New Zealand did not become one of the most diverse and dramatic landforms on earth by accident. Where New Zealand is situated happens to be right over a collision zone of two of the largest slabs of the earth's crust forming a fault-line. Over millions of years this collision has created the Southern Alps which are the backbone of the south island. During this 8 day adventure, we actually cross over the fault-line twice, once when we cross the alps near Arthur's Pass and again on day 6 on our way to Haast Pass. Don’t worry if you are a bit confused by plate movement, collision zones and fault-lines because you are guaranteed to love the amazing play ground that it has created for us, and you will see it from so many different perspectives whether it be hiking through
deep limestone canyons, kayaking across pristine lagoons, jetboating down the Wilkin River or from the air in a helicopter above the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park.This is a trip of a lifetime, the perfect combination of adventure and incredible scenery with quality character accommodation to relax in at the end of the day. This tour runs Saturday to Saturday, so you can squeeze it into one week of annual leave.
Fitness Requirements: No previous hiking experience is required, but you need to be reasonably fit and enthusiatic. We will be taking you into real wilderness areas so at times the tracks will be slippery, rough and we will need to cross rivers. The itinerary is flexible enough to provide time to relax or to present you with challenges. We recommend you do some physical preparation: brisk walking, jogging or cycling a couple of times a week during the month or so before you arrive as this will enable you to make the most of your trip.
Departure guaranteed with min 3 pax and max 11 pax per tour
Round Trip with many selected walks (With this tour you may book the North and South Island individually)
New Zealand is the down under island paradise for nature lovers. Where else in the world can you find as many different landscapes, climate zones and vegetations so close together as in New Zealand.
Bushwalking is the best way for exploring NZ‘s natural beauty. Therefore this tour includes many walks in the most beautiful National Parks. You will discover extinct as well as active volcanoes, secluded beaches, deep mountain lakes, geysers
and thermal activity areas as well as fiords and rainforests.
Experience the "double" culture of the polynesian Maoris and European settlers with their different traditions and feel the flair of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Fitness Requirements: If possible there will be daily walks depending on the tour itinerary. The average walking time is between 3-4 hours, except the Tongariro Crossing, which will take 6-7 hours and is rated medium to hard.
Optional Extension Program: North Island: Swimming in the Bay of Islands South Island: Relaxing in Akaroa Own Arrangements: Campervan or Rental Car for an individual extension.
Departure guaranteed Nov-Feb with minimum 6 for Oct & Mar/Apr. Maximum 12 per tour.
Start: Pre track briefing at the Ultimate Hikes Office, Queenstown at 4.00pm (check-in 3.45pm) the day prior to departure. Finish: Queenstown 4.00pm (approx.) Length: 5 days Grade:MEDIUM - River crossings and some uneven terrain.
Price: High season (1/12 - 31/3/06): Share NZ$1750, Private Twin/Double NZ$2100pp Low season (1/11 - 30/11/05; 1/4 -18/4/06): Share NZ$1590, Private Twin/Double NZ$1940pp Departs: Daily (1st Nov - 18 April)
Highlights: Follow an emerald green river through lush beech forest and across pleasant meadows. Cross a challenging alpine pass and from its summit marvel at steep granite cliffs and rugged snow-capped peaks. Gaze in awe at the world's fifth highest waterfall. Admire the spectacular sea cliffs and streaming waterfalls of Milford Sound, and watch for dolphins and fur seals in its dusky waters. At the end of each fantastic day, relax in a comfortable lodge and enjoy hot showers, delicious meals and wonderful views. This is all part of "the finest walk in the world" in Fiordland National Park.
Day 1: Drive to Lake Te Anau. Launch trip to the end of this impressive lake. Short walk to Glade House. 20 min hiking Day 2: Walk up the Clinton Valley through beech forest and open meadows to Pompalona Lodge. 5-7 hours hiking Day 3: Climb to Mackinnon Pass for breath-taking mountain views then descend to Quintin Lodge. 6-8 hours hiking Day 4: Walk through lush forest in Arthur Valley to Milford Sound. Launch trip to Mitre Peak Lodge. 6-8 hours hiking Day 5: Launch cruise on the spectacular Milford Sound. Scenic coach trip back to Te Anau and Queenstown. ROUTEBURN TRACK:
Start: Pre track briefing at the Ultimate Hikes Office, Queenstown at 2.00pm (check-in 1.45pm) the day prior to departure. Finish: Queenstown 4.00 pm (approx.) Length: 3 days Grade:MEDIUM - some alpine hiking and uneven terrain. Price: High season (1/12/05 - 31/3/06): Adult NZ$1090 Child NZ$850 Low season (1/11 - 30/11/05; 1/4 - 30/4/06): Adult NZ$950 Child NZ$850 Departs: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (2 Nov - 30 April)
Highlights: Hike through lush beech forest and across rugged alpine slopes, gaze at spectacular snow-capped peaks, admire tranquil lakes and exquisite waterfalls. Get to know the lovely alpine plants and flowers, and laugh at the comical alpine parrot, the kea. At the end of a fantastic day, relax in a comfortable lodge in a scenic location, and enjoy hot showers and delicious meals. This all-inclusive, 3 day trip takes you through stunning landscapes in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. Your journey through these challenging mountains is aided by well-graded tracks and your friendly and knowledgable guides.
