Sunday - Arrive, hike in Arthur’s Pass

The trip starts in Christchurch, the main city and airport in the South Island. You’ll need to be in Christchurch by around 9am. We’ll meet you there and head to the Southern Alps for a hike in Arthur’s Pass to Devils Punchbowl where we’ll see an awesome 430 foot (131 metre) waterfall. We then head down the coast to the beautiful seaside village of Okarito, one of the best kept secrets of the West Coast, that’s all but untouched due to it being 10 miles down a one-way road from an obscure highway turnoff. There are no shops, no restaurants, no traffic and a population of only 31 people. Because of the action-packed nature of the Tui, we get much of the driving out of the way on the first day of the trip. As an option, you can miss out most of the first day’s driving by meeting us in the afternoon in the West Coast town of Hokitika, a short 30-minute flight from Christchurch, and we’ll pick you up on the way through.

ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House, Okarito – off-the-beaten-path, isolated and comfortable (L,D)

Monday - Hike at Franz Josef Glacier

Just south of Okarito there are two formidable glaciers descending from the mountains to the sea. In terms of scenery, this place is off the charts, and we’ll spend most of the day hiking at Franz Josef Glacier. We’ll hike up through the rainforest to either Alex Knob or Roberts Point, both of which give great views of the terminal face, lower reaches and lateral moraines of Franz Josef Glacier. We only do these hikes in good weather, as the rocks get very slippery in the rain. If it’s raining, we’ll do a shorter walk to the terminal face of Fox Glacier, hike around Lake Matheson and visit the Blue Pools near the Haast Pass.

Heli-hike option (add US$299 + tax)

A less strenuous, but outrageously scenic option today is to heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier itself. After being fitted with crampons, ice axes and so on, you’ll board a modern turbine helicopter and fly towards the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, landing on the glacier at 4,000 feet (1300m) above sea level. Led by specialist glacier guides, you’ll hike through the grand ice formations of the glacier, checking out its crevasses, seracs and tunnels – no previous experience required! The constant movement of the glacier means every day is different, so your guides will cut steps in the ice, and make sure you make the most of the conditions. At the end of your hike on the ice, you’ll take another helicopter ride out of the mountains, and back to civilisation.

The heli-hike is extremely popular, so we offer advance reservations with the helicopter operators and guiding company. At the time of booking, or up until one month before your trip, you can reserve a space on the heli-hike, and we’ll make sure a spot is held for you. You can leave your decision until you’re actually on your trip, and we’ll get you a spot if it’s available.

Heli-hikers generally return a little earlier, so we’ll rendezvous at a local café, and head south. From Franz Josef we head down the coast to Haast, an isolated West Coast hamlet, where we’ll be having the quintessential Kiwi dinner – fish and chips!

ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Park Lodge, Haast (B,L,D)
 

Tuesday - Start Mt. Aspiring National Park options

This morning we’ll drive to Makarora, on the eastern side of Mt. Aspiring National Park. At the time of booking, you have the choice of one of two different 2-day/1-night options – a backpacking trip in Mt. Aspiring National Park, or an overnight stay in the small farming village of Makarora. After lunch, we head off for our various activities:

SIBERIA VALLEY WILDERNESS OPTION IN MT. ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK

Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Lake Crucible

If you like the idea of staying in one of New Zealand’s most isolated mountain huts, then this option is for you! We’ll start with a dramatic scenic flight alongside the snowy Southern Alps to the Siberia Valley airstrip. You can hike up the trail to Lake Crucible for great views of this glacial valley while dinner is whipped up back at the hut. Tonight you’ll be served a candle-lit dinner in one of the most glorious places in the world. This is also one of the few backcountry huts where you can chat with a resident hut ranger from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation. Rangers are often keen for a yarn around the camp fire, and can offer further insight into the flora and fauna of Mt. Aspiring National Park.
This is the only night on the Tui where accommodations are a little more basic, but we’ll be back in civilisation the next day. You don’t have to carry a very heavy pack – our guides are pretty tough and they’ll carry the lion’s share of the load. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes and some food – no need for any more than that, although we’ll provide tents and so on if you’d prefer to camp out under the stars

ACCOMMODATION: Remote wilderness area, Mt. Aspiring National Park – incredible! (B,L,D)

MAKARORA ADVENTURE OPTION IN MT. ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK

Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Mt. Shrimpton

If you prefer comfortable accommodation with modern amenities instead of a mountain hut, then this is the option for you. You’ll head out for a mind-blowing scenic flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park for a bird’s eye view of the lower Southern Alps. After landing down back in Makarora, you can hike the Mt. Shrimpton track. This is a steep hike with a 2500 foot (750 metre) elevation gain, but the views from above the treeline are worth it! Or you can take the afternoon to kick back, relax and soak up the mountain views from your accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION: Makarora Wilderness Resort, Makarora (B,L,D)



Wednesday - Jet boat Wilkin River

After a relaxed start, we’ll take a thrilling jet boat ride up the Wilkin River, into the heart of Mt. Aspiring National Park, before hooking up with the rest of the group in Makarora and carrying on to Queenstown.

Wednesday (continued) - Finish Mt. Aspiring National Park options

After regrouping in Makarora we’ll have a picnic lunch, before a beautiful drive down past Lake Hawea to the shores of Lake Wanaka. We cross the mountains at Cardrona Saddle where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Wakatipu basin, and then head through to Queenstown by mid-afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown (B,L)

Thursday - Hike Ben Lomond or free day in Queenstown

Today you have two options – a full day hike or a free day to yourself – it’s up to you! For those keen for a challenging alpine hike, after breakfast we’ll hike up Ben Lomond Track. Ben Lomond, one of Queenstown’s prominent peaks, was named by the early Scottish settlers in the area who were reminded of the highlands of their home country. We hike up through forested slopes which then give way to alpine tussock-land leading us to the summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point you’ll find yourself immersed in amazing views over Queenstown Bay and Lake Wakatipu which are themselves dwarfed by the surrounding mountains such as Mt. Aspiring.

