This trip dossier contains all the information you require for booking this trip. Please print off and read carefully before booking.

Please note: Price above is for a minimum of 7 people. For less the 7 the price is gradually increased. Please enquire on booking.

Single supplement applies to ALL individual travellers. If another single traveller is the same gender and willing to share, the single supplement may be refunded.

April 2012 is an Auckland departures and runs in reverse.

Maximum 12

Itinerary

Day 1.

Christchurch
After your arrival in Christchurch, you will be transferred to your downtown hotel. In the afternoon there will be a sightseeing tour through the ’Garden City‘, including the Port Hills and the ‘Sign of the Takahe’ with its magnificent views over the South Pacific and across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.

Day 2.

Christchurch to Tekapo (226km)
After a drive across the flat alluvial Canterbury Plains, you reach Geraldine, a small town located in the foothills which acts as a farm servicing centre for this rural district. It is a pleasant town in which to stop for coffee and to stretch your legs. You continue south on the inland road and climb to 709m at Burkes Pass before continuing on to Tekapo in The MacKenzie Basin. We are now in the true South Island ‘High Country’, famous for its Merino sheep, from which the fine wool is used to make a range of very high quality clothes and garments. This afternoon you hike to the Observatory at the top of Mt John from where there are views across the Lake to the majestic Godley Valley – one of the Wilderness Areas of Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park. It is only a 2hr return walk but we can also descend via an alternative (and slightly longer) route along the edge of the Lake. This evening why not relax with a soak in the ‘Alpine Springs & Spa’ hot pools (optional).

Day 3.

Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook (362kms)
This morning there is time to wander along the lakefront and visit the quaint ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ which was built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the MacKenzie Country. Alternatively, on a clear day, an optional Scenic Flight or helicopter ride around Mt Cook and the glaciers is well worthwhile. You leave Tekapo and drive south to Lake Pukaki where you take a sidetrip to the Alpine Village of Aoraki/Mt Cook where there are many great walks. The guide will choose a short walk which will depend on the weather and the time available. The journey continues south over the Lindis Pass and alongside Lake Dunstan, one of the newest artificial lakes. Travel past fruit stalls and wind through the Kawarau River gorge. There is the opportunity to stop at the world famous A.J Hacket bungy bridge (optional bungy jump) before you arrive in Queenstown.

Day 4.

Queenstown (Rest Day)
Queenstown is an outdoor adventurer’s playground. Options could be a lake ride aboard the historic steamship Earnslaw, jet boating on the Shotover River, white water rafting, tandem paragliding, scenic helicopter flights, a ride up the Gondola or a visit to the Kiwi house to see New Zealand's national icon in the flesh.

Day 5.

Queenstown to Lake Te Anau (168kms)
An early start this morning for the beautiful 2.5 hr drive alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu until you reach Te Anau, the last township before Fiordland National Park. This afternoon, options include a walk to the bird sanctuary, a 3 hour walk on the Kepler Track, kayaking or just relaxing.

Day 6.

Te Anau to Milford Sound (121kms)
There are many great walks in this area such as the Routeburn, Hollyford & Key Summit. Depending on the weather the guide will suggest the best option(s) for the day. On the way to Milford Sound, you might spot cheeky Keas (Mountain Parrots) at rest areas next to the road. About 4pm you board a cruiseship (Milford Wanderer) for an amazing journey through the deep glacier-carved Fiords of Milford Sound. In the evening you will be served a delicious dinner while anchoring in one of the tranquil bays – an unforgettable experience. The on-board sleeping rooms have two beds per cabin and shared bathrooms.

Day 7.

Milford Sound to Wanada (351 kms)
You disembark around 9.30am and drive back towards Queenstown. There is time for a little detour to Arrowtown - an old gold rush village with lots of history. Continuing in the vehicle you drive over the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest road (1119m asl) to Wanaka. At the west end of Lake Wanaka you may see the glittering snowtops of Mount Aspiring (3027m).

Day 8.

Wanaka (Mt Iron walk)
Today you start with an easy stroll from the motel down to the lake. You continue along the shore past all the cafes and shops to Bremner Bay and then towards Penrith Beach. You link the 'Beacon Point Walk' with the 'Lake Outlet Walkway', followed by the short climb to the top of Mt.Iron. In total it a pleasant half-day trip (with total walking time about 4 hrs). The guide may also decide to do the hike in the reverse direction. We suggest you take your swimming togs as there will be time for a dip in the warmer shallow bays around the edge of the Lake.
This evening we may organize our own barbecue at our Motel.
(Please note: today is a rest day for your driver and the bus will not be driven).

Day 9.

Wanaka to Fox Glacier (265kms)
The journey takes you alongside Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. First through arid countryside followed by dense rainforest on the border of Mount Aspiring National Park. After a short walk through beech forest at Haast Pass you continue to the township of Fox Glacier. There may be time for a walk to the Glacier Face, or an optional scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers (including a landing on the Glacier).

Day 10.

Fox Glacier to Westport (305kms)
Start with a drive to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout before continuing on to Hokitika. Those who are interested can visit a Greenstone factory, where you have the opportunity to buy jade carvings and jewellery at reasonable prices. Pounamu is the Maori name for Greenstone.
In Punakaiki you will see the well-known pancake rocks and will walk the Truman Track. Only if time permits will we also do the walk along the Pororari River (approx. 2hrs return, or a shorter walk of 40 mins) which takes you through sub-tropical forest with many of those remarkable Nikau palm trees and lime stone cliffs. Then it is just a 57km drive (50 mins) to Westport along the spectacular coastal road. Before checking into our motel, we drive out to Cape Foulwind (just a few kms from Westport), where you will see a seal colony on one of the short coastal walks.

