3 Day Heritage Ride

3 Day, 2 nights

Embark on the ultimate 3-day ‘Heritage’ horseback adventure in Glenorchy’s Rees Valley. Explore breathtaking landscapes and stay in rustic backcountry huts.

Price

$1700.00 pp

Experience

Strong Intermediate & Experienced

Duration

3 Days, 2 Night

Minimum Age

12 years old

Weight Limit

95kg

The Highlight Reel of the Rees Valley

We have taken the very best of our five day ride to create our ultimate 3 day ‘Heritage’ ride.  With three spectacular days of exploring pure Glenorchy backcountry and two nights glamping at our NZ mustering huts in the heart of both the Rees and Dart Valleys, this is truly the finest Kiwi adventure on horseback!

Day One, meet your horse for the next three days, before crossing up the alluvial Rees River flats to our first backcountry Mustering Hut.  The Rees Valley Station is a 37,000 acre Merino and beef farm and has been with the same family for over 100 years.  The first night will be spent at the original Arthurs Creek Musterer’s Hut bordering Mt Aspiring National Park, with mountinous views to die for.

On Day Two, after a hearty breakfast, we explore the Rees Valley with its glacial fed rivers and wild, untamed beauty. As you cross around the Southern side of Mount Alfred, dropping down into the Dart Valley and finish in Paradise (quite literally).  You will spend night 2 in our cozy rustic backcountry hut “The Boiler Room”.

On Day Three, ride through the enchanted fantasy based landscapes made world-famous from blockbuster movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mission Impossible and The Chronicles of Narnia, before heading back to the horse yards for a well deserved beverage. 

Dates Available 
2023 – 2024

Availability is subject to change, please contact the team at High Country Horses to make your booking and confirm dates are still available. 

November 2023 7 – 9 November – FULLY BOOKED
21 – 23 November – FULLY BOOKED
28 – 30 November – FULLY BOOKED
December 2023 5 – 7 December – Hurry! 1 Space left
12 – 14 December – FULLY BOOKED
19 – 21 December – FULLY BOOKED
January 2024 16 – 18 January – Hurry! 2 Spaces left
30 – 1 February – Hurry! 1 Space left
February 2024 20 – 22 February – FULLY BOOKED
March 2024

5 – 7 March – Hurry! 1 Space left

Testimonials

Affectionately known as "pride rock", how beautiful is this spot from our 5 day glenorchy back country ride!?
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Rees valley at its best 👌🏻 
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#horses #adventure #wild #nzmustdo #nature #beauty #mountains #highcountryhorses #newzealand #freedom #glenorchybackcountry
Affectionately known as "the gallop hill" how good does this look!? 
Day 4 on the #glenorchybackcountry ride 
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#highcountryhorses #gallop #adventure #horsesofinstagram #horses #wonderlust #mountains #scenery #nzmustdo #glenorchynz glenorchynz
we only regret the rides we didn't take 
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#highcountryhorses #adventure #freedom #glenorchybackcountry #mountains #wild #horse #riding #beauty #newzealand #nzmustdo
With spring well on the way we will be kicking off our Multiday rides next month! 
Ranging from 1 day up to 5 days by horseback through the stunning NZ backcountry. 
Get in touch for details! 
Info@highcountryhorses.nz 
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#highcountryhorses #multiday #horse #adventure #glenorchy #queenstown #nzmustdo #camping #backcountry #glenorchybackcountry
📍Glenorchy boat shed

#glenorchywharf #glenorchy #weekendadventures #southisland #newzealand #glenorchybackcountry
Tales to Inspire: 'This was the trip of a lifetime for me and something I have been working towards for the last five years in line with my riding goals, in order to be able to ride through the beautiful Lord of the Rings high country. What I didn’t realise was just how breathtaking the setting would be in real life, and how outstanding the horses would be. Casey and Deana really have put together an amazing troop of horses that can cater to all manner of riders - we had a broad spectrum of abilities and experience in our group but it didn’t feel like that once we were out in the wilderness. I loved this ride - five days was a long time to be in the saddle, but every day there was something new and different to see and experience. To anyone thinking of doing this trip - stop thinking and just do it!'
- The Glenorchy Back Country Ride in New Zealand was a real-life fantasy ride for Jen Dalitz!
On the Glenorchy Back Country Ride you’ll explore the Rees Valley with its glacial fed rivers and wild, untamed beauty.

