Walking in New Zealand - South Island 2027 - 11 Days

Our tour starts today in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. This garden city is known for its sweeping parks, tree-lined avenues and the gentle Avon River, which runs through the centre. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Christchurch at any time. We don't provide airport transfers on this tour, but you can find information on how to reach your hotel in the final documentation. Please note that at some point today, we'll be joined by passengers who are finishing up our ‘Walking in New Zealand - North Island’ trip. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take a stroll around the city centre, explore Hagley Park or the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. New Regent Street, built in a 1930s Spanish architectural style, has an eclectic mix of boutique stores, bars and restaurants. There's a burgeoning craft beer scene across town and you can try out local eats at the Riverside Market or the food court at Little High Eatery. Please note, if you plan to arrive before 3pm on Day 1 you might not be able to check-in to your hotel room, but baggage storage is available if you wish to explore the city.

This morning, we'll set off on our road trip heading to the stunning turquoise Lake Tekapo, where we'll visit the Church of Good Shepherd. Built in the 1930s in memory of the local pioneers, the church was constructed using materials sourced from within a five-mile radius. The builders were instructed not to disturb the site, so rocks were incorporated into the walls. While at Lake Tekapo, we'll complete the Mount John Walkway, a popular loop trail with views over glacial lakes, the Mackenzie Basin and of the Southern Alps. There's a steady, steep climb at the start, through a pine and larch forest, followed by open tussock and alpine grassland terrain and a section along the lakeshore. Finally, we'll drive on to Twizel and check in to our next hotel, which will be our base for the next two nights. Our total driving time today is approximately four hours. Today's self-guided 9-kilometre/5.6-mile walk is expected to take around three hours and has around 370 metres/1,270 feet of accumulated ascent and descent. The terrain is steep at some points.

This morning, we drive to Mount Cook NP. The area is home to alpine plants and flowers and offers a panoramic view of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook (3,724 meters/12,218 feet). Our first stop is at the Lake Pukaiki viewpoint before we continue to the trail head of the Hooker Valley Track to enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Southern Alps (weather permitting). One of the country’s best day hikes, this winding 10-kilometre/6.2-mile trail follows the valley floor to Hooker Lake. It generally takes around three to four hours to complete with an ascent and descent of about 125 metres/410 feet. The trail is mostly along wide, well-graded stone walkways with occasional patches of loose gravel. Boardwalks help us traverse sensitive alpine marshes and there are three swing bridges that span glacier-fed rivers. Please note, that while they're completely secure, the bridges can sway in high winds. We have another short but rewarding walk planned today, along the Tasman Glacier View Track. The trail climbs the old lateral moraine wall with sweeping views of the terminal face of the Tasman Glacier and ice-dotted Tasman Lake. It features a steep climb up timber and rock stairs with around 100 metres/328 feet of ascent. We'll return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Today's walks total 11.5 kilometres/7.2 miles, with a total accumulated ascent and descent of around 250 metres/820 feet. They're expected to take just over four hours to complete.

After breakfast today, we'll make our way to Te Anau, known locally as 'the walking capital of the world'. Some of the wildest and most dramatic scenery in New Zealand can be found in Fiordland, in the southwest corner of the South Island. Fiordland is one of the largest national parks in the world and is a designated World Heritage area. It's truly spectacular to witness, from its waterfalls tumbling hundreds of metres into virgin, forested valleys and lonely fiords, to endless stretches of shimmering lakes and granite peaks. Today we'll walk part of the Kepler Track, one of the great walks of New Zealand, from Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay. This is a low-altitude, accessible section of the long-distance trail and the gently undulating path winds through mountain beech forest alongside the Waiau River, passing areas used for filming The Lord of the Rings. We'll return to our vehicle along the same way route. Later this afternoon, we'll finish up our drive to Te Anau and check in to our hotel, which will be our base for the next two nights. Our total driving time today is approximately five hours. Today's 12-kilometre/7.5-mile walk has around 200 metres/656 feet of ascent and descent and is expected to take around four hours.

