Get ready for the ultimate New Zealand equestrian adventure; the Tekapo Expedition, New Zealand's longest trail ride. Not for the faint hearted, this horseback ride is set in the South Island and travels through famous mountainous high country stations, ascending and descending on craggy going with beautiful vistas in every direction. Cross some of the largest rivers in New Zealand, (some taking up to an hour to cross). The surefooted, steadfast horses (and six to eight pack horses) make sure that riders are in safe hands. The pack horses accompany the ride throughout, carrying the swag and tucker. These horses, along with the Clydesdale X Thoroughbred riding horses, have been bred in hill country making them sure footed and fast walkers, a pleasure to ride.
Camping in shearers huts and under canvas adds to the magic and excitement of this ride, on some nights there is no electricity or running water, and every night meals are cooked around an open fire. A good bottle of New Zealand wine is never far away.
Hosts, Lawrie and Jenny, have over 20-years experience in running their adventurous trail rides in this wilderness area, operating from Lawrie's childhood home. Lawrie and Jenny know the high country like the back of their hands, and Jenny is in charge of cooking and packing; homemade pies and cakes are her specialty!
Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.
Review received from LK of Newcastle Upon Tyne on 13/01/2017
This ride departs on the same dates every year; the first date follows the itinerary as shown below and on the second date the riders will ride the itinerary in reverse, starting from Tekapo.
Please note, we advise riders to arrive in New Zealand at least 2 days prior to the start of the ride to allow time to acclimatize and recover from jet lag.
Day 1 Arrival (Non riding day)
Arrive at Christchurch Airport and transfer to the Waitohi Downs, the base for this expedition. Meet the hosts and fellow riders over dinner and discuss the adventure ahead!
Day 2 (First riding day)
Hurunui River to Eskhead Station: Riders mount their horses to begin their exhilarating adventure. Start with a ride into hilly country, along the Hurunui River to reach the Lake Sumner Road. Pass the beautiful Maori Gully, crossing the Seaward River and riding up the South Branch to Eskhead Station. Overnight in good shearers quarters with electricity and hot showers.
Day 3
Dampier Range to Anna Hut: After breakfast, pack up, catch the horses, and ride further up the winding South Branch to Deep Creek Hut. Take a break to boil the billy before the 2 hour climb up the Riding Spur to the summit of the Dampier Range, which bounds the Eskhead and Mt White Stations. Stop for lunch at a pretty tarn (mountain lake) surrounded by golden tussocks. Ride down the Andersons Spur and cross the Esk River until reaching open flat ground. Continue to Maternity Gully which becomes the Ant Stream. Anna Hut, the overnight stop is just upstream from here. Set up the camp and enjoy a tasty meal over the campfire.
Day 4
Main Range to Mount White Station: After breakfast, set off towards the Shearers' Quarters at Mount White Station (or Pakiti Hut if shearing is happening). The trail winds around Main Range, past Big and Little Flora, with Lochinvar country in view, crossing a stream to the lunch stop at Hill Hut. The vast expanse of the Puketeraki Range is visible over the Esk River. Riding around Mount White, the group arrive on the ridge overlooking the overnight stop before settling into the Mt White shearers hut for the night.
Day 5
Over the Esk to Castle Inn Station. After breakfast, ride through the wide open flatland towards the Waimakariri River at the mouth of the Esk, the first big river crossing of the trip. The crossing takes riders to the Flock Hill Station that features flat and downey country. Stop for lunch before crossing the Tranz Alpine Railway Line to spend the night at Castle Hill Station with hot showers and electricity again.
Day 6
Porter Height: This is an easy riding day. With the packhorses unloaded, riders leave Flock Hill Backpackers and ride around the rugged mountain called Constitution and glimpse Coleridge Pass, to be crossed the next day. Descending to Broken River, ride up the Porter River and cross the Christchurch Arthur Pass Highway to head to the Porter Height Ski Field. Leave the horses and transfer back to Castle Hill station. The night's accommodation is supplied with hydroelectricity for hot showers etc from a water wheel.
Day 7
Lake Coleridge to Glenthorne: Follow the Porter River up and over Coleridge Pass at the end of Craigieburn Range. This is where the headwaters of the Rakaia River, Mt Arrowsmith, Mt Algidus, Mt Hutt and the turquoise Lake Coleridge can all be seen. Stop for lunch at the bottom of Coleridge Pass on the banks of Lake Coleridge. After lunch cross the Ryton River, passing Lake Catherine on route to the junction of the Harper and Avoca Rivers. Cross over to Glenthorne Station where the next two night's accommodation is situated (Gas, electricity and shower).
