Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
NEW ZEALAND : GREENSTONE TRAIL...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Imagine a land of snow-tipped mountains, rolling green hills and river-slashed
valleys; of ice cold sapphire lakes, and dense bush ringing with birds
under a clear sky. Where the loudest sound you will hear over the tinkle
of crystal water dancing over brown stones is that of your horse cropping
the grass in the early morning dew. This is a land that has never heard the roar of traffic, the din of people, or been soiled by the haze of pollution. It is the high country of North Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand. We will take you there, to live in it, ride through it and experience it. Our treks will take you through working sheep stations into isolated back country, where the biggest crowd you will see will be a herd of cattle. Your bed may be in a tent, a mountain hut or station bunkhouse; your dinner cooked over an open fire under a sky with more stars than you ever dreamed existed. You will experience silence so dense you will feel you can touch it. The spectacular scenery and tranquility will leave you refreshed in body, mind and spirit. An unforgetable travel... Riding through mountains, forest, rivers and lakes. A real taste of pioneering New Zealand. On the packtrips the pace is often dictated by the presence of the packhorses even if where it is at all possible, we ride independently of the packhorse team. The rides supported by 4wd vehicule are a little more comfortable (shower each day, more luggages...) and the pace is more varied without the packhorses. |
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ITINERARY
Day 1 and 2
Arrival in Christchurch during the day (depending on your flight).
Free transfer to your hotel and free days to recover from the jet-lag
or visit Christchurch and its suroundings.
Day 3
Transfert from Christchurch to the farmstay where our guide will
join us for dinner and give a briefing on the ride.
Day 4
After introduction to your horse we have a safety breif, then
saddle up and ride up through the Waitohi River, under the shady
willows, stopping for lunch and a swim along the way. Then after
following the old goldtrail to the West Coast for a while, we ride
over steep hill country and down to a local homestead. We dine with
the farm owner and spend the night in his comfortable cottage. (approx
5 hrs riding)
Day 5
We follow the Waitohi River up through some spectacular country
to Mt Mason Sation. Passing under Mt Noble and Gola Peak we ride
on to Mt Noble Station, a high Country sheep and cattle station.
Arriving late afternoon, we take care of our horses, enjoy coll
refreshments and then have a barbeque dinner with the station owners.
Accommodation is in a small cottage with optional camping tents.
(approx 7 hrs riding)
Day 6
After a hearty breakfast we saddle our horses and continue through
Mt Noble Station, rising up and over the spectacular Windy Ridge
with magnificent views of the mountains in all directions.
Then following the road for a short time to the jonction of the
north ans south branches of the Hurunui River we ride up through
the bush in Boulder Gully to low saddle. Dropping down into Starvation
Gully we follow it out to Lake Taylor Station where we spend the
night in the shearers quarters. We dine with the family who own
Lake Taylor Station.
(approx 6 hrs riding)
Day 7
Today we ride out past Lake Taylor and over the Munro Saddle back
into the wide, tussock-terraced upper valley of the Hurunui's South
Branch. We follow the south branch up as far as the Masson Stream
and ride up over the terraces to dicover Lake Mason, secluded amid
native beech forest, where we have lunch. Leaving Lake Mason behind
we ride through a beech forest with some trees up to 400 years old,
around a swamp and up over the Catherine Saddle to the top of the
Lake Sumner, where ther are spectacular views of Mt Longfellow (6227ft.),
Mt Emerson (5998ft;), Niggerhead (4564ft.), the Nelson Tops and Main
Divide. We carru on past Loch Katrine and Lake Shepherd to opur home
for the night, the shearer's quarters at the Lakes Station. (approx
8 hrs riding)
Day 8
After the long day ysterday we give the horses (and riders!)
a bit o a rest with a shorter ride around the picturesque lake Shepherd.
There may be an opportunity here for a swim. (approx 3 hrs riding)
Day 9
Today we ride around the Three Sisters hills and visit the outfall
af Lake Sumner into the Hurunui River. We return again to Lake Taylor
Station and the hospitality of its owners. (approx 5 hrs riding)
Day 10
After leaving Lake Taylor Station we ride up through Stavation Gully
and its sub-alpine vegetation to the Eskhead Saddle on the Oronoko
Range. We stop for a while to take in the breathtaking views, then
lead our horses down a tussok ridge and have lunch beside the South
Branch of the Hurunui River.
Crossing the South Branch and Seaward once again, we ride down through
the Hurunui senic gorge to the Seven Hills woolshed above the Hurunui
River. From here we are transported to our accommodation for the night
(comfortable cottage).
(approx 5 hrs riding)
Day 11
Returning to our horses at the woolshed, we ride along the banks
of the Hurunui River, gentle after its wild ride through Maori Gully,
under the impressive Hooligan Range with Mt Mizar, Ben Cliberick,
Phyllis Fell and Mt Catherine on the opposite side of the river.
