Total cost for 2 people: NZD 5,200
Total cost for 3 people: NZD 7,800
Total cost for 4 people: NZD 10,400
Duration: 2 nights / 3 days
Distance: approx. 35 km total (depending on route variations)
Difficulty: Light to Moderate. Can be suitable for beginners and adjusted for advanced riders.
This is a two-night journey focused on relaxation and comfort, offering a genuine backcountry experience with easy logistics and a gentle pace. The trip begins at our basecamp at St James Homestead, just a 20-minute drive from Hanmer Springs, making it one of the most accessible multi-day rides in the area.
The highlight of this journey is time spent at the Cow Stream natural hot pools — a secluded and little-known gem tucked into the St James landscape. Evenings are spent soaking in naturally heated pools, surrounded by open alpine country, with camp set nearby for easy access.
The ride in and ride out each cover approximately 10 km of mostly flat terrain, following wide valley floors and river terraces that still deliver expansive alpine views. These rides are considered easy, take around 3–4 hours, and are well suited to riders with limited experience who are comfortable outdoors.
On the middle day we slow the pace and give you space to ride. With no pack horses or camp moves, we head higher into the valleys and up into the upper Waiau River system. It’s perfect for keen, fit beginners, but it truly sings for experienced riders — our friendly guides and sure‑footed horses will have you cantering with a grin, tackling steeper lines and splashing through creeks and rivers. The more confident you are, the more fun you’ll find, and because every tour is private we’ll shape the day around your riding style, fitness and sense of adventure so you leave with memories to keep.
This area is less remote than our deeper backcountry trips and is accessible by 4WD during summer months. You may encounter other travellers or hunters, particularly during busier periods, though overall traffic remains low and the sense of space remains intact.
With several creek crossings on Days 1 and 3, open-valley riding, and warm pools waiting at day’s end, this trip provides a comfortable, restorative introduction to riding and camping in the St James high country — or, for stronger riders, can be ramped up into a pulse‑raising adventure. Feel your heart lift as you open the canter across wide tussock country, charge up steeper ridgelines, and launch over creek edges; our expert guides and sure‑footed horses will push your limits safely so you leave buzzing with stories and a grin you won’t forget.
Camp beside natural hot springs
More focus on comfort and more relaxation time
A comfortable distance from home base — just 15 km away, giving you flexibility to rest or return whenever needed.
This trip can be done in almost any weather — the base camp is just 15 km from the trailhead, tucked out of the wind, with no major river crossings or mountain passes to worry about. It’s our most adaptable and least “wild” wilderness option, with simpler logistics and gentler terrain than other options.
Out-and-back route – Day 1 and Day 3 follow the same trail between the Homestead and Cow Stream.
Shorter travel days – roughly 15 km in the saddle on the first and last day.
A comfortable 15 km from home base — not as deep into the wilderness as our longer circuit
Your adventure begins at the St James Homestead, the historic gateway to the high country. It’s about a 25–30 minute scenic drive from Hanmer Springs along a gravel backcountry road.
Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you with a hot cup of tea or coffee and introduce you to the horses who’ll be your companions for the journey. Together, you’ll repack your belongings to be loaded onto the pack horses, and you’re welcome to take part in every step — from grooming and saddling to preparing the gear.
Once everyone is ready, and with one last sip of coffee, you’ll be in the saddle and well into the trail by 10 a.m.
The ride begins from the Homestead Run, following a narrow valley that winds gently into the backcountry. There’s no river here, but a small creek often runs alongside the trail, leading you deeper into the hills. The route passes through open grassland and patches of wild alpine scrub, where you might spot native birds and other wildlife along the way.
About halfway through, the valley opens up into the broad beauty of the Edwards basin, where the peaks of the Poplars Range rise sharply on your right. The scenery widens, the air cools, and the silence deepens — this is the true heart of the St James.
The day’s ride covers approximately 15 kilometres and takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on pace and rest stops.
Have a look at your route on the Google Earth. Use their 3D feature to visualize yourself there better!
