It’s finally happening! Today you get to say ‘Kia Ora’ to the guides and horses who will take you along the North Island’s spectacular coastline! Your guides, Ken and Jane Dromgool, will pick you up from your accommodation in Paihia and bring you to their home property, where you will have morning tea and a chat as you get to know your hosts and fellow guests. You’ll then be introduced to the superb string of guests horses and paired with your equine partner for the week, based on your riding ability and size.

To help you get to know each other in a fun and stress-free environment, you’ll have a welcome session in the arena where you’ll do some groundwork, followed by some ridden obstacle challenges and a few games. After lunch, Ken and Jane will take you on a ride over the farm, through spectacular native bush, along an historic road cut by British Soldiers in 1845 during the Maori Wars and finally to the awe-inspiring, massive, ancient Kauri trees (prepare to be impressed globetrotters). Dinner will be enjoyed out at a local restaurant in Paihia tonight (included in ride price).

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll mount up for another Kiwi farm adventure ride in the morning. Then, after a relaxed lunch, you’ll begin your journey north to Henderson Bay. You’ll be driving up the scenic east coast, where you’ll gasp at the stunning scenery of Doubtless Bay. You’ll have a mandatory pit-stop (it’s tradition) at the ice cream shop (included in the ride price), which sits near the beautiful pink sands of Cable Bay, before driving on to your beach cabins at Ken and Jane’s spectacular Henderson Bay property. Once you’ve settled in you’ll go for a sunset ride at Henderson Bay. On your forward-moving horse you’ll walk, trot and lope over the pink sand beach while absorbing the breathtaking, sprawling sand dunes. Your guides Ken and Jane will point out the remnants of the 32-metre-high tsunami that made landfall in the 1400s. If the tides work in your favour (fingers crossed), you’ll get to enjoy a moonlight ride.

TODAY is the day. The first of your wild horse rides is scheduled for this morning – after another satisfying breakfast, of course. You’ll truck the horses out to the west coast, where you’ll ride through forestry, tussocks, sand dunes, and the wild 90 Mile Beach, where you’ll stalk herds of wild horses. Oh and the BEST part: not a gate to be seen! With lunches packed in your saddle bags, you’ll enjoy a full day in the saddle. Your saddlebag-packed lunch will be enjoyed by a waterhole, hopefully observing a mob of wild horses interacting amongst each other.  Today is jam-packed full of SO MANY highlights, lovely long canters up and down the beach, sand dune riding (it’s exhilarating, let me assure you) and tiptoeing through ancient forests laden with ferns.

After a well-earned night’s rest, you’ll wake up at Henderson Bay, re-group over brekkie and do it all over again! Yep, you’ve got another day out on the west coast – more wild horses to be spotted, breathtaking scenery to be absorbed and secrets waiting to be discovered. Rest assured there is so much country on offer, you won’t ride the same trail twice. Jane and Ken will colour the ride with historical stories while pointing out native flora and fauna.  You’ll return to your beachside cabin to enjoy a hearty dinner and recap on the day’s highlights.

The final day of your riding holiday, sob! Today you get to rest your riding muscles as you enjoy the best of the local sightseeing. Your guides will drive you up to Cape Reinga, where you can observe the ‘Columbian Bank’ where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. You’ll see the spectacular Cape Maria van Diemen and the incredible snow white sands of the Parengarenga Harbour. You’ll enjoy a leisurely swim at the beautiful Tapotupotu Bay, and boogie board down the giant Te Paki sand dunes. Or, if you prefer, you can sleep in and sit on the beach with a good book. After lunch, depending on the tide, you’ll ride to pristine Henderson Bay and swim the horses bareback in the crystal clear ocean. Finally after an early dinner, you’ll say a fond farewell to your horses and leave this patch of paradise. Your hosts will return you to your accommodation in Paihia in the evening by 9pm.

Transfers to and from your Paihia accommodation are included in the price (on day one and day five). To avoid travel delays, we ask that all guests arrive and stay in Paihia (at your own expense) the night before the ride begins, so you’re ready for collection between 9 – 9.30am on day one.

On day five, please book an extra night’s accommodation in Paihia – your transfer could potentially arrive back as late as 9pm that evening. You can fly out the following day.

All transport during the 5 days of the ride is provided.

There are four regional flights from Auckland Domestic Airport to Kerikeri Airport daily. Otherwise you can hire a car in Auckland and drive to Paihia, which is approximately a 4.5 hour drive.

If you’re flying into Kerikeri, we recommend hiring the local shuttle service, Super Shuttle, to reach your accommodation. You can book a shuttle service online here or phone +64 9522 5100.