Day 8 Rest Day
Rest and catch up on washing. Hike up to Lake Lillian or walk up the Harper River to view the Pinnacles (about an hour) - or just take it easy in the sunshine and enjoy time off, like the horses.
Day 9
Mount Aldigus Station to Manuka Point Station. After packing up, riders follow the west side of the Harper River to the Wilberforce River. Cross to the Mount Aldigus Station, made famous by Mona Anderson's books (A River Rules My Life). Lunch overlooking the Station buildings and then head to the Mathias River. One more river crossing brings riders into Manuka Point Station to camp at the Shearers' Quarters with bunks and tents. (Electricity and showers available)
Day 10
Cross the Rakaia River to Mount Arrowsmith: Today the group crosses the mighty Rakaia River, approximately 5kms of braided riverbed that takes about one hour to cross. Ride on into Glenfalloch country and then south up to Lake Stream, leaving Lake Heron country to the west, Glenfalloch to the east and the Ashburton Gorge to the south. The accommodation tonight is at Mount Arrowsmith Station. (Electricity and shower)
Day 11
Lakes and Haketere Station. While riding in Mount Arrowsmith country and around Lake Heron, riders are likely to see trout leaping. Head to the Ashburton River and cross over to the vast Haketere Station; thousands of acres of tussock-covered land. On leaving Lake Clearwater, the snowcapped peaks of the Two Thumb Range is visible. The trail joins the road at the Potts River cutting and continues on to the Rangitata River that offers views of the Mesopotamia Station homestead and buildings in the far distance. Spend the night in the shearers' quarters. (Electricity and shower)
Day 12
Scour Creek to the Royal Hut: A tough riding day following Scour Creek on an old pack-trail past the Felt Hut. Follow the route over Bullock Bow Saddle on the Sinclair Range, and down into Bush Stream, to the Royal Hut to camp for the night. Camping is in tents tonight with no showers or electricity.
Day 13
Lakes and Mount Gerald Station: Another tough climb today, riding up the Two Thumb range through Stag Saddle, 1924m (6314ft) to be rewarded with amazing views, (weather permitting) of Lake Tekapo, Lake Benmore, Lake Pukaki, also Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and all the high peaks. The descent takes about four hours until reaching the accommodation at Mount Gerald Station Quarters. (Electricity and shower). After a wash and brush up, the horses are turned out into a huge clover paddock, to rest for the next 10 days until a new group arrives to start the ride back to Waitohi Downs.
Day 14
Departure from Mt Gerald Station to Waitohi Downs, The base of Alpine Horse Safaris for the night.
Day 15 Departure
Transfer to the airport.
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.
There are 70 horses on the farm with 40 available for riding. Both the riding horses and pack horses are a delightful mix of Clydesdale X Thoroughbred, they are sure-footed having been bred in the hills and are very comfortable to ride - like gentle giants! The horses range between 16hh and 18hh. The tack used on this ride is Australian stock saddles (made in New Zealand) and single-rein bridles. The riding is English style. As explained in 'Rider requirements', the terrain on this ride can be very rough. As well as long (and potentially deep) river crossings, there are steep ascents and descents. The horses are used to this terrain and it is up to the rider to trust their mount and let them find their way. Riders dismount and lead their horses on the downhills which can sometimes be for up to one hour (totalling around 2-3 hours of walking on foot per day). The pace of the ride is taken at a walk due to the rough terrain and the pack horses which accompany the ride, carrying all the food and equipment. This was how it was done in the old 'muster days', when there were no helicopters and 4X4's like there are to help the land owners nowadays. Using pack horses is a dying art and one which is a special experience.
Please bring your own rain gear.
This ride is suitable for riders from novice to experienced level. There are no age or weight limits. Although the ride is taken at a walking pace only (although there is the odd spot for a trot or canter), riders should be in good fit health to be balanced in the saddle and ready for long hours in the saddle (around 6-9 hours per day). Riders are required to be able to mount and dismount unaided although there are often plenty of rocks and logs available to help.
Good general physical fitness is also necessary and riders should be surefooted with good hips, knees and ankles. There is a fair amount of walking with your horse involved on this ride - horses are always led downhill, sometimes for up to one hour (totalling around 2-3 hours of walking on foot per day). The hills are steep with drop-off's therefore this ride may not be suitable for nervous riders or those with a fear of heights.
Riders are required to help with the horses, such as catching, grooming, tacking/un-tacking, feeding and watering. It is also most appreciated if everyone on the expedition mucks in with pitching tents and food preparation. All tack is checked prior to mounting and if a rider cannot tack-up then help will be given. The ride will need your assistance to saddle and load the packhorses, after the swags have been weighed and strapped together.