Upon arrival, the first task is to set up camp. Together with your guides, you’ll unload the pack horses, help pitch the tipi tents, and give the horses a well-earned groom and feed before they settle in for their rest.
Guests are warmly encouraged to join in these activities — it’s all part of the rhythm of life in the high country and a wonderful way to connect with both horses and the land.
Once camp is organised, you can relax with a hot or cold drink and a light snack or meal, while deciding how to spend the rest of your afternoon:
Take a soak in the natural hot pools,
Go for a short hike around the valley, or
Saddle up again for a gentle sunset ride, once the horses have rested.
As evening falls, the valley quiets and the stars emerge — the perfect ending to your first day in the wild.
For our base package, we ask guests to plan and pack their own lunches and snacks. This gives you the freedom to bring the foods you enjoy most and that suit your energy needs for the day.
Your first lunch will be at your hot springs camp upon arrival. Something easy to eat will work best, as you’ll be helping your guide with the camp setup when you get there.
Your camp dinner will be prepared by your guide — hearty, simple, and best enjoyed in the open air. Guests are always welcome to join in and help, especially if any of the horses need a bit of extra attention after the day’s work.
We do our very best to accommodate dietary requirements, though please keep in mind that the remote nature of the St James places a few limitations on ingredients and preparation. For practical reasons, any dietary requirements will be applied to the entire group’s meals during the trek.
A smooth ride through golden tussock, splashing through creeks and slipping over wooden bridges as the mountains rise around you.
Hidden natural hot springs and pools
After a peaceful night in the valley and breakfast prepared by your guide, the day is yours to shape. Your guide will discuss options with you in the morning and tailor the plan to your energy, weather conditions, and the horses’ rest needs.
Approx. 20–25 km | 5–6 hours riding time
On this day, without the pack horses to slow us down, we’ll have the freedom to ride light and explore deeper into the St James backcountry. The trail leads beyond Scotties Hut, climbing steadily into the Poplars Range, where the alpine air sharpens and the views stretch for miles across the high country.
From the ridgelines, we descend into the Waiau River Valley, following old mustering tracks toward Pool Hut, a remote landmark nestled among the wide river flats. After a rest stop and lunch in the open country, we’ll turn back toward Cowstream, crossing creeks and golden tussock on the return leg.
This is a longer, more adventurous day in the saddle, ideal for confident riders eager to experience the scale and solitude of the St James — the kind of day that stays with you long after the ride is done.
Stay close to camp and savor the rhythm of back-country life.
Begin your morning with a slow soak in the natural hot pools, watching the mist rise over the tussock and the horses graze nearby. Later, embark on a short hike along Cowstream or into nearby valleys, where you can look for deer tracks and native birdlife.
If you wish, you may help with camp chores or horse care — brushing, feeding, or checking gear — before enjoying a relaxed lunch at camp.
The afternoon is for quiet rest or photography, with another chance for an evening soak before dinner under the stars.
Back at camp, you’ll help tend the horses and settle them in before preparing for another comfortable night in your canvas tipi with a wood stove glowing inside. Enjoy a warm meal cooked by your guide, then slip out for a final soak in the hot pools as the night settles around the valley.
If you’re lucky with a clear sky, you’ll witness one of the true treasures of the St James — a dark-sky wilderness with no light pollution, where the southern sky spreads above you in breathtaking clarity. Stars feel sharper here, closer, and impossibly bright.
This is the heart of the experience — freedom, simplicity, and the quiet magic of the high country after dark.
Mornings in the St James begin slowly, with the first light touching the peaks and the sound of horses moving quietly nearby. Your guide will have the camp stove burning early, filling the air with the smell of fresh coffee and toast warming over the pan.
Breakfast is simple but hearty — think oats or muesli with dried fruit and honey, eggs or pancakes when conditions allow, and hot drinks to warm your hands against the alpine chill.
Guests are always welcome to join in the morning routine — checking on the horses, fetching water, or helping with the fire before sitting down to eat together in the stillness of the valley.
