Guided Touring in New Zealand

A good balance between part and full day walks, travelling and sightseeing. Guided walks range from 3 to 4 miles with minimal ascent. On a few days there are also optional harder walks of up to 9 miles and 2,200 feet of ascent.

Day 1: To Auckland - Fly from London to Auckland via Hong Kong/Los Angeles.

Day 2: Auckland - Connect in Hong Kong/Los Angeles and continue to Auckland.

Day 3: Auckland - Morning arrival in Auckland and transfer to the hotel for 2 nights. The afternoon is free to unwind and stroll in the attractive harbourside city.

Day 4: Rangitoto Island - Take a cruise through Waitemata Harbour to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, landing at Rangitoto Island for a walk with splendid ocean views.

Day 5: Waitomo and Rotorua - Morning journey south, stopping to visit the Waitomo caves, with its enchanting glow-worm grotto. We then continue to Rotorua for 2 nights, the centre of Maori traditions and an area of thermal springs and volcanic activity.

Day 6: Rotorua - A full day’s exploration of the remarkable Waimangu Thermal Valley, with its amazing geological activity. See the bubbling pools of Waimanhu Cauldron, Lake Rotomahana, the pink and white terraces and a cruise on Lake Tarawera to the buried village of Te Wairoa. Enjoy your evening with a traditional Maori hangi.

Day 7: To Tongariro - Morning visit to the Maori village of Ohinemutu, the historic St Faiths church, followed by a leisurely and scenic drive past Lake Taupo to the Tongariro National Park for 2 nights.

Day 8: Tongariro National Park - Choose from a selection of walks in this spectacular park dominated by three volcanic peaks. Possibilities include Taranaki Falls or, depending on the weather, the complete Tongariro Crossing, often described as the best one day walk in New Zealand.

Day 9: To South Island - Journey to Wellington and take the ferry across the Cook Strait, with views of Queen Charlotte Sound, to Picton on the South Island where we stay for 2 nights.

Day 10: Queen Charlotte Walkway - Cruise to Ship Cove from where we take an unforgettable walk on the Queen Charlotte Track to Resolution Bay and Furneaux Lodge, which leads through native bush and provides regular views of Marlborough Sound.

Day 11: To Greymouth - Travel towards the rugged west coast, stopping in the Nelson Lakes National Park, taking a short walk at Cape Foulwind to see the colony of fur seals, and enjoying another short walk at Paparoa National Park to see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Arrive at Greymouth for 1 night.

Day 12: To Fox Glacier - Head along the west coast to see the spectacular Franz Josef and Fox glaciers and stay for 1 night. Take walks over the glacial moraine to the viewpoints of the glaciers, descending from the ice caps surrounding Mount Cook. An optional helicopter flight over the ice cap is available.

Day 13: To Queenstown - Morning journey past deserted beaches and tiny settlements, over the Haast Pass, with short walks at Thunder Falls and the Gates of Haast en route to vibrant Queenstown, with its spectacular location on Lake Wakatipu, for a 4 night stay.

Day 14: Queenstown - A free day in Queenstown to enjoy walks in the local area or take part in one of the many activities that are available in this adventure capital of the world. Evening meal in the Skyline restaurant high above the town.

Day 15: Queenstown - Take lakeshore walks to Bob’s Cove or Lake Dispute, accompanied by pristine scenery and a variety of flora and birdlife.

Day 16: Queenstown - Excellent walking again in the Queenstown area, including the Moonlight Trail over the Ben Lomond Saddle to follow the route of the early gold prospectors, or the Frankton Arm Track for excellent views towards the Remarkables range.

Day 17: To Te Anau - A short journey south to the Fiordland National Park and a boat trip across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay for a walk on the Kepler Track, one of the most popular routes in New Zealand. Stay for 3 nights in Te Anau.

Day 18: Te Anau - A leisurely walk to Rainbow Reach or around Lake Gunn, or a higher level walk on part of the Routeburn Track.

Day 19: Milford Sound - A full day at the beautiful Milford Sound, with a launch trip on the deep fjord waters between sheer granite cliffs, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls.

Day 20: To Twizel - We head back north again, to the gold rush village of Arrowtown, before reaching Twizel, for 2 nights in the shadow of Mount Cook.

Day 21: Mount Cook - Walk a glorious route along the Hooker Valley, with views to Mount Wakefield, Footstool and the south face of Mount Cook and passing near the Hooker Glacier.

Day 22: To Christchurch - Drive over Burke’s Pass, pausing at the stone church of the Good Shepherd, on the shores of Lake Tekapo, before continuing through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch for 2 nights.

Day 23: Christchurch - The picturesque city of Christchurch, with its graceful architecture and elegant parks, as well as plenty of things to see and do, is an ideal place to relax at the end of our tour. Evening farewell dinner.

Day 24: Return flight - Morning at leisure in Christchurch before transfer to the airport for the return flight via Auckland and Hong Kong.

Day 25: London - Early afternoon arrival.

Please note: No flight holidays start on day 3 and finish on day 24. 

Milford Track option 

 You can choose to leave the main group on day 15 in order to traverse Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Track. This is often described as the finest walk in the world and is a very accessible adventure. Stay in comfortable lodges en route and benefit from expert and friendly guiding on the walk as you pass through amazing untouched landscapes.

Day 15: To Te Anau - Early morning journey from Queenstown to Te Anau, and then take an afternoon cruise to Glade House, 1 night.

Day 16: To Pompolona Lodge - We cross the Clinton River and walk amidst beech forest to lunch at Hirere Falls. Continue onto the Praire grassy plain, with spectacular views of Clinton Canyon, before the rocky climb to Marlene’s Creek and Pompolona Lodge.

Day 17: To McKinnon Pass and Quintin Hut - Today is a fairly challenging but extremely rewarding day’s walking, passing Mirror Lake before the zig-zag climb up McKinnon Pass, around Mount Balloon - passing glaciers, native forests and creeks until arriving at Quintin Hut. Finally, we make a short visit to Sutherland Falls, the highest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 18: To Mitre Peak - 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 19: To Te Anau - Morning boat cruise on Milford Sound, before travelling back to Te Anau to re-join the rest of the group.