Great Hikes and Glaciers of New Zealand

We will meet in a central city location in Christchurch around 08:00am and after a short tour briefing we’ll head straight out of town towards the West Coast. We’ll break the journey for lunch and the delightful Devil’s Punchbowl walk through beech forest, zigzagging up 240 steps to one of New Zealand’s most stunning waterfalls. We’ll reach Punakaiki, a small community on the West Coast nestled on the edge of the Paparoa National Park, in late afternoon. There may be time to visit a nearby cavern and check out the glowworms that glow through bioluminescence, thereby enticing prey to the sticky silk threads they make which hang like fishing lines. Our accommodation tonight is situated just 2 minutes from the Punakaiki beach at the Punakaiki Resort, where we’ll also enjoy our first group dinner. Hiking : 1 hr return including 240 steps Driving Time : 5 hours

Meals:  L,D

The boundaries of the Paparoa National Park were carefully established to encompass a complete range of landscapes and ecosystems running all the way inland from the coast to the rugged ice-carved Paparoa Ranges. This morning we’ll explore 2 of the Park’s highlights. The Truman Track is a short, easy, but stunning, walk through beautiful sub-tropical rainforest to a secret beach! From there we’ll head to a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools. The Pancake Rocks were formed 30 million years ago from minute fragments of dead marine creatures and plants landed on the seabed about 2 km below the surface. Immense water pressure caused the fragments to solidify in hard and soft layers. Gradually seismic action lifted the limestone above the seabed. Mildly acidic rain, wind and seawater sculpted the bizarre shapes. After lunch we transfer further down the West Coast to the village of Franz Josef, arriving in time for a wander. Hiking : Truman Track 1.2km return ;Pancake Rocks 1.1km loop

Meals:  B,L,D

Okarito is New Zealand's largest unmodified estuarine lagoon - home to more than 70 bird species, including the beautiful kotuku/white heron and royal spoonbills. The lagoon is surrounded by lush native rainforest, above which rise the towering snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. The area is an important feeding ground for thousands of wading birds and there's a huge area of shallow open water and tidal flats perfect for sheltered water kayaking. We’ll spend the morning following a self-guided kayak trail which will bring us up close (but not too close) and personal with this amazing colony of birds. After lunch you can either return to Franz Josef for a leisurely afternoon or stay in Okarito and hike to the Okarito Trig Viewpoint. This walk initially winds through bush before crossing the estuary on a curving broadwalk and then winding gently uphill to the Trig. On a clear day, the view is unbeatable overlooking Westland National Park from the snow-capped Southern Alps extensive native forest to the lagoons and beaches of the coast. Heading back to Franz Josef there’ll be time to soak in the hot springs before dinner which the legs should appreciate! Kayaking : 3.5 hrs Hiking : Optional 4.2km 1.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

The heart of Glacier Country, the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, offer the most accessible rivers of ice in the world, plunging down through rainforest almost to sea level. This morning, depending on the weather, we’ll pick from one of several hikes in the area to experience this dynamic, glacial environment. After lunch we’ll experience one of the best scenic drives in New Zealand from the Glaciers to the Lakes. Tracking down the West Coast through the breath-taking Haast Pass, into the heart of the Southern Alps, we’ll travel past coastal scrub, rain forest and native bush, alpine tussock lands, lakes and mountains - this road showcases the best of South Island scenery all in one go. Ending the day at a central motel within walking distance of Wanaka and its lakefront which will be our base for the next 2 nights. Hiking : upto 3 hours, distance 8-10kms Scenic Drive : 5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Continuing with our glacier theme, today’s hike brings us face to face with active glaciers. The Rob Roy Glacier Track leads into Mount Aspiring National Park, an amazing world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. The track follows Rob Roy Stream through beech forest with waterfalls and a luxuriant understorey of ferns and mosses. At the tree line, the forest gives way to alpine vegetation and spectacular views of the hanging glaciers beneath Mount Rob Roy. The walk to the viewing point is mostly uphill, but the incline gradual. The cheeky kleptomaniac kea (mountain parrots) are fond of anything edible or not that you may leave unattended on a rock – just saying! Returning to Wanaka, the evening is free for you to enjoy dinner on your own. Hiking : 10km, 3-4 hours Driving : 1 hr each way