Music: Valleys by Pete James Johnson
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Interactive Trail Map

*Please note trails are subject to change and the interactive map is only a rough guide to one of our potential trails. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To book, please contact us directly via info@highcountryhorses.nz with your desired ride, date and number of participants. 

One of our friendly team will respond back with availability options, further information and a booking form to complete. Please fill out your form (individually) and send it back to us to hold your ride spot. Once this has been vetted by our team, you will receive our bank information to transfer your 50% deposit. As soon as we receive this fund your ride will be confirmed!

We will be here every step of the way to make this process as simple and easy as possible. Any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to reach out. 

In order to fully enjoy the magic of this overnight ride you will need to be either an intermediate or an experienced rider with a high level of riding fitness. This means you need to be able to confidently trot and canter over uneven terrain whilst maintaining control of your horse. 

If you used to ride regularly but have not for a few years we strongly recommend building up some saddle hours before the ride. Your bum will thank you later!

For the first night guests stay in bunk bed rooms with a hot shower and flushing toilets a short 1min walk away in a separate building. The next two nights guests will stay in tents with camp stretcher and swag) beside a station muster hut where there is a camp shower and a long-drop toilet. The last night guests stay at Paradise Homestead which is a historic, bespoke accommodation house with laze-about beds, hot showers, flushing toilets and kitchen.

Our age limit for our Heritage ride is 12 years old, provided they have extensive riding experience and are riding fit. If your child is younger we recommend checking out our Rees River Ride. 

All children under 18 years old and MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

The well being and safety of our horses is of the utmost importance to our team and weight limits are put in place to ensure their welfare is kept in accordance to the world horse welfare tourism standard. We are strict on this policy.

Please note that guests may be weighed at check in and then introduced to the horse that best suits your riding ability and weight.

  • A few sets of riding clothes (depending on the length of trip)– we love our riding tights here – light and comfy (long riding pants are a MUST)!
  • One or two sets of normal clothes (track pants/jeans/yoga pants etc).
  • 3 EXTRA pairs of socks/undies (better over packing then under 😉)
  • Riding boots and an extra pair of runners/hiking boots to wear around the camp sites (Jandles also recommended – that’s thongs for you Aussies!)
  • Short sleeve top
  • Long sleeve top
  • Thermals
  • Jersey/jumper
  • Swimming clothes/togs
  • Waterproof /Wind breaker Jacket
  • Gloves (riding)
  • Camera or phone to capture your memories (and a portable charger – there are very limited charging opportunities on our multiday treks)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun block/Sand-fly repellent
  • Toiletries and medical drugs that you may require (Panadol, antihistamines etc.)
  • Warm PJ’s
  • Drink bottle (re-usable) we do not supply bottles as we are trying to lower our plastic use, but water is plentiful for you to refill your own bottles from
  • Extra snacks and alcohol (BYO) if you wish – No alcohol is supplied on this trip but you are more than welcome to bring your own

All booking cancellations 60 days prior to your trek date will be refunded in full.  50% of the booking cost will be refunded between 60 days and 30 days to your trek date.  No refund is available within 30 days of your departure date.

Why’s this? Because your ride has been carefully curated months in advance, all accommodation, catering and other expenses have been pre organized by us based on the individual needs of yourself or group. Late change fees and expenses are incurred by us and as such no refunds will be permitted after that period. 

If you are a movie lover, this is the ride for you!

The back drop of this ride has been featured in numerous Hollywood blockbuster films over the years. It’s not hard to see why, as you ride through fantasy based landscapes, mystical beech forests and around towering snow capped mountain ranges. 

You’ll be riding beneath the famous “misty mountains” in The Lord of The Rings looking up at the Dart Valley that was the epic location of the tower of Isengard. 

Rees Valley Station played host to Mission Impossible 6: Fallout, Walking with dinosaurs and Netflix’s hit ‘Sweet Tooth’ TV series, just to name a few.

Paradise is New Zealand’s most formidable and famous filming location. You’ll be able to get an exclusive up close and personal experience riding amongst scenes from Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The chronicles of Narnia, X-men Origins: Wolverine, Taylor Swifts “out of the woods’ Music video and many many more.

Most importantly… this ride will leave you feeling like you’re the star in your own movie!

Ready for the experience of a lifetime?

Multiday Booking
Enquiry