here a steep descent to the beach where you can enjoy a brisk gallop along the sand and then ride through the dunes along the estuary and further over some hilly farmland. Afternoon tea or a cool beer when you return is provided. (Approx 4 hours riding)