Price
Experience
Strong Intermediate & Experienced
Duration
5 Days, 4 Night
Minimum Age
14 years old
Weight Limit
95kg
The Quintessential Back Country Experience
Please book directly through Globe Trotters, our trusted boutique equestrian travel agents and administrator for this fabulous Glenorchy back country 5-days, 4-night trek.
With five days of unrestricted hours in the saddle, this ride has it all – from exhilarating canters through untouched land, swimming horses through glacial fed streams, wandering through native beech forest, ride amongst the snow capped mountain ranges and explore the fantasy based landscapes that have inspired some of New Zealand’s biggest Hollywood blockbuster films.
High Country Horses have exclusive access to some of Glenorchy’s most Iconic scenery, stretching over 100,000 acres of pristine back country, from the Dart Valley, Paradise through to the Rees Valley with Mount Alfred sitting in the middle.
Day One, guests will stay at Rees Valley Station’s shearer’s quarters on day one. Rees Valley Station is a 37,000 acre working Merino sheep, and Hereford beef station that borders World Heritage listed Mt Aspiring National Park.
On Day Two and Three, we explore the Rees Valley with its glacial fed rivers and wild, untamed beauty. Accommodation is beside Arthurs Creek Musterer’s Hut, where it’s back country camping at its best. Think waterfalls, starry nights and silence.
On Day Four, cruise through enchanted landscapes made world-famous from blockbuster movies like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mission Impossible and The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. The last night is at Miller’s House, a historic, bespoke guest house set within Paradise (quite literally)!
Day Five, the final day of your riding holiday where you’ll venture from Paradise through the mouth of Lake Diamond and ascend the southern side of Mount Alfred. At the top of the track you’ll be able to take a moment and contemplate where and what you have just experienced in the last few days. As far as the eye can see and further is where you have traversed from your sure-footed station horse. Your ride will pass the Dart Bride featured in the recent NZ drama One Lane Bridge before heading back to base for a welcome cold drink.
The Glenorchy Back Country ride typifies everything we love about New Zealand.
All you need to do is get yourself to Queenstown, in the South Island of New Zealand and we’ll take care of the rest!
Testimonials
✨UPDATE: The Glenorchy Back Country Ride is a GO! ✨
For those of you who have long lusted after this legendary New Zealand holiday, try not to pee your pants when we tell you that we have NINE new departures up for grabs for summer 2023-24! 🥳
AND for those of you who just cannot wait that long, if you`re ready to STOP, DROP AND RIDE, there`s one spot up for grabs from December 5-9 - that`s right, next week!! 🏇
From riding through fields of purple lupines to splashing across glacier-fed rivers, this is an adventure you`ll remember on your deathbed.
It`s five days on the back of a horse you`ll want to smuggle home in your suitcase.
Five days with guides whose knowledge, friendliness and epic hospitality will blow you away.
Five days immersed in a landscape few are ever lucky enough to see.
Five days with a group of globetrotters who will feel like long-lost friends within minutes.
Ready to go on an adventure?!
Head to our website to learn more and book! The link is in our bio ☝️
Tales to inspire: `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.`
-We are so proud of Jess Roddam! She overcame some big metal blocks after a riding injury at home and found her confidence again on the Glenorchy Back Country Ride in New Zealand. ✨
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
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
we only regret the rides we didn`t take
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#highcountryhorses #adventure #freedom #glenorchybackcountry #mountains #wild #horse #riding #beauty #newzealand #nzmustdo
Tales to inspire: `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!`
- A big thank you to Aliza Venn for this fabulous feedback. We are drooling over that pristine blue river!
Tales to Inspire: `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.`
- The Glenorchy Back Country Ride in New Zealand was a stunning escape for globetrotter Samantha Philp!
Have you been lurking longingly on the Glenorchy Back Country Ride page lately, wishing you`d booked a spot before they all sold out?
Well TODAY is your lucky day - or more like your lucky hour, because you`ll have to drop everything to snap up the ONE saddle seat that`s become available from November 7-11!
