Guided Trekking in South Island, New Zealand

The focus is very much on walking, with walks on 15 days of the holiday. Other days are spent travelling and sightseeing. Short walks, usually on days transferring from one area to the next, are 3-4 miles, with up to 1,000 feet of ascent. Longer walks range from 5-10 miles with ascents of 1,000-2,2000 feet.

Day 1: To Auckland - Fly from London via Hong Kong to Auckland

Day 2: To Christchurch - Connect in Hong Kong and continue to Auckland

Day 3: Christchurch - Arrive in Christchurch for a 2 night stay. Free time to relax or stroll around the pleasant city.

Day 4: Christchurch - Head out to Godley Head Walkway for a walk along this coastal path accompanied by great sea views and the nesting sites of the little blue penguins.

Day 5: To Picton - Journey along the east coast to Kaikoura, for an optional whale-watching cruise (payable extra) and walk on the Kaikoura Peninsula Trail, with excellent coast and mountain views. Continue to the north of South Island and stay in Picton for 2 nights.

Day 6: Queen Charlotte Walkway - Cruise to Ship Cove and walk a classic section of the renowned Queen Charlotte Track to Resolution Bay and Furneaux Lodge. We walk through native bush and coastal path offering wonderful views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Day 7: To Nelson - We take the Queen Charlotte’s scenic drive to Nelson, where we ascend Botanical Hill to follow the ‘Centre of New Zealand Walkway’. Stay in the attractive town of Nelson for 2 nights.

Day 8: Abel Tasman National Park - Explore one of the world’s most beautiful coastal parks. We cruise into the heart of the park for a trail walk along golden beaches, around rocky headlands and through lush subtropical forests rich in birdlife.

Day 9: To Greymouth - Travel through the rugged Buller Gorge and stop at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. This afternoon we continue to Cape Foulwind and walk in the Paparoa National Park, with its natural arches and cave systems. Stay at Greymouth for 1 night.

Day 10: To Fox Glacier - Travel down the west coast, passing through former gold mining settlements, to glacier country and the town of Franz Josef for 1 night. Afternoon trek on the Fox Glacier with an expert alpine guide, for an unforgettable experience.

Day 11: To Wanaka - A morning walk on the boardwalk around Lake Matheson; the Southern Alps are often reflected in the still morning waters. Drive from the wild coast over the Haast Pass to Wanaka for a 2 night stay among the high peaks of the centre of the island.

Day 12: Mount Aspiring National Park - A full day’s walk among mountain scenery along the Matukituki river leads to great views of the Rob Roy Glacier, Mt Tyndall and the Shotover Saddle.

Day 13: To Te Anau - Travel through more beautiful scenery to Te Anau for 2 nights in the Fiordland National Park. Afternoon boat trip across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay for a walk on the Kepler Track, one of the most popular walkways in New Zealand.

Day 14: Routeburn Track day walk - Enjoy a day on a section of the Routeburn Track, walking from the Divide to Key Summit and on to Lake Howden amid glorious scenery.

Day 15: Doubtful Sound & To Queenstown - Enjoy a day in the magnificent Doubtful Sound, where peaks rise straight out of the still waters. We take a cruise across Lake Manapori to West Arm, where we might see fur seals or pods of dolphins. Late drive over the Wilmot Pass, with views of Doubtful Sound far below, and head on to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, for 3 nights.

Day 16: Queenstown - A morning to relax in Queenstown, amid beautiful scenery on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. This afternoon there will be a choice of walks around the lake offering wonderful views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 17: Moonlight Trail - An unforgettable full day’s walk over the Ben Lomond Saddle, following the trail of early gold prospectors on the Moonlight Trail.

Day 18: To Twizel - A morning to relax in Queenstown, prior to a drive via the picturesque gold rush village of Arrowtown to Cromwell.  Continue through the Lindis Pass into the legendary Mackenzie Country for 1 night.

Day 19: Mount Cook & To Christchurch - This morning is spent walking in the Mount Cook area, taking a spectacular route along the Hooker Valley, with views to Mount Wakefield, Footstool and the south face of Mount Cook. Later we head north, stopping at the lovely stone church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo, before continuing over Burke’s Pass and across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch for 1 night.

Day 20: To London - Morning free for sightseeing and last minute shopping before the flight to London via Auckland & Los Angeles.

Day 21: London - Afternoon arrival.

Milford Track Option

You can split from the main group to take the 5 day/ 4 night Milford Track walk through the heart of Fiordland from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound.

Day 13: To Milford Track, Te Anau Downs - Transfer to Te Anau Downs and take a cruise to Glade House from where we walk to the lodge for our first night and welcome briefing.

Day 14: To Pompolona Lodge (10 miles) - We cross the Clinton river and walk amidst beech forest to lunch at Hirere Falls. Continue onto the Prairie grassy plain, with spectacular views of Clinton Canyon, before the rocky climb to Marlene’s Creek and Pompolona Lodge.

Day 15: To McKinnon Pass and Quintin Hut (9 miles) - Today is a fairly challenging but extremely rewarding day’s walking, passing Mirror Lake before the zig-zag climb up Mackinnon Pass, around Mount Balloon, passing glaciers, native forests and creeks to Quintin Hut, with a visit to Sutherland Falls, the highest in the Southern Hempishere.

Day 16: To Mitre Peak (13 miles) - The last day’s walk on the Milford Track, with a long descent with views to the Lovely Lady of the Snows mountain and on past Mackay Falls, Giants Gate Waterfall and Sandfly Point before reaching Mitre Peak Lodge and the end of walk celebrations.

Day 17: To Queenstown - Morning boat cruise on Milford Sound, before travelling back to Queenstown.

Price includes:

• 4 nights' accommodation (in multi bedded rooms on the walk)
• Guided escort and briefing for full duration of track walk
• Accommodation in fully catered walk lodges, in comfortable bunk rooms with duvets, fresh towels, hot showers, soap and shampoo and more
• Hearty New Zealand-style dinners, packed lunches and large breakfasts
• Certificate of achievement and other extras

Routeburn Track Option

The Routeburn guided walk is a superb 3 day / 2 night Alpine adventure through Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks.

Day 14: To Lake Mackenzie (9 miles) - Transfer to the Divide and walk Key Summit for breathtaking Routeburn views. Descend to Lake Howden for lunch and then climb to Earland Falls, looking over to the glaciated Darran Mountains, before descending to our lodge in the serene setting of Lake Mackenzie for the night.

Day 15: To Routeburn Valley (9½ miles) - Walk into the mountains for views across the Hollyford valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea. After lunch at Harris Saddle (1,277m / 4,200ft) you can ascend Conical Hill for outstanding high peak views. Descend to the upper basin of the Routeburn Valley and the Routeburn Falls lodge for a celebration dinner.

Day 16: Routeburn Track & To Queenstown - Walk through the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats, following the river through the magnificent gorge and through columns of red beech trees to the road end. Transfer to Queenstown to meet the main group.

Price includes:

• 2 nights' accommodation (in multi bedded rooms on the walk)
• Guided escort and briefing for full duration of track walk
• Accommodation in fully catered walk lodges, in comfortable bunk rooms with duvets, fresh towels, hot showers, soap and shampoo and more
• Hearty New Zealand-style dinners, packed lunches and large breakfasts
• Certificate of achievement and other extras