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Itinerary

This daily description will always need to remain flexible. Times and distances are approximate. On the Abel Tasman coast, tide times will affect your walking options. The itinerary on the West Coast could always be affected by weather.

(B,L,D) refers to meals inclusive in the tour, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 1 - Nelson
Arrive Nelson at the top of the South Island, a stylish and attractive small holiday town and fishing port. It is known for its 'Mediterranean' weather and golden beaches. In the surrounding countryside, orchards, vineyards, and market gardens support a creative lifestyle of craftspeople. If you have come off a long flights an easy walk up Botanical Hill to "The centre of New Zealand" is recommended. Stay in apartments.

Day 2 - Nelson
Nelson is a great place, with street cafes, attractive parks and gardens, a cathedral and a fine beach. On Saturday mornings there is an open-air market in town, with crafts, music and homemade foods. In the afternoon a cliff-top traverse (3 - 4 hours) allows you to stretch legs and warm up for the trip. Stay in a apartments. (B)

Days 3-4 - Abel Tasman National Park - Beaches - 5-7 hours hiking
Leave Nelson early. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a beautiful and relaxed start to any New Zealand visit. The walking is easy and with the help of a water taxi you can walk two of the best sections of the '4 day' trail. Depending on tides, 5-7 hours walking daily on a good path through luxuriant, native 'bush' linking a series of idyllic, rocky fringed, unspoilt sandy bays. Relaxing Mediterranean-ecostyle accommodation for two nights. (B,L,D)

Days 5-6 - Nelson Lakes National Park - 5-6 hours hiking
Break our drive to the West Coast at St. Arnaud in Nelson Lakes National Park. This will be your first encounter with New Zealand's mountains and great beech forests. The mountains here, dominated by Mount Travers, 2338m are the first outliers of the Southern Alps which run the length of the South Island. There are short walks overlooking Lake Rotoiti and on the full day you can hope to climb Mount Robert 1141m and onto Robert's Ridge, the high level gateway into the heart of the Travers range. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - West Coast
The road down the Buller River to the West Coast must rank as one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. At Cape Foulwind you will hike an easy track over the headland to the northernmost colony of fur seals found in New Zealand before continuing on to the Paparoa National Park. Stay in seclusion a few metres from the roaring Pacific Ocean rollers, surrounded by rainforest, nikau palms, cabbage trees, giant ferns, and the towering kahikatea, tallest of all New Zealand trees. Nearby, the well-known 'Pancake Rocks' are ideal for an evening stroll. Stay in self-catering type lodges. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Paparoa National Park - 6-7 hours hiking
A dramatic day, with 'Lord of the Rings' overtones! Walk up forested limestone gorges with some 'river bashing' likely and traverse a good path through West Coast rainforest, huge rocks and moss covered 'sink' holes, a real wilderness feel. The trees will move if you are lucky! The weather and river levels will dictate the exact hiking route. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Franz Josef Glacier
A drive down the 'wild' West Coast with untamed beaches on one side and the Southern Alps and wide glacial rivers on the other. Pass through small settlements, shadows of their former glory during the great 'gold rushes' of the past, stopping for lunch at Hokitika. On to Franz Josef Glacier, reaching almost to sea level and among the fastest flowing glaciers known, with easily accessible terminal faces. Stay in a motel/lodge in Franz Josef township. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Franz Josef Glacier - 5-7 hours hiking
There are trails up through the 'bush' to dramatic viewpoints high over the glacier. Above are the permanent snowfields and peaks of the Southern Alps. There are also options to join a full or half-day outing onto the glacier itself, wearing spiked boots and led by local guides (approx. NZ$97 half day or $150 for full day trip - not included). Whatever the weather, the glaciers area is always exciting. Remember - you are in one of the wettest places in New Zealand and if it is not raining it will be a bonus. In perfect weather, this is THE place for a scenic helicopter ride up and around New Zealand's highest alpine peaks (approx. NZ$275, not included) - a chance seldom repeated. Stay in motel/lodge accommodation. (B,L)

Day 11 - Mountains - Aspiring National Park
Say goodbye to the West Coast and leave the rainforest behind, turning inland to cross the alpine divide at Haast Pass, one of only three crossings along the length of the range. The change in landscape is dramatic as you move away from the prevailing weather into the rich beech forests and sparkling rivers of the Aspiring National Park. Today, you have a thrilling appointment with a jetboat, New Zealand's highly inventive shallow water speedboat to make a memorable trip up an idyllic high mountain valley, a fine example of the quintessential New Zealand backcountry. Back on the highway, follow the shores of the lake to the town of the same name - Wanaka. Stay in a motel. (B,L)

Day 12 - Wanaka - 3 hours hiking
Wanaka, reluctantly, is the only 'one-nighter' but before you leave you have the time to take a fine walk up to a magnificent viewpoint of Lake Wanaka and its awesome mountain setting. Anticipation mounts with a drive south to Lake Manapouri fringed by rugged mountains of Fiordland, a vast area of glaciated mountains, lakes, waterfalls and virtually impenetrable rainforest AND Milford Sound. Stay in holiday bungalows. (B,L)

Day 13 - Fiordland- 6-7 hours hiking
Across Lake Te Anau the Kepler Track, 3-4 days, climbs out of the bush to make a high level traverse of the Kepler mountains. You will cross Lake Te Anau by boat and walk the first day to the Luxmore Hut and perhaps further if time permits. (B,L,D)

Milford Track Option: it is possible at this stage to take off independently and walk the famous Milford Track (see details below).

