Mackenzie Alpine Horses
📍 Lake Tekapo, Canterbury
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Mackenzie Alpine Horses runs guided horse treks at Godley Peaks Road above Lake Tekapo. Pine-forest, lake-view, and longer alpine rides - all matched to ability. Open in the warmer months (closes for winter).
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids 5+ (the short pine-forest ride is the family entry point) and beginner-to-intermediate riders. Reviewers consistently name guides (Monique among them) and call out the matched horse-and-rider pairing and the Mt John ridge views. The short ride suits nervous first-timers; longer rides suit confident riders.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →361 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
joanne wiggers
6 months ago
“Monique was the best guide-friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond by picking me up and dropping me off in Tekapo, which made everything so easy and stress-free. I rode Ziggy, who was such a good boy and an absolute pleasure to ride. We spent around 4 hours riding through some of the most beautiful scenery-two stunning lakes, around Mt John, and even through the water. The terrain is quite rough and some sections were fairly steep, so it was all walking, but that actually made it feel very safe and allowed me to fully take in the incredible surroundings. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience and I would highly recommend Mackenzie Alpine Horses to anyone looking for a scenic and authentic horseback adventure in New Zealand!”
Shao En Cheng
10 months ago
“Absolutely recommend adding this experience to your New Zealand trip. The 2.5-hour lake view trek was totally worth it! The scenery was incredible and the whole ride felt amazing. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and even beginners can enjoy the trek with no problem. The jungle paths and lake views were beautiful, especially riding through the water such a cool feeling. And I really appreciate that staffs even took photos for us along the way, which was so thoughtful. My horse partner Woody, was super gentle and cute. Overall, a really fun and memorable experience, so much fun. I loved it and highly recommend it :)”
Jane H
7 months ago
“What a wonderful way to see some of the South Island’s breathtaking vistas. 2.5 hours was just the right amount of time for this beginner rider. Monique, our guide, was very patient with us and provided very clear and consistent instructions when needed. You go up and down well-worn trails with views of the mountains to start then stunning and near constant views of Lake Tekapo. Then you (well, your equine friend) very briefly take a walk through the shores of Lake Tekapo and finish up with a peaceful and well-shaded ride through the pine groves next to the base. Truly one of the best horse treks for less experienced riders.”
📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsLake view
68 reviews
Gentle horses
23 reviews
Horse trekking
19 reviews
4 hour trek
14 reviews
Patient guide
10 reviews
Overview
Mackenzie Alpine Horses operates guided horse treks above Lake Tekapo, with the trail head on Godley Peaks Road. Trek options range from a 30-minute pine-forest ride suitable for ages 5+ and nervous beginners, through a 2.5-hour Lake View trek to Mt John's south ridge, to longer alpine rides for more experienced riders. Pickup from Lake Tekapo town centre is available. Closes for winter (typically late April to late September).
