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 strict maximum of 95kg / 210lbs.
- Type of tack:English all-purpose saddles and bridles. *Please be advised, a select few horses are ridden in Western saddles simply because they provide a better fit for that specific horse, but saddle requests cannot be accommodated. It is much preferred to match horses to riders based on ability. Thanks for your understanding.
- Seasons:November 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.
Please note, this is a hands-on ride. You’ll be expected to help with catching, grooming, saddling and unsaddling the horses each day. Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out. - Accommodation:For the first night, you’ll stay in bunk bed rooms, with a hot shower and flushing toilets in a separate building a minute’s walk away. The following two nights, you’ll stay in tents (with camp stretchers and swags) at a back country camp beside a station muster hut, with a camp shower and a long-drop toilet. The facilities are rustic, but clean - this is real camping, not ‘glamping’. The last night is spent at Paradise Homestead in historic, bespoke accommodation 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. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.
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
Kelly Lee Hester
‘The Glenorchy Back Country Ride was amazing. Our guides took great care of our group and the horses, as well as keeping us very well fed. I enjoyed getting to know them and would happily have them as guides again. My horse, Murphy, was strong and confident, and I always felt safe with him, no matter the terrain. The group of fellow riders were interesting, and I would love to ride with them again. The scenery was breathtaking, and it felt as though I was riding through the Lord of the Rings movies. Bareback riding was a new challenge for me, and I was nervous, but with encouragement and support from my guides, I did it! I felt incredibly proud of myself. I will never forget the experience or the kind encouragement that made it possible. The trip was well-organized in all aspects, and I am already looking forward to my next Globetrotting ride.’
Eleanor Virr
‘My sister and I had the best time on this ride! It was a week filled with amazing horses, breathtaking scenery, yummy food, and great company. Our guides were so knowledgeable and friendly. The horses are absolutely amazing—so brave and surefooted that I wanted to smuggle Tonto back to Australia with me! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience—but hopefully not, because we both want to book this trip again!’
Lee Rice
‘If you need to clear your mind and get ready for an amazing adventure, I highly recommend you try his awesome trip. Every day was amazing, and the scenery was beautiful. The guides were awesome, so friendly and very helpful and looked after us very well. I met new people and made friends for life.’
Claire H
‘Trekking through Glenorchy High Country on a reliable NZ stationbred horse was the best experience. Each day was different, and the scenery was spectacular! Swimming with the horses was a highlight, and riding along the Rees and Dart rivers was just beautiful. It ticked all the boxes!’
Jeanette Hoogstad
‘I had an absolutely brilliant week on the Glenorchy backcountry ride. It was a remote and rustic experience, immersed in pristine nature and its elements. The guides were knowledgeable, diligent, and trustworthy, and the horses were well-kept, fit, and forward-moving, excelling at their work. I rode a mare called Peso, who was an absolute delight. Camping at Arthurs Creek was a real highlight, and despite the lack of power, town water, and reception, it still felt like a special place. On day five, the weather was rough, but we all chose to push through and take the planned route rather than a shorter one. It helped that we trusted our guides’ judgment entirely. This was my favourite ride of all, as we came across a different river system and saw quite different landscapes. There’s no better way to see Middle Earth than in the mist and rain. The ride felt like a real mission, even if not quite Tolkienian in scale. It always makes a difference when you have great company. All I can say is, on the four Globetrotting rides I have done, I’ve never had anything but great company. These rides are the best levellers, and everyone seems to want to share their own fascinating experience, wisdom, and brand of kindness. Thanks again, Globetrotting. I put all my trust in your style, priorities, planning, information, and care, and it keeps paying off!’
Alison Cray
‘I had been sitting on the fence about this ride. But, after seeing all the amazing photos shared by other globetrotters, I finally decided to go for it. And let me tell you, it was totally worth it! The ride was just as amazing as everyone had said it would be. The horses were absolutely wonderful, the scenery was breathtaking, and the guides, accommodations, and food were all top-notch. I rode Peso, a gorgeous mare, and by the third day, we had formed a special connection. She has been my favourite trail horse so far. New Zealand is such a special place, and this ride truly captures the beauty of it all. So, if you’re thinking about it, just go ahead and book it. Trust me, you won’t regret it! Just make sure your phone has plenty of storage space for all the incredible photos you’ll take.’
Eszter Hortobagyi
‘My first horseback ride in New Zealand was absolutely breathtaking! The scenery, people, horses, and food were all perfect. I never thought I’d be able to swim in a glacier creek with a temperature of just 7 degrees, but Smartie made it possible! He was the kindest and bravest trail riding horse anyone could ask for. Thank you so much for another unforgettable horse riding adventure!’
Ruby Innes
‘We went on a double mother-daughter trip with our oldest friends to Glenorchy, which had the most beautiful scenery. Every day was spectacular and spending 5 days on horseback totally unplugged was the perfect mixture of adventure and relaxation. Our guides were awesome and the accommodation was more than we could have hoped for. It was an all-time trip. Globetrotting helped us feel so prepared; the packing list was perfect and helped us stick to the necessities. I wore almost everything I packed and didn’t miss a single thing. I couldn’t recommend it more.’
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!’
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