Classic South Island Adventure

Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Friday evening, arriving in Auckland early Sunday morning. You’ll lose a day crossing the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! It’s a short flight from Auckland to Christchurch on the South Island where we’ll meet you. We’ll then travel into the Southern Alps to hike Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass. The walk will take you through native beech forest to an awesome 131 meter (430 feet) waterfall, so make sure you have your camera handy! From there, we’ll head down the coast to Franz Josef where we’ll stay the night. Nestled in the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, Franz Josef is the heart of New Zealand's glacier country.Hiking:2 kilometers (1.2 miles), 0.5-1 hour, elevation +/- 100 meters (330 feet)

This morning we’ll take a short journey over to Okarito, a little-known beach community on the coast. We’ll take to the water in sea kayaks and glide along a picturesque lagoon, set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host of other interesting birds.

You can opt for the heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier instead of the kayaking if you wish (see information below).

After our activities this morning we’ll regroup back in Franz Josef for some lunch before heading off to check out the glacier! With some 140 glaciers making their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is fittingly known as glacier country. Few sights equal the spectacle of two of these giant frozen rivers (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) imperceptibly grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level. Our hike will take us along the Waiho River bed up the valley and offer up views of the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier. From Franz Josef, we’ll travel down the coast through lush forest, and over the divide to a small mountain village called Makarora, where we’ll enjoy some local fare.Kayaking:2-3 hours OR Heli-Hike on Franz Josef GlacierHiking:4.8 kilometers (3 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 20 meters (66 feet)Notes:Optional Heli-hike (additional cost applies): An outrageously scenic alternative to this afternoon’s hike 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 1300 metres (4265 feet) 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 is 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 civilization.
The heli-hike is extremely popular and must be reserved at time of booking only. Please note also there is a weight limit of 115kg (250 pounds).

If you prefer accommodation with modern amenities instead of a mountain hut for the night, then this is the option for you. You’ll head out for a mind-blowing scenic flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park, with a bird’s eye view of the lower Southern Alps, landing in the remote Siberia Valley. From here, you’ll hike downstream along the Wilkin River, through beautiful silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) forests to a jet boat rendezvous. Then it’s a thrilling ride back to Makarora for dinner and perhaps a well-earned drink at the local pub.Hiking:6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation + 140 meters (460 feet) / - 320 meters (1,050 feet)

Start Of Multi-Day Options: This morning we’ll make our final preparations for our incredible flight into Mount Aspiring National Park, and true wilderness.
Option A: Siberia Valley Wilderness: 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 (but let us know early as space is limited!) We’ll start with a stunning scenic flight alongside the snowy Southern Alps to the Siberia Valley airstrip, a short hike from the hut where we’ll spend the night. After lightening your packs at the hut, we will hike up the trail to Lake Crucible, a cauldron-like glacial lake with fantastic views of the valley below. The hike follows the Siberia river upstream for a short while before crossing the river to make our way up into the Crucible Valley. This section of the trail is steep and forested and is where the majority of the 550m (1800 feet) in elevation gain will be tackled. The path will ease eventually, and you’ll cross the Crucible stream, making your way toward the moraine wall and the impressive backdrop of the valley, Mount Alba. The hike at times is strenuous, though the Lake Crucible Valley has exceptional scenic diversity, so it provides a great reward for the efforts you put in. We’ll be there to encourage you the whole way. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a true Kiwi experience at a small mountain hut, tucked within the Siberia Valley, our home for the night!Hiking:7 kilometers (4.3 miles), 6-8 hours, elevation +/- 550 meters (1,800 feet)

After an early start, we spend the morning hiking to Kerin Forks, at the head of the Wilkin River, where we’ll be met by a jet boat for an exhilarating ride back to Makarora to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch. Your load will be little more than a day pack – our guides will carry the lion’s share. You’ll be carrying a backpack with a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and some food – no need for any more than that, although if you opt to camp out under the stars the night before, you will be carrying your tent out.

