Adventure Odyssey

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. Auckland - Rotorua
The day starts with a short drive to Auckland's waterfront from the start point at Barrycourt Motor Inn (recommended pre trip accommodation). Here you will board a yacht for a sail on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour, which forms part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. As you leave Westhaven marina it shouldn't be too hard to see why Auckland is known as the “City of Sails”! Take the opportunity to take the helm, learn some sailing jargon, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze over a late breakfast. After the sailing make your way back to the hotel for an early lunch before boarding the bus for the 3 hour drive through the fertile Waikato farmlands to Rotorua. The afternoon activity involves small 4x4 vehicles, lots of mud, sweaty palms and a luge! All perfectly safe, but just a little nerve racking! After this return to rour accommodation in Rotorua. (Late breakfast, L, D)

Day 2. Rotorua - White Island
After a leisurely breakfast, you 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 your 50km launch ride to the steaming, active volcano, White Island. The launch anchors a few hundred metres from shore. Here you don your gas mask and helmet and board the small tender vessel which 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 history of mans attempts to extract the sulfur from the island. The climax will be the hike to the crater rim. Here you look down into the steaming, boiling crater lake. Back on board enjoy a delicious lunch as the boat begins the journey back to Whakatane. And who knows, with a little bit of luck you may even get to watch some dolphins along the way. Return to your accommodation in Rotorua after you attend a lakeside marae, where you will experience a formal Maori welcome onto the Marae (the traditional centre of Maori life) performed by our Ngati Rongomai hosts. They will then entertain you with a Maori concert, followed by a hangi (food cooked in an earth oven.) (B, L, D)

Day 3. Rotorua - Taupo
The day starts with a visit to the Rotorua Bathhouse museum where you can explore aspects of the Maori cultural and watch a short video presentation which explains the awesome forces that helped form this famous thermal wonderland. On the way to Taupo you will stop at a fascinating thermal valley to explore boiling mud pools, mineral terraces and steaming volcanic lakes. Later in the day visit the Wairaki geothermal area and then stop at the Huka Falls. Here New Zealand's longest river, the mighty Waikato, thunders through a narrow chasm, forming the Huka Falls. A short walk along the banks of the river allow a good look at the falls, before you continue your drive along the eastern shores of Lake Taupo. The destination for the night is River Valley Lodge, which is nestled in the heart of the Rangitikei River. After the long drive, here is a chance to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the lodge and its surroundings. (B, L)

Day 4. Rangitikei River - Paraparaumu
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 two options available. Firstly, the spectacular gorges and cliffs can be viewed from the raft as part of a sedate drift trip or you get up close and personal with the river amongst the white water of the upper section. By mid afternoon take a relaxing drive south through rolling farmland, to the small coastal town of Paraparaumu. Spend the night in preparation for your trip to Kapiti Island in the morning.

Day 5. Kapiti Island - Wellington
Access to Kapiti Island, a conservation gem, is strictly limited, in order to preserve the island’s birdlife. The island was once a Maori stronghold, and was then farmed, before being cleared of predators and restocked with endangered NZ native birds. You have a rare chance to view some of these birds in the wild, many of which have almost vanished from the mainland. Your group has its own guide to provide an interpretation and historical account of the islands colourful history. By mid afternoon, return to the coach and complete the drive to New Zealand's capital, Wellington. Near to the hotel is Te Papa, the country’s national museum, where you can spend some time exploring. (B, L)

Day 6. Wellington - InterIsland Ferry - Picton
After almost a full day exploring Wellington, board the InterIsland ferry and sail across the Cook Strait to Picton, via the scenic Marlborough Sounds. At Picton board a water taxi for a one-hour boat ride back up the Sounds to Punga Cove resort. The resort is nestled amongst native bush, right on the water’s edge. The location demands drinks on the balcony: the perfect accompaniment to the beauty of the Sounds that spreads out below you.(B, L)

Day 7. Marlborough Sounds
The Queen Charlotte Walkway follows the spine that separates the Pelorus Sound (to the west) from the Queen Charlotte Sound. It begins at the historic Ship Cove, (Captain Cook stopped here several times) and continues 71 kilometres to its finish at Anakiwa at the southern end. A glorious walk, and whilst you won't have time to walk the whole track, there is time to do a section of around 21 kilometres. There are huge views along both sides of the ridgeline with beautiful bays below. Shorter walking options are available, (you will need to arrange with your guide). For those seeking to experience Marlborough Sounds via the comfort of a stable double kayak, you have a full day option. At the end of the day take to the balcony with drinks waiting, and wonderful views – what better place to share stories of the day's adventuring? (B, L)

Day 8. Picton - Nelson
Start the morning with a leisurely sea kayak at Anikiwa before boarding the water taxi and the journey back to Picton and your awaiting bus. The drive to Nelson is a beautiful one with time to stop at a few scenic lookouts along the way, and perhaps enjoy an icecream at Pelorus Bridge and a walk in the totara forest. And so on to Nelson, a city that has become one of New Zealand's leading art and craft centers. A highlight in the afternoon is a visit to the home of the Wearable Arts Festival (don't worry guys, there is also a vintage car display), leaving you with an array of memories of some incredible costumes. (B, L)

