Discover New Zealand

Discover New Zealand Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Christchurch, New Zealand. Arrive at the airport mid-morning in Christchurch, a city of gardens and stone architecture. Your exact itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures’ air department. We arrange a group transfer to accommodate all arriving trip members, usually at 11 a.m. Then we head west, stopping for lunch as we cross the Southern Alps. It’s a 4-½ hour drive to the west coast and we follow the scenic coastal road. We arrive in the early evening in the gorgeous seaside village of Punakaiki, where we’ll spend the night. We may see some local glowworms (larvae that create a light to lure prey to their web-like threads) in a grotto behind the hotel! Hiking: 1-4 miles. Lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2

  After a good breakfast, we start the day with a hike into Paparoa National Park through temperate rainforest and under steep limestone bluffs to some great coastal views. The rainforest in this area is unbelievably lush and the eroded limestone canyons and distant hazy mountains of Paparoa National Park make this an awesome day hike. We’ll also follow the Truman Track to a small surf beach and visit the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes – stacked flat limestone formations that shoot geysers toward heaven when high tides coincide with westerly swells. In the late afternoon, we drive to the bird watcher’s paradise of Okarito, where we stay in a simple, private motel for two nights.  Hiking: 5 miles, 3-4 hours, 500’ elevation gain. 3 ½ hours driving time.  All meals included.

• Day 3

  The Okarito Lagoon is host to the only white heron colony in New Zealand and it’s the country’s only unmodified tidal inlet. With orchids, rainforest and more than 70 species of birds, it is sometimes compared to the Amazon. Spend three plus hours moving at your own pace on a self-guided sea kayaking trail in the lagoon, surrounded by magnificent rimu and kahikatea rain forest with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Time allowing we’ll explore the deserted beach or hike in the rainforest. Sunsets here are not to be missed! After dark, we might head out to listen for New Zealand’s most famous bird, the rare and elusive kiwi. It’s very rare to see one – they’re shy nocturnal birds – but they have a distinctive call. Hiking: up to 6 miles, 500’ elevation gain; Sea kayaking: 3-4 hours. (No driving today.)  All meals included.

• Day 4

  Today we’re going to visit the great glaciers of the South Island. We’ll take a hike (good weather dependent) through the rainforest up to Robert’s Point, overlooking the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier, unique in that the enormous river of ice cuts right through the rainforest, dropping 7,000 feet, almost to sea level. It is easily the steepest and fastest moving glacier in New Zealand. In rainy weather, we’ll substitute a shorter walk to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier, hike around Lake Matheson (famous for its reflections of New Zealand’s highest peaks, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman) and visit the Blue Pools near Haast Pass. Then we’ll cross the Main Divide to Makarora, and stay in a beautifully situated homestead booked exclusively for REI Adventures. Hiking: up to 6 miles, 1500’ elevation gain, 5 hours. 4 ½ hours driving time. All meals included. 

• Day 5

  An early morning start takes us down the Makarora Valley, which borders Mount Aspiring National Park, to Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. We cross the spectacular Crown Range, following the highest main road in New Zealand, which offers fascinating views of mountains and gold mine history. We’ll arrive in Queenstown (in the area where “Lord of the Rings” was filmed) in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, the guides will help you book optional activities for the following day. We spend two nights in Queenstown. 2-½ hours driving time.  All meals included.

• Day 6

  Hold onto your hat! We have a free day in Queenstown, which is called the “adrenaline capital of the world!” Consider these optional activities: jet boating, bungy jumping, horse trekking, beautiful hiking or bike riding. Or simply enjoy the sidewalk cafes in Queenstown, wine tasting or shopping for fine New Zealand sweaters. Breakfast only included. Lunch, dinner and activities on your own today.

• Day 7

  We start the day by taking what has been called one of the finest alpine drives in the world – through the Southern Alps, on to Te Anau and through to the divide. Here we start our hike up to Lake Marion that opens up to breathtaking views of the rugged peaks surrounding us. The scenery here just gets better with each step. Then it's a drive through the Homer Tunnel and down to Milford Sound where lush rainforest carpeting the lower slopes of the mountains gives way to the massively steep, glacier-carved slopes and waterfalls of the Darren Range. We spend the night at the very rustic Milford Lodge - literally the only place in town. The lodge is quite basic, very similar to a European-style mountain hut, and has an international flavor by hosting travelers from around the world. (It also has shared bathrooms - male and female separate). Hiking: 3-4 hours, 500’ elevation gain. 5 hours driving time. All meals included.

