Adventure Tours
6 hours
Taking safety measures
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$230
per adult
River Valley Adventures
River Valley Adventures
5
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Full view
About
River Valley is an adventure company that operates from River Valley Lodge, an Adventure Lodge situated 32 kilometers east of the central North Island town of Taihape. What is River Valley all about? River Valley is all about rafts and horses. In fact 3 generations (since 1982)of guides have brought adventures based around river rafting and horse back riding to the general public. Rafting ranges in duration from half day Grade 5 trips on the Rangitikei River - often called one of the world's top half day Grade 5 trips - to gentle floats in the midst of spectacular scenery on our Scenic rafting trips. Horse Trekking. The core of the River Valley Stables riding experience is the natural horse training techniques used to train our horses. This produces horses that are responsive and happy. All riding takes place over the beautiful hill country of this area - the northern Rangitikei.
Taihape, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Travellers talk about
(48 reviews)
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5.0
253 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
12
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
sam
Palmerston North, New Zealand5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Business
The team at River Valley was exceptional. We went as a Christmas function for our work. The rafting was awesome, the guides were super knowledgeable and friendly and the scenery was spectacular. We stayed for dinner and breakfast the next morning, food was exceptional for both meals. Accommodation was clean and tidy and well suited for all. 10/10 highly recommend
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate G
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We had two nights at River Valley- and biked The Back Country Ride.Ride, food & service was great.Nothing was a problem for staff- and the food was really nice.The back country ride was so much fun, even though it was lightly drizzling. Highly reccomend the ride.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murdock T
Salt Lake City, UT2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Coolest commercial rafting trip I have done anywhere. The river is technical, beautiful, interesting. The guides were excellent. We stayed a night and had dinner and breakfast. Food is local and delicious. Coffee was also good. Hot tub and dry sauna are an extra bonus. The grounds are relaxing, and the road to get out there is next level beautiful, snaking through rugged agricultural land. Highly recommend.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Speed G
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We stayed at the Lodge for one night, the staff was so friendly and attentive and Dinner was just amazing. Thank you Luke. The Location is beautifull and the rooms super comfy.
Top place to stay a few days and enjoy and do some great tours.
Top place to stay a few days and enjoy and do some great tours.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Speed G
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
The Ride was amazing, the horse was really great and the scenery was beautiful. Katy was so nice a guide and we did a lovely round up and down the sheep hills.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Fantastic fun thanks to the stunning scenery and great guides. The lodge is worth the drive alone, on interesting back roads. There were plenty of sign posts and Google maps worked as well, so it was easy to get to. Just allow yourself the time to enjoy it.
They bus you up to the starting point from the lodge. The staff and guides were good fun and super conscientious. The briefings were clear and the equipment was easy to use. You hardly have to bring anything but yourself, they are well prepared.
The rafting was definitely the adventure we were looking for. They created lots of opportunities for thrills and spills. They also have a raft ahead to look out for you plus take photos. They get plenty of good pictures which they make available to you at no charge which is a nice touch.
Normally the trip ends back at the lodge. Ours had to finish after 9 km as a new slip had significantly changed the river and we had to walk out. That was a whole new adventure!
The guides managed this very well, even though it is something they rarely have to do. They spent time to scout out a good track out of the gorge. That was no mean feat as we were some 200 vertical metres below where they could get a vehicle in. They kept us well informed on their thinking and used their radios to stay in touch with their base.
We were out later than planned so they gave us a tasty lunch which was very appreciated.
I would definitely recommend this trip, but you need to be ok on your feet. Most of our group are in their fifties who walk or run a lot. If you are unsure, ask the company themselves, my sense is they will make a good assessment.
My thanks to the Max, Hazel and the other great guides. There were five of them. They all had that reassuring ability to have lots fun but keeping it safe.
They bus you up to the starting point from the lodge. The staff and guides were good fun and super conscientious. The briefings were clear and the equipment was easy to use. You hardly have to bring anything but yourself, they are well prepared.
