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Pure South Adventure

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Tour Details

Start

Start: Queenstown 9.00am at Ramada Hotel Queenstown Central, LQ Hotel or 9.30am at Queenstown International Airport

Finish

Finish: Queenstown International Airport at 5:00pm or at your hotel in the city approximately 5:30pm

DEPARTURE DATES

20, 27 October, 2025
10, 24 November, 2025
8, 22, 29 December, 2025
5, 12, 19, 26 January, 2026
2, 16 February, 2026
2, 9, 16, 30 March, 2026
6 April, 2026
26 October, 2026
9, 16, 23 November, 2026
28 December, 2026
11, 25 January, 2027
8, 22 February, 2027
8, 22 March, 2027
5 April, 2027

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
Adult NZD $9,799.00

Days

7 days

Fitness grade

Grade: B
("Soft Adventure" with an element of challenge)
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When booking your flights, please make sure you:

Arrive on day one to Queenstown no later than 8:30am International 9:00am Domestic  
Depart on the final day from Queenstown no earlier than 7.00pm International 6.00pm Domestic

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Transport

Each day we'll drive between 0.5 and 3 hours to reach our next destination. Our trips are carefully planned to give you the most time exploring the outdoors and any travel is always broken up with hikes, activities and coffee/bathroom breaks. You'll bring your small day pack with you inside the vehicle, with just your hiking essentials (jacket, water bottle, sun hat etc) and will be all you will need to carry with you when you are out exploring. Your luggage will stay in the vehicle until we reach our accommodation for the evening. 

Additional Costs

Airport transfers
Travel insurance
Visas
Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner.

We recommend that you bring NZD $40 per person per day for any extras you might want to purchase during your trip like coffees and treats at rest stops, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages with lunches and dinners, and souvenirs. Most places will accept Visa or MasterCard so you don’t need cash for everything. You’ll be able to withdraw money at the airport or by using the ATM’s in the towns we visit.

Grading & Fitness

Grade: B
Up to 4-5 hours of physical activity per day (average walking distance each day is 9km)
At times carrying a backpack of 4-5kgs (8-10 lbs)
Tracks generally in good condition
Altitude gains of up to 600m (2000ft) on harder days
No hiking experience necessary

Accommodation

On the Pure South Adventure trip, you'll sleep soundly in comfortable accommodations that we have chosen specifically for their fantastic locations. You’ll meet friendly hosts and have a private ensuite room each night.

What to Take

We visit alpine regions on our tours and can encounter cold weather any time of the year. Most people underestimate how much the temperatures can vary in New Zealand even in mid-summer. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.

Essential Items for walking:

  • A good waterproof rain jacket (Gore-tex or similar)
  • 2-3 non-cotton base layers (top and bottom);  polypropylene, or merino. We use and recommend Merino wool.
  • Long sleeve polypropylene or merino
  • Polar Tec or similar windproof fleece jacket / sweater
  • Down jacket
  • Waterproof rain pants (optional)
  • 2 lightweight, quick dry long pants or shorts (no denim)
  • 1 pair hiking boots or strong walking shoes (waterproof, with ankle support)
  • 3 pairs thick walking socks
  • Warm hat (beanie/toque)
  • Gloves
  • Sunhat/cap
  • Water bottle or camelbak - minimum 2 litres (1 or 2 bottles)
  • Dry bag for clothes / valuables
  • Midsized backpack - You can bring one large suitcase or duffel bag (15kg (33lb) - 30kg (66lb)) that will go in the vehicle when we
    travel between locations – this will be whatever bag you check in for your flight. You should also bring a day pack, this is a small hiking pack around 25L – 30L. It should fit your water bottle, camera, wallet, suncream, medication, warm layers, rain protection, lunch (usually a sandwich, sweet treat and fruit) & anything else you may want to take on your day hikes.
  • Walking poles (if you use them)

Casual Clothing:

  • 1 pair jeans or other casual trousers
  • 1 pair shorts (or a skirt)
  • 2 tops/shirts
  • 2 button up front long sleeve shirts
  • 1 sleep shirt & sleep shorts (or whatever you sleep in)
  • 1 light sweatshirt or long-sleeve t-shirt
  • 1 swimming suit
  • Underwear
  • 3 pairs socks both thin and thick
  • 1 pair sport sandals (like Teva’s) and 1 pair casual trainers

Other Items:

  • Motion sickness tablets
  • Toiletries/medications
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent and lip balm
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera and binoculars
  • Spare bootlaces
  • Reusable coffee cup if you want to purchase hot drinks while you're out and about
Guides & Safety

Safety is always our top priority. We take great pride in our impeccable safety record and our safety management plans. Your guides are highly experienced outdoors professionals who are first aid qualified and fully equipped with a satellite phone, personal locator beacon; and first aid kit. Our trips have direct access to our highly experienced operations team and other outside services 24 hours a day.

