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

Maximum 14

Itinerary

An active holiday with a touch of class allowing you to experience a wide range of carefully selected, (and uniquely New Zealand) activities in each region. Under the gentle guidance and support of a great guide, explore New Zealand in comfort and gain an insight into the country's culture, customs, history, and geology.

Day 1.

Christchurch - Fairlie
The day starts with a scenic drive around the Christchurch’s Port hills, which offer panoramic views of Banks Peninsula and the city. There are opportunities for short walks before you drop down into the seaside town of Lyttelton, Christchurch's main port. Following this is a trip to the Arts Centre, in Christchurch’s cultural precinct. These historic buildings once housed the original University of Canterbury. The afternoon sees us heading across the fertile Canterbury plains via the small rural town of Geraldine to Fairlie, where you meet our farm stay hosts. (L, D)

Day 2.

Fairlie - Mt Cook - Queenstown
After a short farm tour and hearty breakfastwe farewell our hosts and head toward Aoraki/Mt. Cook. Crossing Burke Pass, you enter the expansive, arid Mackenzie Basin. Stop at Lake Tekapo to view the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd and the Bronze dog, before continuing down State Highway 8 to the pastel blue, Lake Pukaki. Turn west to follow the shores of the lake to Mt. Cook National Park. Then take a walk up the Hooker Valley, watched over by our tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. Along the way you cross two swing bridges, beneath which the thundering Hooker River flows. All around tall peaks dwarf you; it therefore shouldn't be too hard to see why this place is a magnet for mountaineers. Upon your return, board the coach for the three and a half hour drive to Queenstown. The last hour being through the Kawarau Gorge, a place where large quantities of gold were extracted by dredge and sluice guns in the late 1800's. The stone remains of miner’s huts remind us of man's earlier, lonely presence in the area. (B, L)

Day 3.

Queenstown
This is a free day. Some optional activities include: a round trip to Milford Sound by coach and/or plane with a launch cruise on the sound, a trip to Skippers Canyon by 4 wheel drive vehicle (an old gold mining area), a cruise on a historic steam boat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station, a ride on the gondola, a visit to Arrowtown and Gibbstown winery, a walk around the public parks and gardens, fly by wire, bungy jumping, guided wine tour, relaxing by the lake or shopping. (B)

Day 4.

Queenstown - Fox Glacier
Head out of Queenstown early, taking the high road across the Crown Range to the lakeside resort town of Wanaka. Driving alongside Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, we follow the very scenic State Highway 6 across Haast Pass to the township of Haast. Here you leave the main highway and head towards Jackson Bay to join the awesome Waiatoto jet-boat experience. You are driven by our skilled, professional driver up the Waiatoto River, which takes you deep into Mt Aspiring National Park. Marvel at the impossibly shallow water that your boat skims over at speed, all made possible by its unique drive system invented in the 1950’s by New Zealand farmer, Bill Hamilton. A walk option provides the chance to enjoy the solitude of your surroundings before returning to your craft for the return journey to the coast. Once back in the bus you rejoin the main highway, following it north along the coast to Fox Glacier Township, in the Westland National Park (a World Heritage area). An evening option is to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson, known as the mirror lake, as on a still day the snow-capped mountains can be seen perfectly reflected on the lakes surface. Another option is to take a helicopter ride that lifts you out of the valley to a wondrous world of our highest, ice covered mountains and enjoy a snow landing on the upper Fox Glacier nevé. Stay the night in Fox Glacier Village at the Te Weheka Inn. (B, L)

Day 5.

Fox Glacier - Punakaiki
Following a briefing from your experienced glacier guide, we depart for a 3 hour walk onto the Fox Glacier. Under their watchful eye, we attach instep crampons to boots, grasp walking poles firmly, and head onto the white ice: this is one of only three places in the world where you can experience walking on 200 metre thick ice next to a lush green rainforest. After lunch, continue northwards where the road is bound on one side by the rugged coast, where land meets the often wild Tasman Sea- and on the other, by dense temperate rainforest which covers the distant wall of mountains: the Southern Alps. The coast is steeped in history, from indigenous Maori collecting pounamu/greenstone, to the heady gold-rush days of the late 1800's and the long years of coal mining and timber milling. Continue through extensive areas of luxuriant forest to Hokitika and finally to Punakaiki. Before dinner, take a walk around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. (B, L)

Day 6.

Punakaiki - Buller - Nelson
Today's adventure is cave rafting. Travel north along the spectacular coast to Charleston, a once busy gold mining town in the late 1800’s, although little evidence now remains from these heady times. Here we join a cave rafting tour, which takes us up the Nile River in a small train. With wetsuits and inner tubes we head underground and exit the caves by floating downstream on tubes – a novel and exciting way to view this amazing underworld experience. Note – cave rafting is weather dependent and occasionally limited to walk only due to the water level of the river. After lunch, continue north until you meet the Buller River, which you follow inland driving alongside the deep gorges. Stop in the upper gorge to experience New Zealand's longest Swing Bridge, before continuing to Murchison and on to Nelson, a city that has become one of our leading art and craft centres. (B, L)

Day 7.