Packhorses normally walk free. At times you may be required to lead a packhorse, or ride in front to keep them under control.
After arriving at camp you will take the bridle off, unsaddle your horse and put the saddle blanket in the sun to dry. When dry the blankets need to be brushed, then all the gear is stacked on a tarpaulin and covered for the night.
If you are not a horse person and would like to help, there is always a need in the kitchen. Campsites and huts need to be left clean and tidy, your help would be most appreciated here.
Once the horses are caught, they need to be brushed clean before they are saddled. All swags, tents, spare gear and tucker boxes need to be weighed each morning.
At three of the camps people are needed to hold horses whilst the saddles are put on or off as there are no post or trees to tie to at these huts.
*Riders are asked to disclose any medical condition, in confidence, prior to booking this ride*
The weight limit for this ride is 264 lb/120 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
The accommodation ranges from tents to a woolshed, muster huts and a B&B. It may depend on external factors as to where riders will be staying, for instance if sheep are being sheared it will not be possible to stay in the woolshed. On some nights there will be no electricity or running water but there will usually be a stream or river nearby to wash in - they are also great for a swim at the end of a day in the saddle! On some nights there may be a hot shower. Toilets also range from long-drop (whilst camping) to normal toilets. Airbeds are provided.
The food on this ride can be described as good, healthy farm food - it is intended to fill riders up and give them energy. Expect meals such as steak, mince and stroganoff. Jenny, one of the hosts, cooks everything herself from scratch using local ingredients. Her pies and cakes are said to be legendary! Tea, coffee and water are included in the price of the holiday. Alcohol and canned drinks are not included, nor provided, but riders are invited to bring along their own supply with them. This can also be pre-ordered in advance before travel commences and will be waiting for the rider upon arrival.
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
Although this ride takes place in the summer, riders can experience all four seasons in one day, due to the mountainous location.
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.
Guests must declare in confidence any medical condition they have prior to the ride. Anyone with a medical condition requiring specific medication – please make sure you carry sufficient medication for more than the safari's duration. Bad weather and rising rivers can mean delays of a few days.
Occasionally in the native bush the ride will come upon a wasp nest. Comprehensive first aid kits are carried which include antihistamine tablets for stings. However if you are allergic to stings please carry your prescribed medication.
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 is no mobile phone coverage during the ride but the guides carry a satellite phone. Riding hats are provided if required and it is compulsory for riders under 16 years old to wear a riding hat. If using a GoPro make sure to have the permission of the group to be filmed.
We suggest you bring with you at least three complete changes of clothes. Remember, in the South Island High Country it is possible to experience four seasons in one day. Warm clothes are essential all year round.
- Gloves + “Freezer” gloves for rain
- Strong sturdy boots e.g. Tramping or Hiking boots. NOT Leather soled Jodhpur boots or Gumboots
- Rain wear (no longer supplied by hosts)
- Hats – Rain, sun, wind and cold
- Warm jacket and scarf
- Light shoes to wear in huts
- Thermal undergarments e.g. Polypropylene or Icebreaker
- A warm sleeping bag (or can be hired for NZD$10)
- Towel
- Swimwear
- 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
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Laundry soap
- Torch / flashlight with batteries
Provided by hosts
- Long stockman oilskin coats and trouser type leggings
- Helmets
- Swagrolls
- Airbeds
- Saddlebags for small personal items camera, gloves, …
- Sleeping bags, can be hired for NZD$10
- Lunchbox and drinks bottle (go in the above saddlebags)
We supply a swag roll, made of canvas, in which you place your sleeping bag and your clothes in a pocket at one end. This is then tightly rolled, fastened, then placed in a waterproof bag and strapped on the side of a packsaddle.
Some guests prefer to ride in jodhpurs, other track pants, shorts or jeans. Choose your preference but be wary of clothes that chafe. Bicycle shorts under your trousers add extra padding. Some guests ride in calf-length chaps for leg protection.
You should have at least two shirts with long sleeves and collar to protect arms and neck from sun and wind.
Horses are led down steep terrain; this is where the sturdy boots with good ankle support are most important.
Some huts have insufficient bunks, guests will be accommodated in tents. Air-beds are carried for your comfort. Tents need to be taken down, rolled up and returned to their bag, remembering poles and pegs need to be rolled up in the middle of the tent.
Each evening before a meal the group have cheese and crackers. Feel free to bring any alcohol of your choice that you may choose for the duration of the trip. preferably in disposable containers – the ride can supply plastic bottles. They cannot carry glass as it is too heavy.
Alcohol Reminder:
New Zealand is the country with the most wine growing areas. Not quite, but that’s how it seems to be on our rides. All (just about all) our guests on our safari's do normally bring alcohol for their trip. There is always the odd person that thinks “I can easily go without it for 11 days” but that’s quite often not how it works out in the end.