Day 1: Drive to the Divide. Hike through beech forest past Lake Howden and on to Lake MacKenzie. 5-6 hours hiking Day 2: Hike above the bush line with stunning views to Harris Saddle then descend to Routeburn Falls. 5-7 hours hiking Day 3: Descend to Routeburn Flats and follow the river out to the road. Return to Queenstown. 3-4 hours hiking.
SECRET SOUTH SAFARI 10 DAY HIKING TOUR:
This safari takes you to areas of New Zealand seldom visited by other travellers. It starts with 4 days hiking and kayaking in Fiordland National Park. We then head to the Catlins, famous for its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife - Hector's dolphins, New Zealand sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins. The Dunstan Trail is an old goldmining route that takes us across the Central Otago plateau. Then it's on to the Mount Cook region to view our highest mountain. In South Canterbury we hike to an old musterer's hut.
Highlights: Walk into the rugged mountains of Fiordland National Park to beautiful alpine lakes with stunning mountain views.
Kayak beneath massive sea cliffs in Milford Sound while watching out for basking seals and leaping dolphins. Explore the spectacular Catlins coast, with beautiful beaches, luxuriant rain forest, fossilized trees, and rare species of sea lions, dolphins and penguins. Hike up the rocky slopes of the Ohau range and look down on turquiose glacial lakes. Gaze in awe at the contorted forms of glaciers and the snow capped peaks of Mt Cook. Explore the remarkable volcanic topography of Mt Somers with its waterfalls and narrow canyons.
Fitness Requirements:
No previous hiking experience is required, but you need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic. Hiking per day up to 7 hours - average 4-5 hours Pack weight up to 12 kg Altitude gain per day up to 700 metres - normally 200 metres Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.
Start: Nelson Visitors Centre 8.00am Finish: Queenstown 7.00 pm Length: 10 days Grade:MEDIUM Price: $NZ1050 $20/day kitty
Highlights: Hike through beech forest, past limestone sinkholes and across tussock-covered mountain slopes in Kahurangi NP. Watch the antics of NZ fur seal pups at a breeding colony. Hike through lush rainforest in a limestone canyon, wade across crystal clear rivers, and explore glowworm caves in Paparoa NP. Take a guided walk on the spectacular Franz
Josef Glacier and marvel at its crevasses and ice caves. Kayak the tranquil Okarito lagoon and watch native birds feeding in the shallows. Hike through podocarp forest to natural hot pools surrounded by mountain peaks in Westland NP. Watch for penguins and dolphins while strolling along isolated beaches.
Day 1: Drive from Nelson to Kahurangi NP, hike through beech forest, camp under natural rock shelter. 4 hours hiking Day 2: Hike up above the bushline on Mt Arthur. Drive to camp beside the Buller River. 7 hours hiking Day 3: Visit NZ fur seal colony. Drive to Paparoa NP and hike while learning river crossing techniques. 3 hours hiking Day 4: Explore limestone caves and hike down a river canyon. Visit the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. 5 hours hiking Day 5: Drive to Franz Josef and walk to the glacier terminal, or do the guided walk on the glacier ($35). 2 hours hiking Day 6: Kayak ($40) across Okarito lagoon and up forested river channels, or walk along beach 4 hours kayaking Day 7: Hike up the Copland valley to Welcome Flats hut and soak weary muscles in natural hot pools. 7 hours hiking Day 8: Boulder-hop up to a waterfall with stunning mountain views, or have a rest day. 4 hours hiking Day 9: Hike back down the Copland, visit a penguin breeding colony, and camp on an isolated beach. 6 hours hiking Day 10: Hike along a beach frequented by dolphins, drive over Haast Pass and continue to Queenstown. 2 hours hiking
Grade: Medium Participants: Min - 2; Max - 11
DATES AND PRICES: Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Jan 31 Feb 7 Feb 21 Feb 28 Mar 7 Mar 21 Mar 28 Apr 11 Apr 25 May 9
Tour Total NZ$ 1120.00 Need more details?
For more information fill in the form below with your query and click "send", or simply phone us at Activities-nz on 64 4 972 0798.