Yep - two weeks from now, you could be riding a station-bred stock horse across eye-popping scenery in New Zealand`s untamed South Island, free at last from the pressures and distractions of modern life.
The Glenorchy Back Country Ride defies description: there`s just something so magical about it. You`ll be picking your jaw up off the ground on a regular basis as you traverse glacier-fed rivers, movie-star mountains (yep, really!), old growth native forest and sprawling, historical stations.
By night, you`ll spend two starlit evenings in tents with camp stretchers, swags, a hot shower and flushing toilets; and two nights in bunk bed cabins. The food is mouthwatering, hearty, served with generosity and made with love by your friendly, knowledgeable back country guides.
This ride is LEGENDARY among the Globetrotting community and saddle seats are as rare as hens` teeth.
SO if you`re ready to zip across to the South Island of New Zealand for an adventure that you`ll still be raving about when you`re grey and wrinkly, head to our website and grab this opportunity by the horns! The link is in our bio ☝️🏇
Tales to inspire: ‘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!’ 🏔️✨
-👏 A big shout out to Lauren Hockey for her delightful feedback and cracking images!
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
Tales to inspire: ‘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.’
- A big thank you to Tenille Licari for such brilliant feedback on the Glenorchy Back Country ride in New Zealand 🏔️✨.
You can still snatch up a saddle seat on this deliciously scenic ride in 2023!
Check the link in our bio for more information or to book ☝️.
Tales to inspire: ‘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 the 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!`
- We are so chuffed that Carolyn Seuberlich had such a magical time in NZ - oh, and that no creatures ate her, of course! 😂
Check out your perfect summer holiday via the link in our bio!☝️
Tales to inspire: ‘This was my second time 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!`
-Wow! 😍 How stunning are these photos from Rae Marie Gibbs? We can`t get enough 🤩 Thank you for sharing with us 🙌
📍Glenorchy boat shed
#glenorchywharf #glenorchy #weekendadventures #southisland #newzealand #glenorchybackcountry
Tales to Inspire: ‘The Glenorchy Back Country Ride was absolutely magical. The horses were amazing, responsive, well cared for and well educated. I rode the handsome Buddy, who was a bit of a character at the start, but by the end I wanted to bring him back to Australia with me, and I shed a few tears when I had to say goodbye. The ride was beyond beautiful and each day revealed more and more amazing views and experiences. Our Guides, Jess and Bijmin, were so incredible, friendly, knowledgeable, and fantastic horse people. I did the ride in early December, and riding through the lupin fields was one of the highlights, as well as splashing through the glacier-fed streams.
If you are thinking of doing this ride, go for it – you won’t regret it!’
- Brielle Hallett loved her time in New Zealand`s South Island and took some fantastic photos, too!
https://www.globetrotting.com.au/horse-riding-holidays/glenorchy-back-country-ride-new-zealand/
#TravelTuesday Squishing all the very best bits of the legendary Glenorchy Back Country Ride into just 72 hours, The Glenorchy Experience is literally a highlight reel of everything we love about the South Island. From snow-capped mountains to glacier-fed rivers winding through volcanic valleys, the scenery will leave you gobsmacked.
Your hosts are born and bred locals who love showing off their homeland and their home-bred, perfectly trained horses. And with one night camping and one night in a cabin overlooking the aptly-named Diamond Lake, you`ll get just enough wilderness to feel like you`ve had a real adventure.
On the other hand, if you`ve been hanging out for the 2020-21-22 season full-length Glenorchy Back Country Ride departure dates, they`re now live on our website!
Frequent departures for both The Glenorchy Experience and the Glenorchy Back Country Ride are scheduled from now through to March, and although it`s only open to New Zealanders at present, as soon as the borders open, international globetrotters are welcome. So, Kiwis - get your skates on!!
