5 Day Adventurer Trek

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.

Your last day riding in the South Island is along the Hurunui river under the impressive Hooligan Range and other towering mountains opposite the river. Have lunch below Mt. Self beside the flowing Hurunui River, 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 you will unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses and then enjoy your afternoon tea. (Approx 5.5 hours riding)