This horseback vacation explores tussock laden valleys while meandering along a braided river, and deep into the heart of the mountains on this equestrian adventure. This horseback ride is suited to all levels of rider, and can accommodate non-riders. Much of the route is completed at walk due to the terrain, but beautiful landscapes are guaranteed. Accommodation is based in a tastefully restored historic homestead and cottage in the beautiful Ahuriri conservation park. From here, guests ride out each morning and return each evening. Wifi and phone signal are limited in these areas, so sit back and enjoy a digital detox in a beautiful wilderness on this equestrian vacation.
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We recommend you arrive the day before as the pick up for this ride is between 7- 8am.
Day 1
The Trail Taxi picks up riders between 7 am and 8 am, be dressed to ride and have boots and waterproofs handy. Be welcomed with morning tea on arrival at the homestead. The horses will be saddled, and once lunch boxes and saddle bags are packed, the riding adventure begins. Mountains flank the trail, dwarfing the riders as the trail heads into the valley and follows the meandering Ahuriri River. Join the Dingleburn track to climb to the top of the Mnt Gladwish mountain range (1600 meters) on an old four-wheel drive track. This is an exhilarating ride through native bush and into the high golden tussock. (5hrs riding)
Day 2
The Ahuriri river is a braided glacial river forged at the base of the mountains from snow melt. It is crystal clear and changes colours like a chameleon in every range of blue one can imagine. As the route heads deeper into the heart of the snow capped mountains, stop for lunch at a picturesque gorge. The Department of Conservation have spent a great deal of time and money on the preservation of the extremely rare and endangered Black Stilt that makes it's home here. (6.5hrs riding)
Day 3
Today, riders head high into the mountain peaks looking down on the valleys that we have ridden the previous days riding. The destination is a green lake, located 1200m above sea level. Watch the large trout cruise the edges of the lake while enjoying a picnic lunch. Stunning views of snow capped mountains will leave riders feeling on top of the world. (5.5hrs riding)
Day 4
Say goodbye to the horses and the breathtaking Ahuriri Valley after breakfast before the 9.30am transfer, arriving at Queenstown airport between 13:30 an 14:00.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
The horses are typical hardy New Zealand hacks bred by the hosts, all of a solid build ranging from 15.1hh to 17hh. They are forward moving, calm, sensible, gentle and yet able to dig in and get the job done on terrain that climbs to 6,000 feet above sea. There are a number of Clydesdale crosses which can accommodate heavier riders, please check for availability of these if you exceed the weight limit but are interested in this ride. Saddles are comfy stock and western saddles and all the tack is well kept and suited to the horses. The pace is mostly at the walk as the terrain is varied with obstacles such as rocks, rabbit holes, bogs rivers and shingle slides. It is steep in places, with cliff drops off the side of the trail but the horses are all honest, calm and sure-footed. They are comfortable going high into the mountains and through glacial fed rivers and streams.
Intermediate onwards. Riders must be comfortable at all paces. Riding is sometimes over steep and uneven terrain and is predominately ridden in walk, although not suitable for beginners.
Riders should have a good general level of fitness. Horses are selected for each rider based on experience level as well as height/weight.
The minimum age for this ride is 12 years, children must be good riders and accompanied by an adult.
The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
On this ride you will stay in the Birchwood Homestead which is a tastefully restored historic homestead set deep in the heart of the Ahuriri Conservation park. It is fairly basic but comfortable. Wi-fi and phone signal is limited due to its remoteness, so enjoy a digital detox while you are here.
Food is locally sourced as much as possible, adding to the authentic feel of the trek. Meals will generally be rustic and hearty farm fare. At breakfast there are cereals, toast and preserves as well as a cooked breakfast (bacon, eggs, sausages), tea and coffee. Lunches are pack-ups of sandwiches/wraps, fresh fruit, home baked slices, sweets and nuts. Dinners are designed to enhance the visit enjoy Angus beef, roast merino lamb, high country salmon, Mount Harris venison. Puddings also include the fruits from central Otago.
Please enquire if you have any dietary requirements: every effort will be made to accommodate dietary needs but please note the isolated location of the trail can make it difficult to source certain items.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.
NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures.
When visiting New Zealand, your passport should be valid for three months from the date you intend to depart.
Visas are not usually needed to enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to 6 months, but you will need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. The NZeTA costs NZD $9 if applying via the dedicated mobile app, or NZD $12 if completed online.