Do I need to pay extra if I am travelling alone?
There is no additional charge for solo travellers on our trips. If you are a solo traveller, as many of our guests are, we will team you up with another solo traveller of the same sex to share with for the duration of your trip. If you would like to guarantee your own room as a solo traveller, then there is the option to pay for a single supplement.
Changes to rooming configuration cannot be changed within 90 days of departure.
What can I do with my extra gear during my trip?
You'll bring your small day pack with you inside the vehicle, with just your hiking essentials (jacket, water bottle, sun hat etc) and will be all you will need to carry with you when you are out exploring. Your luggage will stay in the vehicle until we reach our accommodation for the evening.
You can bring one large suitcase or duffel bag (15kg (33lb) - 30kg (66lb)) that will go in the vehicle when we travel between locations – this will be whatever bag you check in for your flight. You should also bring a day pack, around 25L – 30L.
Will I be fit enough?
The Pure South Adventure is designed for people who want to experience New Zealand's incredible array of outdoor adventures with the flexibility to explore at a pace that's right for you. With your two New Zealand guides you'll always have easier or more challenging options available so you can scale your activity level up or down to suit your preference. On the Pure South trip, you will walk between 3 to 5 hours each day on well-formed tracks. The average distance walked each day is 9km/5.6mi.
Who is in my group?
Our guests are like-minded people from Australia, the UK, Canada and America, and come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. On average, we have a 50/50 split between men and women, with several single travellers on each trip as well as couples and friends travelling together.
How far in advance do I need to book?
The sooner the better for tours departing in the peak season (November to April). We get many advance bookings so it is important to book early to avoid disappointment.
Can I charge my electronics while on tour?
Yes, all of the places we stay on the Pure South Adventure trip have electricity and you'll be able to charge your electronics as needed.
Will we have access to Wifi?
Yes – we are well-connected in New Zealand! You will have access to the internet, at your accommodation whether free or for a small fee, every night on your trip. While New Zealand is quite tech savvy the wifi at some accommodation may not be of the speed you are used to back home.

I don't really want to bike, can I do something else?
If biking isn't really your thing, no worries! We have lots of guests join us who prefer to walk instead of bike. The trails we bike on are shared walking/biking trails so you'll be able to join your guide on a walk of the Arrow River Trail instead of biking if you'd like.

How much outdoors experience to I need?
You certainly don’t need any technical outdoors experience to enjoy your New Zealand Trails trip. If you enjoy being out and about in the outdoors and are a generally active person who enjoys hobbies like walking, cycling, golf, tennis or dancing then you will have no problems at all with the walks and activities on your trip.
You will need some biking experience to complete the bike ride on your trip. The trail is an undulating gravel track that is rated as an “easy” trail ride but you’ll need to have done some biking before to comfortably and safely take part in the bike rides. The activities on our trips are very flexible and many of our guests opt to walk instead of bike. The trails we bike on are shared walking/biking trails so you’ll be able to enjoy a walk with your guide if you prefer.
What will the weather be like?
We visit alpine regions on our tours and can encounter cold weather any time of the year. Most people underestimate how much the temperatures can vary in New Zealand even in mid-summer. The temperature ranges you can expect are:
October – November (Spring): 5 – 19C ( 41 – 66F)
December – February (Summer): 10 – 30C (50 – 86F)
March – April (Autumn/Fall): 5 – 19C ( 41 – 66F)

The best way to dress for our weather is by wearing multiple layers of clothing, rather than one thick layer. As a rule, wool, silk and synthetic fabrics are recommended as they wick moisture and dry quickly. For safety reasons, our guides will not let you hike in cotton or denim.

Booking Conditions

Please indicate when booking if you would like to participate in the Glacier Heli Hiking or the Glacier Lake Boat Tour (Day 6).

The nature of our trips and travelling in the outdoors means that itineraries are subject to change and should be treated as indicative only. The operator reserves the right to amend itineraries before or during any trip. This is sometimes necessary due to the nature of the New Zealand great outdoors and weather events, for example. Some trips are dependent on external suppliers for some activities, and the cancellation or substitution of any given activity does not give rise to a breach of contract and is not considered a cancellation by us.

Payment:
For bookings four or more months before the departure, a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days before your trip. For bookings within four months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:

90 days or more: loss of deposit, or transfer to a future departure date should you elect to change your booking in place of cancellation.
89 to 60 days: 50% of tour price forfeited.
59 days or less: 100% of tour price forfeited.
There will be no partial refunds or credits for unused services within a tour. Any unpaid forfeited amount may be pursued as a debt.

Travel Insurance

We suggest clients take out comprehensive travel insurance.

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