The rafting was definitely the adventure we were looking for. They created lots of opportunities for thrills and spills. They also have a raft ahead to look out for you plus take photos. They get plenty of good pictures which they make available to you at no charge which is a nice touch.
Normally the trip ends back at the lodge. Ours had to finish after 9 km as a new slip had significantly changed the river and we had to walk out. That was a whole new adventure!
The guides managed this very well, even though it is something they rarely have to do. They spent time to scout out a good track out of the gorge. That was no mean feat as we were some 200 vertical metres below where they could get a vehicle in. They kept us well informed on their thinking and used their radios to stay in touch with their base.
We were out later than planned so they gave us a tasty lunch which was very appreciated.
I would definitely recommend this trip, but you need to be ok on your feet. Most of our group are in their fifties who walk or run a lot. If you are unsure, ask the company themselves, my sense is they will make a good assessment.
My thanks to the Max, Hazel and the other great guides. There were five of them. They all had that reassuring ability to have lots fun but keeping it safe.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian R
Decatur, GA4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Location, amazing down in the river valley - quite private and beautiful. It was so dark at night! Food, amazing the chef is brilliant, ingredients all fresh and local, unique and flexible for this vegetarian. Lodging, amazing we had “the bus” would recommend all day long. As unique as advertised, slept warm, heater and hot water both worked fantastic and the el fresco shower nothing but fun! Hosts, amazing joined us for dinner and wonderful to talk to. Even after multiple generations running the business, it’s a family affair and obvious they still enjoy hosting people and showing true hospitality. Last, horses, amazing. Nicola clearly loves what she does and the animals are well taken care of. I’m sure the rafting is killer too, Brian is very clearly an expert riverman and training guides under him to provide a top notch experience. Oh and the host dogs! Friendly and always appreciate a good skritch. The only bad thing was leaving!
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen G
12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Great day out. Driving there, you're in the absolute middle of nowhere, but its very well sign posted from a long way out. We've been on quite a few rafting trips already and this one was enjoyable but not much of a thrill seeker expercience. The first bit of the raft is pretty calm and not too spectacular; I think it's a good one for starters or people who're not too fond of being on the water. The second section had bigger rapids and was more fun. We got to jump of a rock and some action photos were taken along the way. The people were wery friendly, and they had lot's of cute dogs to cuddle with! One of them even snuck on the bus dropping us off at the start of the river. Oh - and a bonus - the track ends right at their shores, so no long haul with a heavy raft on top of your head!
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure15409664571
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
We celebrated 2 family birthdays with the half day Grade 5 rafting trip, and it was an ideal combo of physical challenges (for some of us), beautiful setting, great food and above all, wonderful staff.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine R
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
I had the best morning with Katy, thank you so much.
Friendly, gentle, well trained horses.
Amazing views
I had the best experience!
Friendly, gentle, well trained horses.
Amazing views
I had the best experience!
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
footlooseplus1
Pacific Coast Australia, Australia17 contributions
Hi, I would love to do the rafting experience despite being 61 years old! I'm reasonably fit. Is there an age limit? I also read there is a grade 2 rafting trip that is suitable for 5 year olds and seniors - is this true? I think that would suit me as I don't want too big an adrenaline rush! I'm adventurous, but NOT too adventurous. We have booked our flight to NZ in Oct 2017, so only six weeks from now. Would appreciate some advice. Thanks, Lois
nztilak
Auckland Central, New Zealand13 contributions
This River valley adventure place few different options. I'm sure they will offer more than one option to you. It's a must go beautiful place and lovely and very experienced people.
Kathun
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1 contribution
Can we arrange transport from the bus stop in Taihape (Kuku Street) to River Valley lodge? We are backpacking and don't have our own transport. Thank you
rivervalley1
Taihape4 contributions
If you give the Lodge a ring on 0800 248666 they will be able to sort something out for you.
Regards
Brian