You will also need to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35 when you apply. Once issued, the NZeTA is valid for up to two years. The New Zealand immigration authorities recommend that applicants allow up to 72 hours for processing.
On arrival in New Zealand, you will also need to satisfy the Immigration Officer that you meet the criteria for visa-free entry, which includes having an onward ticket and sufficient funds to support you during your stay.
Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.
Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-zealand In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewZealand.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/new-zealand
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
The seasons are sharply defined: summers are hot and low in humidity; winter mornings are often misty, the days cloudless and windless and the nights freezing. Spring warms the soil and fruit tree blossom dominates the district’s orchard areas. Temperatures range from minus 3 to 20 deg C, with 10 frosts a month. Average rainfall is 28mm a month and sunshine 206 hours.
In summer, daylight lasts as long as 10pm. Temperatures range from 10 to plus 30 deg C on several days. Rainfall averages 38mm a month and sunshine is 227 hours. Autumn is brilliant as the extensive orchards and poplar shelterbelts turn red, yellow and gold. Temperatures range from minus 3 to 24 deg C. Rainfall averages 30mm a month with 11 frosts monthly and 150 hours of sunshine.
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.
Research has shown that asthma sufferers may be more at risk of an attack in New Zealand and sufferers should be suitably prepared.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the New Zealand and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
There are no specific health warnings for this ride. Insect repellent is a good idea though!
In New Zealand the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.
There are opportunities to charge phones and cameras at some, but not all, accommodations along the trail. Spare batteries and/or a powerbank are a good idea. There is only Wi-Fi in the hotel on the last night. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the group's permission to be filmed
Please bring a soft travel bag please avoid hard suitcases
- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a small heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Sweatshirt
- Shirts or t-shirts
- Pullover, fleece sweaters or fleece jacket
- Warm coat and windbreaker
- Raincoat
- Rain trousers
- Comfortable trousers for evenings
- Warm pyjamas
- Shorts
- Quick-drying socks
- Warm woollen/ merino clothing/ Thermal underwear (including long Johns)
- Comfortable light-weight shoes for evenings
- Wide brimmed hat or cap
- Warm Hat/gloves/warm socks/ scarf
- Towel
- Swimming-suit
- Good sunglasses
- High protection sun screen and lipstick
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Antibacterial product for hands
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Headlamp or torch can be useful
- Binoculars
- Ear plugs
- Electric adaptor if needed
- Paracetamol/ibruprofen (if you think you will require this)
- Chocolate (or other sweeties you can’t resist)
This is a 3 day / 3 night programme, with 3 days riding available on set dates.
2025: 24 - 27 Mar
Single rooms are not available every night so guests need to be willing to share. Single tents are available at no additional cost. Single rooms in hotels may be arranged subject to availability, please enquire.
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 4d/3n | 3 | per person sharing | 1,365 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 4d/3n | 3 | per person sharing | 1,589 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 4d/3n | 3 | per person sharing | 1,805 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 4d/3n | 3 | per person sharing | 17,555 |
Kiwi Tracks: New Zealand Journey by Andrew Stevenson
For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com
Red, Fallow and Wapiti deer, Merino sheep, Chamois (an agile goat/ antelope with short hooked horns) and Himalayan Tahr (is associated with wild goats from the Himalayas in southern Tibet)
New Zealand has very strict bio-security regulations. It is illegal to import most food-stuffs (meat and meat products, honey, fruit, dairy produce) and strict penalties are handed out to those breaking these rules. Take care when importing wood products, golf clubs, footwear, tents, fishing equipment and items made from animal skin.
New Zealand is a fertile and mountainous group of islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It is made up of two main islands (the North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands.
New Zealand's first settlers were the Maori, whose Polynesian ancestors probably landed on what they called Aotearoa ('Land of the Long White cloud') during the 10th century AD, making New Zealand the last major habitable land mass to be settled by mankind. European settlers first came across New Zealand in 1642 when the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, spotted it in the course of his search for Antarctica. He named the South Island 'Nieuw Zeeland' after the Dutch province. James Cook sighted the North Island in 1769 and returned with various charting and scientific expeditions a number of times over the next few years. His enthusiastic reports encouraged a wave of European settlers who came across from Australia, and whalers who came from the UK, the USA and France. They gradually displaced Maori from their lands.
New Zealand is a country of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant native forests and long, deserted beaches. Because of its isolated geographical location, New Zealand is home to many unique species of flora and fauna, including the kiwi, kakapo and weka (all flightless birds).
New Zealand is twelve hours ahead GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram.
The international dialling code is +64.
