Best Hiking & Trekking Tours — Our Top 11

1.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 269 reviews · from $433Our pick

Ride from Cardrona into the high country with a small group of up to seven. Guides such as Summer, Emily, Kelly, and Marley match horses to your ability, share gold-rush stories, and lead you across rivers and working farmland. Expect trotting and cantering, plus a drink at the Cardrona Hotel.

“Absolutely wonderful time. Sasha and Phoebe were great guides. You’ll have a great time if they are leading your group. The horses were the best - so sweet! Def an amazing tour!!!”

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2.Rubicon Valley Horse Treks – 2 Hour River Trail Horse Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · from $91

Chris leads a two-hour ride from a high-country sheep farm near Springfield. You’ll follow the Waimakariri Canyon to Otarama lookout, stop for photos, then return along farm trails. Beginners are welcome, while experienced riders may get chances to trot or canter.

“It was only my second time on a horse and the tour guide was very patient. He was very helpful and knowledgable. The views are beautiful! Highly recommend if you want to see the incredible views in this part of Christchurch.”

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3.Guided Horse Trekking from Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · from $68Best value

You’ll ride a calm, well-matched horse through working farmland and native bush on Mt. Ngongotaha, with a guide, helmet, and safety gear. The one-hour trek reaches a lookout over Lake Rotorua and suits riders aged 12 and up, including first-timers. Groups are limited to five.

“Awesome staff, beautiful horses and money well spent. Can’t wait to go back. I recommend this experience to anyone and everyone who is going to Rotorua.”

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4.Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · from $134

You’ll cruise 45 minutes across Lake Whakatipu, meet your horse and English-speaking guide at Walter Peak, then ride 40 to 45 minutes through rolling farmland to a lake lookout. The gentle trek suits first-time riders, with tea, scones, and muffins served afterward.

“Spectacular place, guide was awesome. All around a good time”

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5.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

At The Cardrona, you’ll meet your horse, learn basic steering and stopping, then ride through Cardrona Valley with guides such as Phoebe or Val. Expect gold-rush stories, farm views, mountain lanes, streams, and time for photos. No riding experience is required.

“The host and guide were very nice. The trip couldn’t been great without the unique experience we’d enjoyed.”

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6.Wicklow Mountains Horse Trekking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Ride from Hollywood Horse and Pony Trekking through the Wicklow Mountains and King’s River valley. Guides Ray, Lisa, Nicole, and Jack match horses to riding ability, give beginners a short lesson, and may include a lake ride or canter when suitable.

“We did have a great ride through a most beautiful area :-) it was an amazing experience for all of us! Ray called us on the phone the evening before our tour to match the horses with our riding abilities and did a perfect job! A big thank you to Ray, Lisa, Nicole and Jack for making it a perfect day for all of us and taking care of everyone and everything! And another big thank you to our four-legged companions for carrying us through the countryside so patiently ;-) All horses were relaxed and very well cared for, also the whole facility was very well kept. So we highly…”

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7.Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $142

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, enjoy scones and tea, then ride for about 40 minutes with a small group of up to six. Guides such as Matt, Paddy, Tegan, and Benny may lead the trek.

“I was very disappointed with the Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise. I followed the staff member holding the horse trek sign along with a large group of people, but the sign was removed without any clear instruction. I later realised I was in thRead more”

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8.Terelj National Park: Tour with horse riding and hiking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 2 days · from $299

Leave Ulaanbaatar for two days of nature, Buddhist culture, horse riding, and nomadic life. Your English, Korean, or Chinese-speaking guide leads you to Turtle Rock, Aryabala Temple, and the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, with a ger guesthouse stay, organic meals, and private transport.

“I am from Hong Kong and I had the pleasure of experiencing this fantastic tour in Mongolia with my mum. Overall, the tour was very packed, and if you only have a few days in Mongolia, this 2-day tour is absolutely amazing and a great value. Day 1: From the moment we were picked up, our English-speaking guide made us feel welcomed and comfortable. She was very attentive to our needs throughout the trip. We visited the turtle rock and Aryabal Buddhist Temple. We had Mongolian lunch and visited a nomadic family and did horse riding. It was a truly enriching experience that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the…”

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9.Levi: Riding Trek with Icelandic Horses

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 39 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $111

Join a Finnish or English-speaking guide near Levi for a one or two-hour trek on calm Icelandic horses. You will receive riding instruction and gear, explore forests, plains, and roads, and may try the breed’s smooth tölt. Small groups of two to six keep the pace personal.

“what a beautiful experience. I have never done horse riding, but it was all explained and I thoroughly enjoyed it, make sure you wrap up warm and have plenty of layers as it does get cold .”

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10.MONGOLIAN NOMADS: 2-Day Horse Trekking & Cow Milking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 23 reviews · 2 days · from $369

This private two-day trip from Ulaanbaatar takes you to Töv for horseback herding, cow milking, traditional meals, and a night in a family ger. An English-speaking guide such as Koko or Toya helps you connect with hosts who may speak little English. Expect real rural life, simple facilities, and flexible pacing.

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11.2 Day Horse trekking in Terelj national park

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 5 reviews · 2 days · from $310

Spend two days riding through Terelj National Park with an English-speaking guide, local horsemen, meals, and a ger stay. You’ll see Turtle Rock, Aryabal Monastery, Chinggis Khaan’s statue, and Zaisan Hill. Guide Bee is noted for kind, helpful service. Expect simple comfort, no shower, and a hands-on taste of Mongolian life.

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