Day 9. Nelson - Buller - Punakaiki
Your adventure today is cave rafting on the West Coast. First travel inland to Murchison, a small town nestled on a small plain beside the Buller River. From here, head into the Upper Buller gorge, with a stop to experience New Zealand's longest swing bridge. Just short of the coast, turn south to travel along the spectacularly rugged West Coast to the Nile River and your cave exploration. After a walk up the bush clad valley, enter the cave and explore the underground world before floating downstream on tubes - an ideal way to view this amazing underworld. Onwards to Punakaiki - home of the famous Pancake Rocks and a spectacular coastal walk. Your accommodation is at the Punakaiki Rocks Hotel. (B, L)

Day 10. Punakaiki - Fox Glacier
Today, continue southwards along the narrow coastal strip of Westland - bounded on one side by the rugged coastline, where the land meets the often wild Tasman Sea, and on the other by dense, temperate rainforest covering the distant wall of mountains - the Southern Alps. The “coast” is steeped in history; from the indigenous Maori collecting pounamu or greenstone, to the heady goldrush days of the late nineteenth century and the long years of coal mining and timber milling. Stop briefly to visit the Bushman's Centre and the unusual residents, then continue through extensive areas of luxuriant forest to Fox Glacier village in the Westland National Park (World Heritage area). After lunch and following a briefing from your glacier guide, depart for a three-hour walk onto the Fox Glacier. Under the watchful eye of your guide, attach instep crampons to your boots, grasp your walking pole and head on to the white ice: one of only three places in the world where you can experience walking on 200-metre thick ice next to a dripping rainforest. An evening option is to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson, a photographer's paradise. Another option is to take a helicopter ride that lifts you out of the valley to a wondrous world of New Zealand's highest, ice-covered mountains and enjoy a snow landing on the upper Fox Glacier nevé. Stay the night in Fox Glacier Village at the Rainforest Motels. (B,L)

Day 11. Jet Boat - Mt Aspiring - Queenstown
Make an early start travelling southwards along the coast. At Haast town ship, leave the main highway and head towards Jackson Bay to join the awesome Waiatoto Jet Boat experience. Boarding a jet boat you are driven by a skilled driver up the Waiatoto river taking you deep into the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park. Marvel at the impossibly shallow water your boat skims over, all made possible by its unique drive system – invented by, Bill Hamilton, a New Zealand farmer. A walk option provides the chance to enjoy the solitude of your surroundings before returning to your craft for the return journey to the sea. Once back in the bus rejoin the main highway, and head inland over the scenic Haast Pass, along the road which follows the ancient greenstone (jade) trail used by early Maori. Once on the east side of the mountains notice how quickly the bush changes from dense rainforest, through open beech forest to farmland. Pass Lake Hawea, then Wanaka, before heading over the Crown range to end the day with views over the Wakatipu basin, before heading to Queenstown. Your hotel in Queenstown enjoys magnificent views across the Frankton Arm towards the Remarkables Range and across Lake Wakatipu. Your accommodation for the next two nights is at the Aspen on Queenstown. (B,L)

Day 12. Queenstown and surrounds
This is a free day. 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 (an old gold mining area); a cruise on an historic steam boat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station; a ride on the gondola; a visit to Arrowtown and Gibbston winery; a walk around the public parks and gardens; fly by wire; bungy jumping; guided wine tour; relaxing by the lake; shopping. Stay the night at the Aspen on Queenstown. (B)

Day 13. Queenstown - Mount Cook
Travel through the Kawarau Gorge, a place where large quantities of gold were extracted by dredge and sluice guns in the late nineteenth century. The stone remains of the occasional miner's hut remind us of man's earlier, lonely presence in the area. Cross into the MacKenzie Basin via the Lindis Pass, before continuing on past the town of Omarama, across the dry tussock plains that typify the Mackenzie Country. Turning off the main highway leads your group along the shores of the pastel blue Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park. After lunch take a walk up the Hooker Valley, watched over by New Zealand's tallest mountain, Mount Cook. Along the way cross two long swing bridges, beneath which the thundering Hooker River flows. All around tall peaks dwarf you; it shouldn't be too hard to see why this place is a magnet for aspiring climbers, not only from New Zealand, but from around the world. Back to your coach for the hour and a half drive to Fairlie, with a stop at Lake Tekapo for a look at the Church of the Good Shepherd and Bronze dog. In Fairlie, stay at a farm-stay - hosted by a local farming family, for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 14. Fairlie - Christchurch
Head north from Fairlie, first to the rural township of Geraldine, then eastwards onto the fertile Canterbury Plains, stopping on the way at the Tin Shed, a woollen outlet store, for a little retail therapy. Arrive around midday in the garden city of Christchurch. Those with flights to meet will be taken to the airport, whilst the others will be delivered to their respective hotels. (B,L)

Grade A-B
General good health necessary.
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.

