Macpac - Quality Outdoor Equipment
Macpac Hiking Safari
This trip dossier contains all the information you require for booking this trip. Please print off and read carefully before booking.
| Length | 8 days |
|---|---|
| Grade |
D (River crossings, some uneven terrain)
Grade D
|
| Start | Old Country House Backpackers, 437 Gloucester Street. 7:00am |
| Finish | Queenstown 7:00pm |
| Departs |
See Departures & Availability |
| Prices | Period 12 Aug 11 - 31 Aug 12 |
NZ$1,499 |
Maximum 11
Back to topItinerary
Day 1.
Saturday - Tour begins Christchurch - - 8km/4 hours hiking
The tour begins in Christchurch, which is also known as the Garden City. After a briefing from your guide we are soon heading across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps which form the backbone of the South Island. We drive up over Arthur's Pass and down to the West Coast and the town of Greymouth. A short stop here before heading north to Punakaiki and the Fox River. We begin our hike up a spectacular limestone river canyon in Paparoa National Park. Established in 1987, it covers over 30,000 hectares. It has natural attractions including mountains, with limestone cliffs and caves, rivers and wilderness areas. During our hike we learn river-crossing techniques, so prepare to get your boots wet. We collect firewood along the way and set up camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang – a fluviatile cave, carved by river-scouring.
Day 2.
Sunday - Punakaiki - 12km/6 hours hiking
Today we have a chance to explore the nearby limestone canyon and caves (some people may want to swim) with stalactites and stalagmites, cave wetas (large wingless insects), glowworms and the tallest moss in the world (Dawsonia superba). We then hike along the historic Inland Pack Track to Bullock Creek, and arrive back in Punakaiki by mid-afternoon. Visit the Pancake Rocks. These 30 million-year-old limestone rocks have formed into what look like immense layers of pancakes. When the tide is high, or the weather rough, the water surges into caverns below the rocks and squirts through mighty blowholes, bearing a great resemblance to natural geysers.Return to camp/cabin accommodation.
Day 3.
Monday - Okarito - 5km/2 hours hiking
Take an optional stroll along the coast to check out sea caves that were once used as shelter by early Maori. Tides permitting, you can climb on to a headland. Driving south, we follow the coast to Greymouth, arriving late morning. Here we stock up on food before continuing on down the coast to the peaceful coastal village of Okarito, where the rainforest meets the sea. For dinner tonight we enjoy a hangi feast (the traditional Maori way of cooking food in an underground earth oven) and everyone can be involved in the preparation. A relaxing evening spent sitting around the beach bonfire listening to the pounding surf. Camp by the beach.
Day 4.
Tuesday - Okarito - 10km/4 hours kayaking
This morning we take a guided kayaking trip to catch the in-going tide into the Okarito Lagoon (the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand) to see birdlife - including white herons, black swans and tui. We explore a river delta and channels into Kahikatea (white pine) forest, our tallest forest type - it can grow up to 60 metres high. For people not kayaking there is an excellent four-hour coastal hike (unguided), with dramatic views of the Southern Alps. Free time in the afternoon to wander the remote beach or hike to a viewpoint of this World Heritage Park, with snow-capped mountains, rainforest and coastal wetlands. Spend a second night camping in this special location.
Day 5.
Wednesday - Fox Glacier - 12km/5 hours hiking
It's just a short drive this morning through to Fox Glacier, one of the few places in the world where glaciers extend down into the rainforest. We take a guided hike on this dynamic glacier where you will explore seracs, ice caves and crevasses. Stunning views of New Zealand's highest peaks dominate the vista at the head of the glacier. Free time in the afternoon to relax in one of the local cafés in this charming village before doing a one hour hike around Lake Matheson. Stay in local cabin accommodation.
Day 6.
Thursday - Welcome Flat - 18km/7 hours hiking
Your two day hike begins today up the Copland Valley, through podocarp forest (relatively unchanged in 70 million years). The hike will take us across swing-bridges and mountain streams, and we often see the endangered and very primitive blue duck. The pleasant hike through the forest and alongside the river finally ends at Welcome Flat, where we stay in a mountain hut. We have the opportunity of relaxing our weary muscles with a soak in natural hot pools with views of 3000 metre peaks - the best in New Zealand!
Day 7.
