11 Day Trip - The Clarence Bluff Safari

Day 1 Guests mount their horses ready for leaving Waitohi Downs Stable at approximately 10.00 - 10.30 a.m. We ride around the track to the influx of the Mandamus River into the Hurunui River, we cross and ride up Mandamus River onto Tekoa Road, traveling east along to Sandford Downs. Riding up over Cascade Saddle to the Grampians Station, following up Pahau River, crossing Hogget Block Creek to arrive at the Grampians Hut where we spend the night. Day 2 Breaking camp we head North to the Lochiel Boundary, riding on through to the Pahau Hut where we have lunch. Continue riding through Lochiel to the airstrip above Lewis Pass Road, turning east, riding along terraces leading down to the Waiau River. We cross and ride up the Hanmer River, through paddock country to Molesworth Bull Farm Quarters our bed for the night. Day 3 Leaving Molesworth Bull Farm, riding on the outskirts of the Hanmer Forest before reaching Jollies Pass Road, riding over and down to the Clarence River. We camp in tents for the night beside the old Accommodation house on Molesworth Station. Day 4 Packed up and with new supplies on board we leave the Accommodation House and follow the Clarence River up to the Dillon River, ride over a low saddle to Stoat Creek. We follow up this creek and over another low saddle and back down to the Clarence River, we cross and enter Cloudy Range Station and on to the Cloudy Hut where we spend the night. Day 5 On leaving Cloudy Hut we follow down the Clarence River crossing Palmer Stream on to Clarence Reserve Country and head seaward across Gore stream, stopping at the Willows Hut for the night. Day 6 Leaving the Willows Hut we continue riding over rugged country crossing Seymore Stream and arriving at the old Quail Flat homestead our hut for the night Day 7 We have our day off here so there is the opportunity to wash or relax in the sun. Day 8 Feeling refreshed after the day off we leave the Quail hut, sees us winding our way up and down hill country between the Seaward and Inland Kaikoura Mountain Range till we cross the Clarence River for the last time on our way to the Muzzle Station where we camp in a historic old sod homestead. Day 9 Leaving Muzzle station we head inland from the Clarence River, crossing Cow Stream, Bluff Stream and at the mouth of Muzzle stream we rejoin the Clarence River and ride to the Ravine Hut for lunch. Following down the Clarence River we leave it for the last time and cross Dart, Trolove, Whiskey and Branch Streams and arrive at the Branch Cottage where we spend the night. Day 10 Leaving the Branch Cottage we ride past Dee Hut, cross Dee Stream, travel through limestone country to the Mead Hut where we stop for lunch. After lunch we continue riding along under Mead Hill crossing Swale Stream several times passing Coverham and following up Burnt Strea. We ride over Chaytors, Rag and Beehive Saddles until we reach Remuewa Station at the end of our ride. Day 11 Leaving Coverham on our last day of the safari, we are following up Burnt Stream, riding over Chaytors, Rag and Beehive Saddles until we reach Remuewa Station at the end of our ride. The horses are unsaddled for the last time washed down and let go in a paddock for 10 days till the new group comes to ride them home. The bus will be picking us up and transferring us back to Waitohi Downs later in the afternoon. The scheduled Clarence Bluff Ride from Waitohi Downs to Bluff Station, Kekerengu leaves 1st February. Guests are required to arrive at Waitohi Downs on 31st January The return ride leaves Bluff Station, Kekerengu for Waitohi Downs on 22nd February Guests are required to arrive at Waitohi Downs, two days prior on 20th February, for transfer by bus on the 21st February from Waitohi Downs to Remuewa, Kekerengu.