Meals:  B,L

Lake Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s largest lakes situated in a glacier carved basin and is surrounded by the majestic snow capped mountains of the Southern Alps. This makes it the ideal location for an unforgettable kayaking adventure exploring the beautiful coastline whilst enjoying the outstanding scenery. After lunch we get to sit back and enjoy another stunning drive, starting with a spectacular 69km between Wanaka and Queenstown on the Crown Range Road. Renowned for its beautiful views and epic scenery the road traverses New Zealand's highest sealed alpine pass at 1076m. From there we hug the scenic shores of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and then cross through several small farming settlements before finishing up in the township of Te Anau on the shores of another stunning lake. Kayaking : 4 hours Scenic Drive : 3.5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The drive to Milford Sound this morning is every bit as impressive as the destination. Climbing through the Southern Alps, the Milford Road is one of the highest and most scenic roads in New Zealand traveling through lush beech forest and vast valleys, past mirror-like lakes, towering mountains and impressive feats of roading engineering in the form of the Homer Tunnel. The beautiful Milford road tracks through the wilderness and we stop to enjoy some of the short walks and views on the way, before arriving at The Divide. From here we walk to Key Summit, a 3 hour return hike which forms part of the Routeburn Track, gives spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and Humboldt and Earl mountain ranges. Milford Sound itself is arguably the most stunning fiord in Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. It’s lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200m or more from the sea. At 1692 metres, the iconic Mitre Peak is a spectacular sight and New Zealand’s most photographed mountain. Visiting Milford Sound you will be in the heart of a rainforest, which creates walls of temporary waterfalls. Glorious on a fine day, the ethereal, moody beauty in the rain is equally spectacular. The Milford Mariner is a purpose-built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow and is perfect for cruising the fiord with private ensuite cabins, an onboard specialist nature guide and delicious food prepared by the onboard chef. During our time on the boat, there are options to kayak, explore the shoreline and even take a swim and the opportunity to do a short walk on the Milford Track, weather permitting. Hiking/ Kayaking options Scenic Drive : 2.5hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

After farewelling our overnight cruise, we’ll head back towards Te Anau, so a second opportunity to take in the extraordinary sights on this stunning drive. We’ll stop just shy of Te Anau to experience a delightful section of another of NZ’s Great Walks, the Kepler. The track follows the terraces of the Waiau River through red and mountain beech forest to Rainbow Reach and is on easy terrain. Then we continue onto Queenstown for the next 2 nights, with a rest day tomorrow which can be spent resting or otherwise! Hiking : 9km 2.5hrs Scenic Drive : 4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today there’s the option of a very long lie-in and spending the rest of the day cruising Queenstown’s many cafes and outdoor shops or you can stick with the active theme of the tour and choose one of the myriad of activities offered by NZ’s adrenaline capital! Bunjy jumping, jet boating, rafting, ziplining, off-road driving, mountain biking, hiking…the list is almost endless. Surrounded by mighty mountain ranges, glistening lakes and swooping trails there is literally something for everyone to enjoy in Queenstown.

Meals:  Nil

Today we head to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Leaving Queenstown, we pass through the Gibbston Valley wine growing region before entering the historic gold mining district of the rugged Kawarau River Gorge. Next up the famous fruit growing region of Cromwell followed by a drive up the shores of Lake Dunstan that leads us to the dramatic Lindis Pass. Crossing the Pass we enter the high-country landscape of the MacKenzie Basin and then the final stretch takes us up the shores of the stunning Lake Pukaki to the Aoraki/Mt Cook village. The afternoon is free to stretch your legs on one of the short walks in the Park or perhaps explore the Edmund Hillary Centre or the highly recommended DOC centre and keep the legs fresh for tomorrow. Hiking : 1+ hours Scenic Drive : 3.5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock. Walking one of the tracks is the best way to experience this ancient landscape. The Hooker Valley track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Mueller Glacier on a clear day. Along the way we’ll cross the Hooker River via three swingbridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains. For those keen to experience more of this special environment, time and weather permitting, we may venture up the 'stairway to heaven' - 2,200 steps take you straight up to the freshwater lakes of Sealy Tarns. An abundance of alpine flowers in summer and the views from the tarns make the effort worthwhile. Returning to our lodge accommodation we’ll gather for a final trip dinner and enjoy reliving all the great experiences we’ve had! Hiking : Hooker Valley 10km rtn, 3hrs; Sealy Tarns 3-4 hrs, 2200 steps +600m

Meals:  B,L,D

The drive back to Christchurch offers more great views as we head back down Lake Pukaki and continue through the MacKenzie Basin via Lake Tekapo to the pretty country towns of Fairlie and Geraldine. We then cross the vast canterbury plains to arrive back into Christchurch in the late afternoon.

Meals:  B