As most of our time is spent in the wilderness there is not much time spent in the bus. Our big driving days are on day one and day seven, with a short transfer between the hikes on days three and four.
All meals and activities are included.
Grade D+
Average of 5-6 hours physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days.
Pack weights of 10-12kgs on some days.
Altitude gains of up to 900m.
Some uneven track surfaces and river crossings.
Multi-day hiking experience recommended.
Need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic.
Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.
New Zealand has an excellent network of backcountry huts and you will stay in basic huts on several nights. These huts are equipped with mattresses, running water and an outside toilet. Cooking is done on a portable stove. Huts are only accessible by foot and are shared with other hikers. We will always carry tents or tent flies so we can camp away from the huts in remote wilderness settings.
Cabins/Cribs We have two non-wilderness nights where we stay in cabins or cribs (New Zealand summer houses). On these nights you will enjoy the luxury of a hot shower and some fresh and local cuisine.
New Zealand's weather is changeable and we can experience extremely cold weather at any time of year, especially in the mountains. Our huts/camps vary in altitude from sea level to over 1000 metres. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.
Watch the video of our Kiwi-Style Hiking packing list.
Essential Items:
Optional items:
Gaiters, binoculars, earplugs, walking poles.
We supply:
Therm-a-rest sleeping mat, tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.
Luggage:
We allow space for 120 litres per person (one large pack plus one day pack). You may be required to forward excess luggage if you exceed this. Any gear you do not need while hiking can be locked in the custom-built trailer. We highly recommend travel insurance.
*Ultimate New Zealand only - for the flight between Wellington and Nelson, the checked luggage allowance is 23kgs per person, with a carry-on luggage allowance of 7 kg.
Equipment Hire:
We have high quality hiking equipment which you can hire for our Kiwi-Style Hiking trips. Please arrange hire gear when you book. Requests for hire equipment must be made at least 5 days before the departure date.
As well as being the time to rest, refuel and recharge, meal times are also a great time to get to know your fellow travellers better, sit back and enjoy the amazing surroundings and enjoy some great food! Everybody helps with the preparation and cooking of meals. But don’t worry – we won’t expect you to make it up on the spot! As everything we eat we need to carry on our backs, a lot of careful planning goes into choosing meals that not only give us plenty of energy and nutrition but are also light to carry, easy to prepare and most importantly – taste great! If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know when you book and we will make it work.
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. That is why we work hard to make sure we hire the best guides. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for New Zealand’s wild and beautiful backcountry. Our guides will ensure that your time with us is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun and safe. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid.
Please be gentle with your guide - good guides are hard to find!
Hiking New Zealand reserves the right to alter or amend any tour should the weather or any other situation require this. Hiking New Zealand finalises all tour logistics upon the express condition that they will not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be brought about either by reason of weather, or defect in vehicle, vessel or aircraft or though the acts or lack of action of any company or persons engaged in transporting or guiding passengers, or arranging the tour.
Payment:
For bookings, four or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days prior to your trip. For bookings within four months of the departure, full payment is required.
Cancellations:
95 days or more prior to departure – 80% refund of the deposit paid OR your full deposit is transferable to a future trip booked directly with Hiking New Zealand
94 to 21 days prior to departure – 80% refund of the full ticket price
20 to 11 days prior to departure – 50% refund of the full ticket price
10 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND.
