Secret South Custom Tour

We prepare for our first overnight hike at the campsite this morning, before taking the short drive up to Borland Saddle. Beech forest aligns the track before we ascend onto the gentle tussock peaks of the Hunter Range, where we gradually climb to Mt Burns. From here we navigate along the tops, enjoying striking views of the granite peaks of southern Fiordland across the dark colours of Green Lake. Tarns (small mountain lakes) are dotted along the route and wild deer are prominent in the area. Eventually we drop down into beech forest from the tops and link up with the southern shore of Green Lake, which leads us to a cosy mountain hut. Feel free to take a dip in the frigid waters of the lake before settling down in front of the hut fire for the night. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Take the early morning for yourself and wander the bay, have a leisurely breakfast or sleep a little longer. Curio Bay is home to one of the world's best examples of a fossilised forest, which lies on a tidal platform at the north end of the bay and contains fossilised tree stumps and logs, destroyed in a volcanic eruption 180 million years ago. Feel free to wander up for a look this morning with your guide. We usually leave Curio Bay around mid morning and drive along the scenic coastal route, stopping to do short walks and to take in some of the sites along the way. In the afternoon your guide will drop the group off at the idyllic Surat Bay, where sea lions often bask in the sand. Walk along the bay and meet your guide at our exclusive campsite in Cannibal Bay, named after human bones were discovered in an old earth oven here over 100 years ago. Help your guide to prepare tonight'’s dinner,– a hangi feast,– before taking a short drive to view native hoiho (yellow eyed penguins) as they make their way up the beach after a hard day at sea. We then return to the campsite, light a campfire, dig up dinner and get stuck in. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast we drive north through the high country, passing over the dramatic Lindis Pass. This is sheep rearing country, and is home to some of the countries largest sheep stations, often farming the rugged merino breed. Turning off the main road, we drive to secluded Lake Ohau, stopping to have lunch and a swim if the sun is shining. This is also where we ditch the van and head into the hills once more for an overnight adventure. It normally takes a couple of hours to hike up through beech forest beside the mountain stream of Freehold Creek, to a quiet campsite just below the tree line. Pitch a tent and take a seat around the campfire as you listen to the creeks waters rush past. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Enjoy the short drive to Mt. Cook Village as we venture north through the Mackenzie Country and along the shores of the mystic blue waters of Lake Pukaki. Grab your daypack and join your guide for a hike up the well formed track to Sealey Tarns and Mueller Hut. The higher you climb, the more impressive the views as you ascend above the Mueller Glacier and stare straight up the Hooker Valley to the commanding presence of Aoraki/Mt.Cook. Watch out for kea (native alpine parrot) soaring off the cliffs and observe ice and rock fall off the bulking east face of Mt. Sefton from the safe side of the valley. The section up to Mueller Hut is slightly more challenging, but the views on a clear day are worth the effort. For those more content to stay on the flats, there are a number of easier options, including a gentle hike up the Hooker Valley or a wander through the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre –located in the luxurious Hermitage Hotel. Tonight we camp in a sheltered site at the southern tip of Lake Pukaki, with regal views across the lake of the Aoraki/Mt. Cook massif. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Before walking back to the van, spend a few hours with your guide exploring the water caves located just above the hut. More like big rocks than caves, this is a really fun time and even though you get a bit wet, everyone always loves it. Return to the hut to dry off before walking out via an easy mountain track. Make sure you keep an eye out for karearea (New Zealand falcon) if you haven'’t seen them from the hut already. The track descends down through various sequences of alpine vegetation and passes by an old coal mine where relics still sit in their original place. Have a quick bite of lunch and a bit of a sort out before driving across the sun drenched plains to the city of Christchurch, where your guide will drop you off at your accommodation. Get your glad rags on and head out for a group dinner in one of the cities new restaurants. Includes breakfast and lunch.