It’s the kind of start that makes you forget alarms and schedules — just good food, clean air, and a new day waiting to unfold.
Lunches on this journey are simple, flexible, and taken where the day leads you. For our base package, we ask guests to bring their own lunches and snacks, so you can enjoy your favourite foods and fuel yourself the way you like.
On a riding day, you’ll likely stop somewhere beautiful — maybe beside a clear alpine creek or at the doorstep of Scotties Hut, while the horses rest and graze nearby. Other times, you might eat at camp while your guide tends to the horses or checks the gear.
We recommend easy, nourishing food that packs well and doesn’t need heating — sandwiches, wraps, fruit, nuts, or jerky work perfectly.
If you prefer your meals to be fully catered, just let us know when booking — we can happily organise that as an add-on option.
As the light fades across the ranges, your guide will prepare a hot, hearty dinner on the camp stove — simple food, cooked well, and best enjoyed with a view of the mountains and the sound of horses quietly grazing nearby.
Guests are always welcome to lend a hand, especially if any of the horses need tending or you’d like to help with camp chores.
We do our best to accommodate dietary requirements, though please keep in mind that the wilderness setting places some limitations on ingredients. For practical reasons, any special requests will be applied to the whole group.
After dinner, linger by the warmth of the stove or step outside for one last soak in the hot pools beneath the stars — the perfect ending to another day in the wild.
Ride unburdened by pack horses— more canter options, more varied terrain, and the freedom to chase the landscape.
Historic Scotties hut
Waiau river basin and potentially crossing
Wildlife - red deer, wild pigs, NZ native birds and even the NZ falcon can bee seen
Your last morning in the St James begins quietly. The valley fills with pale light, the air crisp and still except for the sound of horses shifting in the grass. Your guide lights the camp stove early — the smell of coffee and toasted bread drifts through the camp.
After breakfast, you’ll help break down camp and prepare the horses for the journey home. Guests are always welcome to take part — brushing, saddling, or simply lending a hand as the pack horses are loaded.
By mid-morning, you’re back in the saddle, following pretty much the same trail toward the Homestead. The route retraces the broad Edwards basin, passing through open tussock country where you might spot falcons circling or wild goats picking their way along the slopes.
Further down the valley, the landscape narrows again into the Homestead Run, where the familiar sight of the St James station flats signals the nearing end of your journey. The ride covers around 15 kilometres and takes 3½ to 4 hours, depending on the group’s pace and rest stops.
You’ll arrive back at the St James Homestead by 2 pm. Together, you’ll unsaddle the horses and unpack the gear — a quiet, satisfying rhythm to close the journey.
Your guide will offer a final cup of tea or coffee as you share stories from the trail and say your goodbyes to the horses who carried you through the wilderness.
Breakfast is simple, hearty, and tailored to your preference — usually eggs, bacon, and fresh bread, or a granola/muesli bowl with dried fruit and honey for something lighter. Hot tea or coffee warms your hands while the valley slowly wakes around you.
Guests are always welcome to take part in the morning rhythm — checking the horses, fetching water, or helping prepare the stove — before everyone sits down to eat together in the quiet of the high country.
This is an exclusive adventure for just you and your partner — no other riders will join your group.
his trip may be led either by Milo, the company owner and chief guide, or by Jurgen, our second guide. Milo is a highly experienced western horseman and lifelong outdoorsman, with over 15 years of experience training horses and guiding trail rides across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and Europe. His background includes years working as a commercial hunter in the South Island of New Zealand and time spent as a commercial fisherman in the Mediterranean — experience that translates into calm decision-making, strong judgment, and confidence in demanding environments. Jurgen is an outdoor professional who has dedicated his life to conservation and time in the mountains. He is a certified hunting guide and spends countless hours in remote alpine terrain throughout New Zealand. He also brings experience leading pack trips in both New Zealand and the USA, combining practical backcountry skills with a deep respect for land, wildlife, and safety. Both guides are First Aid trained, highly experienced in rugged terrain, confident horse handlers, and deeply passionate about what they do. Depending on weather conditions, group size, and trip complexity, journeys may also be supported by an additional guide. And while safety and leadership always come first, it’s worth mentioning that both Milo and Jurgen are genuinely good at cooking hearty camp meals — the kind that taste even better after a long day in the saddle.
