This gem of a five day, four night itinerary is situated one hour from Queenstown in the cute-as-a-button lakeside community of Glenorchy. With five days of unrestricted hours in the saddle, this ride has it all: wet and wild canters along riverbanks, wandering through native beech forests, circumnavigating a mountain and exploring a quintessential High Country property.
Your hosts, mother and daughter Deana and Casey, have exclusive access to over 100,000 acres of pristine back country stretching from the Dart Valley through to the Rees Valley, with Mount Alfred smack bang in the middle.
On day one you’ll stay at Rees Valley Station’s shearers quarters. Rees Valley Station is a 37,000 acre working sheep station that borders World Heritage-listed Mount Aspiring National Park. On days two and three, globetrotters explore the Rees Valley with its glacial fed rivers and wild, untamed beauty. Your accommodation is beside Arthurs Creek Musterers Hut – back country camping at its best. Think waterfalls, starry nights and silence. On day four, you’ll cruise through enchanted landscapes made world-famous by blockbuster movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mission Impossible and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. And the last night is at Miller’s House, a historic, bespoke guest house set within Paradise (quite literally)!
Seriously, the Glenorchy Back Country Ride typifies everything we love about New Zealand. All you need to do is get yourself on a plane to Queenstown in the South Island, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Fast Facts
- Horse Breed:NZ Stationbred, Quarter Horse and first cross, Percheron, Gypsy Cob and Clydie first cross.
- Pace:This will vary depending on the terrain and weather conditions. Some days are more mountainous than others. When the terrain permits, there will be opportunities to trot and canter but this may not be every day.
- Weight Limit:A maximum of 95kg / 210lbs.
- Type of tack:English all-purpose saddles which are all correctly fitted to the horses. *Please be advised, a select few horses are ridden in Western saddles simply because they provide a better fit for that specific horse, but we will not accommodate saddle requests. It is much preferred to match horse to rider based upon ability. Thanks for your understanding.
- Seasons:October to March.
- Group size:A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Time in Saddle:On average, 5 to 6 hours per day, depending on the distance needing to be travelled (between 15 and 25km per day).
- Riding Ability:Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. All riders MUST be confident riding outside an arena at all paces over uneven ground. Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
- Accommodation:For the first night guests stay in bunk bed rooms, with a hot shower and flushing toilets in a separate building a minute’s walk away. The next two nights guests stay in tents (with camp stretchers and swags) beside a station muster hut with a camp shower and a bio toilet. The last night is spent at Paradise Homestead, a historic, bespoke accommodation house with lazeabout beds, hot showers, flushing toilets and kitchen.
- Ride Length:5 days, 4 nights.
- Inclusions:
The price includes twin share accommodation, transfers to and from Queenstown, meals and riding.
- Exclusions:
The price does not include international or regional flights, travel insurance (compulsory) or alcohol throughout the trip.
DEPARTURE DATES & RATES
NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% payment plan!WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes twin share accommodation, transfers to and from Queenstown, meals and riding.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international or regional flights, travel insurance (compulsory) or alcohol throughout the trip.
Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. There is a 2% surcharge on all card payments. Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN NZD?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.
Itinerary
Expand AllCollapse All*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Transfer Information
What our valued Globetrotters say about The Glenorchy Back Country Ride

Rae Marie Gibb
‘This was my second on the Globetrotting Glenorchy Back Country Ride, and it was just as wonderful as the first one. I rode a wonderful little horse called Slim who was the real gentleman. The team did a wonderful job of matching us with willing, experienced horses who knew their job. I met wonderful friends and explored one of the most beautiful areas of NZ. The guides, Shaun and Joel looked after us so well. There was plenty of great food, and the accommodation was basic, rustic and clean. Put this ride on your bucket list!’

Lauren Hockey
‘It took me a few days to come down from the high I was on after spending five days and four nights on the Glenorchy Back Country Ride. What an experience! We crossed glacier-fed rivers, swam with the horses, plunged into a waterfall and circumnavigated snow-capped mountains. The scenery is jaw-dropping! Our guide, Sean, was incredibly knowledgeable and fun, and the trip was made even sweeter by the best bunch of funny, strong women, capable horses and many, many bottles of wine. I would recommend it to anyone who’ll listen!’

Jess Roddam
‘What an absolutely incredible ride. Not only have I walked away from this with my bucket filled, but I got to experience so many things I’d never done before! Swimming with the horses in a glacier fed river, diving into a pool of ice-cold water under a waterfall and cantering and galloping across the most incredible landscapes – I will cherish these memories forever. I went on this trip with the mindset that I wouldn’t say no to anything, would expect the unexpected and enjoy each day as it came. I’m so glad I did, because the newfound confidence in my abilities as a rider that this trip gave me is just indescribable.’

Aliza Venn
‘Breathtaking scenery with snow-capped mountains in the foreground whilst crossing pristine alpine rivers on magnificent horses! I rode Kumara, and I adored him. He was a very responsive, keen adorable horse with good pep in his step and a smooth canter. The guides were amazing and knew a lot about the area and the horses. They offered great hospitality and were always positive. A real highlight was swimming the horses bareback in the pristine, ice-cold alpine river. Just enchanting!’

Carolyn Seuberlich
‘Do yourself a favour and get on the Glenorchy Back Country Ride. The scenery is breathtaking. The air is fresh, the water is clean and crisp and the horses are outstanding. You’re off grid for the whole trip and can truly reconnect with nature. Every day was a highlight – the scenery was incredible. Swimming in the glacier-fed streams and with the horses was amazing, too. Bonus: there are no creatures in New Zealand that can kill you!’

Tenille Licari
‘I was absolutely ecstatic with this trip! The meals were so good and fresh, and I was very happy with the accommodation. I had a horse named Roll, who was sweet as. Bijmin was a genius when it came to horses, with more knowledge and experience than anyone I know, and Gabby went above and beyond to accommodate us all. I especially loved the river crossings on day 1, and day 3 when we got to gallop! The value for money was excellent and I’d happily book with Globetrotting again.’

Samantha Philp
‘Could it get any better – a beautiful horse, incredible scenery, fresh air and no mobile phone reception for days. New Zealand, you blow my mind. I can’t say enough good things about our guides Sean and Gabby, and hiking up to Lennox Falls was another highlight. I’d recommend this trip to anyone.’

Nadeen Mitchell
‘This is the 13th week-long trek I’ve done in New Zealand. Most of these have been on the ‘Great New Zealand Trail Ride’, on a mix of my own and borrowed horses, which was held in some pretty great North Island locations. This trek in Glenorchy, however, was by far the best I’ve experienced. Each day was better than the last. The location is just epic and magical, the horses are perfect for the job and seem pretty darn happy with their life, and the guides are delightful. They are passionate, patient, helpful, interested and interesting people. I would absolutely do this ride again in a couple of years and would be delighted if they were still there.’

Jesmond Saunders
‘This ride was really wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about the guides. They were absolute champs, so experienced and helpful, and great to talk to. I was nearly moved to tears when they brought out a cake and sang Happy Birthday for me. So cool!
The horses were really well trained and willing. The day we got to swim the horses was the very best day, and the last night in the B&B was such a treat. I couldn’t be happier to have gone on this ride – it was truly spectacular country, and on horseback is the best way to see it. I had a fabulous time and would love to go back!’
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