Lighthorse Adventures
Lighthorse Adventures
Lighthorse Adventures
5
Multi-day ToursPrivate ToursHorseback Riding ToursDay Trips
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Full view

About
Horse riding experiences in the Dart Valley with naturally-trained horses. Our team of experienced guides will share with you the principles of horsemanship while you venture through the stunning river systems of Glenorchy and its dramatic mountain backdrop.
We are certified Natural Horsemanship professionals. We stand raising the standards of animal welfare and customer safety in the industry.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
133 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
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JongwonYi
Yongin, South Korea103 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
This is a riding tour at the Dart River reservoir on the top of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown. Glenorchy area is approximately an hour's drive from Queens Town, where you can enjoy the views and drive.
I took the River Wild Experience, which takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. After pre-training within the yard for about 30 minutes, the outdoor riding takes about 2 hours. Those who have been riding for the first time can use it without worry. Appropriate training is provided in advance, real riding is accompanied by three instructors, and the riding is easy to enjoy. I was accompanied by three female instructors, including an instructor named Luka. (I can't remember the names of the two.) Instructors are friendly but professional to guide the tour and explain friendly and fun about riding and the surroundings.
But when I went there, it was impossible that there was not much river.
If you are considering this tour, it is advisable to consider both the weather and the seasons.
But despite the inefficiency, I was satisfied enough.
If you can go back to New Zealand, it's a tour you want to enjoy again.
I took the River Wild Experience, which takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. After pre-training within the yard for about 30 minutes, the outdoor riding takes about 2 hours. Those who have been riding for the first time can use it without worry. Appropriate training is provided in advance, real riding is accompanied by three instructors, and the riding is easy to enjoy. I was accompanied by three female instructors, including an instructor named Luka. (I can't remember the names of the two.) Instructors are friendly but professional to guide the tour and explain friendly and fun about riding and the surroundings.
But when I went there, it was impossible that there was not much river.
If you are considering this tour, it is advisable to consider both the weather and the seasons.
But despite the inefficiency, I was satisfied enough.
If you can go back to New Zealand, it's a tour you want to enjoy again.
Automatically translated
Written 21 January 2025
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.
Richard S
Guildford, UK309 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
I spent an amazing afternoon with my wife on the River Wild tour with Lighthorse. From start to end the whole experience was fantastic. Lighthorse are really well set up with not just riding hats and boots, but also rain gear and warm outer layers of you need them. We were part of a group of about 10 riders and here assisted by 3 guides. Everyone was matched to a suitable horse (everyone is weighed on arrival) and introduced to them. I’m a novice rider, having only done a few holiday rides before, the guides were great giving lots of guidance and support for how to work with your horse. The horses themselves seemed very calm and well behaved, and were obviously well cared for.
We had a good 2+ hours riding through the most glorious country, it’s easy to understand why they named the area Paradise. If you’re into LOTR you’ll be riding through the Wizards Vale where Isengard was located, and the guides will point out some other film locations. However it’s not a specialist. LOTR tour so if you’re a hardcore fan a dedicated tour will probably work better for you (or do what we did and do both :) )
The River Wild tour we did is intended for novice riders, so the horses walked most of the time, with a few gentle trots for those who were up for it.
I have to call out how great the guides were. One was leading at the front with a couple of others riding alongside the tourists, to help out. This worked really well and if anyone’s horse started to go off course a guide was always there straight away to help out. The guides were also always giving advice along with background on the area. My wife is a more experienced rider so they gave her a good explanation on the background of the Western style of riding that use rather than the English style my wife was used to. I just spent most of the time wondering at the amazing scenery with a huge smile stuck to my face.
When we got back the guides took the horses away and there were hot drinks for those who wanted them. As with the whole tour the organisation was excellent.
We had a good 2+ hours riding through the most glorious country, it’s easy to understand why they named the area Paradise. If you’re into LOTR you’ll be riding through the Wizards Vale where Isengard was located, and the guides will point out some other film locations. However it’s not a specialist. LOTR tour so if you’re a hardcore fan a dedicated tour will probably work better for you (or do what we did and do both :) )
The River Wild tour we did is intended for novice riders, so the horses walked most of the time, with a few gentle trots for those who were up for it.
I have to call out how great the guides were. One was leading at the front with a couple of others riding alongside the tourists, to help out. This worked really well and if anyone’s horse started to go off course a guide was always there straight away to help out. The guides were also always giving advice along with background on the area. My wife is a more experienced rider so they gave her a good explanation on the background of the Western style of riding that use rather than the English style my wife was used to. I just spent most of the time wondering at the amazing scenery with a huge smile stuck to my face.
When we got back the guides took the horses away and there were hot drinks for those who wanted them. As with the whole tour the organisation was excellent.
Written 23 January 2025
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.
AandB1009
Windsor and Maidenhead, UK26 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Lighthorse Adventures was a phenomenal experience on our month long tour of New Zealand and made it in to my top three memories of the trip.
The drive alone from Queenstown to the stables in Glenorchy was our favourite scenery from the whole trip which is saying something after an incredible four weeks of exploring!
Lighthorse Adventures do a brilliant job of helping you to connect with your horse, understand their horsemanship techniques and support you to feel safe throughout the ride. It was my husband’s first time on a horse (he was lucky enough to get Shadow to live his best Lord of the Rings life) and he was super confident and comfortable throughout thanks to their encouragement and hints and tips at the front of the trek. I’ve been lucky enough to ride in many places across the world and this was the best experience I’ve had where the stables really prioritise the horse’s well-being.
