Backcountry Saddle Expeditions
Backcountry Saddle Expeditions, Wanaka: Hours, Address, Backcountry Saddle Expeditions Reviews: 5/5
Backcountry Saddle Expeditions
Backcountry Saddle Expeditions
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Backcountry Saddle Expeditions has celebrated a few milestones this year... They are 36 years old... with an outstanding 30 years under the current management of Debs Thompson. Debs is a "hands on" outdoor girl and wishes to share her family of "fur babies" with everyone. Henry the cat, Dixie the dog and her stunning herd of 20 Appaloosa horses. Appaloosa's are an American Indian horse who are best known for their stunning spotted coloration. They are a mountain breed and are suited to the beautiful mountain steeps of the Hidden Valley, Earnscleugh. To keep the western theme the horses are outfitted in Western Saddles which ensure the rider a safe, secure and more comfortable ride. Come and enjoy the family and meet Debs and her team.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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714 reviews
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kboomdunners
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
The absolutely fantastic Debs took our school group out. She is amazing with the students, has good local knowledge, loves her job, and is all round amazing. We highly recommend this company.
Written 30 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Coastal40370
3 contributions
Jul 2021
A spur of the moment decision and it was amazing. 13k trek through the hills of Otago. Debbie was so caring of her clients and made sure everyone was comfortable in the saddle and chatted the whole with great info about the region. I thoroughly recommend this adventure for everyone.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Skelfy
Hamilton, New Zealand13 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Absolutely fantastic afternoon and an experience I won’t forget! An amazing team - Debs, Jo (and not forgetting Henry cat!) were all welcoming, friendly and fun from the moment I arrived! Beautiful healthy and happy horses, breathtaking views and a fab, relaxed atmosphere! Couldn’t have asked for anything better and a must do for anyone visiting Cardrona! Thanks again Debs and Jo 🇳🇿 🤠 🐎
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maria R
2 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Such an awesome trek so impressed!
Debs the guide was great an very knowledgeable.
Horses were nice and kind and very well looked after!
Will be back and would recommend
Definitely value for money!
Debs the guide was great an very knowledgeable.
Horses were nice and kind and very well looked after!
Will be back and would recommend
Definitely value for money!
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pete C
18 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
What a great experience, totally recommend. Debs is great and the scenery is amazing. My wife and I are complete riding novices and we loved it. The horses are very sure footed and predictable and we quickly gained in confidence while covering some quite challenging terrain. Worth the drive from Wanaka and Queenstown to enjoy the different landscape. Enjoyed a nice lunch at the Post Office in Clyde afterwards .
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ashleigh
8 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Absolutely love this experience, was much better than antipcated. The back country mountains and scenery was spectacular. Just perfect!!! And Deb was amazing, had a good sense of humour and was very informative about the history of the area. Highly recommend!!!
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daniel Aldersley
1 contribution
Jul 2020
Best horse ride I've ever been on - thank you! Had a fantastic time, lovely people and horses and breath-taking views! Catered well for me as a young adult, my parents and my Grandmother! Staff always made sure we felt safe and comfortable. Would HIGHLY recommend to all!
Written 2 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anna H
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Dec 2019
As young girls both me and my sister were regular horse-riders, and as we grew up and started travelling it became tradition to find a place to ride in every country we travelled to. From Australia to Vanuatu, Hawaii to Canada, never have we found a place as amazing at Backcountry Saddle Expeditions. We've had the pleasure of riding with these guys 3 times now, and the care that is put into the horses and the business is obvious. As experienced riders me and my sister struggle to ride freely at other trail-riding establishments (i.e. be allowed to canter with beginner riders around) - but the team at Backcountry Saddle cater for riders of all types. Beginners are taken good care of with gorgeous friendly horses, and more experienced riders are given plenty of chances to canter around some of the most gorgeous landscapes the south island has to offer. These guys absolutely deserve your business and you will leave with the biggest smile on your face, guaranteed. Horse fanatic or not, it's an experience to remember x
Written 11 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carolyn689
Vancouver, Canada25 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My husband and I had the pleasure of riding in the breath taking Cadrona Valley with Backcountry Saddle Expeditions. We lived everything about this from the friendly and helpful staff, the gentle and well trained horses and the spectacular countryside we rode through. I would highly recommend.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ackson
Wanaka, New Zealand6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
First time riding a horse and this was pretty great! The owners and our guide (the lady from the UK- sorry forgot your name haha) was so good. Telling us about the history and having a chat, telling us about the horses etc
Was so relaxed and made sure we were comfortable and always feeling safe.
Was so relaxed and made sure we were comfortable and always feeling safe.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SereneSwee
Singapore, Singapore800 contributions
Is this suitable for a 20 month old and a 3.5 yr old sharing with each parent?
Debs T
Alexandra, New Zealand
I really sorry but we cannot double saddle.
My minimum age for children is 5 years old.
Debs
Wang Z
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
May I know the price of the ticket pls?
Debs T
Alexandra, New Zealand
The Adult price is $95 and a child is $75 (15 years and under) for a 2 hour ride.
We have 2 departure times daily at either 10.00am or 1.30pm and we do need a prior booking.
Hope this helps...
Debs🤠
jorgitooreillybeccar
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hi there. We are a small group (5) of Argentinian university students. We are all excellent horse riders, and well acquainted with the care and handling of the animals. We were wondering if you had job openings during your summer, form December 15-20 to the end of February. We also have fluent English, a good education, clean and orderly habits and good manners.
Debs T
Alexandra, New Zealand
Sorry guys,
All my staff carry over from season to season.
I haven’t got any for seen vacancies.
Good luck...
Debs🤠
chloe1135
Adelaide, Australia
Hi there. Just wondering if there was a weight restriction for the horse riding. I’m a rider myself but I’m just worried about my partner, as he is a little over the weight restrictions here in Australia to go riding on tours.? Many thanks. 😄
Debs T
Alexandra, New Zealand
Hi Chloe,
I do like to talk to people about weight versus height and ability.
Someone who is 5ft and 100kg is very different to a person who is 6ft and 100kg.
Hopefully you can ring me so we can discuss all these factors.
Debs🤠
LailyOthman
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia85 contributions
Hello,
My friends and I are going to New Zealand next week, and planning to try horse trekking. Just curious, are we allowed to carry a camera or handphone while riding the horse?
Thanks.
Debs T
Alexandra, New Zealand
Yes cameras are essential... The scenery is beautiful.
If you don't have a zip up pocket we supply a small bag that we tie onto the front of the saddle.
Bookings are essential and we do rides twice daily at either 10.00am or 1.30pm daily.
Look forward to your reservation.
Debs:-)
Frequently Asked Questions about Backcountry Saddle Expeditions
- Backcountry Saddle Expeditions is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Backcountry Saddle Expeditions:
- (0.35 km) Waiorau Homestead
- (1.77 km) Cardrona Hotel
- (0.80 km) Cardrona Valley Lodge
- (1.65 km) Cardrona Captain's Lodge
- (6.07 km) Snow Farm Lodge