Ultimate South Island

The average driving time per day varies, some times you are in the wilderness and won't see the vehicle for 2 or 3 days! On other days you might be in the vehicle for 2-3 hrs or occasionally more. The driving time is a chance to rest and enjoy the fantastic scenery which is forever changing. You will travel in a 12 seat minibus towing a lockable trailer with camp equipment and your luggage. There will be a range of roads - sealed and unsealed. The guide will often stop the vehicle if there is a great photo opportunity or primo ice cream shop!

Meals: Meals that are not included in the trip price are detailed at the bottom of each day’s itinerary.

Optional activities: Milford sea kayaking (NZ$139*), Heli-hike (from NZ$899*)

*Prices are correct at time of publishing.

All other activities are included in the price: Abel Tasman waka experience, cycling on the West Coast Wilderness Trail and the Milford Sound cruise.

Grade: D
Average of 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on the longer days.
Altitude gains of up to 800m.
Some uneven track surfaces and river crossings.
No multi-day hiking experience necessary.
You need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic, and have good agility.
Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.
Note on days 4, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 12 your backpack (with sleeping bag, food and equipment etc) will weigh approximately 10-12kgs*.

*Will vary depending on the weight of personal discretional items.

"Wild nights" vs nights in civilisation...

The Ultimate South Island adventure is a blend of “wild nights,” where you are truly in the wilderness, staying in backcountry huts or camping in locations several hours' walk from the nearest road or populated area, and nights in civilisation, where you enjoy more comforts like cabins or cribs. Some of these locations may still be remote and in the heart of nature, but they are less isolated.

Huts - New Zealand has an extensive network of backcountry huts, and you will stay in these on several nights. Equipped with mattresses, running water, and an outdoor toilet, these huts are only accessible by foot and shared with other hikers. Meals are cooked on portable stoves. If you prefer, you also have the option of camping near the hut to experience the wild more closely.

Camping - During the "wild nights," you may camp under natural rock shelters, on remote beaches, or even sleep under the stars (single tent available on request). If the weather turns wet, stormy, or too cold, your guide may arrange alternative accommodation such as a lodge, cabin, or crib to keep you comfortable.

Lodges - On some nights, you will stay in lodge-style accommodation, typically located near the start or end of a hike. These lodges feature multi-share or twin/double rooms, generally with shared bathroom facilities and  offer a comfortable place to rest and recharge after a day of exploring.

Cabins - some nights may be spent in cabins at a campground. Usually you can put a tent up if you prefer a ‘room’ to yourself on these nights.

Bathroom facilities - On the wild nights there will be long drop (pit) toilets. There will be rivers or lakes nearby for a swim, and sometimes there are even natural hot pools! The Kiwi-style Hiking trips are set up so after a couple of nights of “roughing it” in the wilderness, you will stay somewhere where you can enjoy a shower and a few home comforts (including laundry facilities) before the next foray into the wild!

Accommodation is subject to availability, and an equivalent style of property could be used if the advertised property is no longer available.