Head to our website to learn more - link in bio! 🌏🏇
Tales to Inspire: `My Glenorchy Back Country Ride was sublime... beyond expectations. The horses were exceptional. I was allocated the most divine, well-schooled, spirited gelding called Doobie, and we bonded instantly, as did the other riders with their steeds. Spending time with these stunning horses was a gift. We had snow the night before our trek (capping the mountains), sunshine for a few days (flushing the lupines), rain one day (flooding the streams) and sunshine on our last day; the perfect mix for exploring this striking landscape. Plus, our hosts and guides were among some of the nicest people I`ve ever met - generous, warmhearted and highly skilled. They tended to our every need, providing nourishing meals, welcoming lodgings and inspired conversations. I`ve made so many new friends from the experience and I`m blessed to have made the journey.`
- And we`re blessed to be able to facilitate journeys like Marina Larcombe`s! The Glenorchy Back Country Ride is undoubtedly the BEST way to experience New Zealand`s jaw-dropping South Island.
Tales to Inspire: `The Glenorchy Back Country Ride gives you breathtaking views while riding great horses. Scenic snow-capped mountains, epic waterfalls, forests, canters along valleys while admiring glacial rivers. Our guides Shaun and Nat were very helpful and full of knowledge. They worked hard to take care of the horses and riders and prepare yummy food for all of us. I rode Tonto and he was such a star! Forward and calm with the sweetest personality. I will definitely choose him again if I have the opportunity to come back. I would do this ride every year if I could! It is fantastic and every day is magical, truly a memory for life. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to discover the beauty of Glenorchy, New Zealand.` - Caroline Holm seems to have found her perfect Globetrotting match in the Glenorchy Back Country Ride - and check out her photos!! 😍
Tales to Inspire: `This experience has been difficult to put into words. Amazing, stunningly beautiful, an experience that left me breathless. Incredible scenery and horses, guides who were truly faultless - beautiful souls who deserve only the best, they exceeded our expectations. This ride gave us so much more than an epic experience on the horses through the high country - it restored our belief that there are wonderful people out there who go above and beyond to make an experience like this a memory of a lifetime. If anyone is looking for the perfect ride, we just rode it.`
- Sounds like Marie Davison and her daughter will never forget their Glenorchy Back Country Ride in New Zealand!
Loving this cute bikini I was gifted by awwathelabel - the bottoms are period proof 🙌🏻 If needed too!! I’m just wearing it coz I like it and the back is gorgeous!!.
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Tales to Inspire: `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.`
- Wowee, we`re absolutely stoked that the Glenorchy Back Country Ride gets Nadeen Mitchell`s tick of approval!
Tales to Inspire: `If you are considering doing one of these rides, just DO IT! An amazing experience for any horse lover or traveller.
Every day was spectacular. My horse Dylan was perfect... a well educated, safe little Appaloosa Quarter Horse who looked after me every day. Our guides were skilled in horsemanship, cooking and conversation among other things, and went above and beyond to make this ride incredible. I couldn`t recommend them highly enough. The food was delicious and served in huge quantities - dinners were spent laughing and sharing stories together.
Just an all-round amazing experience.`
- Susie O`Neill was blown away by the Glenorchy Back Country Ride in New Zealand`s South Island!
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
Tales to Inspire: `The Glenorchy Back Country Ride was an amazing experience. We rode on well cared-for and capable horses that were more than willing to go out each day. I was a little nervous about the type of horse I`d have for the week, but needn`t have worried, as my horse Jungle was simply adorable! He looked after me so well and built up my confidence, even jumping a few logs. He was never silly or spooky, just a solid mount. Each day the was scenery was different; beautiful forests, river crossings and riding through long-grassed, open fields with mountains either side - it was fairy tale stuff! The guides were very knowledgeable about the countryside, horses and all the movies that had been filmed along the way. The food was plentiful; my daughter and I have dietary issues and we were catered for flawlessly at each meal, often with multiple options. I can`t thank Deana and Casey`s team enough for putting on such a great week for us. We will remember it fondly for many years.` - Christine Wallis and her daughter had a fantastic time riding together in New Zealand on the Glenorchy Back Country Ride.