After regrouping in Makarora, we’ll have a picnic lunch before taking a beautiful drive through spectacular glacier-carved valleys. The landscape changes rapidly from dense beech forests to semi-arid mountainous terrain. We'll take a quick stop in Wanaka before a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Arrowtown, a small historic gold mining village established in the 1800s. We'll hop on bikes to ride a portion of the Queenstown Bike Trail. The trail is well packed and winds along beside the Arrow River, and we'll follow the Arrow Bridges Trail through to Morven Ferry Carpark or the famous Kawarau Bungy Bridge, depending on the group's ability. After our ride, we'll head on to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu where you’ll sleep sweetly tonight in this alpine town.Hiking:6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation + 140 meters (460 feet) / - 320 meters (1,050 feet)Biking:7.5-13 kilometers (4.6-8.1 miles), 1-2 hour, elevation +/- 127 meters (416 feet)

This morning we’ll head back toward the West Coast and stop off at the top of Haast Pass to walk up to the Haast Pass Lookout. The trail has a steady incline and doesn’t let off until you reached the top, though the views from above the tree line are well worth the climb! On our way back to Makarora, we’ll check out the iconic Blue Pools, nestled among mature beech and podocarp forest, these pools of deep, clear water flowing into the Makarora River offer a moment of tranquillity. Alternatively, you can have a relaxing sleep in and spend your morning soaking up the mountain views.

After regrouping in Makarora, we’ll have a picnic lunch before taking a beautiful drive through spectacular glacier-carved valleys. The landscape changes rapidly from dense beech forests to semi-arid mountainous terrain. We'll take a quick stop in Wanaka before a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Arrowtown, a small historic gold mining village established in the 1800s. We'll hop on bikes to ride a portion of the Queenstown Bike Trail. The trail is well packed and winds along beside the Arrow River, and we'll follow the Arrow Bridges Trail through to Morven Ferry Carpark or the famous Kawarau Bungy Bridge, depending on the group's ability. After our ride, we'll head on to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu where you’ll sleep sweetly tonight in this alpine town.Hiking:Haast Pass Hike: 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles), 1 hour return, elevation +/- 107 meters (351 feet)Hiking:Blue Pools Hike: 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles), 1 hour return, elevation +/- 54 meters (177 feet)Biking:7.5-13 kilometers (4.6-8.1 miles), 1-2 hour, elevation +/- 127 meters (416 feet)

Today you have two options – a full day hike or a free day to yourself. For those keen for an alpine hike, you’ll meet your guide at reception at 9am, ready to head up the Ben Lomond Track. To save our legs a little, we’ll take a short gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak, which is 450 meters (1476 feet) above Queenstown. From there, we’ll head out along the trail through alpine tussock-land towards the summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point, you’ll find yourself immersed in amazing views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, which are themselves dwarfed by the surrounding mountains including Mt. Aspiring. As an alternative, you can have a free day to explore on your own. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilisation are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, sidewalk cafés, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here including horse trekking, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, jet boating and skydiving. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere or lounge about reading a book. Your guides will happily share their favourite haunts and point you in the right direction if you choose to have a free day today.Hiking:8 kilometers (5 miles), 4-5 hours, elevation +/- 978 meters (3,208 feet)

This morning we’ll make our way around Lake Wakatipu, leaving behind the towering Remarkables and head west to the small town of Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. This afternoon we’ll take a hike on the famous Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks - we follow the track through mountain beech forest and along the Waiau River. It’s an awesome hike with spectacular views! Tonight we’ll stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau, enjoying the scenery and the delicious local fare.Hiking:9.5 kilometers (6 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 50 meters (165 feet)

It’s an early start this morning as we set off for our largest and perhaps most spectacular national park, Fiordland. We’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel and emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound. Rudyard Kipling rated this fiord as the eighth natural wonder of the world and it is truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into the deep inky water. We’ll jump on board the first boat cruise of the day, where we’ll have the water to ourselves, as we gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. We may be lucky enough to encounter the friendly fur seals and dolphins that are sometimes in the area. Afterwards, we’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot again, with a hike to Key Summit on the famous Routeburn Track. The panoramic views are incredible from this vantage point and you’ll probably get to meet New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and intelligent alpine parrot, the kea (Nestor notabilis). After our hike, we’ll continue heading out of Milford Sound to return for our last night on the shores of Lake Te Anau. Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner for our last night.Hiking:3.4 kilometers (2 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 380 meters (1,246 feet)

After breakfast, we’ll return to Queenstown. This is the end of your trip and you’ll have had an exhilarating week. We’ll leave you buzzing with excitement, but feeling relaxed and refreshed as well! If you're keen to extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer (Maori culture, pristine beaches, and geothermal areas) check out our 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure (5-day options also available).