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Hiking Tour |
| Start: | Auckland, 172 Quay Street at 10:00am |
| Finish: | Auckland 6:00pm |
| Length: | 27 days |
| Grade: | A-B (General good health necessary.) |
| Price: | NZ$2782 |
| Extra Costs: | Optional activities, private cycle handling, some meals. |
| Departs: | Every 9 days (approx.) from October to April - see Departures |
Highlights: This is a great action packed adventure tour in New Zealand. It offers you a fun-filled, flexible way to explore New Zealand with camping in carefully chosen locations from remote wilderness camps to fully-equipped camping grounds. Travel in custom built buses that are especially designed to bring comfort and convenience to your camping holiday.
On tour, there are many opportunities to hike, cycle and do other adventure activities along the way. Pack in as much adventure and activity as you want then at night relax around the campfire in good company.
The following itinerary is based on a north-bound tour starting in Auckland. Some trips depart Auckland and head south, others start in Christchurch.
Day 1:
Your adventure tour starts in Auckland (on New Zealand's North Island), which you soon leave for the golden beaches and warm waters of the Bay of Islands.
Day 2:
There is much to do in the Bay of Islands. Cycle, swim, sail, do a trip to Cape Reinga. You are free to do as you choose on this day.
Day 3:
Visit giant sand dunes, then a Kauri forest. Overnight on the Hibiscus Coast.
Day 4:
Return to Auckland, then the tour moves on to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Visit Cathedral Cove beach and the fascinating Hot Water Beach.
Day 5:
Travel on to Rotorua with its steaming thermal wonders. Visit the town, then the Polynesian Pools. Cycle to lake side camp nestled below the dormant volcano Mount Tarawera.
Day 6:
Visit mud pools and geysers, then travel on to Huka Falls and Taupo. Journey along the shores of one of the largest crater lakes in the world (Lake Taupo) and get majestic views of Mounts Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu. Camp at Turangi.
Day 7:
Early start for those who want to hike the "Tongariro Crossing" with its fantastic volcanic landscape. Alternatively cycle around the mountain or visit the Volcanic Centre museum. Hikers are picked up at the end of the track and the tour continues on to a campsite on the Kapiti Coast.
Day 8:
Travel to Wellington, then take the ferry across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton in the South Island. Overnight at Picton.
Day 9:
Travel down the Pacific Coast to Kaikoura. See fur seals and a variety of sea birds on the Peninsula Walk. There is the option of going on a Whale Watch trip. Stay at a beach camp on the Kaikoura Coast.
Day 10:
Options to Dolphin Swim or Seal Swim in the morning, otherwise cycle or walk along the coast. Move on to Christchurch where there is time to explore the city. Then travel on backcountry roads to Rangitata River camp, nested below the Southern Alps.
Day 11:
In the morning there is the option to go white-water rafting on the Rangitata River. Otherwise do one of the excellent walks in the area or mountain bike. Travel on to the Mackenzie Basin with great views of the Main Divide. Camp at Lake Pukaki with stunning views of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Day 12:
Cycle in Mount Cook National Park. Walk up the Hooker Valley to the glacier. Cycle down the Waitaki River Valley, and cycle a coastal route to the beach-side camp near Oamaru.
Day 13:
Morning coastal walk or cycle. Travel on to Dunedin with time to explore the city. Go out onto the Otago Peninsula with options to see the yellow-eyed penguin reserve and Royal albatross colony. Travel onto the Catlins for the night with its spectacular natural beauty.
Day 14:
Travel to Lake Manapouri then on to Te Anau. Cycle the shores of Lake Te Anau to a wilderness camp in Fiordland National Park.
Day 15:
Follow one of the world's most scenic roads into Milford Sound. Take an optional boat cruise out onto the fiord. The Routeburn, Caples, Greenstone Track walkers depart as the bus goes back across The Divide. Camp by Lake Te Anau.
Day 16:
Explore Te Anau. Walk, fish or cycle in the area. There is an option to do an overnight hike on the Keppler Track with panoramic views from Mt Luxmore. Stay in the same lakeside camp in Te Anau.
Day 17:
Journey to Queenstown, cycle shores of Lake Wakatipu. Camp overlooking the lake and town. Track walkers re-join the group. Enjoy a big night out. Queenstown has many excellent restaurants, bars and live music.
Day 18:
There are many adventure activities to do in Queenstown. Cycle and walk in alpine areas. Leave Queenstown late in the day to camp beside a tranquil lake.
Day 19:
Travel through Wanaka and the Haast Pass to the beautiful rainforests of the wild west coast.
Day 20:
Visit Fox Glacier and then travel on to Okarito to camp beside the beach.
Day 21:
Early morning walk to watch the sunrise, visit a greenstone factory in Hokitika, then beach camp at Punakaiki, home of the famous Pancake Rocks.
Day 22:
Hike in rainforest, cycle ride, visit glow worm caves and enjoy the beach. Spend another night at Punakaiki.
Day 23:
Travel through the Buller Gorge and good scenery to the edge of Abel Tasman National Park to spend two nights.
Day 24:
Free day for exploring the area. Walk, cycle, optional sail, sea kayak or boat and walk, to the golden beaches.
Day 25:
Time in Nelson. Cycle along Queen Charlotte Drive. Travel through the Marlborough wine region to Picton.
Day 26:
Depart Wellington at 1pm, then on to Taranaki for takeaways. Camp the night at Onaero Bay, a lovely bush surrounded estuary.
Day 27:
Visit Waitomo, a limestone wonderland created by erosion over millions of years. Travel on to Auckland where the trip ends.
Alternative Options: It is possible to do shortened versions of this itinerary, or to start and finish from a different place than Auckland. Please contact us for details.
Click here for the detailed trip dossier
This trip goes well with the following tours:
"Hiking New Zealand – for an action-packed adventure tour of New Zealand."
HIKING NEW ZEALAND
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