We have a very early start today to beat the crowds as we head out to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The early rise is well worth it as this is a fantastic way to experience New Zealand's wild nature. Our regular tour leader has today off, to adhere to local labour laws, but we'll have a full briefing with them on day 4, and a local guide will join us today. We'll be picked up by our guide and join the Milford Road for a scenic drive to the Sound, making stops along the way. After reaching Milford Sound, we'll board a majestic cruise through some of New Zealand's most stunning scenery. Our knowledgeable nature guide will provide commentary, be it on the pod of resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals or penguins that we might encounter. We'll have a picnic lunch onboard the boat, surrounded by the majesty of the rugged Sounds. The boat is shared with other tourists and the cruise should last around one hour and 45 minutes. Our day continues with a guided walk on the Key Summit Track – a popular return-day walk branching off the Routeburn Track. This return, linear hike starts off through a mossy beech forest before branching off onto a steeper, steady incline with switchbacks that lead to an alpine boardwalk loop, offering super panoramic views. This is an allocated day off for our tour leader. You will however be accompanied by a local guide on today’s walk but it's worth noting that if the group size is small (six or fewer), we might be accompanied by other tourists. Today's 7-kilometre/4.4-mile walk involves around 400 metres/1,312 feet of ascent and descent and is expected to take around three to four hours.

After breakfast this morning, we'll bid farewell to Te Anau and drive to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand. Our total driving time today is approximately two and a half hours. Upon arrival, there are several optional activities to choose from to spend your day. The Queenstown Hill walk is a there-and-back walk that climbs around 500 metres/1,640 feet to the top of Queenstown Hill. It's a well-maintained, non-technical trail that features a continuous, steady uphill climb that rewards you with 360-degree views of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Ben Lomond. The steepest sections are at the start winding through a forest of Douglas firs and wildling pines. We've grade this 5.4-kilomere/3.4-mile walk as moderate and it should take around three hours to complete. Another option today is to take on the Ben Lomond Walk. You'll use the Skyline Gondola to reach Bob’s Peak where you'll start your walk. The hike from here to the Ben Lomond Saddle and back is a highly popular option that avoids the final, steep and challenging scramble to the actual peak of Ben Lomond but still provides panoramic views. It's a moderate grade hike, covering 8 kilometres/5 miles with a total ascent and descent of 540 metres/1,771 feet. The route follows a steady, well-graded path through alpine tussock and should take around four hours. Today's optional Queenstown Hill walk is a moderate grade 5.4-kilometre/3.4-mile walk that involves around 500 metres/1,640 feet of ascent and descent and is expected to take around three hours. The moderate-grade hike from Bob’s Peak (at the top of the Skyline Gondola) to Ben Lomond Saddle and back spans a total of 8 kilometres/5 miles with a total accumulated ascent and descent of 540 metres/1,771 feet. You could choose to shorten this hike by simply turning back sooner than the saddle.

This morning is free to enjoy Queenstown. You'll need to check out of the hotel by 10am, but luggage storage is available. Our tour leader will give us a time to meet for our departure to Wānaka. On our drive to Wānaka, we'll traverse the Crown Range Road and stop to visit the partially restored Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. The settlement is a quiet reminder and tribute to the contribution made by the Chinese gold miners and business people to the region's gold mining, cultural and business history. While in Arrowtown, we'll also take on the easy Millennium scenic loop trail. This is a tree-lined trail that follows the banks of the Arrow River. The 4.2-kilometre/2.6-mile walk will take around one and a half hours to complete and is mostly on flat terrain. We'll make another stop as we approach Wānaka, to walk the Mount Iron Track. This is a scenic loop covering 4.5 kilometres/2.8 miles with around 225 metres/738 feet of ascent and descent and we expect it to take around two hours. Finally, we'll drive to our hotel in Wānaka. Our base for the next two nights is in Aspiring National Park, with breath-taking views of the surrounding snowy peaks and the glacier lakes Hawea and Wānaka. Our total driving time today will be around one and a half hours. Today’s two easy-grade walks combine to a total of 8.7 kilometres/5.4 miles with around 250 metres/820 feet total ascent and descent and should take about four hours.

