New Zealand Ultimate South Island Hiking Tour- 13 Days

Arrive in Christchurch by air, bus or car and check in to your hotel for the night. At 6 pm your tour guide will meet you and the rest of your new travel friends in the lobby of the hotel and go over a detailed hiking tour orientation and introduction with you all. Once you have all the information you need, you can head out with other members from your group for dinner and to wonder around the town a bit before bed.

Stay: Drifter Hotel (1 Night)

Today we check out of our Christchurch hotel and hit the open road, bound for the West Coast of the South Island, and any adventures that lie along the way!

Our first stop is at Castle Hill Rocks, known by the Maori as Kura Tawhiti. This is a sacred and time honored place once used to gather food by people hundreds of years ago. It’s one of many geologically fascinating places on the South Island, with massive chunks of limestone rock having lifted from the surrounding layers of ground through powerful uplifting forces and thousands of years of erosion. Walk through the rocks marveling at the unique shapes and the beautiful views stretching West towards Arthurs Pass.

Back in the van, we continue West, reaching Arthurs Pass, which lies along the Alpine Fault, creating the backbone of the South Island and dividing the east and west coasts. You’ll notice a dramatic shift in scenery as we transition from grassy plains, and tussock hills to steep mountainside and lush, west coast rain forest. We stop for another walk in the area, heading to a beautiful waterfall and our first walk in the coastal forest, which makes you feel like you’re in Jurassic Park!

As we arrive in Punakaiki, we check into our cabins and head for a group dinner and drink together. Stay: Punakaiki Beach Camp Cabins (2 Nights) Hike: Castle Hill & Arthurs Pass Trail Walks Drive: 4 Hours

Consider this our day to explore the West Coast, ticking off some iconic experiences and getting some nice walking time in! In the morning we hike the Pororari River Loop Track, winding through a deep and dramatic limestone gorge, carved by the powerful forces of water rushing through the valley over thousands of years. Don’t forget to look up at the forest canopy as we walk through a thick and lush sub-tropical forest system, teeming with life and vibrance. The river below us has deep, clear pools littered with massive boulders, leaving the mystery of how they got to be there in your mind!

In the afternoon, you have the option to join your guide for a guided walk to the famous Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki Cavern, or opt to join Underworld Adventures for a guided glow worm cave tour, complete with an option to tube through the underground river system that emerges our into the river and winds its way through the floor of the forest valley. Seeing the glow worms is a unique experience available only in New Zealand and a few other places in the world.

If you choose to stick with your guide, you will head to Pancake Rocks, which are a bizarre rock formation caused by corrosion of the limestone layers interacting with water and making stacks of what seem like pancakes today. Punakaiki Cavern offers an even deeper, shall we say, opportunity to discover the geological phenomenon.

Hike: Pororari River Loop Track (11 km, 290 m, 3-4 hours) Optional Activity: Underworld Adventures Glow Worm Cave/ Tubing ($249 NZD)

Today we venture south towards Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Along our route we stop at Pounamu Pathways, where you are in for a treat with their interactive video displays that help us understand and feel the history of the land, tracing the pathways of the ancestral Māori peoples that inhabited New Zealand. Follow in the footsteps or early explorers, warriors and guardians as they venture across the Pacific calling New Zealand home and forging a way of life here. You will learn and understand the important cultural connections the Māori people have to the land.

In the afternoon we visit the West Coast Tree Top Center where you have a unique opportunity to walk among the forest canopy, seeing the temperate coastal forest from up close and personal. Wander through the tree tops on a walkway erected some 20-40 meters above the ground, being rewarded with unique views and perspectives of the forest eco-system. This is a really cool experience, and you can opt to top it off by getting a ticket to the zipline for a really up close and intense experience, whizzing through the trees for half a kilometer.

Time permitting, we stop for a guided walk at Hokatika Gorge, spending an hour walking along the rim of a dramatic gorge and crossing a swing bridge that offers views into the depths of the gorge.

Activity: Pounamu Pathways, West Coast Tree Top Center Stay: Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Hotel (varies by availability) (2 Nights) Drive: 3 hours

Spend a free day to explore in Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier. In order to follow New Zealand working parameters for professional guides, we need to provide a rest day for our guide during this tour, which works out perfectly to do during your day in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, as well as in Queenstown later in the tour, where there are abundant options for you to explore on your own.

