Lake Tekapo

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

MacKenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

More Photos
wolfbrother
wolfbrother
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
6
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2
Editor Pick

Best Thing to Do in Lake Tekapo

  • June 29, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Best Thing to Do in Lake Tekapo

Of all the places I visited in my year in New Zealand, I spent the most time in the little village of Lake Tekapo on the South Island. It was here that I spent almost 6 months living and or working, and though it's a small place, I really got a feel for what it had to offer the other travellers coming through in that time.

And so it is with some level of confidence and a great deal of enthusiasm that I can say that the best activity to do in Lake Tekapo is a Mackenzie horse trek.

Lake Tekapo isn't a big place, though it is almost dead centre in the middle of the South Island and a great place to stop on your way from Christchurch to Queenstown. And the town has taken advantage of this in recent years and many 'tourist attractions' have popped up.
But - like much of New Zealand - many of these things are vastly over priced and over toursitted. But there are a few things here that have been around a while and offer a great experience, and Mackenzie Alpine Treks ranks very highly amongst these.

Not only would I recommend it as one of the best things to do in Lake Tekapo - I would recommend it as THE horseback trek you do in New Zealand.
Trekking is something (coming from Texas) I always look forward to doing on any trip that I take. And being in New Zealand for a year - a very horsy country by all accounts - I was very excited about the prospects.
This quickly deflated, however, when I started to see the prices of treks and what was being offered. They seem to average around $90 for an hour group ride - and that is far more than I'm willing to pay to sit on a horse for an hour.

However - near the end of our stay, we met up with the trek leader and manager of Mackenzie’s, Sam (who lived across the street) and arranged to go on a ride. And I have to say - it was possibly the best spent two hours I had in Lake Tekapo.

Very reasonably priced for starters - they offer an excellent range of rides from anything from half an hour (for $25NZ - an excellent price) if you want something a bit cheaper or are a novice on a horse and only want a taster.
Then they offer a great range of prices for different rides above and beyond that:

- 1 Hour Lake View $45
- 2 Hour Mountain Top $75
- 3.5 Hour Glacier Country $115
- Full Day $250

They even offer over night camping trips all around the McKenzie region. Each of these treks offers a different level and degree of difficulty as well as views and local scenery, designed for whatever level you might be at in your equestrian skills.

I really can't begin to recommend this highly enough. I took the two hour Mountain Top trek and wished desperately I'd had time to take one of the even longer ones. Sam - the trek guide - was excellent. I have learned over the years how easily the trek guide can make or break a good trekking experience, and Sam is quite possibly the best I've ever had. Pleasant, helpful and talkative - but not patronizing or too tour-guidey. An excellent person to have along on the trek.
Also the treks themselves are spectacularly set out, with a wonderful variety of scenery and riding experiences.

But possibly most importantly - they have a wonderful range of horses. Many of them rescued standardbreds that no longer are racing; these were the most pleasant riding horses I've ever experienced on a trek. Very easy, very responsive and with a great attitude. You don't need to be well experienced to ride them, but you can real response to you as a rider. I was blown away by my gelding, Bourbon - who was an immense pleasure to ride.
The 2 hour trek was up Mt John, and did have some steep inclines at places, so I would recommend doing this one only if you have some very basic skill at riding. But if you are unsure - then try out the half hour ride, and then come back for a longer one!

An excellent, excellent experience and just 2 minutes drive out of Lake Tekapo.

From journal The Visual Perfection of Secluded Lake Tekapo

Editor Pick

'Experience the Legend'

  • November 15, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by wolfbrother from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
'Experience the Legend'

MAHT is a great little company. If you're staying in Lake Tekapo for anything more than a pitstop then I highly recommend these guys to you. It is an excellent way to see this very beautiful area, coupled with the experience of being up on horseback - which is something I always thoroughly enjoy anyway.

Sam, the owner, took us out on a 2 hour trek, which winds all the way round Mount John and along the shore of the stunning Lake Tekapo itself. The views as we came around the ridge of the hill were breathtaking, and this was true to a lesser degree through the entire two hours. We wound uphill and downhill, through the woods, along the valley floor and all in all really felt like we'd gotten a serious bargain.

They offer anything from a $25 half hour trek, through 1 hour 'lake view' trek ($45), 2 hour 'Mountain top' ($75), 3.5 hour 'Glacier Country', which also takes in Lake Alexandrina ($115), a full day including experience of a working high country sheep station ($250) right up to their overnighter trek (which includes dinner, breakfast and refreshments) for $300 per person. These are very good prices for New Zealand and they cater for any level of rider, from absolute beginners upwards. They never go above a walk, so if you've heard horror stories of some of the safety records of New Zealand horse trek companies then this is one you don't have to worry about at all. Their safety record is impeccable, and I can see why.

If you're worried about being a little saddle sore the next day it's not too bad, because although they use English style riding they use Australian stock saddles, which are really comfortable. The horses are very responsive and easy to get to grips with and the views are something you will remember for a very long time to come. Very highly recommended.

From journal The Turquoise Tranquility of Lake Tekapo

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2

Compare Lake Tekapo Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Lake Tekapo Travel Deals