Tales to Inspire: `It`s been a hot minute since I got back from Glenorchy in February. The memories are still making the days at the office tough to take. There was no way to prepare for the epicness and truly unique experiences that bound together our group of intrepid Globetrotters.
We arrived after over half a metre of rain had fallen. Nonetheless, as rain threatened to drown out Deana`s voice in the tack shed, she offered us two options. Option A was to ride. I guess we`ll never know what Option B was. If we were allowed on horses, we were getting on horses! The next several hours were spent trekking along the edges of the swollen Rees River. Our guides, Jess and Shaun, never wavered and our horses never put a hoof wrong. My fellow globetrotters also deserve a round of applause. My trusty steed, Beer, never hesitated, even when the water rose midway up his shoulders. We were kept super comfortable at Camp Glenorchy as the weather set in that night. The next day was wet and flooded, with some of the houses in Glenorchy being evacuated, but day 3 dawned bright and beautiful, as though the rain had never happened. We rode 21 kilometres and climbed the equivalent of 250 flights of stairs, and the horses got a well-deserved massage when we arrived at the shearing shed bunkhouse.
Day 4 had a lot of river crossings, with Shaun and Jess carefully picking our path. We got a real indication of the extent of the floods, looking at grass and sticks caught in fences far from the river. We rode into stunning Paradise in the afternoon and explored the trust`s property before dinner, gazing down the valley to some recognisable landscapes from many movies.
Day 5 was the one day when we were able to stick to the itinerary. We rode past several new landslips on the Dart River side of Mt Albert before an amazing long canter along the flat by the river.
This trip was unique and unrepeatable. I loved every minute and I`d love to do it again.`
- Ellenor Nixon was one of the brave globetrotters who completed the Glenorchy Back Country Ride during record rainfall and flooding this February - and according to her account, it wasn`t a downfall so much as an added bonus!
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
Please contact our awesome equine travel agent Globetrotting directly to book your spot on this world famous ride. You won’t regret it!
ALL Riders are required to be Confident intermediate or Experienced riders. This means, capable of staying balanced in the saddle, have an independent seat and capable of controlling a horse at a trot and canter easily in an uncontrolled environment. Due to the terrain, pace, and horses, we cannot accommodate to anyone with less ability sorry – we are strict on this!
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!
Night #1- The Bunk Room: This location is a fully functional shearers quarters with the original cook shop and a new separate bunk room. The Bunk Room overlooks the Rees River across to the Paradise Valley and is fully powered with modern bathroom facilities as well as a full oven and kitchen.
Night #2 and #3- Arthurs Creek Glamping: This is our most historic location, right at the edge of Arthurs Creek which features a waterfall close by and pristine drinkable glacial water. The main hut is over 100 years old and is surrounded by semi-permanent glamping tents on wooden platforms. Each tent sleeps two guests with camp stretchers, swags, blankets and pillows. This camp site also offers a kitchen with an eco drop toilet. It is unpowered.
Night #4 –The last night guests are in for a real treat! You will stay at the stunning Paradise Homestead, a historic, bespoke accommodation house with laze-about beds, hot showers, flushing toilets and kitchen. Guests also have the option for a professional massage by one of our professionally trained masseuses at extra costs.
This boutique accommodation is smack bang in the center of Paradise, the iconic filming location known famously world wide for its fantasy setting. You’ll be able to wake up to the most beautiful mountain view, sip a coffee surrounded by ancient beech forests and wildflowers, listen to the native birds sing and be refreshed and ready to ride!
Please check with Globetrotting directly for age requirements on this 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.
Please check with Globetrotting directly for their cancellation and refund policy.
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 arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful and famous filming location in the Country. High Country Horses have exclusive horse riding rights to this incredible location and prides itself on offering an up close and personal riding experience amongst authentic 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!
The gateway to the untamed beauty of the Wakatipu Basin.
Your own personal guide and horses – Build your own ride.
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