This is an active holiday so you need to be in good health. If you are taking medication please let your guide know. Fitness is difficult to define. However, as a general rule you should be able to comfortably walk for up to 4 hours a day, on some uneven ground and with some uphill. If you don't do a lot of physical activity set yourself a programme starting with short walks of half an hour a day and gradually building up to 3-4 longer walks each week, including some uphill. The secret is to start slowly, and increase your exercise gradually. The fitter you are the more enjoyable your trip will be.

Guides are selected on their background knowledge and personality which underlines their ability to share with you the landscapes and the social commentary that inquiring, sophisticated travellers are seeking. All adventures, no matter how modest, involve an element of risk, that is their nature. However, throughout the holiday, safety is always a most important consideration. Only reputable, experienced and safety conscious operators are used for the specialist adventure activities, and your widely experienced guide does all the activities with the group. This means there is a high level of skilled support.

Because the weather is often changeable, and the nature of the adventure activities involved, you will need to have suitable clothing for a wide range of conditions. The following is a recommended list:

Essential Items

hiking boots (with firm ankle support and soles which grip well) - essential

warm socks x 2 pairs (wool or polypropylene)

sports shoes

light socks

waterproof parka/anorak (with hood), and rain pants

shorts or light trousers

T-shirts

sunhat (baseball cap or sunshade is ideal)

swimsuit (for under wetsuit) and towel

warm trousers or sweat pants

warm shirt

woollen jersey or fleece jacket

warm hat

gloves or mittens

thermal /polypropylene underwear or an extra woollen jersey (lightweight)

comfortable casual wear for the evenings

personal toiletries and towel

Optional items:

sunscreen or lip balm

sunglasses

drink bottle (approximately 1/2 -1 litre)

insect repellent

camera and film

small torch

We supply:
You will be provided with a day-pack and a walking pole if required.

You will travel in a modern, customised coach which has been configured to seat 9 – 16 people. There is ample room for most luggage fetishes (within reason) and plenty of leg room. All vehicles have an intercom system to ensure you can hear the guide’s commentary, air conditioning for the warm days and a sound system on which you will hear some local music.

Local restaurants or the hotels in-house dining facilities are used to provide a variety of eating experiences. These meals can be taken as a group or individually if you want some private time. Breakfasts and lunches are included in the price as well as one dinner (check itinerary for more detail). Breakfasts are provided on a continental basis, however, when available, can be upgraded to a full breakfast at a small extra charge.

During the trip you will stay in a wide variety of accommodation in the 3-4 star range. These will vary from small hotels to motels and lodges. All room rates are based on a twin share basis with private facilities. These locations are well equipped with laundry facilities, hairdryers and even irons to keep you looking sharp! Breakfasts are provided to the rooms or at the hotel’s dining room on a continental basis.

How much should we budget for evening meals?
We recommend that you budget for NZ$35 per person/per evening meal.

I've noticed that some trips begin from Christchurch. Do they simply follow the above itinerary in reverse?
Yes these departures do roughly follow the itinerary explained above in reverse. However there are some changes to the order of events so feel welcome to email us for the exact itinerary.

Will we have access to laundry facilities?
All the accommodation places have a guest laundry that includes washing machines, dryers and an iron. In most cases they are coin operated. Laundry powder is usually available at the hotel reception.

NOT INCLUDED in the cost of the tour:

Meals not indicated on itinerary

Activities on free day (day 11 in Queenstown)

Optional helicopter ride at Fox Glacier (Approximate cost NZ$120)

Items of a personal nature eg, drinks, telephone calls etc

Gratuities. (Tipping is not expected in New Zealand. It is entirely at your discretion whether or not to reward for excellent service)

INCLUDED in the cost of the tour:

Half Day Sailing on the Waitemata Harbour

Maori concert and hangi (meal)

Visit to White Island

4WD Self Drive Experience

Entry to Rotorua Museum

Entry to a thermal area in Rotorua

White Water Rafting on the Rangitiki River

Visit to Kapiti Island

West Coast Cave Rafting Excursion

Half Day Glacier Hike

Waiatoto Jet Boat Experience

Guided bush walks and hikes

Bushman's Center tour

Farm lunch and tour

Visits to Huka Falls, Church of the Good Shepherd, Wairakei Geothermal Area, Punakaiki (Pancake) Rocks, Wearable Arts Museum

All accommodation as per the itinerary

Experienced driver/guide throughout

Specialist guides for all non-walking activities

Transport as indicated on the itinerary, including the InterIsland ferry

All breakfasts, 13 lunches and 3 dinners.

Use of all equipment including walking poles and day-packs

Fees and entry into all National Parks & Museums

Meals included in trip costs:

All breakfasts

All lunches except on free day in Queenstown

Three evening meals

Payment:
For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 20% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:
More than 30 days notice - NZ$300.00 cancellation fee
30-10 days - 50% refund
Less than 10 days notice - NO REFUND

Travel Insurance:
We suggest clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance.

Notes: The published itineraries may be changed for your safety, should the operator deem the weather or road conditions to be unsuitable.

This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.