The River Valley Ride

Day 1: Arrival

Hooray! Your adventure in New Zealand is about to begin! This morning you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Taupo between 8 – 8.30am. The drive to River Valley Lodge takes in the unique Central Plateau of the North Island and you’ll drive past three active volcanoes while travelling down the spectacular Desert Road. There will be a stop on the way to purchase some lunch and any last-minute supplies.

Your host, Nicola, will greet you at the Lodge where you’ll meet your guides, who will give you a briefing on the days ahead. Today is about getting to know your horse, building a connection, feeling comfortable with one another and understanding the principles of riding your horse in a rope halter. To begin with, once you’ve been paired with your horse, you’ll spend some time working together on the ground; then you’ll ride out over River Valley and the neighbouring farm, Mangatoa. After a beautiful afternoon of riding, you’ll feel connected and confident in the saddle.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner of home-grown produce amidst the relaxed atmosphere of River Valley Lodge and get to know your guides and fellow guests. By now your comfortable, cosy bed will be calling – make sure you get plenty of beauty sleep tonight, globetrotters!

Day 2: Ohinewairua Station

After packing a bag with everything you’ll need for the next three nights, you’ll fill up on a hearty breakfast at the Lodge and head out to catch, groom, saddle and feed the horses. This hands-on time strengthens your relationship with your horse and will form part of each day (don’t worry, there’s always help on hand should you need it). Mounting up for a full day’s ride, you will cross the big hills, open country and native bush of four different properties: the aptly named Big Hill Station, Mangaota, Makokomiko, and Hiwinui (which means ‘big ridge’ in Maori).

These stations have been opened up just for you – it’s a real privilege to explore them. There will be plenty of trots and canters, challenging slopes, and soul-stirring views across the undulating back country to the Kaimanawa and Ruahine Ranges and, on a clear day, the North Island’s volcanoes. Lunch will be packed in your saddlebags and enjoyed in a shady spot en route.

Your destination is Ohinewairua Station which, like River Valley, sits on the banks of the Rangitikei River. While half the group settles into Otupae River Cottage, the other half will make themselves at home in the spacious ‘glamping’ teepees erected just outside. There’s time for a swim in the river while your fabulous chef Miranda prepares the evening meal, to be enjoyed on the verandah while the sun sets over the hills.

Day 3: Cottrell's

Getting into the morning rhythm, you’ll pack your lunch, enjoy a filling breakfast, then take a short drive to meet the horses. Today’s ride traverses the magnificent, grandiose hills of Ohinewairua Station, with your guides selecting the best route for the season, weather and ground conditions of your specific departure. Another saddlebag-packed lunch will be enjoyed on the banks of the Rangitikei while the horses graze nearby.

Finally, you’ll pull up at Cottrell’s, a beautifully renovated shearers quarters located on a smaller, fifth-generation family farm. Those who glamped last night will sleep in the shearers quarters, and vice versa. After an evening dip in the river, you’ll get to know your lovely hosts, Dan and Jacqui, and Dan’s parents Mark and Elizabeth, and hear their stories of life on the land over a hearty dinner.

Day 4: Moawhango Marae

Today gets off to a relaxed start, with an unhurried breakfast overlooking the surrounding hills. When everyone is ready, you’ll groom and saddle your horse for a picturesque journey through more astounding back country, crossing seven private properties before reaching Moawhango Marae in the early afternoon. Moawhango (which means ‘raucous moa bird’ – a now-extinct species) is a small settlement with a rich history.

Here you will meet some of the friendly locals from both European and Māori cultures, who will share their love of the land and their ancestral stories with you. Tonight, you’ll be given privilege of staying on the community’s Marae, or meeting ground. The Marae is the focal point of Māori communities throughout New Zealand, who see it as tūrangawaewae – their place to stand and belong.

As a group, you will be welcomed onto the Marae and experience the warm hospitality of the Māori people as you’re treated to a delicious welcome meal prepared especially for you, then bed down in the ancestral hall, the beating heart of the community.

Day 5: Pukeokahu

After breakfast at the Marae, courtesy of the beautiful Moawhango community, you will begin the journey back to River Valley, following an entirely new trail. You’ll ride through three private properties, each hilltop bringing Pukeokahu (‘hill of the hawk’) a little closer. In the far distance, you will also see Aorangi (the local Maunga, which is Māori for mountain). Having spent a night at the marae, you’ll understand more of the Maunga’s history and significance.

Arriving at River Valley in the afternoon, there’s plenty of time to go for a swim, soak in the hot tub, enjoy the sauna, or just sit back and watch the sunlight dance on the river. Miranda will prepare another delectable dinner to welcome you home, then you’ll sleep beneath Pukeokahu and Aorangi, back in your cosy room at the Lodge.

Day 6: Rangitikei River Gorge

As usual, the day will begin with a delicious breakfast and time spent bonding with your trusty trail horse as you prepare for the ride ahead. You’re leaving River Valley once more today, riding along country roads and through the high country farmland of Ngatarua Station, where there will be ample opportunities to pick up the pace and feel the wind in your hair. Then, after a picnic lunch, you’ll descend into the beautiful Rangitikei River Gorge. This is a very special area for your guides, who grew up here and will no doubt have more than a few tales to tell.

Your nimble horse will cross the river multiple times en route to your destination, Tarata Lodge, a spectacular property owned by Steve and Trudi Maddock. The lodge is based high on the cliffs of the Rangitkei River and boasts stunning views into the river canyon. While Miranda cooks dinner, you’ll soak up the views from the hot tub and whet your appetite with a cheese platter and drinks on the deck as the light fades softly over the river.

Day 7: Ruahine Ranges

This morning you’ll have breakfast at Tarata Lodge before riding down into the spectacular river gorge. Heading upstream, you’ll ride through the river and up over several prominent hills, including Pukeokahu itself (weather permitting), pausing to take in the distant splendour of the Ruahine Ranges on the ascent. Local Māori are believed to have roamed Pukeokahu’s sacred slopes for at least 400 years. On a clear day, the hilltop offers views of all three of the North Island’s volcanoes!

You will arrive back at River Valley in the early afternoon, when tonight’s Hāngi will be put in the ground to cook slowly for the final feast. You can spend the rest of the day as you please. Tonight you’ll celebrate in true kiwi fashion, with laughter, stories, and an unbelievably delicious Hāngi!

Day 8: Departure after lunch

It’s your choice how you spend this last day. We recommend one of River Valley’s world-renowned rafting trips with the fun-loving, knowledgeable guides. You could also take the e-bikes for a spin, head out for one last ride with Nicola, or simply soak up the tranquillity by the river.

At 2pm, after a picnic lunch, you’ll say farewell to the River Valley team and take a shuttle back to your accommodation in Taupo. The trip takes roughly two hours. You can depart for your onward travels anytime the following day.