We will help you select the perfect day tour to compliment your trip, ranging from helicopter rides to distant glaciers, or scenic boat cruises or an exhilarating atv tour.

Of course, this is also a great time to relax, go for a walk on one of the trails on the edge of town or catch up on some quality down time. The choice is yours!

Stay: ox Glacier or Franz Josef Hotel

Activity: Optional Activities

Today we leave the West Coast behind, venturing into Otago and the majestic mountains of the southern alps. Heading through Haast Pass, we stop for several walks along the way, exploring some hidden gems of Mount Aspiring National Park. Walk to beautiful waterfalls, viewpoints and more along the way, as your guide brings you to their favorite roadside stops and attractions.

We settle into our hotel in Wanaka and then head out for dinner as a group in the quaint lakeside town, renown for its relaxed way of life and laid back mountain charm. In the evening you can walk along the lakeshore to the famous Wanaka Tree, standing on its own in the lake, or time permitting, the group can head up Iron Mountain for a sunset walk with a view. Either way, you are in for a great sunset and a peaceful night’s rest in one of the most beloved towns in New Zealand.

Stay: Te Wanaka Lodge (or similar) (2 Nights) Hike: Various short walks in Mount Aspiring National Park Drive: 4 Hours

Discover deep valleys etched between towering mountains today as we venture into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park to hike the Roby Roy Glacier Track. Along the way, we drive along the scenic coast of Lake Wanaka and past about a million sheep that roam in the large agricultural ranges in the valley bottom.

From the car park, we hike beside a rushing glacial river, crossing a suspension bridge with an incredible view of the mountains all around. As we gain height, we’re suddenly greeted by a waterfall that falls so far most of the water turns to mist before hitting the ground. Further still, we round a corner and the view of Rob Roy Glacier comes into view, perched high along the massive rock wall in front of us. This makes for an incredible sight as the huge glacier sparkles in the sunlight, and melt water cascades down the cliff face in too many waterfalls to even comprehend. This must be one of the most photogenic places in New Zealand, and that’s really saying something!

In the afternoon we return to Wanaka, where you have some free time to relax along the lakeshore, or rent kayaks and go for an easy and scenic paddle on the lake.

Drive: 1 Hour Stay: Te Wanaka Lodge Hike: Rob Roy Glacier Track (10.5 km, 480 m, 3 hours)

We continue our journey Southward, passing through Crown Pass, and Queenstown on our way to Te Anau and the treasures that await us in Fiordland National Park.

We spend the afternoon hiking a section of the Kepler Track, which is one of the renown Great Walks of New Zealand. We walk from Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri. Along the way we will cross a suspension bridge and walk through a vibrant Beech forest. The Beach trees are what inspired the Fengorn Forest scene from Lord of the Rings, where two hobbits allied with the living trees, to ultimately save Middle Earth. Today is your time to embrace the forest to save all mankind…… or at least for you to enjoy the walk and take some sweet photos!

Drive: 3 hours Hike: Kepler Great Walk Section (12 km, 270 m, 3 hours) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel 2 nights

Day 9- Milford Sound Today is one of the most quintessential New Zealand experiences and an absolute bucket list day! We drive through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where we head out on a cruise through some of the most beautiful fiords in the world! during the cruise you will come face to face with countless waterfalls, as they cascade down the sheer rock faces that reach for the sky, often disappearing in the clouds above , leaving a sense of mystery. The cruise will most likely go so close to the biggest waterfall that the spray will sweep across the boat, wafting you in a windy blast of fresh ocean air. (Some of the cleanest air on the planet, for that matter!)

When you feel like you couldn’t possibly take another photo, we return to land and wind our way back through Fiordland Park, stopping at various viewpoints and scenes along the way for photos. We stop to hike the Key Summit Track, which is park of the Routeburn Track, so you can explore one of the highlights of another Great Walk! You’ll hike up on a gentle trail through some scraggly rainforest until reaching the alpine, where views open up to reveal the never ending panoramas of the glacier-carved mountains in all directions. Look down to see Lake Marian below, and deep valleys stretching out to the ocean to your west and south. This is one of the best hikes in New Zealand for a reason!

