Arthur's Pass Safari

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    Multi-day Hiking
  •  
    Bird Watching
  •  
    Kayaking
  •  
    Rafting
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    Caving
  •  
    Biking
  •  
    Skiing
  •  
    Scuba Diving
Start: Christchurch Visitor Centre, Cathedral Square West, 7:00am
Finish: 7:00pm Christchurch
Length: 2 days
Grade:
D (mostly tracks with some river travel)
Accom: Backcountry Huts
Price: 0
Departs: Thursdays - see see departures
Highlights: This two-day Arthur's Pass safari gives you the opportunity to enjoy a guided hike from Christchurch and learn about the natural history of the region as well as some basic bush skills - river crossing techniques, reading map and compass work.

Day 1: Drive over Porter's Pass into Canterbury's High Country. Hike up the Cass River into Beech forest. Enjoy a lunch break at a forest clearing overlooking the valley. Climb to Cass Saddle and then descend slowly down Hamilton Creek across river flats to Hamilton Hut. Evening hike to Mirror lake. 5-6 hours hiking

Day 2: Hike up the Harper River to West Harper Hut. Continue up the river and start climbing steadily to Lagoon Saddle, with it's breath-taking views of Arthur's Pass National Park and the Waimakariri catchment. Descend through forest right to the road end. Drive to Christchurch. 6-7 hours hiking

Alternative Options: This trip has also been packaged with two nights at Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge and the TranzAlpine Train back to Christchurch. See Arthur's Pass Hike

 
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