The 9 Treks in New Zealand That Earn Their Price

1.Franz Josef: 2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 322 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $475Our pick

Take a roughly four-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef over rainforest, cliffs, and waterfalls, then spend 2.5 hours on the glacier with a guide such as Ryan, Abby, Ana, or Drew. Expect crampons, ropes, ice passages, changing routes, and weather-dependent departures.

“An amazing bucket list activity!! Thoroughly enjoyed every second. From briefing, ‘majestical’ walk to heli, heli to glacier, our guide (pocket rocket, Ruby), shimming through crevasses, crawling through pockets in the ice and fellow travellers an awe inspiring experience.”

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2.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 269 reviews · from $433Top rated

Ride into Cardrona’s high country with a small group of up to seven, crossing rivers and working farmland with time to trot or canter. Guides such as Summer, Kelly, Emily, and Marley match horses to your ability and share local gold-rush stories. The route stops at the Cardrona Hotel for a drink before returning.

“Perfect experience , very well kept horses and the guiding was informational and we felt safe the whole time.”

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3.Rubicon Valley Horse Treks – 2 Hour River Trail Horse Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · from $91

Ride for two hours through Rubicon Valley with guide Chris, crossing farmland and following a musterer’s trail to the Otarama lookout. You’ll see the Waimakariri Canyon and Southern Alps, with calm horses for beginners and chances to trot or canter for confident riders.

“My wife and I did the two hour tour for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it. Chris was amazing and makes you feel very confident riding such a large animal. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun activity with beautifuRead more”

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4.Guided Horse Trekking from Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · from $68Best value

Join a guide at Adventure Playground Rotorua for a one-hour walking horse trek through farmland and native bush on Mt. Ngongotaha. You’ll ride a horse matched to your ability, stop for views over Lake Rotorua, and return to the meeting point. Lucy is one guide praised for her warm, reassuring help.

“Great set up, well looked after horses. Friendly helpful staff. An awesome ride in an awesome part of the world. Would thoroughly recommend.”

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5.Llama Trek (Half-day) – Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $154

Kevin leads this small-group, three-and-a-half-hour trek along Kaikōura Bay, beaches, boardwalks, and the peninsula coast. You handle your own llama, learn how these gentle animals think, spot New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point, and finish with a free hot or cold drink and cake.

“Trekking with the llamas was such a surprisingly fun and exotic experience! Kevin, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and informative. Our interaction with our llama was wonderful! I’m sold on those big soulful eyes, fluffy fuRead more”

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6.Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · from $134

You’ll cross Lake Whakatipu by TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, then ride 40 to 45 minutes through Walter Peak farmland with an English-speaking guide. Small groups of up to six make this a calm, personal outing for first-time riders, followed by tea, scones, and muffins.

“Ferrie ride was great. We did the Walter Peak Horse Ride. Looked after us as we had not been on a horse many years. The afternoon high tea was delicious.”

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7.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

This two-hour Cardrona Valley ride suits complete beginners and experienced riders. You’ll meet your horse, learn basic control, cross streams, climb mountain lanes, and hear gold-rush and farming stories from guides such as Phoebe or Val. The route includes time for photos and ends back at the stables.

“This shorter ride takes you through beautiful countryside. The guide takes pictures too so you have memories to take with you. I had beautiful weather despite forecasts. Guide Phoebe is very friendly & tells you a lot about the area & local farming.”

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8.Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $142

Ride from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, enjoy tea at the Colonel’s Homestead, then follow a guide on a gentle 40-minute horse trek. The small group is limited to six, with horses suited to beginners and views toward the Remarkables.

“During this 3-hour booking, we only spent 40 minutes horseback riding. I wish we had known this before making the reservation, as it felt a bit expensive for such a limited amount of riding time. We also didn’t realize that we would need to take a boat across the lake to reach the location, which consumed most of our paid experience.”

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9.Llama Trek (Taster) – Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $83

Join Kevin from Kaikoura Llama Trekking for a 90-minute taster walk beside the Kowhai River. You will lead llamas along riverbanks and part of the riverbed, learn how they behave, and enjoy native woodland and birdlife in a small group of no more than five.

“Instructor is very friendly, patience. Explaining the llama behavior on detail. The walk is pretty easy and the best thing is able to be close and touch llama. :)”

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