Make sure you pick the right day for great weather as the views of the valley on a clear day are worth the wait. Also recommend investing in the photo package as you’ll want to be present for the ride whilst having photos to relive your memories of trekking through the river against the backdrop of snowy mountains.
The drive alone from Queenstown to the stables in Glenorchy was our favourite scenery from the whole trip which is saying something after an incredible four weeks of exploring!
Lighthorse Adventures do a brilliant job of helping you to connect with your horse, understand their horsemanship techniques and support you to feel safe throughout the ride. It was my husband’s first time on a horse (he was lucky enough to get Shadow to live his best Lord of the Rings life) and he was super confident and comfortable throughout thanks to their encouragement and hints and tips at the front of the trek. I’ve been lucky enough to ride in many places across the world and this was the best experience I’ve had where the stables really prioritise the horse’s well-being.
Make sure you pick the right day for great weather as the views of the valley on a clear day are worth the wait. Also recommend investing in the photo package as you’ll want to be present for the ride whilst having photos to relive your memories of trekking through the river against the backdrop of snowy mountains.
Written 13 April 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.
Gail L
48 contributions
May 2024 • Family
I had done extensive research for the right place to go riding. unfortunately I was taken in by a deceptive website. I had selected this place based on a review. However, here are my thoughts. The staff is extremely poor at communicating electronically. Bad for business. Then the price on their website was less (by 10%) than what we were in fact charged. I emailed them about this. Of course you have to send several emails to get a single reply. I was informed the website price was an error. Nonetheless, this was the price you advertised. They refused to honor it and changed their website. I should have canceled it. We have extensive riding experience and was looking for a place that did not have a nose to tail trail. They claimed they did not do this. The first hour was spent listening to a guide explain how their horses are trained, their background and etc. This was a wasted hour for an experienced rider. The ride was primarily horses walking in line, exactly what I did not want. The horses are familiar with the trail and you literally could have never held the reins. Their website said there would be trotting and cantering. There was less than 2 minutes of each during the 3 hour ride. The guides had lack luster personalities and albeit nice enough, would not stop talking. You do crisscross a shallow riverbed, looks interesting on line. The terrain was flat. The ride billed as for experienced riders, thus more money, was in fact perfectly fine for a first time rider.
Written 13 June 2024
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.
Chaise F
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
Fantastic scenic ride, (The River Wild) and the customer service to get me there as soon as they received a cancellation was beyond lovely from Sue. Prompt warmth and attention at arrival and experienced guides and leads on the trek. Even as an experienced rider riding with 8 beginners, it was a spectacular day and they put the weather on. Although there was no running today, there were a few organized trots. I fell in love with my horse Belle who was extremely responsive and comfortable. The saddle was maybe the best western saddle I've sat in!! They provide gear for all seasons, a swanny, gumboots, helmets and raincoats! Just lovely and a spectacular delish cafe and store (must stop) on the way!
Written 8 September 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.
Anneke P
Timaru, New Zealand6 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
This has to be one the favorite things I’ve done in New Zealand since moving here 10 years ago. Glenorchy is a magical place and when you add the experience of riding beautiful calm horses around and through the river it is spiritual. I’ve done a few horse riding experiences elsewhere in the world and have never had such a great experience. The way they match the rider to the horse, the amount of education and training you get before going on the ride, the kind competent guides… the whole experience is just fabulous. Well worth the cost (in fact I think they should charge more!!!).
Written 2 January 2025
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.
Nomad37377325269
2 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
If you care about your horse the way these people care about their horses, your horse will love you forever! And what a stunning ride – 2.5 hours of horseback bliss with amazing scenery. They have something for every level of rider, with health and safety at the forefront of all they do. The guides are super friendly and knowledgeable and build up the confidence of newer riders. Throw in some fire pits to warm yourself by and a tack room with rolled arm couches – I could almost change post codes.
Written 3 December 2024
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.
lars f
Keystone, CO9 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We had a wonderful experience with Lighthorse Adventures. The wranglers were great. They were knowledgeable about the area. Provide great insight into the nature we were riding in, providing insight into how some of the film scenes were shot and where. They were patient with the riders and did a great job paring riders up with the right horse. We were there on a pretty blustery day, but the horses were calm, knew their job and provided a great experience for us.
Awesome job and experience worth a repeat.
Thanks a lot
Awesome job and experience worth a repeat.
Thanks a lot
Written 24 November 2024
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.
Ian C
Singapore, Singapore128 contributions
June 2022
Came back to Glenorchy for another round of horse riding after 9 years, and I'm still just as amazed by the beauty of the area. This was a great experience and our guide, Teresa was fantastic. She was very friendly passionate about horses. and She taught us about horsemanship before the ride and made sure we felt safe and confident around the horses before heading out for the trek. During the trek, she continued to ensure we were having a good time and that we felt safe, especially for those in the group who had no horse riding experience. Overall, was very pleased with everything. 10/10 would recommend (and be back for more myself haha)
Written 2 July 2022
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.
Charles Q
Singapore3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
First time learning basic horsemanship and the trainers were very patient in guiding everyone. Shout out to Theresa, Amy, Indigo, and Luca. Amazing people and very friendly! Peak NZ views, Glenorchy was amazing! Crossing the river bed made me feel like I was in lord of the rings movieset. As the winds blow the river bed the dust all blown up made the view really epic. 11/10 would come back to Glenorchy to ride the horses again. Hope to see you soon Viking!
Written 8 March 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.
Are you allowed to take your own photos on the ride?
Written 1 November 2023
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