As an alternative, you can have a free day with no activities scheduled, although we’ll certainly help with suggestions if you like. Queenstown, where ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND is based, is a great place to spend a couple of days. You’ll find all the comforts of civilisation: massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, window-shopping and adrenaline pumping activities! You’ll also find some incredible optional activities here such as biking, hang gliding, hiking, white-water rafting, jet boating, skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and wine tours – it’s all here! Your guides can help you during the trip to book any of these optional activities. Queenstown is not a big place – the population is about 8000 – but there’s plenty to do! Or, you can do nothing and just soak up the atmosphere.

ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B)

Friday - Hike Routeburn Track, cycle Hollyford Valley

This morning we head down to Te Anau for lunch, before continuing on to The Divide where we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track. This hike gives us unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, from mountains to sea, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina. When we get back to the trailhead, you’ll be fitted with a 21-speed front-suspension Specialized mountain bike for a spectacular ride through the Hollyford Valley. This remote and gently-rolling backcountry road is lined with unspoilt beech forest and surrounded by towering peaks – take your time or go as hard as you want – either way, this is a ride you’ll never forget! If cycling isn’t your thing, you can skip it and just enjoy the scenery. All our activities, including cycling, are optional. We’ll end up at Hollyford Camp, an isolated and rustic establishment, originally set up in the 1930s for the workers who built the nearby Homer Tunnel and Milford Road. This is a beautiful, tranquil place with a dozen cabins scattered around a museum and historic general store, still operating to this day. Hollyford Camp is right next to the Hollyford River and is surrounded by the mountains of Fiordland National Park. It’s definitely not a 5-star hotel, but it’s a great little place, and a wonderful location to hang out at the end of such an adventurous day!

ACCOMMODATION: Hollyford Camp, Hollyford Valley – rustic but idyllic OR Milford Lodge, Milford Sound (B,L,D)

Saturday - Sea kayak Milford Sound, cycle to Lake Manapouri

It’s an early start today. We’ll have a short drive through the Homer Tunnel, emerging at the top of a spectacular alpine road winding its way down to Milford Sound. The lush rainforest carpeting the lower slopes of the mountains gives way to the massively steep, glacier-carved slopes and waterfalls of the Darren Range. Milford Sound, rated the 8th Natural Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling, is breathtaking. Sheer rock walls plunge thousands of feet to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascade into the deep blue water. Most people see Milford Sound from the deck of a cruise ship but we’ve got a better way – gliding along in a sea kayak causing minimum disruption to the seals and dolphins, which are very friendly and often eager to visit. This is an awesome trip, run by specialist kayak outfitters, and it’s equally suitable for beginners or experts. After your morning’s paddle, we’ll head back to Hollyford Camp for lunch before continuing on to Lake Te Anau. You’ll have a chance to cycle along the peaceful country road that meanders its way through southern farmlands to Lake Manapouri Inn, beautifully located on the lake’s edge. Again, if you prefer, you can skip the cycling and just enjoy the great views out over the lake and the surrounding mountains of Fiordland National Park.

ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn, Manapouri (B,L,D)

Sunday - Depart for home

Well, it’s almost time to go home. We’ll leave after breakfast for the two-hour drive to Queenstown, and arrive by late morning in time for the flights back to Christchurch or Auckland.

Opportunities available to extend your trip.
 

ACCOMMODATIONS: This i is an activity-oriented trip around the South Island. We’ve chosen interesting and comfortable accommodations throughout. Some places are quite luxurious, but many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track – and don’t have many accommodation options – but they are really, really spectacular. Our clients often say a real highlight of the trip is meeting their New Zealand hosts. We think you’ll love the places we stay! We prefer to stay in comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single rooms are available upon request. As there's such a variety of accommodations on this trip, some places will have ensuite bathrooms and some will have shared bathrooms, so we may ask you to share a bathroom with other group members on occasion.

INCLUDED: The trip fare is US$2299 + 12.5% NZ government taxes. You can also join for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated fare. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:

* All guiding services. We have two guides per trip, a lead guide/driver and a co-guide who is responsible for meals and accommodations. This means we can really make sure you have a great time! We operate with small groups and we don’t hesitate to offer a second departure when our trips start getting full. (Click here to read what our previous clients have said about their guides).
* Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you are with us. We can also organize accommodation for you if you want to arrive earlier or leave later.
* Transport as required, in comfortable vehicles, aircraft, jet boats, and whatever else is required.
* All your meals, except in Queenstown where we’ve found people prefer to check out the wide range of restaurants. Alcohol is not generally included, although we do spring for a few drinks here and there!
* All hiking, cycling, and kayaking described in the itinerary, except optional extra activities. We have estimated the rates for optional extra activities operated by local activity operators in US dollars, including all required equipment, but these rates may vary according to the USD/NZD exchange rate of the day. There are many optional activities available at extra cost, particularly in Queenstown. None of these activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you do the cheap or free options. Although some people enjoy sampling hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, and so on, others prefer to focus more on the hiking, paddling and cycling, which is of course the reason you’re coming to New Zealand in the first place!

NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare
Personel items
Tips for Guides

Registration

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