We lunch below Mt Salf beside the Hurunui, after which we head across
again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle with its panoramic views of
the Amui Basin.
On reaching our base we unsaddle, unpack, wach the horses down after
which you will be transferred to your farmstay.
(approx 4 hrs 30 riding)
Day 12
After a last breakfast, you will be transfered to Christchurch for
your return flight (or extra stay).
Note: This itinerary is either with packhorses or 4wd support (see dates of departure).
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EXTEND YOUR TRIP
To get the most of your trip to New Zealand we can add a tour of other
regions in campervan or rental car, Malborough vinyards, Milford Sound
fjord... or the practice of activities such as bungee jumping or white
water sports and kayaking in the fjords or lakes. Ask for more ideas.
We can also arrange for an extra stay in Australia or Pacific Islands.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
Horses are mainly station bred, Thoroughbred / Clydesdale cross, strong,
bold hunter types, the traditional hack favored by New Zealand stockmen
and women.
Tack
Our guides pride themselves on the quality and condition
of the tack and equipment they supply. All equipment starts a trek
clean and oiled, and everything is inspected at the end and sent
for repairs if necessary. Spares of vital tack are carried in case
of unavoidable mishap.
Saddles: We ride in the Australian style stock saddle made famous
by "The Man From Snowy River". They have breast plates
and circingles. A synthetic wool saddle cover is supplied for extra
comfort.
Bridles: Our horses are ridden in snaffle bits, fitted to English
and stock bridles. We have bridles specially made for our biggest
horses.
Requested riding level
For those trails you need to be ok at all gaits outdoor and have a good
physical condition.
You will have to walk and lead your horse out of camp in the morning.
Getting involved is one of the key elements of these rides and for most people adds much to their experience.
You will be responsible for the grooming and saddling of your own horse
each day. Your guides will instruct and assist you in this and check your
horse before you set out each day.
Your guides will appreciate your assistance in other areas whilst on the
trek: ie helping groom and saddle horses.
YOUR GUIDES
You will be guided by professional guides who are very good riders and
who know perfectly well their region and environment.
ACCOMMODATION
You will be accommodated in comfortable cottages or shearers
quarters (bunk room) with hot running water and flush toilets.
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DATES AND RATES
| 2008 | ||
| from october 15 to 26 |
1740 € |
available |
| from october 29 to november 09 |
1740 € |
available |
| from november 12 to 23 |
1740 € |
available |
| from november 26 to december 07 |
1740 € |
available |
| from december 10 to 21 |
1740 € |
available |
Please contact us to check the best available flight rate from your country.
If you don't want to get the whole package with the 2 nights in bed and
breakfast in Christchurch to visit and recover from the jet lag, just
ask us.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride as it is described, on a full board basis
- transfers from and to Christchurch to join the departure point of the
trail.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to Christchurch
- transfers from and to the airport to the hotel for the stay in Christchurch
before the trail.
- drinks
- any other service
- tips and personnal expenses
- extra stay before or after this trip (other areas, extra activities..)
Please contact us if interested.
- Insurance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage,
repatriation). Please contact us for rates. You can subscribe to these
insurrances only if you are an resident of EU or Switzerland. If you live
outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact us for any inquiry !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
South Island of New Zealand
LENGTH
12 days / 11 nights / 8 days horsetrek
LANGUAGE
English
GROUP SIZE
Maximum 10 riders.
ACCESS
Arrival at Christchurch airport.
CLIMATE
In the Southern Hemisphere
the seasons are the opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere:
Summer: December to February
Autumn: March to May
Winter: June to August
Spring: September to November
New Zealand comprises two long thin islands that run north-south and,
as such, there is a noticeable difference in the climates of the top of
the North Island, which is sub-tropical, and the bottom of the South Island,
which is temparate. Overall, however, New Zealand's is a very mild climate
making it a suitable holiday destination all year round.
Kaikoura Christchurch: the climate of this zone is greatly dependent on
the lie of the massive Southern Alps to the west. Summer temperatures
are warm, with highest temperatures occurring when hot dry foehn northwesterlies
blow over the Alps and plains. Mean annual rainfall is low, and long dry
spells can occur, especially in summer. For much of the time summer temperatures
are moderated by a cool northeasterly sea breeze. Typical summer daytime
maximum air temperatures range from 18°C to 26°C, but may rise
to more than 30°C. A temperature of 42°C has been recorded in
Christchurch. Winters are cold with frequent frost. Typical winter daytime
maximum air temperatures range from 7°C to 14°C.
It is important to know that New Zealand, such as Australia, has a UV
exposure much stronger than in Europe. For this reason, it is necessary
to use an efficent sunblock as well as sunglasses and hat, and this even
when the temperature is low or the sky a bit cloudy.
Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning
your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
REFERENCE :
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