Welcome to Adventure Horse Trekking New Zealand!

The Mountains are Calling. Answer on Horseback.

New Zealand‘s most remote pack trail rides, ridden the way they were meant to be – on horses born for the high country.

Why Ride with Us?

You're not booking a tour. You're joining a family.

 

100% Kiwi owned with 20 years’ experience

Explore the South Island’s most remote places off the tourist paths

Exclusive access to diverse high country stations

Ride one of our reliable, purpose-bred high country horses

Indulge yourself in real Kiwi hospitality with homemade New Zealand cuisine

Meet like-minded people and new friends on this unforgettable adventure

We cover everything from 2-day-beginner-rides to challenging 9-day-alpine pack trails

Discover our Adventure Trails

Short Escapes - perfect for all riding levels

Dingleburn Station Ride *NEW*

Old Tracks. Real Station. Timeless Rides.

Short and pure New Zealand. Explore historical Dingleburn Station on 3 dayrides. An adventurous in- and outride along the old Dingleburn Peninsula Track, stunning lake views, bushy tracks and a lot of cattle and sheep. Stay in cosy shearer’s quarters for the nights.

3 days/2 nights

3 x 3-5 h riding

 

19. – 21. April 2027

 

Max. 13 riders

(all levels)

 

Lake Hawea

Pickup from QT

 

Price $1,900 NZD

(payment plan

available)

Birchwood Boutique Ride

A different trail every day. One unforgettable lodge to come back to.

Stay at the lovely Birchwood Homestead and ride out in a different direction each day. River crossings, waterfall, a challenging ride up to the top of Mt. Gladwish with a 360-degree stunning mountain view.

4 days/3 nights

3 x 3-6 h riding

 

17. – 20. Nov 2026

12. – 15. Jan 2027

       (Sold out!)

23. – 26. Jan 2027

26. – 29. Mar 2027

 

Max. 10 riders

(all levels)

 

Ahuriri Valley

Pickup from QT

 

Price $3,300 NZD

(payment plan

available)

Lake Ohau Luxury Trail

Basecamp Luxury. Backcountry Riding.

Wanna combine luxury and wilderness? Perfect! Explore the stunning area around the lake from luxury Lake Ohau Quarters. Glacier river, native bush, spectacular mountain views. In the evening? Stargazing in the hot tub.

4 days/3 nights

3 x 3-7 h riding

 

14. – 17. Dec 2026

 

Max. 15 riders

(all levels)

 

Lake Ohau

Pickup from QT

 

Price $3,500 NZD

(payment plan

available)

Lupin Lovers Horseback Heaven

Colorful Horizons. Open Valleys. Easy Riding.

Enjoy easy rides through river beds and New Zealand’s famous Lupins with the mountain ranges in the background. Our shortest ride is perfect for everyone with less experience or a longer time out of the saddle.

3 days/2 nights

2 x 4 h riding

 

17. – 19. Dec 2026

19. – 21. Dec 2026

          (Sold out!)

 

Max. 13 riders

(all levels)

 

Omarama

Pickup from QT

 

Price $1,555 NZD

(payment plan

available)

The Full High Country Experience – choose from different riding levels

 

(Independent of riding level, those trails require a good basic and riding fitness level!)

High Country Grand Tour *NEW*

Canyons. Rivers. Rockformations. Middle Earth.

Find a combination of all our other trails on this wonderful and diverse ride along the Otematata Ranges. Through mountains and canyons, along the river, past stunning rockformations and endless highland prairie with 360-degree views. Always wanted to feel like a Rohirrim riding through Middle Earth? On this trail you definitely will! Enjoy well-equipped shearers’ quarters, camping and pure nature.

6 days/5 nights

5 x 3-6 h riding

 

6. – 11. Jan 2027

13. – 18. Mar 2027

 

Max. 10 riders

(Competent only!)

 

Otematata/Kurow

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $4,200 NZD

(payment plan available)

Ahuriri Wild Ride *NEW*

No track? No problem! Just you, your horse and the wild.