Friday - Moeraki - 18km/7 hours hiking
This morning we hike down the Copland Valley and drive south through the remote West Coast region to Moeraki. We stop at Ship Creek to look for Hector's dolphins and take the opportunity to walk through coastal ecosystems of dunes, swamp and podocarp forest. Our last night of the tour is spent in cabins or tents at Haast. For dinner we enjoy a feast of local salmon.
Day 8.
Saturday - Tour ends in Queenstown - 3-8km/2-5 hours hiking
Today marks the end of the journey. Turning inland, we drive over the Haast Pass, snaking along beside the wide Haast River. The pass was only opened in 1965. There are some great hikes we can choose from, including a climb to an alpine hut high on the slopes of Mount Brewster (if the legs are not too weary). We stop at Lake Wanaka for lunch, a swim and a clean-up of our vehicle. This lake is so deep that, though its surface is at an altitude of 345 metres, its bottom lies 65 metres below sea level. After this enjoyable break we head over the Crown Range to Queenstown, arriving early evening where the tour ends.
Alternative Option: The trip concludes in Queenstown. You may like to spend a day or two enjoying the endless activities this town offers. Alternatively you may wish to take advantage of a free shuttle return to Christchurch on Day 9. We break this drive in Tekapo where those interested can do the one hour Grand Traverse Flight over Mt Cook (approx NZ$295) with Air Safaris.
Grading & Fitness
Grade D
Up to 7 hours of physical activity per day.
At times carrying a backpack of 10-12kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 300m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required.
Guides & Safety
Your enthusiastic New Zealand guides have a thorough knowledge of natural history and will enjoy sharing and discussing this with you. Each has over a decade of outdoor experience; their knowledge of the back-country and weather will ensure a safe trip. In addition, they are all trained in mountain first aid. The guides enjoy meeting and getting to know new people and have the skills to make everybody feel part of the group.
Mark Brabyn (MSc) founded Hiking New Zealand in 1993 (then known as NZ Nature Safaris). He has a Masters in zoology and did research on whale strandings for his thesis. He has assisted with conservation projects around the world including humpback whales in Tonga, southern right whales in the Sub-Antarctic and elephants and chimpanzees in Uganda. Mark has been active in the outdoors all his life, and his interests include tramping, sea kayaking, scuba diving and mountain biking.
Daniel Murphy studied agricultural science and has worked in the tourism industry for several years including in Spain where he managed an adventure lodge. Dan is the General Manager for Hiking New Zealand.
Andre Booth studied Botany at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, worked as a Park ranger and lived in the Canadian Rockies. He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, tramping, rugby, cricket and boutique outdoor New Zealand music festivals.
Glenys Erskine is a local South Islander, from Tuatapere. She will most likely take your booking when you call or email our office - but also guides, and will make sure you get to some secret locations in her home town. She is passionate about the outdoors and has travelled and lived in several countries around the world.
Chris Steel (BVSc) worked as a vet for 20 years before becoming a hiking guide. He is a keen tramper and mountain biker and has a talent for backcountry cooking.
Juanita Miln spent five years in the NZ Army and travelled to Antarctica. She has a National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation. Juanita is a keen tramper and mountaineer.
Other guides may be used during peak periods. Please be gentle with your guides. Good guides are hard to find.
What to take
New Zealand's weather is changeable and we can experience extremely cold weather at any time of year, especially in the mountains. Our huts/camps vary in altitude from sea level to over 1000 metres. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.
Hiking New Zealand highly recommend Macpac clothing and equipment.
Essential Items
Recommended items:
gaiters, binoculars, gloves/mittens, earplugs, walking poles, camera.
We supply:
Therm-a-rest sleeping mats, tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.
Equipment Hire:
We have high quality hiking equipment which you can hire for our Hiking Safaris. Please arrange hire gear when you book. Requests for hire equipment must be made at least 5 days before the departure date. Cancellation of gear hire must also occur at least 5 days in advance or no refund will be given.
| Equipment Hire (NZ$) | 8 days |
| Sleeping bag | $50 |
| Backpack | $50 |
| Polypro top+bottom | $20 |
| Fleece jacket | $20 |
| Raincoat | $40 |
| Full set (all of above) | $140 |
| Gaiters | $20 |
| Walking pole | $20each |
Transport
We travel in a 10 or 12 seat minibus towing a trailer with equipment and your luggage. All vehicles have a public address system, and a stereo with a variety of music. We also carry a range of natural history reference books. Time spent driving is kept to a minimum, we average about 2 hours per day and we drive on a range of roads - sealed and unsealed. We make the most of being small and flexible and often find ourselves stopping to check the unexpected!
