New Zealand: South Island Adventure
A Hiker’s Dream Journey in Nature’s Wonderland
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $5395 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 13 days |
| Arrive: | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Depart: | Queenstown, New Zealand |
| Lodging: | 11 nights hotels, historic inns, and beachside lodges, 1 night private cabins on boat describe |
| Meals: | All meals except 2 dinners |
| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Wildlife & Natural History |
| Trip Level: |
Moderate hiking, 3-4 hours a day on hiking days (4-7 hours a day on optional Hollyford Track extension), optional sea kayaking
|
Highlights
- Hike spectacular coastal trails in Abel Tasman National Park
- Rainforest walks, overnight cruise in Milford Sound, hike on Fox Glacier
- Wonderful cuisine, fresh seafood, and delightful picnics
- Optional hiking extension on the unforgettable Hollyford Track
New Zealand is incredibly welcoming—great food, good fun, and a world of waterfalls.Lynne G.—New York, NY
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
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From the mountains to the sea, New Zealand’s entire South Island feels like one big national park—no wonder Kiwis celebrate any opportunity to “have a go” at outdoor adventure! We discover firsthand the natural beauty that inspires them as we swim among wild dolphins at Kaikoura, scramble on the towering ice formations of Fox Glacier, hike through glades of nikau palms at Paparoa, and savor the wonder of world-famed Milford Sound on a spectacular overnight cruise. Outdoor adventure abounds, yet our journey also reveals the unique culture, friendly Kiwi character, and unhurried pace of this nature-blessed land.
At the end of our odyssey, we offer an optional hike on the Hollyford Track, a journey through one of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-3
Kaikoura Coast / Swim with Dolphins / Marlborough Sounds
From Christchurch, we head north to Kaikoura, a fishing town on the stunning north coast, where snow-clad mountains make a spectacular backdrop. We walk along the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula, then head out by boat to swim with some famous local personalities—the playful dusky dolphins who frolic close to shore in pods of hundreds. With wetsuit, snorkel, and fins, we enter the world of these amazing marine creatures. Traveling to the top of the South Island, we visit Marlborough Sounds, with a picnic and wine tasting amid the chardonnay and sauvignon blanc vineyards.
Days 4-5
Abel Tasman National Park / Awaroa Lodge
A scenic journey by water taxi whisks us to glorious Abel Tasman National Park, where we hike a coastal trail through tree fern forests, onto soft, powdery wilderness beaches, past lagoons with turquoise waters, and up into headlands, with fantastic coastal views all along the way. In the extraordinary setting of Abel Tasman, we enjoy hiking, beachcombing and optional sea kayaking. Our overnights are at Awaroa Lodge, set in a 47-acre private reserve inside the park.
Days 6-7
West Coast / Paparoa National Park / Hokitika
Circling the wild West Coast, we follow trails through luxuriant rainforests at Paparoa, whose rugged coastline features spectacular cliffs, water-sculpted blowholes, and the famous limestone stacks at Punakaiki. We also visit Hokitika, a former gold mining town now the jade-carving capital of New Zealand.
Days 8-11
Fox Glacier / Wanaka / Mount Aspiring / Queenstown
The Fox Glacier, flanked by emerald rainforests and framed by the snowy giants of the Southern Alps, is the setting for our exciting glacier walk, a chance for up-close perspectives of this river of jagged ice. The longest of New Zealand’s West Coast glaciers, the Fox ends in a temperate rainforest a few miles from the sea. After a stroll around Lake Matheson with views of Mt. Cook (New Zealand’s highest peak), we head to the picturesque town of Wanaka. In the alpine grandeur of Mount Aspiring National Park, we hike through a spectacular river gorge to a natural amphitheater where hundreds of waterfalls pour from hanging sheets of ice and over vertical cliffs. On Day 11, we explore charming Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.
Days 12-13
Fiordland / Milford Sound
Overnight Cruise Set among the soaring peaks of Fiordland National Park, the watery chasm of Milford Sound is one of the world’s most sublime meetings of mountains and sea, where 4,000-foot-high walls rise directly from the water’s edge. We head out into the Sound, where we can try our hand at sea kayaking and anchor in a sheltered cove beneath towering Mount Pembroke. At dawn, the grand silence and serenity greets us as the morning light falls across the sheer granite peaks. Spending the night enveloped by the majesty of this environment is simply the best way to experience Milford Sound! Depart Day 13 via Queenstown, or join our Hollyford Track Extension.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Hollyford Track Extension
Days 13-17
Enjoy a panorama of mirror-like lakes, spectacular waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, ancient beech forest, sand dunes, surf, and plentiful birdlife while hiking from the base of the Southern Alps all the way to the Tasman Sea. At the end of each day, relax in comfortable lodges with hot showers and delightful three-course meals.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. This is a trip for people who enjoy hiking. In general you can set your own pace while hiking, and there is no need to keep up with the fastest walkers. Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents and some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. On one or two occasions, our hiking routes cross an estuary or small stream and you will likely get your shoes wet (bring some Tevas or shoes appropriate for walking through water). For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Daily walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.