Ride along the Ahuriri River through rocky riverbeds and green sections. Looking for the real track? Good luck! We are riding wild here! After a relaxing first part of the ride into the valley, we cross the mountains with spectacular views into Dingle Valley on another adventurous route. Steep and rough – experienced and fit people only! Wild, challenging, stunning.

6 days/5 nights

5 x 3-6 h riding

 

17. – 22. Jan 2027

19. – 24. Mar 2027

 

Max. 10 riders

(Advanced only!)

 

Ahuriri Valley

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $3,800 NZD

(payment plan available)

Musterers' Mountain Pack Trail

Load Up. Ride Out. The Alps are waiting!

Looking for a real challenge? This is the trail for you! Only suitable for very experienced riders with a good fitness level. Ride high into the mountains with a few fully remote days. Spectacular views, challenging tracks, camping and rough mountain life. Adrenaline preprogrammed on some of the track sections!

9 days/8 nights

8 x 3-8 h riding

 

2. – 10. Dec 2026

30. Mar. – 7. April 2027 

 

Max. 8 riders

(Competent only!)

 

St. Bathans –

Lindis Pass – Ahuriri Valley

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $7,580 NZD

(payment plan available)

Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride

Big Lake. Wild River. One Epic Loop.

Surround Lake Hawea on this spectacular pack trail ride. Stunning lake views, an adventurous crossing of the Hunter River, ride out historical Dingleburn Peninsula Track. If you are looking for a longer but easy ride with 100% New Zealand landscapes – join us on this one!

6 days/5 nights

5 x 3-6 h riding

 

23. – 28. Nov 2026

Max. 10 riders (all levels)

 

Lake Hawea

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $4,999 NZD

(payment plan available)

Glen Lyon Alpine Horseback Adventure

Pack the horses. Leave the world behind.

Are you up for a diverse and remote adventure? Then load the packhorses and ride into the valley along Hopkins and Dobson River from Glen Lyon Station! On the last day we will cross Flanagan’s Pass for spectacular views of valley, lake and mountains. Challenging terrain, station life, beautiful scenery.

7 days/6 nights

1 x 2h, 5 x 5-7 h riding

 

15. – 21. Feb 2027

 

Max. 10 riders (all levels)

 

Twizel/

Glen Lyon Station/

Lake Ohau

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $4,888 NZD

(payment plan available)

Twin Lakes Pure Kiwi Adventure

Ride between New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine lakes.

Explore the twin beauties Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on this combined pack trail ride. Watch your horse cross Lake Wānaka aboard a barge – a truly unique part of the adventure. Remote areas, stunning lake views, surrounded by majestic mountains, and a spectacular crossing of the Hunter River. Fancy a swim in the beautiful blue water? Go for it! But be prepared for the cold!

8 days/7 nights

8 x 3-6 h riding

 

tba, April/May ’27

Max. 10 riders (all levels)

 

Wanaka/Hawea

Pickup from Queenstown

 

Price $7,999 NZD

(payment plan available)

Special Events

34th Otago Goldfields Cavalcade (Horse Hire Only!!!)

Ancient heritage trails. Hundreds of riders. One unforgettable journey.

Be part of one of New Zealand’s most iconic riding events on a trusted high-country horse. We supply the horse while you join Mick O’Callaghan’s fully catered Cavalcade. Long days in the saddle make this ride best suited to fit, confident riders.

You only hire a horse from us and still need to book the Cavalcade separately!

8 days/7 nights

2 x 1-2 h, 5 x 6-8 h riding

 

28. Feb – 7. Mar 2027

 

Max. 13 riders (Competent only!)

 

Tarras

Pickup from tba

 

Price $3,100 NZD

(horse only! payment plan available)

Private Group Trails

Well-ridden Horses. Remote Places. Stunning Nature. Unforgettable Group Experiences.

You are looking for a unique event for a birthday, company excursion, stag hunt, or something else? We might just have the right thing for you! Get in touch and let us talk about your idea.

Can be arranged in certain areas within the Queenstown – Methven –Palmerston region (Otago & Canterbury). Length of dayrides, riding level, number and price individual.

Questions about our rides?

The Heart of Adventure Horse Trekking

Always been into horses and horse trekking, in 2009 John finally decided to share his private experiences of horse trekking through his beautiful country with people from all around the world.