Wānaka is a hiker's paradise thanks to its bountiful nature. The tranquil township lies directly on the shores of Lake Wānaka, New Zealand's fourth-largest lake. It reflects the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park, whose dominant feature is Mount Aspiring, towering above a magnificent glacier-sculpted wilderness. The area boasts a variety of walking tracks and today is free for exploring. Please note, due to local regulations, our tour leader cannot guide our walks here, but they will explain all of our options and can help arrange guided walks for those interested. One option is a Mou Waho Island Cruise with a guided walk. This is a three-hour excursion with two hours ashore on the predator-free island in the lake. The optional two-hour guided walk to the summit covers around 2.9 kilometres/1.8 miles, with around 175 metres/574 feet of ascent and descent. It should take around 90 minutes to two hours to complete. The terrain is uneven and features sections with stone steps and exposed tree roots, with steep sections and some light scrambling.

Leaving Wānaka behind, we have a beautiful drive to the dramatic west coast. The first of today’s two easy hikes is the Lake Matheson Loop Walk, which is an easy 4.4-kilometre/2.8-mile circuit located near Fox in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Terrain is generally flat and the route should take around one and a half hours to complete. Also located in this remote national park is an easy 4.7-kilometre/2.9-mile there-and-back trail that meanders through a lush, ancient temperate rainforest before emerging onto a secluded, rugged and wild coastline. In the afternoon, we'll reach the spectacular Southern Alps and the region of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers where we'll spend the night in Fox. Weather permitting, there is the option to take a scenic helicopter flight, which offers a bird's eye view of the glaciers and surrounding landscape. If you're interested, please speak with your tour leader who can help arrange this optional activity locally. Our total driving time for today is around four hours. Today’s two easy-grade walks combine to a total of 9.1 kilometres/5.7 miles with around 150 metres/492 feet total ascent and descent and should take around three to four hours.

After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we'll set out on the final day of our road trip. Unfortunately, the glaciers are currently in a state of retreat, so we can't walk to either of the terminal faces. We will however take our planned walk in the valley. The receding glaciers have carved out an impressive landscape which is fascinating to explore and involves an easy walk of around 1.4 kilometres/0.9 miles and should take thirty minutes. Next, we drive along the West Coast road north to Hokitika. Founded in 1864, Hokitika was a thriving community of over 30,000 until the end of the gold seams saw its population drift away. Today, it's home to around 4,000 people and, as well as gold still being found here, it's also home to New Zealand greenstone (similar to jade), with a prolific number of craft galleries and open studios. After visiting the historic township, we'll take an easy walk in the nearby gorge. Our walk covers 1.6 kilometres/1 mile with around 80 metres/262 feet of ascent and descent. It should take 90 minutes to complete. We now turn inland and will cross the Great Divide. The Southern Alps have two contrasting landscapes with the eastern side featuring wide, shingle-filled riverbeds and dry mountain beech forests, while the western side features deep gorges and wet, dense rainforests. Our route takes us through Arthur’s Pass National Park – an alpine landscape in the heart of the Southern Alps. Time and weather permitting, we’ll stop here to do the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls walk. An easy grade walk covering 2 kilometres/1.3 miles and taking around one hour to complete. The final leg of our drive take us back to Christchurch, arriving in the late afternoon. After checking in to the hotel, there should be some free time to relax before we share a farewell dinner (not included) to reflect on our journey through beautiful New Zealand. Our total driving time for today is around six hours. Today’s three easy grade walks combine to a total of 5 kilometres/3.1 miles with around 200 metres/656 feet of total ascent and descent and should take around three to four hours.

Our trip ends this morning at our hotel in Christchurch. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Christchurch at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. We don't provide departure transfers on this tour, but you can find information on how to get to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) in your final documentation.