Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Saturday evening, arriving in Auckland early Monday morning. You’ll lose a day crossing the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! It’s a short flight from Auckland to Christchurch on the South Island where we’ll meet you. We then head to Lake Tekapo for a hike along the lakeshore before emerging above the treeline on Mt. John for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then we’ll carry on to the remote and beautiful Lake Ohau Lodge. The lodge is tucked in beside an alpine lake, with stunning views stretching across to Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps – the ideal spot to soak in the hot tub and star gaze! Today is a relaxed introduction to New Zealand. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably find jetlag is no big deal. For instance, it’s a 12 to 13-hour direct overnight flight from the west coast of the USA to Auckland so you’ll appreciate the gentle start to your New Zealand adventure. Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge. Includes lunch and dinner.
Nestled against the hills, Lake Ohau Lodge has a special reputation for high country hospitality and contemporary high country food. From the lodge, enjoy panoramic views overlooking the alpine lake up to the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook. A restaurant, bar and spa pool will add to your experience of this uniquely Kiwi lodge.
After a late breakfast on the balcony overlooking Lake Ohau, we’ll take an impressive hike at the head of Lake Pukaki, up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake complete with icebergs! This is a great spot for lunch and on a clear day, the views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, are stunning. We’ll return to the lodge where we’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
An option today is to spend the day skiing at the small and friendly Ohau Ski Area, one of the South Island’s more remote backcountry ski fields (gear rental not included). Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Enjoy a second night in comfort at Lake Ohau Lodge, with panoramic views of the lake and the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook.
After leaving Wānaka, we’ll venture up the Matukituki Valley and hike two to three hours into Mt. Aspiring National Park to reach our home for the evening – a spacious mountain hut nestled in a valley in the middle of nowhere. The track meanders past majestic peaks, fresh mountain streams, and natural beech forest. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and some food, so your pack won’t weigh much more than a regular day pack. The scenery is off the charts with Mt. Aspiring rising 3033 meters (9951 feet) into the blue sky. It’s amazing how far you’ll feel from civilization after this relatively short walk! Tonight your guide will whip up dinner in the backcountry kitchen while you relax by the fire. Accommodation: Mt Aspiring Hut (Mt Aspiring National Park) . Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Aspiring Hut is an historic stone hut in the spectacular Matukituki Valley. Its large picture windows offer a tantalising partial view of Mt Aspiring with full views of the spectacular mountain ranges just a short walk away. Facilities are basic but comfortable, with bunk beds, mattresses, wood stove, common room, and flush toilets.
We have a leisurely start today, enjoying breakfast and a cuppa while admiring the view, before hiking back to the trailhead. Along the way, we might encounter the cheeky kea – they’re really inquisitive and like to get pretty close at times! After regrouping in Wānaka, we'll head out for a bike ride along the lakeshore, and then it’s a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, our base for the next couple of days. Accommodation: Heritage Hotel, Queenstown. Includes breakfast and lunch.
The vistas from Heritage Queenstown are awe-inspiring - soak in the view of the towering Remarkables mountain range, rising from the rippling waters of Lake Wakatipu from the comfort of the hotel. Crafted from centuries-old schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel is the perfect place to relax after a day adventure.
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here, including horse trekking, a gondola, fishing, winery tours, a historic steamship, bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere by the fire at one of the local cafés or pubs. Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today. Alternatively, you can go skiing or snowboarding for the day at one of four nearby ski areas (approximate cost US$150 for ski or snowboard hire, transport and lift pass – available as snow conditions suit, generally from June to September). Accommodation: Heritage Hotel. No meals included.
Enjoy a second night at the Heritage Hotel, Queenstown. With inspiring mountain and lake views, it is your superbly comfortable base from which to explore this vibrant resort town.
After breakfast, you’ll travel to Lake Te Anau to hike the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’. Unlike most of the other ‘Great Walks’, which evolved from Māori greenstone trails or pioneer exploration routes, the Kepler Track was custom-made, built for pleasure rather than necessity. The track has been carefully crafted to show walkers all the very best features of Fiordland, from the prolific bird life and tussock high country, to the huge mountain ranges and vast glacier-carved valleys. This evening you’ll take a boat journey across Lake Te Anau to a glittering grotto of glow worms. These fascinating bugs light the way in a 200 metre system of caves, underground waterfalls, sculpted walls and swirling pools. From the darkness of the glow worm caves, you’ll head back into the light of Te Anau where you'll stay the night. Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Enjoy the quiet setting of Matai Lodge as you gaze over the spectacular backdrop of the Fiordland mountain ranges. The Lodge offers modern and comfortable ensuite studio rooms with a communal living area only available to guests of the Lodge.