Nelson - Marlborough Sounds
The drive from Nelson to Picton is a beautiful one with mixture of pastoral landscapes intermingled with native and exotic forests.
There is time for a stop at a few scenic lookouts along the way, as well as a stop for an icecream and a walk in the totara forest at Pelorus Bridge scenic reserve before the rendezvous with your kayak guides. Experience a half-day tour of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds in the comfort and uniqueness of a stable, double sea kayak. Continuing along the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound by water taxi until you reach tonight’s accommodation, Lochmara Lodge. The location demands drinks on the balcony: the perfect accompaniment to the beauty that spreads out below you. (B, L)

Day 8.

Queen Charlotte Walkway
The Queen Charlotte Walkway is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the busy Abel Tasman National Park. It follows the hilly spine that separates the Pelorus sound (to the west) from the Queen Charlotte Sound. It begins at the historic Ship Cove, (Captain Cook stayed here several times) and continues 71 km to its finish at Anakiwa at the southern end of the sound, a glorious walk. From the Lodge you are able to access the track and spend the day exploring the landscape. Unfortunately there isn't time to walk the whole track; however there is plenty of time to do a section suited to your individual needs. Shorter walking options are available, and need to be organized with your guide. At the end of the day there's that balcony and drinks waiting, with those wonderful views: what better place to share stories of the days adventuring? (B, L)

Day 9.

Picton - Interislander ferry - Wellington
A water taxi journey takes you back to Picton and after lunch, board the Cook Straight ferry for the scenic 3 hour journey to Wellington. Late afternoon, have a short visit to Te Papa, the national Museum, which is walking distance from your hotel. This evening you explore one of Wellington’s boutique breweries to savour a stunning crop of local and imported beers. Hosted & designed by a local beer expert who will share fascinating knowledge about beer with you. (B, L)

Day 10.

Wellington - Rangitikeri River
Within the city boundary exists one of the most exciting ‘island’ conservation endeavours. Surrounded by a 3 meter predator proof fence the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary provides a full morning exploring the tracks and the wildlife. By mid afternoon you return to your coach and complete the drive to River Valley Lodge, which is nestled beside the Rangitikei River. After the long drive, you have the chance to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the lodge and its surroundings. (B, L, D)

Day 11.

Rangitikei River - Rotorua
The Rangitikei River (home to some of the spectacular Lord of the Rings footage) is also home to some high class river rafting.
Dependent on the degree of challenge sought; there are three options available. Firstly, the spectacular gorges and cliffs can be viewed from the raft as part of a sedate drift trip, secondly, you get up close and personal with the river amongst the white water of the upper section or the third option is for those who don’t like the water – a relaxing horse trek through the scenic countryside. By mid afternoon it’s back on the road for a relaxing drive north to Rotorua. If time allows on the way, there is a stop for a short walk at the Craters of the Moon thermal area and view the mighty Huka falls. Tonight is free to explore Rotorua. (B, L)

Day 12.

Rotorua - White Island- Rotorua
After an early breakfast, we head down highway 30 for an hour and a half to Whakatane, a small seaside town, whose main industries are forestry and a distribution centre for the surrounding dairy and fat lamb farming. It is also the launching point for our 50 km launch ride to the steaming, active volcano, White Island. The launch anchors a few hundred meters from shore. Here you don your gas mask and helmet and board the small tender vessel that ferries you to the old wharf. What follows is a fascinating tour, where you learn about the forces that are twitching, belching and rumbling all around you. Also hear the tragic history of mans attempts to extract the sulphur from the island. The climax has to be the hike to the crater rim. Here you look down into the steaming, boiling Crater Lake. Back on board you have a delicious lunch as the boat begins the journey back to Whakatane. And who knows, with a little bit of luck we may even get to watch some dolphins or whales along the way. In the evening you attend a cultural experience on a marae, (the traditional centre of a Maori village) where you will experience a formal Maori welcome by your hosts. (B, L, D)

Day 13.

Rotorua - Auckland
The morning starts with a visit to the Rotorua Bathhouse museum where you explore the differing aspects of the Maori and early European cultures. Watch a short video presentation explaining the awesome forces that helped form this fabulous thermal wonderland. After the museum it’s time to try something completely different. This activity involves little 4 x 4 vehicles, lots of mud and sweaty palms. All perfectly safe, but just a little nerve racking! After this its time to let the nerves settle on the 3 hour drive through the fertile Waikato farmlands to Auckland. (B, L)

Day 14.

Auckland
A short drive to Auckland's viaduct basin from our base at the Barrycourt Motor Inn. Here you board a yacht for a 1 1/2 hour sail on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour, which forms part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Learn some sailing jargon, take the helm, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze over a late breakfast. After the sailing it’s time for our final goodbyes, your guides will deliver you to your central city hotel or will arrange transport for you to the International Airport. (B)