High Country Horses vs RealNZ
Two Queenstown operators compared (Horse trekking). High Country Horses starts at NZ$180 and RealNZ at NZ$279. Here is how their options line up on length, group size, age rules and cancellation.
High Country Horses
- Operating since 1987; describes itself as locally owned
- Rides are walk-only, walk and trot, or include canter depending on the trek
- Says it has exclusive riding access in Paradise Valley
- Multi-day rides from NZ$1,350 (2 days) to NZ$3,600 (4 days), with accommodation, meals and transfers
- Basic English required on all rides
Mid Rivers Ride
- From
- NZ$180 per person
- Length
- 1 hour; daily at 12:30pm
Ride of the Rings
- From
- NZ$279 per person
- Length
- 1 hour; three departures daily
Rees River Trail
- From
- NZ$300 per person
- Length
- 2 hours (the day-ride listing says 2.5 hours); daily at 9am and 2:30pm
- Min age
- 7+; under 16 must be with a parent or guardian
- Weight
- 90 kg; guests may be weighed at check-in
- Cancellation
- Full refund 7 or more days out; 50% refund from 7 days to 24 hours; no refund within 24 hours.
RealNZ
- Sold on realnz.com as a Walter Peak experience, not under its own website
- RealNZ describes it as best suited to first-time or novice riders
- During the TSS Earnslaw's annual survey, Walter Peak is reached only on the Spirit of Queenstown
Walter Peak Horse Treks
- From
- NZ$279 per person
- Length
- 3 hours 45 minutes, including the lake crossing (45 min on the TSS Earnslaw or 35 min on the Spirit of Queenstown)
- Group
- Small group
- Min age
- 7 years; minimum height 120 cm
- Weight
- Maximum 95 kg
Both checked against the operators' own pages on 2026-10-22. See every operator in Horse trekking.