You bring the spirit — we bring the expertise. We’ll support your pace, your vibe, and your preferred style of adventure, always with safety first.
All riding is done using western-style saddles, chosen for their comfort, stability, and suitability for long hours in the saddle. Western saddles distribute weight evenly across the horse’s back and provide riders with a secure, balanced seat, which is especially important in alpine terrain, on long climbs, descents, and during river crossings. Our tack is: Well maintained and checked before every trip Selected specifically for backcountry and multi-day riding Adjusted individually for both horse and rider Each saddle is fitted with saddle bags, allowing easy access to personal items during the day such as water, extra layers, snacks, or cameras. For multi-day journeys, we use pack horses with panniers to carry overnight gear, food, and shared equipment. This allows riders to travel light and focus on the riding experience, while keeping camps comfortable and well supplied. All horses are ridden in tack they are familiar and comfortable with, which contributes to calm behaviour, reliability, and confidence in challenging terrain.
We provide horses suited to a range of riding levels. More responsive horses are allocated to experienced riders, while calm, steady, “bullet-proof” horses are chosen for beginners. Regardless of level, all riders are carefully matched with a horse that suits their experience, confidence, and the nature of the ride. All of our horses are well trained, well mannered, and highly experienced in the terrain and conditions they work in. They are accustomed to alpine weather, river crossings, steep slopes, and long days in the saddle. The health and wellbeing of our horses is a top priority. We treat all our animals with care, respect, and consistency, and they respond in kind — with reliable temperaments, sure feet on mountain slopes, and brave, steady hearts at river crossings.
All camping equipment required for the trip is provided and fully organised by us, allowing you to focus on the riding and the experience. We use tipi tents, chosen for their durability, space, and comfort in alpine conditions. Each tipi is equipped with a portable wood stove, providing warmth and a dry, comfortable shelter even on colder evenings. The following camping equipment is included: tipi tents, Portable wood stoves, Sleeping mats, Cooking equipment and cookware. Cutlery and basic camp utensils, Gas supply for cooking, Insect repellents suitable for backcountry use. All camp systems are well tested, weather-appropriate, and set up with efficiency and safety in mind. From shelter to cooking and comfort, the logistics are fully planned and managed so you can relax into camp life at the end of each day.
The trip is offered on a half board basis. We provide: Camp breakfasts Camp dinners Tea, coffee, and hot drinks at camp Guests are asked to plan and bring their own lunches. This allows you to choose foods you enjoy most, that are easy to eat on the go or as a picnic, and that best match your personal energy needs during the riding day. We do our best to plan meals around guests’ dietary requirements and preferences. However, due to the remote nature of the trip and shared camp logistics, dietary requirements need to be applied to the whole group. If you have specific needs — including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal, kosher, low-carb, or keto — please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate. Guests are welcome to bring their favourite snacks and drinks, including a bottle of wine or a six-pack, to enjoy after a day of riding. Please let us know in advance and we will advise on weight allowances, as all items are carried by pack horses. Please note: Breakfast on Day 1 prior to meeting us is not included Dinner on Day 3 after returning to the trailhead is not included This approach keeps lunches flexible while ensuring warm, nourishing meals are provided at camp in the mornings and evenings.
Your safety is a top priority throughout the trip. All guides carry comprehensive first aid kits and satellite communication devices, allowing them to communicate externally even in areas with no mobile reception. In the event of an incident: Support can be contacted immediately via satellite communication In non-critical situations, the camp area is accessible by 4WD during the summer months, typically within a few hours, depending on location and conditions In the case of a serious emergency, helicopter evacuation is available and response times are generally very rapid, often within minutes All guides are First Aid trained, experienced in managing incidents in remote and rugged environments, and accustomed to making sound decisions based on weather, terrain, and group wellbeing. While the trip takes place in a remote backcountry setting, robust safety systems and emergency procedures are in place to manage risk effectively. You will also be able to use the sat communication to send a quick text to your emergency contact to let them know you are safe and happy, and you can share the number to them - should they wish to reach out to you during the trip.
