Overview
Our New Zealand itinerary features incredible vistas in some of the country’s most breathtaking national parks. You will enjoy hiking the South Island’s West Coast with local guides, spending your nights in comfortable lodge and cabin accommodations. Day trips include hiking along glacial lakes and old-growth rainforests, kayaking in spectacular lagoons, and exploring alpine highlands. Visit golden beaches, bird sanctuaries, hidden waterfalls and the Cloud Piercer, Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Your journey along coastal and inland trails offers an incredible variety of environments and activities.
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Begin your journey in Christchurch; enjoy an afternoon hike in Arthurs Pass National Park.
The tour begins after breakfast in Christchurch, which is also known as the Garden City. After a trip orientation from your guide, you will head across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps, which form the backbone of the South Island. Drive through Arthur’s Pass National Park and stop for a short hike before continuing down to the West Coast, visiting Punakaiki and the Fox River. See the Pancake Rocks. These 30 million-year-old limestone rocks have formed into what looks like immense layers of pancakes. Take an optional stroll along the coast to check out sea caves that were once used as shelter by early Maori. Stay at beautiful Havenz, set in a rainforest near the beach.
Day 2: Spend the day exploring Paproa National Park followed by a relaxing evening in Havenz.
You will have a whole day to hike and explore Paparoa National Park. It has natural attractions including mountains, limestone cliffs, caves, rivers, and wilderness areas. Hike from Bullock Creek and follow the Inland Pack track back to Punakaiki. We may make a side trip down into the Cave Stream resurgence. Towering podocarp trees cloaked in moss surround this limestone cave. Then you will hike down the Pororari River track, which passes through groves of Nikau palms as it winds its way out of a spectacular limestone canyon. During the hike there may be opportunities to swim in the beautiful deep pools of the Pororairi River. In the afternoon, enjoy exploring this wild section of coast or relax at Havenz, where we will spend a second night.
Day 3: Visit the quaint town of Hokitika and mountain bike along the West Coast Cycle Trail.
Take a short drive down the coast to the historic and quaint town of Hokitika. Today, you will have the opportunity to mountain bike along the West Coast Cycle Trail. The rolling route runs between Milltown and Kumara, great for beginners and experienced cyclists alike. The 21-mile ride starts at the quirky collection of replica Wild West-themed buildings at Cowboy Paradise and winds through a mixed landscape of lush farmland and beautiful regenerating rainforest. It crosses a series of bridges over mountain streams before winding around several reservoirs to the historic town of Kumara. After the day's adventures, relax on a drive to Fox Glacier, home for the next two nights.
Day 4: Kayak across Okarito Lagoon and hike along the beaches of the Tasman Sea.
Take a self-guided kayaking trip across Okarito Lagoon, the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand. The lagoon is surrounded by virgin rainforest and home to a huge variety of migratory birds, including the white heron. After lunch, hike along the wild beach of the Tasman Sea and up to a trig point for panoramic views of the Southern Alps. In the afternoon, hike up to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the few places in the world where glaciers extend down into rainforest. Stunning views of New Zealand's highest peaks dominate the vista at the head of the glacier.
Day 5: Visit the South Westland World Heritage Area and make your way to Queenstown.
Drive south along the coast and through the pristine wilderness of South Westland World Heritage Area. Stop for a short walk along a boardwalk at Ship Creek. From here, we will drive across the Southern Alps at Haast Pass. Take a hike along an old bridle track, through virgin southern beech forest. We will end the day with a drive along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before crossing the Crown Range and arriving in Arrowstown, a beautiful and vibrant town cradled in the mountains.
Day 6: Enjoy an Adventure in Queenstown or Marvel at the sights of the Milford Sound.
Enjoy a free day in Arrowtown and/or Queenstown, New Zealand’s famous alpine resort and adventure capital. Enjoy beautiful views of the Remarkables, the mountain range used as the backdrop for Lord of the Rings. Choose to spend the day shopping, hiking, or any number of adventure sports. Or take an amazing flight through the mountains to Milford Sound and enjoy a boat cruise on the fjord. Milford Sound is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight that will take your breath away. Note: The flights are very weather dependent, so if bad weather an alternative option is a breathtaking hike to Moke Lake.