So Adventure Horse Trekking NZ was founded with only 10 horses. Supported by his partner, Angie, he started breeding a special kind of horses for it and nowadays most of the trekking horses are completely self-bred and the herd has grown up to about 50 horses. Easy-going, reliable and well to ride is what the horses are.

Hundreds of people have been on those exclusive rides over the years and went home with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Adventure Horse Trekking NZ is not only famous for its’ especially stunning rides and purpose-bred horses, but for kiwi hospitality, homemade delicious food and a familiar atmosphere. 

Picture: John and his young future-lead-horse Finnegan on the Cavalcade 2026

Stories from the Saddles

Hear it from those who have ridden with us!

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Bill Kirkland profile picture
Bill Kirkland
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Another fantastic trek with Angie and John. Wonderful scenery, horses and food! And lots of laughs and fun even on the long ride days.
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marj marks profile picture
marj marks
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The Mountain Musterers Trek was really memorable. The scenery was impressive, the horses just amazing - giving the riders confidence and taking such good care of us. I loved staying in the character huts, appreciating the company, the laughs and the food. Mother Nature provided very varied conditions for us, giving me a range of challenges as well as providing some interesting terrain. An awesome experience.
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Bevan Paterson profile picture
Bevan Paterson
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Just completed the Musterers Mountain trek - what an experience- it far exceeded expectations. A great way to see the Southern Alps - the horses were amazing. Thanks John, Angie and Kat for the experience. I will be back to do another one next year - Sherryn
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Ruth Woodward profile picture
Ruth Woodward
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This is a fantastic horseback adventure traversing the beautiful Southern Alps under the guidance of a great horseman John Wall and experienced wranglers. If you’re made of tough stuff, can ride a horse well and love being out in the wilds of nature … this is the adventure for you. Mountain ridges, beautiful tussock country, the original trails ridden by musterers over decades … this terrain is a true privilege over which to have access. Topping off the experience is the wonderful warm hospitality and yummy cooking by Angie. Totally recommend.
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Vicki Gaillard profile picture
Vicki Gaillard
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I'm 71 and have ridden all my life but have never experienced a ride like this, the horses were so amazing and we saw country only accessible on horseback or foot. Crossing braided rivers with snow covered mountains as a backdrop on a totally sure footed horse that calmly went wherever pointed was just the best experience. Learning to totally trust these beautiful horses was the best part of a totally awesome holiday
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Lynette Bibby profile picture
Lynette Bibby
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Had a wonderful 5 days trekking Lake Hawea, Hunter Valley with Adventure Trekking. Angie and John are great hosts and work very hard to ensure we all have a great experience. The food, the scenery, horses and accommodation are all super, thank you.
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Heather Rogers profile picture
Heather Rogers
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I loved every minute of the four days I spent with John & Ange, an awesome group of like-minded riders, and their beautiful heard of horses, (and Tui the dog of course!). On the Birchwood Station trek we explored beautiful countryside and ate delicious meals, all prepared by Ange. I was very sad to leave but I am already planning my next trek - I'm hooked!
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B & W Jaggard profile picture
B & W Jaggard
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What an incredible adventure completing the Musterers Pack Trail from St Bathans to the Ahuriri Valley. We waded through rivers, crossed shingle slides, scaled mountains, stayed in back country huts and experienced a range of weather, all of which added to the journey. John our guide was amazing, a great host and an exceptional horseman. The horses were all stunning, obviously so well loved and cared for. Angie prepared delicious food for us to cook up in the huts and made us wonderful meals before and after our trek. I could not recommend this company enough if you want to experience an authentic horse trek in Central Otago.
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R Bonetti profile picture
R Bonetti
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Feel so privileged to be able to experience the NZ backcountry on horse-back. The horses are purpose bred, know their job and give you confidence to enjoy the scenery and this incredible experience. Wonderful hosts, stories and evening laughs. Loved it!!

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Copyright for this section @briwoolnoughphotography:  Impressions of the Musterers’ Mountain Pack Trail, Lake Hawea Hunter River Ride, Ahuriri Valley and Birchwood Mountains.

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