Day 11.

Westport to Picton (292kms)
If there was no time to visit the seal colony at Cape Foulwind yesterday, you can do that this morning. You then continue in the vehicle to Murchison and follow the Buller River to Lake Rotoiti. You take a lunch break at St Arnaud, where there may also be time to do a walk (up to 2 hours) in the Nelson Lakes National Park. A drive down the Wairau valley leads to the world-renowned grape growing region of Marlborough, from where it is just a short drive to our destination of Picton.

Day 12.

Picton to Queen Charlotte Walkway
An early boat transfer this morning from your little fishing village, through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to the beginning of the same named walking track. In approximately 4 hours (depending on drop off point) you walk through natural scenic reserves with lush coastal forest and over mountain ridges, with splendid views of the Sound. At 3pm the small boat meets you again (at Furneaux or Punga) and takes you to the idyllic Portage Resort nestled right on the waterfront, where your luggage is already waiting for you.

Day 13.

Queen Charlotte Walkway to Wellington
In the morning you hike along the coast through dense rainforest with its gigantic tree ferns. At Mistletoe Bay a boat pick-up is scheduled for 12 noon, which will take you back to Picton. This afternoon you board the Ferry for the 3 hour journey to Wellington, via the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait, arriving early evening.

(Today is the arrival day in Wellington for those who have booked the North Island only)

Day 14.

Wellinton to Tongariro National Park (348 kms)
During your sightseeing tour through the city, euphemistically known as the "Windy City”, you will see among other things the Parliamentary Buildings and the historical district with its St. Pauls Cathedral. You will be driven to Mount Victoria, from where on a clear day you can enjoy fantastic views of the city and the harbour. Afterwards you have some free time to visit one of the most innovative museums of the world, the National Museum ‘Te Papa’, located near the Hotel. You then drive to the small National Park village of Whakapapa with amazing views of the largest volcanoes in the country.

(Departure from Wellington for those who have booked the South Island only)

Day 15.

Tongariro National Park to Rotorua (197 kms)
Tongariro National Park has many short walks of 2-3 hours on offer and the guide will choose a hike to suit the group and the weather conditions of the day. You then drive alongside Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s biggest Lake, and on to ‘Wai-O-Tapu’ which in Maori means ‘Sacred Waters’. Thousands of years of volcanic activity have created one of New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attractions. The Reserve near Rotorua, is still an active volcanic area (and includes New Zealand’s largest bubbling mud pool), but the well defined tracks allow visitors to explore this unique area within a natural bush setting. Late afternoon you arrive in Rotorua, the most unique and active thermal area in the country. Tonight there is an optional ’Hangi and Cultural experience’ at one of the popular Maori Villages, where the successor of the first Polynesians present their culture. It is a relaxed evening including a series of song and dance performances followed by a banquet or Hangi (food cooked in the traditional earthfire oven).

Day 16.

Rotorua to Whitianga (260kms)
You start the day with a short tour of the town including a visit to the historic St. Faith’s Church and its beautiful woodcarvings (small fee for entry). You then travel past Lake Rotorua to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty where the mild climate is excellent for kiwi fruit growing. Continuing onto Coromandel Peninsula you stop for a walk through Broken Hills near Pauanui. The area reminds us of the turbulent times at the beginning of the 19th Century when this region was part of the ‘gold rush’.

Day 17.

Whitianga (Coromandel Peninsula)
This Peninsula has a diverse landscape on a small scale. On one side you find bare mountains of volcanic origin and on the other side a rugged coastline with beautiful beaches. This day has a lot to offer, from kayaking, hiking some of the local bush walks, to an excursion to Hot Water Beach, so named because a hot spring bubbles up through the sand, making it a lovely warm place to relax at low tide and watch swimmers enjoying the sea and surf.

Day 18.

Whitianga to Auckland (250kms)
In the morning you drive south to the small village of Waiomu. On a 2 hour hike with several river-crossings, you will see some of the few Kauri trees (local giant) that are left. You will leave the Coromandel Peninsula and reach Auckland after about 3 hours drive. During a sightseeing tour in the ’City of Sails‘‘, which is famous for its many sailing yachts in the Hauraki Gulf, you will see among other things the Harbour Bridge, Waitemata Yacht Harbour and Mount Eden, from where you can see the Skytower.

Day 19.

Auckland - Departure
The last morning is for your own leisure. We offer free transfers to the airport departing the Hotel between 7am and 3.30pm.

Please note that your trip may differ from the above itinerary either to better suit the needs of the group or due to circumstances beyond our control such as the weather.

Grading & Fitness

Grade B
Average of 4-5 hrs physical activity per day.
At times carrying small backpack of 4-5kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required.

If possible there will be daily walks depending on the tour itinerary. The average walking time is between 3-4 hours, except the Tongariro Crossing, which will take 6-7 hours and is rated medium to hard.

Guides & Safety

Experienced Guides are used (most have had at least 10 years guiding experience in New Zealand). They all have a 'bush 1' qualification.

What to take

Essential Items