Drive: 3 hours Hike: Key Summit Track- Section of Routeburn Great Walk (8 km, 500 m, 3-4 hours) Activity: Milford Sound Cruise Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

We depart Te Anau, destined for great things to come in Queenstown, and enjoying the incredibly scenic drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. You’ll spend the afternoon getting a bird’s eye view of Queenstown and the Remarkables mountain range across the valley, with the help of the Skyline Gondola. From the top of the gondola, you’ll have impressive views of New Zealand’s adventure capital far below, but that’s not where the fun stops!

Here you can opt to head out for a self-guided hike on the Ben Lomond Track, with detailed instructions from your guide. Unfortunately regulations prevent guides from accompanying groups here, though the trail is fairly straightforward and relatively easy for the most part. After a while you will reach a saddle where you have even more impressive views, and can now see to the north, as well as the south. You can stop here, or if you feel up to it, you can continue to the top of the peak, where you will be rewarded with absolutely world class views of the lake far below, Queenstown, and about a thousand peaks spread out in all directions around you. The trail to reach the summit is fairly steep and gets a little technical for the last 200 meters, though if you take your time you should no issue, and you can always turn around anytime you feel like it.

At night we head out to explore Queenstown’s dining scene and perhaps a little nightlife if you feel so inclined!

Drive: 2 Hours Stay: Garden Court Suites Hike: Ben Lomond Track (10 km, up to 1000 m, 2-4 hours) Activity: Skyline Gondola

One day to get the ultimate New Zealand adventure experience. This is your moment, this is the place! Today you have the opportunity to explore at your own pace in Queenstown, which is chock full of incredible day tours and excursions, as well as world class shopping, dining and drinking.

We recommend heading out for a high speed jet boat ride on one of the rivers nearby, or going for a scenic cruise with bbq on the historic TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu. There are options ranging from river rafting, sky diving and more! Whatever adventure you choose, we know you will come back filled with stories and exciting photos to share over dinner!

Stay: Garden Court Suites Activity: White Water Rafting, Jet Boating, Lake Cruise & More!

Our last full day of adventure does not disappoint as we head from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park to hike among the highest peaks in New Zealand. You’ll likely recognize the views of Lake Pukaki, which is famously photographed with the looming mass of Mount Cook reflecting off the emerald green-blue waters of the lake, with vibrant lupins lining the banks.

We drive as close to the base of Mount Cook as possible and begin our hike in the Hooker Valley, where we are immediately greeted by jaw dropping, post card views of the mountain imposing in the background of our hike.

The Hooker Valley Trail is relatively flat, which is good, because you won’t be able to take your eyes off the views on our guided hike! We cross several suspension bridges and a glacial lake surrounded by sheer mountain walls, and then arrive at Hooker Lake, where we stop to take photos and admire the views. It’s hard to describe the beauty here, so you’ll just have to come and see for yourself!

When we return to the van, your guide will stop a little further down the road for you to walk up a stairway to the banks of Tasman Lake, where you can feast your eyes on some incredible views of Tasman Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Tasman Glacier has receded so recently, that the lake is still largely covered in floating icebergs, and the evidence of the untold power of the glacier is present all around us.

Leaving Mount Cook, we drive to Tekapo Lake to spend the night. Here we are in the Mackenzie Country dark sky preserve, which is internationally recognized for it’s unspoiled dark sky and world class star gazing. There’s no better way to gaze at the constellations than to be soaking in a hot spring, so why not do a stargazing soak in Tekapo Springs! Here we can reflect on the incredible adventures we’ve had in New Zealand, while enjoying the dazzling light show above!

Drive: 3 Hours Hike: Hooker Valley Track (11 km, 200 m, 3 hours) Activity: Tekapo Springs Star Gazing Soak Stay: Godley Hotel (1 Night)

Today we head back to Christchurch stopping at the odd viewpoint along the way.

One special stop we make is at the Fairlie Bakehouse, which serves up some of the best pies in the world. We recommend the salmon pie, as well as the pork & apple, or the Kiwi favorite- lamb & mint pie. (No one will judge you if you try all three!)

Drive: 3 Hours Drop Off: Christchurch @ 2-4 pm