And of course there are the ones who prefer not to drink alcohol. That’s okay!
We do not want anyone to run out of booze on the trip, therefore it is not fair to get into someone else's drinks', just because you didn’t think it was worth it to bring your own.
This has happened just about every time so we thought we would add a little note to remind you.
We have food restocks at two different locations where we can pick up extra cans, wine or spirits. Wine wants to be in casks not bottles and spirits in plastic bottles not glass. We can supply plastic bottles for you.
To save you all from having to carry it on the plane, if you give your order to Jenny, she can purchase it for you and send it onto the two pick-up points.
THIS SECTION IS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY - from Alpine Horse Safari's:
We carry a Satellite Phone with us for emergencies only! It is turned on from 20.00 – 20.15 each night when no phone is provided at accommodation. If contact can be made any other way, we will not have the satellite phone turned on. Please note on the list below which nights do have a landline phone number. We also carry GPS and a locator beacon.
Our satellite Phone Number is 0088 1621 463801
Our satellite Phone operates through the United States of America and your calls will be charged to you in USD. Calls worldwide US$ 1.50/min. Calls to other satellite systems US$ 10.00/min. Please only use in emergencies.
On the 12 day ride we have telephone access at different locations. Therefore we will not be using the Satellite Phone on these nights.
Tekapo Main Divide Expedition SOUTH - 12 Day Safari (leaves 1. November)
Day 1 Esk Head Tel. 03 314 4560
Day 2 Anna Hut Satellite Phone
Day 3 Mt. White Tel. 03 318 8477
Day 4 Flock Hill Tel.03 318 8196
Day 5 Porter Heights Tel. 03 318 4002
Day 6 Retreat Hut Satellite Phone
Day 7 Retreat Hut Satellite Phone
Day 8 Manuka Point Tel.03 318 5814
Day 9 Mt. Arrowsmith Tel.03 303 9090
Day 10 Mesopotamia Satellite Phone
Day 11 Royal Hut Satellite Phone
Day 12 Mt. Gerald Station Tel. 03 680 6581
Tekapo Main Divide Expedition NORTH - 12 Day Safari (leaves 22. November)
Arrival Mt. Gerald Station Tel. 03 680 6581
Day 1 Royal Hut Satellite Phone
Day 2 Mesopotamia Satellite Phone
Day 3 Mt. Arrowsmith Tel. 03 303 9090
Day 4 Manuka Point Tel. 03 318 5814
Day 5 Retreat Hut Satellite Phone
Day 6 Retreat Hut Satellite Phone
Day 7 Porter Heights Tel. 03 318 4002
Day 8 Flock Hill Tel.03 318 8196
Day 9 Mt. White Tel. 03 318 8477
Day 10 Cattle Creek Satellite Phone
Day 11 Mt. Whitnow Tel. 03 314 4020
Day 12 Waitohi Downs (home) Tel. 03 314 4293
The days will all be correct, provided we are not held up with high rivers or bad weather.
BOWLINE KNOT
The only knot we use to tie up horses is a Bowline Knot. If you can’t tie one, we have a stage by stage example of the knot, so you can practice before you arrive for your ride.
1. Lay the rope across your left hand with free end hanging down. Form a small loop in the line of your hand.
2. Bring the free end up to and pass through the eye from underside (the rabbit comes out of the hole.)
3. Wrap the line around the standing line and back through the loop (around the tree and back down the hole)
4. Tighten the knot by pulling on the free end while holding standard line.
This is a 15 day/14 night expedition available on set dates twice a year. On the first date the ride is ridden as per the itinerary. When the ride has finished the horses have a week off to rest where the expedition ends and on the second date the expedition is ridden in reverse with the horses being ridden back to their home. The tour includes river crossings which can occasionally mean the ride is held up until conditions are suitable.
2025: 31 Oct, 20 Nov
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 15d/14n | 11 | per person sharing | 3,415 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 15d/14n | 11 | per person sharing | 3,985 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 15d/14n | 11 | per person sharing | 4,699 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 15d/14n | 11 | per person sharing | 45,139 |
There won't be time to do much else apart from ride on this expedition but of course there's always new areas to be explored on foot during break times or after the riding finishes. Riders may also be able to swim in the rivers if appropriate. It is also nice to rest and take in the magnificent views; the riding is very remote and you may not see anyone else, apart from your fellow riders, for days.
Mobile phone reception is non-existent on this ride. The main guide carries a satellite phone.
*Riders are asked to disclose any medical condition, in confidence, prior to booking this ride*
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.