Day 14 - Milford Sound - 5 hours hiking
Today it's MILFORD SOUND, one of the world's great locations. If the weather is fine you can walk (and scramble) up to a dramatic saddle in the wild Darran Mountains where you catch a first glimpse of Milford Sound. A drive through the rough-hewn Homer Tunnel sees you swooping 1000 metres down into Milford Sound where you board a boat. Sail beneath the mile high sheer cliffs of Mitre Peak and sleep aboard a traditional motor-sailer, moored within the Sound. There will be a chance to kayak and dolphins and seals will be a likely bonus. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Key Summit - Queenstown - 2-3 hours hiking
A morning sail down the sound to the open sea before returning past vertical waterfalls to disembark. On the way back to your overnight stop in Queenstown, you will stop at The Divide, (where the Routeburn track meets the Milford Road) and walk easily to Key Summit, an airy vantage point over the Routeburn track and looking down into the beautiful Hollyford Valley. Stay in a hotel. (B)

Days 16-17 - Queenstown - 5-6 hours hiking
You will stay in Queenstown for two days. For the best view of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, you can climb up to the summit of Ben Lomond (1748 metres). It is quite a tough ascent but the view with the mountains in every direction is tremendous. Back to the valley to prepare for the rest day, and a break from the trip. You may be tempted by an overload of excitement for which Queenstown is famous - bungee jumping, tandem paragliding and parachuting, ballooning, mountain biking, 4WD trips, jetboating, rafting and kayaking and much much more! It is easy to book anything once in town. If all that overwhelms, then Queenstown is in a beautiful location with short walks, good shops and restaurants. Stay in a hotel. (B)

Day 18 - Aoraki/Mount Cook - the cloud piercer - 3 hours hiking
From Queenstown, drive through a much drier landscape of tussock covered hills into the heart of New Zealand's highest mountains. Mount Cook village nestles dramatically at the foot of the Tasman and Hooker glaciers with Mount Cook (3750 metres) towering overhead. In the afternoon hike up the Hooker Valley toward the glacier and terminal face. Stay in a lodge or chalet. (B,L,D)

Day 19 - Aoraki/Mount Cook - 6-8 hours hiking
Spend a full day hiking up to a ridge (1768 metres) for staggering views of Mount Sefton (3151 metres) with hanging glaciers and seracs and with Mount Cook a little further away. Stay in a lodge or chalet. (B,L,D)

Days 20-21 - High Country Sheep Station - 6-7 hours hiking
A six hour drive along the fringes of the mountains to a 37,000 acre high country sheep station on the shores of Lake Coleridge at the foot of the Southern Alps. The size and scale of the landscape is staggering. There is virtually a mountain range to yourself and there are a range of tracks to walk. Fly fishing in trout filled rivers and horse trekking may both be possible (additional cost). It will be the quintessential New Zealand experience and a fine end to the trip. Enjoy meals in a farmhouse. (B,L,D)

Day 22 - Return to Christchurch
Drive to Christchurch in time for international flights. If you wish to stay longer, arrangements can be made for accommodation, further sightseeing and city activities.(B)

Milford Track Option
If you decide to hike the Milford Track, you leave the "Contrasts" group for 4 days, and will be dropped off in Te Anau on Day 13. You will depart by bus and boat to the start of the track around midday. The track ends in Milford Sound and there is an option of an overnight Milford Wanderer cruise (subject to availability) on Day 16, or coach straight back to Queenstown (5 hours) to rejoin the group. Please let us know early. Places for the Milford Track for the main season fill up by September. You will be responsible for your gear, packing and food, etc. but there will be time in Wanaka or Queenstown. The huts on the track provide bottled gas cooking facilities, so you do not need to carry a stove. You will need your own sleeping bags, billies, plates and cutlery. This option will not cost you any extra, however, the section will be unguided. Usually 2-3 clients take this independent option.

Grading & Fitness

Grade: C
Up to 7 hrs of physical activity per day.
At times carrying a backpack of 5-6kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required.

Good all round fitness is required. Most days involve walking 5-7 hours on mountain trails carrying a light daypack. If you choose the Milford Sound option, your backpack weight will increase slightly.

Guides & Safety

All guides on the New Zealand Contrasts tour are suitably qualified and enthusiastic about making your stay in New Zealand as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. You may have one or two guides on your tour.

What to take

The following is a suggested checklist and may not be definitive. Anybody used to being in the outdoors will have his or her own combination of outdoor wear and this clothing list is only a guideline.