Day 7: Enjoy a hike to Rob Roy Glacier followed by an evening on the shores of Lake Wanaka.
Drive up Matukituki Valley to Mt. Aspiring National Park and start a half-day hike to the Rob Roy Glacier. This trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, from wide-open river flats to a splendid view of the Rob Roy Glacier. The evening will be spent in the lakeside resort town of Wanaka. Hike along the lakeshore, soaking up the majestic mountain views.
Day 8: Arrive at Mount Cook Village and take in the stunning vistas as you trek up glacial moraines.
Drive up through the Central Otago High Country and cross Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. This area is home to some of New Zealand’s largest sheep populations, which produce high-quality merino wool. Arrive at Mount Cook Village in the afternoon and, if you are up for it hike up steep glacial moraines to the Red Tarns, which are named for a red pondweed that grows in them. Accommodations are in Mt. Cook Village at the foot of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki, which in Maori means “Cloud Piercer.”
Day 9: Hike up the Hooker Valley to see the Cloud Piercer up close.
Hike up the Hooker Valley and enjoy impressive views of Hooker and Mueller glaciers, Mount Sefton icefall, and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Eat lunch overlooking Hooker Lake at the base of Mount Cook--awesome view! Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. This last night of the trip will be spent in the heart of the Southern Alps. If you are lucky you will see the summit of Aoraki/Mount Cook turn from white to pink as it catches the last of the sun’s rays out your lodge window.
Day 10: Explore the Tasman Valley before saying farewell to your trip mates in Christchurch.
Before turning east to Canterbury we will explore the Tasman Valley. The Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand. It is rapidly retreating and has an astonishing melt water lake at its snout. Make the most of being in this special place by wandering around the glacial moraines and tarns. Our final drive takes us across the plains to Christchurch, where the tour ends.
What to Expect
ACCOMMODATIONS: We will sleep in a variety of lodges, cabins and motels at night. Typically there are 2 people per room. In most rooms, solo travelers have single beds and couples share beds.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Standard Meeting Places and Times
Start: Camelot Motor Lodge at 8:00 AM (local time)
End: Camelot Motor Lodge at 6:00 PM (local time)
Transportation
This trip begins in Christchurch, New Zealand, at 8:00 AM at the Camelot Motor Lodge. The trip ends at 6:00 PM at the same location. If you are flying from the U.S., you will need to fly out two days earlier, to accommodate crossing the International Date Line. For assistance in making your travel arrangements for this trip, we recommend contacting Travel One, at (800) 247-1311 or www.traveloneinc.com. They are very familiar with our trips and can help you make the best flight connections at the best prices. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Is the New Zealand trip physically difficult?
This trip is one of our more difficult trips physically -- lots of hiking and some steep hills. However, there are always options for you if you want a less strenuous day. For example, at Mount Cook the hike to the Sealy Tarns is steep and straight up--some of our participants say it is the hardest hike they have done on a WI trip. But, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to. Instead you can enjoy the fabulous Hooker Valley hike to Hooker Lake at the base of Mount Cook. There are options throughout this trip.
Do you recommend New Zealand for persons with disabilities?
It depends. Since hiking is one of the main components, if you use a wheelchair or an assistive device for mobility we do not recommend New Zealand Hike and Explore. We have had a number of people with visual impairments or other disabilities successfully participate. If you have a disability we recommend that you call us to discuss, or complete the registration form and we'll call you.
If you use a wheelchair there are many Wilderness Inquiry trips that are well suited for you, including safari's, kayak, canoeing and dogsledding adventures. We welcome all to these adventures!
Which immunizations do you recommend when traveling to an international destination?
Prior to departure, we recommend that you check with your doctor as early as possible to ensure you are up to date on your standard immunizations. Your doctor is in the best position to recommend specific vaccinations to specific destinations.
Do I need to clean my boots before going to New Zealand?
We recommend that you clean all mud, grass and any vegetation from your boots, hiking poles or gear before entering New Zealand. As an isolated island environment, New Zealand has pretty strict customs rules for environmental hazards. If they find mud on your boots you experience a 1-2 hour delay getting in to the country.
Do you have a single supplement for New Zealand Hike and Explore?
You can elect to guarantee a single room for the duration of the trip for $450 during the registration process.