Our vehicle touring is over good roads in a comfortable bus. The trip is designed to make the most of our time exploring the diverse landscapes of the South Island. We stay in a range of delightful accommodations along the way, including a charming bed-and-breakfast, a luxurious lodge accessible only by water taxi, and private cabins on a wonderful Milford Sound cruise boat.
Departures & Leaders
Feb 5-17, 2012 Chris Cochrane
Feb 19-Mar 2, 2012 Jon Imhoof
Mar 4-16, 2012 Chris Cochrane
Nov 11-23, 2012
Dec 9-21, 2012
Jan 6-18, 2013
Jan 20-Feb 1, 2013
Feb 3-15, 2013
Feb 17-Mar 1, 2013
Mar 3-15, 2013
Mar 17-29, 2013
Tour Costs
Prices valid through Spring 2012
$5395 (10-12 members)
$5795 (6-9 members)
Single supplement: $1275
Forced single supplement: $1050
Hollyford Track extension: $1525 per person
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- Accommodations as noted
- All meals except 2 dinners
- Land and boat transportation as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- Airport departure transfer to Queenstown airport
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, airport transfer on arrival in Christchurch, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional activities, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.).Waves on the Esplanade
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Kaikoura, New Zealand
Kaikoura is a quiet town spread out along the coastline, and the ocean views are sensational from our accommodation, with its great location on ...
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Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Hotel
Day 3 (1 night), Nelson, New Zealand
With a waterside setting on the Waimea Estuary outside Nelson, the Grand Mercure is a new resort laid out like an English village, complete with ...
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Awaroa Lodge
Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Kaiteriteri, Abel Tasman Nat'l Park, New Zealand
The location of this place can’t be beat—it is surrounded by native bush and pristine beaches right in the heart of Abel Tasman National ...
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Punakaiki Resort
Day 6 (1 night), Paparoa National Park, New Zealand
With a stunning location on Punakaiki Beach next to the Pancake Rocks, this is the perfect place for us to stop after our day’s drive along ...
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The Westhaven
Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), Fox Glacier Township, New Zealand
A minute’s walk from the cafes and pubs in the “one street” town of Fox Glacier Township, the Westhaven is a nice new motel with ...
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Te Wanaka Lodge
Days 9 to 10 (2 nights), Wanaka, New Zealand
This is a cozy B&B with great hosts in the quiet lakeside town of Wanaka. The rooms are small but very clean and nicely decorated. Tea and cake ...
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Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel
Day 11 (1 night), Queenstown, New Zealand
The Novotel has a perfect location directly on Queenstown’s picturesque lakefront. In the heart of town but on a quiet side street, it has ...
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Milford Mariner
Day 12 (1 night), Milford Sound, New Zealand
For our overnight cruise in spectacular Milford Sound, we have comfortable private cabins with en suite bathrooms on the 60-passenger Milford ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Chris Cochrane hails from Sydney, Australia, where he spent four years training as a chef. After graduation, he traveled to New Zealand to further his career. Upon arrival in Queenstown, he realized his chosen path was not the one he really wanted and set out to retrain himself for a life in the ...
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Jon Imhoof has a degree in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii, where he first began leading hiking and sailing trips in the 1980s. He moved to Queenstown, New Zealand in 1989. Jon has been an innovator in adventure tourism, starting the first river-surfing company in the world in ...
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Client Comments
New Zealand is incredibly welcoming—great food, good fun, and a world of waterfalls.Lynne G., New York, NY
The trip was spectacular. Like other WT trips, the itinerary started out amazing and seemed to get more spectacular every day. I would encourage anyone to go on this trip!Candace S., Palo Alto, CA
I think this trip allowed me to see places and have experiences that I would not have seen or done on a do-it-yourself trip. This was a wonderful trip with a great group of people.Linda S., Benicia, CA
The variety of hikes, scenery, and activities together with a great Trip Leader made this a fabulous trip.Heidi A., APO, AE
We’ve traveled a lot and this was one of the very best trips ever!Howard G., Bethesda, MD
Good trip design combined with the island’s natural beauty made this one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken.Josephus N., Seattle, WA
I may repeat this trip in the future. I bet I will be telling my children and grandchildren about this trip.Matt P., Cape May, NJ
One of the best trips of all time.Ken P., Santa Barbara, CA
I felt that I was able to see all the highlights of the South Island on this one trip!Darrell B., Menlo Park, CA
One of the best trips of a lifetime!Donald H., Farmington, CT
This was just about the most perfectly planned, executed, and delivered tour I have ever been on. The pace, scenic hikes, lunch picnics, dinner barbecues, cafes, and hotels were all so well planned and the food all along the way was over the top delicious. It was just awesome!Marlene S., Washington, DC