• Day 8

  When you tell people you've been to New Zealand, most will say, "Did you see Milford Sound!?!" Rated the 8th Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound (a World Heritage site) is the most stunning fjord in a park full of stunning fjords. This is a magical place surrounded by snow-capped mountains where sheer rock walls plunge thousands of feet to the sea and friendly seals and dolphins are eager to visit. Most people see Milford Sound from the deck of a ship, cruising out to the sea and back again. We have a better way - gliding three feet above the waterline in sea kayaks. The exuberance of our morning paddle will likely carry over to lunch conversations at the lodge. Then we retrace our drive through the tunnel to Te Anau, stopping on the way for a hike on the famous Routeburn Track up to Key Summit, to soak up the expansive views of the Darren Mountains and the glacial valleys of Fiordland National Park.  We'll spend the night at Lake Manapouri Inn, offering great views from all the rooms. Sea kayaking: 4 hours. Hiking: 2-3 miles, 1000' elevation gain. 2 hours driving time. All meals included.

• Day 9

  Those with the extra energy can start the day with an early morning optional walk. Then we head to a high country working sheep station near Mt Cook, stopping at Queenstown for lunch (on your own today). We spend two nights in genuine shearers’ quarters on 60,000-acre Braemar Station, only fitting since New Zealand is a country of about 4 million people and 40 million sheep. It’s not a five-star hotel but it has million dollar views. You’ll love watching Mount Cook as the sun sets and stars of the Southern Hemisphere shine bright on clear nights (no competing lights around!). Optional easy walks. 5 ½ hours driving.  Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 10

  It’s an hour’s drive to Mt Cook village at the head of Lake Pukaki, where we begin hiking. Most of the day is spent hiking up to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier to admire the incredible views of Mount Cook, Mount Sefton and the rest of the Main Divide – alpine views that rank among the best in the world. Once you catch your breath, you’ll have no trouble understanding why native Maoris consider Mt. Cook a hallowed place (they call it Aoraki or “Cloud Piercer”). We head back to the shearer’s quarters for our last night and farewell dinner.  Hiking: 5 miles, 4000’ elevation gain. 2 hours driving time. All meals included. 

• Day 11

  Christchurch is a four-hour drive from the high country sheep station, so we plan to leave by 9 a.m., to arrive at the airport in the early afternoon, giving those departing on evening flights time to check-in. Head home relaxed and re-energized from spending so much time in an environment of rare beauty.  4 hours driving time. Breakfast and picnic lunch included.
  
  Extend your stay with our Tasmania Hiking Extension. We are happy to offer two guided hiking trips in Tasmania. Each trip includes accommodations (double occupancy), all meals and leadership.
  
  Bay of Fires: 4 day guided walk in Mt. William National Park.
  Cradle Mountain: 6 day guided walk in Cradle MT / Lake St Clair National Park
  
  More details may be found at www.cradlehuts.com.au. REI Adventures can book either of these for you. Please call for details and current pricing.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available.  If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement.  Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available AND not all lodging allows for a single room.

All accommodations; all sea kayaking equipment, sleeping bags, meals as noted in the daily itinerary, scheduled airport transfers,ground transportation, sightseeing arrangements as noted in the itinerary, entrance fees, permits,  experience local guide.

Airfare; 2 lunches and 1 dinner; optional excursions; cost of medical immunizations; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; NZ airport departure tax; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good, physical condition and has done some previous hiking. You need to be comfortable hiking 4-6 hours a day (up to 8 miles.) The sea kayaking is designed for beginners. We ask that trip members assist with loading and unloading the van and with easy kitchen chores. The trip leaders are responsible for meal preparation.

The New Zealand late spring and summer is November through the end of March. Daytime temperatures range in the 70s, with rain more than likely on the west coast. Seasons are opposite from North America.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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