Back to topFood
All the meals are included in the price. You may be asked to help with the preparation or washing up. Don't let this put you off though. It's part of our philosphy to get everyone involved as we believe this makes the whole experience more fun and rewarding! The night where we have the hangi (maori earth oven) is a real team effort and the guide will need your help collecting firewood, collecting rocks and of course eating it!
Meals will be healthy and wholesome and include lots of fresh produce. The trailers we tow are customised with a cooking area and fold down table, which is great for preparing picnics at all those secret places we will take you. Breakfasts are usually continental style, but don't be surprised if you wake up to the smell of fresh pancakes as well!
Accommodation
The Macpac Hiking Safari uses a range of accommodation: camping, backcountry huts, cribs (summer house), hostels and cabins. You will generally camp if the weather is fine, so you get to enjoy the outdoors more and it costs you less. In less pleasant weather your guide will arrange accommodation for the group.
Camping - We will camp as much as possible in a range of locations; under natural rock overhangs, on the beach, Department of Conservation campsites, established campgrounds with showers. You are provided with 2-person hiking tents to share and therm-a-rest sleeping mats. You may have a small campfire if fires are permitted.
Huts - Your guide will make use of excellent Department of Conservation huts. They are equipped with mattresses, running water and an outside toilet. Cooking is done on a portable stove. We do not have sole rights to huts and so must share with other hikers. Please be respectful of other hut users.
Cabins/Cribs - When the weather is bad your guide will seek out alternative accommodation. This can be anything that is available, from a private crib (summer house) to a cabin at a campground.
You must be prepared to go for two days without a hot shower. There is always a river or lake for you to wash in. Some campsites/huts have natural hot pools!
Questions
Does it matter if I am travelling alone?
Not at all! This trip is great for getting to meet like-minded people while having a great adventure holiday at the same time. If you need your solo time, you can get this as well. All the activities are optional, so if you want to just relax and enjoy the view that's no problem.
What other trips can I do?
Check out our Hiking Safaris, it is possible to join our Secret South Safari in Queenstown after finishing the MacPac Safari.
What do I do with my valuables (passport, airline tickets, money, etc) while we are hiking?
Keep them with you in your hiking pack. We pack all those things in plastic bags to keep them dry and keep them with us while we are hiking.
Can I be picked up at my hostel or accommodation?
No. We try to leave the city early so we can spend more time in the wilderness. If we had to drive around the city picking everyone up it would delay our departure. It is much easier for everyone to meet at the Christchurch Visitors Information Centre, in Cathedral Square - and it doesn't cost much to get there on a taxi, shuttle or bus (or walking!).
I'm a vegetarian - is that a problem?
Not at all. We usually have vegetarians in the group. All the guides are familiar with vegetarian cooking. We also have lots of excellent vegetarian recipes. Sometimes the whole group will cook vegetarian or we may cook a separate vegetarian meal. The hangi is always a mixture of vegetarian and meat foods.
What is the weather going to be like?
New Zealand can be unpredictable! We have a maritime climate so conditions in the mountains can change quite rapidly. It can snow any time of year in the mountains. Generally though you can expect daytime temperatures around 25 deg C (75 Deg F) in mid summer and 15 Deg C (65 Deg F) in the spring and autumn. It is best to be prepared for the worst conditions we are likely to expect - see the 'What To Take' section. We may get some rain on the trip so a good waterproof raincoat is essential.
Who is in my group?
A small group (maximum 11 people), with a range of ages, nationalities and work backgrounds. Seventy percent of people are between 20 and 40, though we have had people from 17 to 72. On average, half are women and half are men. Everyone shares an enthusiasm for outdoor adventure and an appreciation of nature.
Do I really need boots and will they get wet?