And we will ask you to wear them all the time while riding
Sleeping bags are not included. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag suitable for alpine conditions. If you prefer to travel light or do not have a warm enough setup, sleeping bags can be rented from us. Our rental bags come with an extra-warm fleece sleeping bag liner for added insulation and comfort. While we are very happy to provide rental sleeping bags, we strongly recommend bringing your own if possible. Our rental bags are washed and sanitised after every use, which is essential for hygiene but can, over time, slightly affect their warmth and overall coziness compared to a personal bag. If you are unsure what rating or setup is suitable, we are happy to advise.
Guests are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing and riding gear suitable for alpine and backcountry conditions. The following items are mandatory: Waterproof outer layer — jacket, poncho, or oilskin Waterproof, sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor use Riding boots must be waterproof Sturdy hiking boots work very well These items are essential due to variable weather, river crossings, and extended time spent outdoors. Warm layers are required in all seasons, including summer. Night-time temperatures can drop close to 0°C, and early mornings can be cold. While the canvas tipi will be warm with a wood stove, it is still essential to have a very warm layer for evenings and mornings around camp. Additional notes: Waterproof overpants are optional but recommended in wet or windy conditions Leather cowboy chaps are available to rent if you wish — practical for protection and warmth, and they also add a great touch to photos A detailed recommended pack list will be provided prior to departure to ensure you are well prepared for the conditions.
Lunches are not included in the trip. Guests are asked to bring their own lunches for each riding day. This allows you to choose foods that suit your taste, dietary needs, and energy requirements, and that are easy to eat on the go or as a picnic. We recommend lunches that are: Lightweight and easy to carry High in energy Suitable to eat without heating If you are unsure what to bring, we are happy to provide lunch ideas and recommendations ahead of the trip.
Guests are required to drive themselves to our basecamp at St James Homestead, which is the meeting point and trailhead for this trip. The homestead is located approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Hanmer Springs, accessed via a well-maintained gravel road in normal conditions. At the end of the trip, guests will also depart independently from the homestead after returning from the ride. If you have any questions regarding vehicle suitability or road conditions, please feel free to ask — we are happy to advise prior to departure. If you would like us to arrange transportation for you, please enquire in advance and we will let you know what options are available.
The story of St James is written first in rivers, then in fire, and finally in what remains.
European settlement reached this country late, and when it did, it arrived cautiously. The first St James homestead was built on the Styx River, exactly where the station’s earliest foothold could be made. From there, the centre of life soon shifted to the broader flats of the Clarence River, whose wide valley offered better access, grazing, and movement through one of the most remote regions of the South Island.
By the late nineteenth century, the St James Homestead on the Clarence had become the heart of a vast high-country station. It was a place of order in a wild land — a house, woolshed, stables, cookhouse, and yards surrounded by mountains that paid little attention to human effort. Then, in 1947, fire swept through the homestead and destroyed it completely. It was never rebuilt. Today, only the chimneys, concrete paths, foundations, and the old long-drop remain — quiet markers of a life that once burned bright and vanished in a single night.
Beyond the homestead, the Clarence River valley carried everything the station depended on: stock, horses, musterers, supplies, and news from the outside world. Long before Europeans arrived, Māori had travelled this same corridor, following the river inland toward alpine passes.
Nearby, Cow Stream hot pools offered something rare in this cold country — warmth. Valued by Māori for healing and restoration, and later known to station workers as a place of relief after long days in the saddle, the pools remain a reminder that even in the hardest landscapes, comfort can rise naturally from the earth.
St James endures because its history is still visible — not preserved behind glass, but written into the land itself.