North Canterbury Alpine Horse Safaris day trips and expeditions near Christchurch New Zealand

Lawrie and Jenny O'Carroll are the owners and operators of Alpine Horse Safaris at Waitohi Downs, a 2,500 acre (1012 hectare) working farm with horse trekking and trail riding, situated in the high country of North Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island.

Climb into a comfortable stock saddle atop one of the strong Clydesdale/Thoroughbred horses, and ride over high mountain passes on pack tracks made by early pioneers, listening to the wide variety of native birds. See the spectacular splendor of the majestic snowcapped Southern Alps of New Zealand towering high above bush covered slopes, vast river flats, crystal clear lakes and sparkling rivers gushing through sheer faced gorges. Then in the ambience of the day's end sit around a camp fire, sipping wine and chatting about the day's adventures, while eating a hearty meal cooked over an open fire accompanied by billy-boiled tea, then lay back and gaze at the star filled sky.

Waitohi Downs, in North Canterbury is the home of sixty horses, of which about thirty are used for mustering stock and the safaris, and also two thousand sheep, two hundred beef cattle, five hundred red deer and five working dogs.

Alpine Horse Safaris

Expedition riders cross alpine grasslands near Lake Tekapo, Southern Alps, New Zealand.

Culverden Attractions

About Alpine Horse Safaris, North Canterbury, New Zealand

1.5 hrs drive from Christchurch
Short day trips or multi-day expeditions
Visit rarely seen New Zealand back country
Hosts: Jenny and Lawrie
Altitude: 300 to 1600 Metres
Features: Stay overnight in historic and typical NZ high country huts, with cooking as experienced by musterers. Travel through diverse and remote NZ landscapes. Live a high country farmer's life style - work with cattle, sheep and dogs.
Climate: Low rainfall, typical inland NZ through to wet high country extremes near the Southern Alps
Horse safaris begin in October and runs through' til May, but rides are taken all year round

Contact Info:

Alpine Horse Safaris [Lawrie and Jenny O'Carroll]
Waitohi Downs, Hawarden, North Canterbury
Ph/Fax: +64 3 314 4293

eMail: alpinehorse@amuri.net

Web Site: http://www.alpinehorse.co.nz

Welcome to Alpine Horse Safaris, North Canterbury, New Zealand, on the Alpine Pacific Triangle ...

Read what others have to say:

"The best 10 day holiday I ever had. A million thanks for your companionship and top horses"
HELEN MURDOCH
Auckland, NZ

"I put my trust in Alpine Horses and Guides and had the best ride of all time. Thanks for showing me the back of beyond and more. Would love to do it all again."
GILLIAN STONE
Wellington, NZ

"Thanks for a wonderful week. Fantastic, big horses, the best I've ever ridden."
CLAUDIA STAUDT
Christchurch, NZ

"Fabulous trip - such beautiful scenery - these were some of the best horses we've ever ridden. Very sure-footed, alert, ready to go and still kind-hearted and gentle with their riders. We really appreciated the way you made us feel at home straight away. Thank you so much for a wonderful time."
SANDY BREIDERBACH,
USA


	Jenny’s Favourite Food: Steak Favourite Colour: Red Favourite Saying: “Stand up in your stirrups”

	Lawrie’s Favourite Food: Meat and Spuds Favourite Colour: Beech Tree Green Favourite Saying: “Do it once, do it right”