The Matakana Trail (6 day ride)
Ride the trails of the ancestors, enjoy the outlook of a paramount Maori chief and visit his ancient Pa site high above the Pacific ocean. Tread the paths of his people and sleep in their sacred house. Enjoy the company of his descendents and the stories and food they share with you.Most of all enjoy the freedom of travelling on horseback in this special place.
Day One
Introductory ride along beautiful Pakiri beach Dinner with your hosts Laly and Sharley, descendants of Te Kiri paramount chief of Ngati Wai and his daughter Rahui, who have lived their lives farming this land or at our little cafe. Over night at the beach house or in a beach cabin.
Approx. 2 hours
Day Two
Depart Pakiri at 10.00am for a days riding on the beautiful white sand Pacific surf beach. Here you may be lucky enough to see wild dolphins playing in the surf and indeed ride in and swim with them.this of course cant be guaranteed but we do this occasionally! You will ride along trails in the pine forest once used by Maori warriors in ancient times as they protected their territory here from visiting tribes.This is the trail run by the legendary runner Tau Kokopu who was as famous for his skill with the taiaha as he was for his speed running.
Lunch at the freshwater Lake Tomarata ..if the weather is fine you might like to swim your horse and cool off. Then up over Te Arai Point where the views over the beach and out to the islands Te Moana nui O Toi O tuatahi ( The floats of the net of Toi in the great sea) Hauturu (Little Barrier) Aotea (Great Barrier) Mokohinau and the Taranga (Hen and Chickens) are spectacular. Over night at the Lakeview Chalets over looking Lakes Tomarata and Spectacle.
Approx. 5 hours riding
Day Three
Today you will ride over the Te Arai surf beach, through a young pine forest and along the white sands of Pakiri beach and through native forest and high sand dunes back to base at the stables where you will overnight in your Pakiri Accommodation.
Approx. 5 hours riding
Day Four
Depart Pakiri for the Maori Marae at Leigh. We climb high above the white sands of Pakiri beach to the Pa (the lookout fortress) of the paramount chief Te Kiri the ancestor of your hosts Laly and Sharley Haddon. Here you will be able to look out over the ocean to the Barrier islands and the Hen and Chickens and Coromandel and also to Rangitoto and Auckland city in the distance. We will travel over beautiful farmland down to the little fishing township of Leigh.
A short ride from there to Omaha Marae, a genuine Maori marae still run on the traditions of the past. You will overnight at the lovely Mollyhawke Cottage where you can enjoy a hot bath outdoors. Or if there are more than 6 in your group you will all sleep the night together in the meeting house on mattresses on the floor as is the custom. You will be able to talk with the people and learn something of their history and their lives today.
Approx. 5 hours riding
Day Five
After a hearty breakfast a visit to the Matakana Farmers Markets and either a forest ride or a day at the local Matakana vineyards. A quick cool beer at Matakana House historic hotel and overnight at the top of the Matakana hill at the Animal sanctuary with Shawn and Michael who run a wonderful sanctuary for native and injured birds and small animals.
They prepare delicious vegetarian food for us and you are welcome to tour the sanctuary and learn about the various inmates at the time. We will do an optional ride through the Dome forest for a BBQ lunch. We may change this route if conditions are unfavourable.
Approx 4 – 5 hours riding
Day Six
After breakfast a short transfer to the top of the hill where our ride begins then you will ride to Pakiri from the top of the Matakana hill through Millbrook Station a large coastal beef farm to the beach where you can enjoy a brisk gallop along the sand and then ride through the dunes and along the estuary where you can see a wonderful variety of birds, up over some hilly farmland and return to Pakiri. Afternoon tea or coffee and depart approx 4.30pm.
Approx 6 hours riding
Rider Information
This ride is not suitable for completely novice riders. Minimum 2 riders.
Price
Price NZ$XXXX.00 per person - If there are 2 or less riders there will be a surcharge of $1000.00 per person and the ride will still go as scheduled otherwise a min number of 4 riders is required.
Ride includes:
- All meals country style and BBQ, some wine.
- Accommodation in cabins, or nice beach house, genuine modern maori marae, Lodges.
- Alternative arrangements can be made at extra expense to stay in motel or lodge accommodation. This price covers only the accommodation in the itinerary.
- Clients may wish to dine at a local restaurant at their own expense rather than eat every night at the farm house.
- Riding and safety helmets.
- Taxes.