A 1pm meeting time in Christchurch leaves your morning free for travel or an opportunity to explore Christchurch. It’s a relaxed start to the trip with a drive across the Canterbury Plains towards the beckoning mountains of the Southern Alps. Our lodgings tonight are at a private hut (with showers and electricity) in the quaint mountain village of Arthur’s Pass. Get to know your fellow hikers while preparing dinner together and getting ready for tomorrow's hike into the Edwards Valley. Includes lunch and dinner.
*This tour joins the Ultimate South/Ultimate Traverse hikers from the afternoon of Day 6 of their tour.
While Arthur’s Pass is not as well-known as some of the other National Parks visited on the tour, you will be awestruck by its rugged alpine peaks, wild rivers and adventurous hiking trails. Our overnight hike takes us up the Edwards Valley to the Edwards Hut which sits just above the treeline with a great view up and down this beautiful valley.
It is a challenging hike on a real ‘kiwi-style’ track. There are several river crossings and parts where you will need to use your hands for extra grip as the trail is rugged with steep slippery sections.
We either camp or stay in the hut depending on how many other hikers are there. For those with energy still to burn, there will be the opportunity to join the guide for another hike from the hut this afternoon.
At nightfall we listen out for the distinct call of our national bird, the kiwi. Roroa or great spotted kiwi are known to inhabit this sub-alpine area. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We retrace our steps this morning as we hike back out the Edwards Valley. Back at the vehicle we unpack and refuel with a picnic lunch.
Heading eastward our drive backtracks through the eastern high country at first. The steep forested slopes of the west are replaced with wide braided rivers, scree slopes and the surreal limestone formations of Castle Hill where we stop for a quick ramble as this landscape is too good to drive past without stopping! Say our goodbyes to our new hiking friends finishing their tour as we turn south, leaving the main highway to follow an inland route past Lake Lyndon, through the Rakaia gorge and on to the tiny village of Mt Somers where we stay overnight. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We spend the morning driving along the western boundary of the Canterbury Plains and into the stunningly beautiful Mackenzie Country, an intermontane basin of huge glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains.
By late morning we arrive at Aoraki/Mt Cook village ready to maximise our afternoon with a hike with day-packs up to Sealy Tarns and possibly as far as Mueller Hut. Enjoy views across two valley glaciers to the Mount Sefton icefalls and Aoraki/Mt Cook. Towering moraine walls, glacial lakes and the frequent rumbling of distant avalanches are reminders of nature’s sheer power in this dynamic landscape.
We return via the same track to our accommodation at a private hut/camp. We’re in the heart of the Southern Alps, surrounded by huge mountains of commanding presence. With luck, we can watch the summit of Aoraki/Mt Cook turn from white to pink with the sun’s last rays. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We enjoy a relaxing breakfast together with a postcard view of Aoraki/Mt Cook from our dining room window.
There is the option today of joining a local operator for a guided heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier (NZ $599).* A helicopter flight will take us onto the upper glacier where we attach crampons to our boots and marvel at the jagged landscape while exploring ice formations and ice caves.
For those not heli-hiking, join the guide for a hike up the steep glacial moraines to Red Tarns. More stunning views from here!
Those wanting to rest the legs today can either relax at the hut or visit the information centre and learn more about the park’s natural history and the feats of pioneering mountaineers. By mid-afternoon we have re-united with the heli-hikers and depart Aoraki/Mt Cook to continue our journey south through the Mackenzie Country and over Lindis Pass into the Central Otago region. We stay tonight near the shores of Lake Hawea, a glacially formed lake over 35kms in length ringed by mountains. We take the night off cooking tonight and dine at a local restaurant. Includes breakfast and lunch.
*Price correct at time of publishing.
We drive to Wanaka township this morning, grab a coffee and take a wander around this vibrant lakeside resort town before we drive along Matukituki Valley to the end of the road. We shoulder our packs and hike along the valley, perhaps opting to climb up for a view of Rob Roy Glacier. Cheeky and inquisitive kea (alpine parrots) often mingle with our group at lunchtime, so we might need to keep an eye on our gear (kea love shiny zips)!
In the afternoon, we enjoy stunning alpine views as we hike the valley to Aspiring Hut. Between high peaks we catch glimpses of the Matterhorn-like Mt Aspiring (3033m). Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We return down the valley early this morning enjoying the pretty views and easy hiking along the floor of this wide glacially formed valley. Once we are back in Wanaka we have a lakeside picnic and you may want to dive into the lake for a swim.
Next up is a remarkable drive over the Crown Range, offering breath-taking summit views of the Wakitipu Basin and lakes. By late afternoon, we’re past Te Anau and well on our way to Milford Sound.
We camp for the next two nights at the beautiful Knobs Flat campsite, relaxing and making the most of the welcome hot showers. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This morning we drive beneath imposing granite cliffs and hanging valleys into the heart of Fiordland National Park. This amazing World Heritage Site is one of the largest national parks in the world, with its huge glacial lakes of Te Anau and Manapouri and spectacular fiords.
By mid-morning, we are at Milford and ready to join one of the world’s great day-cruises. Our vessel takes us out to Anita Bay and the entrance to Milford Sound. We enjoy stunning views of cascading waterfalls and the iconic Mitre Peak, which soars 1722 metres above the sea. We keep our eyes peeled for dolphins, Fiordland crested penguins and New Zealand fur seals, which often play near our boat.
Before returning to Knobs Flat, we enjoy a hike up to Key Summit. This is the final section of the famous Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. We enjoy an informative nature walk and views of the Darran Mountains and Hollyford Valley. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
* If you have chosen the kayaking option you will be picked up at 6.30am by the kayak company to travel to Milford Sound. Paddle for 3 to 3.5 hours in double kayaks to waterfalls, spotting rare wildlife, and generally feeling dwarfed by the enormity of the fiords. On returning to land, you will be reunited with the group after their cruise.
Please advise us at the time of booking if you are interested in the kayaking option, as space is limited. Cost: NZ$125
After breakfast we take a short hike to check out a beautiful waterfall near our campsite, where you may want to soak up one last little bit of Fiordland by jumping under for a shower! We then make our final drive to Queenstown arriving in the early afternoon.
The afternoon is free for you to use as you wish. Our lodge is within easy walking distance to town. We meet up in the early evening and head out to celebrate the great hikes and adventures we have had together. Includes breakfast and lunch
Today is the end of the tour. Our guide departs early for Christchurch. For those staying on in Queenstown you will be spoilt for choice of adventure activities to try. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and is surrounded by stunning landscapes with superb hiking and cycling tracks. Don’t hesitate to ask one of our helpful team for tips on great hikes to do in the area at the conclusion of your trip.
Please let us know if you would like to book a return shuttle to Christchurch ($60 – arrives Christchurch airport at 4pm).