This morning you’ll head towards Milford Sound on one of the most dramatically scenic drives in the world. You’ll pass through the Eglinton Valley, and wind your way through the mountains of Fiordland. Your drive takes you through the Homer Tunnel, an astounding feat of human engineering which must be seen to be believed. Once you arrive you’ll have the opportunity to explore Milford Sound and hopefully spot some friendly fur seals and dolphins. You’ll jump on board a boat cruise, where you’ll gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around, and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. This afternoon, you’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot to check out some of its endemic flora and fauna, like the kea (Nestor notabilis), New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and intelligent alpine parrot and the kotukutuku (Fuchsia excorticate), the world’s largest fuchsia. Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Enjoy a second night at the relaxing Matai Lodge in Te Anau.
This morning, you’ll journey past beautiful rolling farmland and around the edge of Lake Wakatipu back to Queenstown. You’ll have a couple of hours to spare here to catch up on some shopping, grab a coffee or head off on a local hike - your guides will have plenty of suggestions. Lunch today is an opportunity for you to explore more of the outstanding food scene in Queenstown by yourselves - ask your guides about their favourite places to eat! Afterwards you’ll head through the stunning Southern Lakes district and over the Haast Pass to the West Coast – a long stretch of gorgeous, rugged coastline with a population of only 40,000 people. You’ll mingle with the ‘coasters’ tonight in the tiny township of Haast, exchanging tales of your adventures at the local pub in front of a roaring fire. Accommodation: Heartland World Heritage Hotel, Haast. Includes breakfast and dinner.
Dwarfed by the mountains, rivers, beaches and lush rainforest of the South Westland World Heritage Area, the Heartland Hotel Haast provides the perfect resting spot. The warm and comfortable accommodation, roaring fire and delicious cuisine options, ensure a welcoming stay. The hotel offers a café, bar and restaurant, as well as free wifi.
This morning, we’ll journey up the wild West Coast, stopping on a deserted beach to stretch our legs and keep an eye out for friendly dolphins passing by. We'll make our way to Fox Glacier where we'll walk along the South Side Walkway to view a glimpse of the 13-kilometre glacier, located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The track follows the south bank of the Fox River through ancient podocarp rainforest, making its way gently up the valley crossing ancient glacial moraine surfaces. The track winds gently downhill through the rainforest before encountering a view point of Fox Glacier (Te Moeka o Tuawe). Afterwards, we'll settle into our accommodation in Fox Glacier. Accommodation: Heartland Hotel, Fox Glacier. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We'll head toward the coast and enjoy a short loop walk around Lake Matheson where you’ll be rewarded with awesome vistas of the Southern Alps. As we had back toward the carpark, we'll branch off and walk toward Lake Gault, another small glacial lake surrounded by vegetation. On a still day, the peaks are perfectly reflected on the surface of Lake Gault, so we may opt to walk Lake Gault first as the best time for this is in the morning!
After our excursion, we'll make our way further north to Franz Josef, where we'll spend two days exploring the area. With some 140 glaciers making their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is fittingly known as glacier country. Few sights equal the spectacle of two of these giant frozen rivers (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) imperceptibly grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level. Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Set amongst six acres of native bush in the heart of Franz Josef township, the Rainforest Retreat offers truly unique, spacious and stylish accommodation. Nestled in the rainforest, a range of accommodation embraces the surrounding environment and offers either forest floor or mid-canopy native bush views.
This morning we’ll make a short journey over to Okarito, a little-known beach community on the coast. We’ll take to the water in sea kayaks and glide along the picturesque lagoon, set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host of other interesting birds. Once back in Franz Josef, you’ll have the option to take a hike or relax in the hot tub, before enjoying dinner on your own. Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Enjoy a second night at Rainforest Retreat.
This morning, we’ll travel along the coast to check out local art galleries and a pounamu carving workshop (pounamu is Māori for jade) in Hokitika. After lunch, we carry on to Punakaiki, where we’ll hike the Inland Pack Track through temperate rainforest and limestone canyons in the footsteps of the gold miners who established this trail over a century ago. While we’re in Punakaiki, we’ll also check out the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – aptly named limestone formations that have been sculpted through relentless pounding by the Tasman Sea. Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner for the last night of your trip. Accommodation: Scenic Hotel, Punakaiki. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Located within the Paparoa National Park and with stunning views of the Tasman Sea, Scenic Hotel, Punakaiki offers comfortable, environmentally friendly accommodation. The resort is situated only 300m from the famous Punakaiki Blowholes. Rooms are spacious and modern ensuring your evenings are spent in comfort.
We’ll leave after breakfast for the beautiful journey over Arthurs Pass to Christchurch. This is the last day of your trip, and we’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand’s winter landscape. Includes breakfast and lunch dinner.