Yes and yes! Good hiking boots are essential to protect your feet and provide support. We hike through rough terrain, sometimes off-track. We frequently have to cross rivers with our boots on - again this protects our feet from getting cut on sharp rocks. If we had to take our boots off every time we crossed a river we'd take forever. A person who recently completed a safari had this to say:- 'My most favourite part of the safari was the discovery that walking in soggy boots and socks after crossing rivers is quite comfortable'.
How far in advance do I need to book?
The sooner the better for safaris departing in the peak season (November to April). We get many advance bookings so it is important to book early to avoid disappointment. Availability for our trips are updated regularly on our departure dates page.
What type of gear should I buy?
If you intend to do a lot of hiking then it is worth buying quality equipment - good leather hiking boots and hiking clothing. We highly recommend MacPac equipment and clothing. If you think you might not do any more hiking after safari then you could buy cheaper alternatives - just remember that it won't last as long or do the job as well.
What if I can't keep up with the rest of the group?
We hike together as a group, stopping often for snacks and a good lunch. Some activities are optional if you feel like having some time out.
Are we going to encounter dangerous animals?
New Zealand does not have any snakes, bears, lions or alligators. We have a small poisonous spider called the katipo that is so rare that it was recently made a protected species. At certain times of the summer and autumn, wasps can be a problem in some of our beech forests. If you are allergic to their sting, then make sure you carry medication, and tell your guide about it at the beginning of the safari. Otherwise, it is great to climb through the bush and lie in the grass without a thing to worry about.
How much luggage can I bring?
As space is limited in the trailers, we ask that you do not bring more than 120 liters of luggage, which is about one large backpack and a day pack.. If you have more we suggest you forward it to your accommodation in Queenstown for the end of the trip.
Do I need travel Insurance?
We strongly recommend it. Insurance will give you piece of mind in the unlikely event that you injure yourself or become ill and are unable to start the trip. Hiking New Zealand cannot be held liable for any damage, theft or loss of any of your personal equipment.
Will I have access to laundry while on the trip?
Yes. Most places we stay have laundry facilities.
Additional Costs
Included: The great thing about the MacPac Safari is that everything is included. All guiding, glacier walking, kayaking, accommodation and all the meals. The only thing you need money for is alcohol, buying souvernirs (you can never have too many tee shirts!) and ice creams.
Not included: Pre and post safari accommodation (Christchurch and Queenstown). Farewell meal in Queenstown on day 8. Any food or activities on day 9 if you take advantage of the free shuttle back to Christchurch.
Booking Conditions
Payment:
For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.
Transferring:
You can transfer to another safari/ departure as long as it is more than 20 days prior to your pre-booked departure. Transfers within 20 days will require a cancellation and new booking. All transfers are subject to seat availability.
Cancellations:
More than 20 days prior to departure - 80% refund if full amount paid
20 to 10 days prior to departure - 50% refund
Less than 10 days prior to departure - NO REFUND
Deposits are not refunded
Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. We ask you to fill out a disclaimer before you begin a Hiking Safari. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
Medical Conditions:
When you book you must notify us of any medical condition, medical history, or medications that you are on. In particular, asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies to wasp/ bee stings and food allergies.
Client Responsibilities:
With any outdoor activity, there is an element of risk. Hiking New Zealand operates in remote and mountainous areas. Risks in undertaking this activity could include hypothermia due to adverse weather conditions, personal injury, or property damage from hiking over rugged and uneven terrain.
The staff and management of Hiking New Zealand take all practicable steps to identify and minimise potential dangers. However you must follow our instructions (and use the safety equipment provided) at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure that the underage person follows our instructions at all times. You must release or indemnify Hiking New Zealand and our staff against any liability we incur to anyone else, resulting from your failure to follow our instructions or the failure of any person accompanying you under the age of 18 to follow our instructions.
Hiking New Zealand and their guides reserve the right to make any alterations to the itinerary in the interest of safety, comfort or unforeseen circumstances due to causes such as weather, illness, or misadventure. Every reasonable endeavour will be made to keep to published schedules but no guarantee is given. Hiking New Zealand will not be held liable for costs incurred by change, delay, or the missing of connecting services.
Hiking New Zealand reserves the right to exclude a person from a tour at anytime if in the opinion of the guide or operator that person may be likely to risk the health, safety or comfort (including unsociable behaviour) of other clients, him or herself, or the environment. In such circumstances Hiking New Zealand will not be obliged to offer any refund or transfer of ticket.
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