Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and get settled at your hotel. Your tour guide meets you and the group in the lobby at 6 pm to go over hiking basics and what to expect. After that briefing, you'll head out with the other travelers to grab dinner and walk around town for the evening.
- Start point
- Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (Drifter Hotel, Christchurch. , 17:00 - 18:00)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch town
- Day 2
Christchurch to Punakaiki
After checking out of your Christchurch hotel, you're heading to the West Coast. Start by walking through Castle Hill Rocks (Kura Tawhiti) where you'll see massive limestone formations with views toward Arthur's Pass. Then you'll drive over Arthur's Pass and notice how the scenery shifts from grasslands to rainforest. Along the way, there's a stop for a walk to a waterfall in the coastal forest. By evening you'll check into your cabin in Punakaiki and have dinner with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Castle Hill Rocks (Kura Tawhiti)
- Walk to waterfall at Arthur's Pass
- Guided walk in coastal forest
Landmarks Castle Hill Rocks (Kura Tawhiti) Arthur's Pass - Day 3
Punakaiki
This morning you'll hike the Pororari River Loop Track, which winds through a dramatic limestone gorge and subtropical forest. In the afternoon, you have choices: either go on a guided walk to Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki Cavern, or join Underworld Adventures for a glow worm cave tour where you can tube through an underground river if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pororari River Loop Track hike
Optional Activities
- Guided walk to Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki Cavern
- Underworld Adventures glow worm cave tour
- Underground river tubing
Landmarks Pororari River Loop Track Pancake Rocks Punakaiki Cavern - Day 4
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
You're traveling south toward Franz Josef and Fox Glacier today. Start at Pounamu Pathways to see interactive displays about Maori history and cultural connections to the land. In the afternoon, you'll walk through the forest canopy at West Coast Tree Top Center on an elevated walkway that goes 20 to 40 meters above ground. If time allows, there's a guided walk at Hokatika Gorge where you'll cross a swing bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entry to Pounamu Pathways Cultural Center
- West Coast Canopy Tree Top Walk
Optional Activities
- Zipline through trees at West Coast Tree Top Center
- Guided walk at Hokatika Gorge
Landmarks Pounamu Pathways Cultural Center West Coast Tree Top Center Hokatika Gorge - Day 5
Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
You have the day free to explore Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier however you'd like. Your guide takes a mandatory rest day per New Zealand regulations. There are options including helicopter rides to distant glaciers, scenic boat cruises, ATV tours, walks on local trails, or you can just relax and take it easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Helicopter rides to distant glaciers
- Scenic boat cruises
- ATV tours
- Walk on local trails
- Relaxation and exploration
- Day 6
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Today you're leaving the West Coast and heading into Otago through Haast Pass. You'll explore hidden gems in Mount Aspiring National Park with stops at waterfalls and viewpoints. By late afternoon you'll arrive in Wanaka and check into your hotel. Later, head out for group dinner in this laid-back lakeside town. In the evening, you can walk to the well-known Wanaka Tree or hike Iron Mountain for a sunset view.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walks through Mount Aspiring National Park
- Guided stops at waterfalls and viewpoints
Optional Activities
- Walk to Wanaka Tree
- Iron Mountain sunset walk
Landmarks Haast Pass Mount Aspiring National Park Wanaka Tree Iron Mountain - Day 7
Wanaka
You're venturing into Mount Aspiring National Park to hike the Rob Roy Glacier Track. After driving along scenic Lake Wanaka, you'll reach the car park and start your hike. The trail takes you beside a rushing glacial river, across a suspension bridge, past a waterfall, and up to Rob Roy Glacier perched high on a massive rock wall. You'll return to Wanaka in the afternoon with free time to relax by the lakeshore or rent kayaks for a paddle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rob Roy Glacier Track hike
Optional Activities
- Kayak rental and paddle on Lake Wanaka
Landmarks Rob Roy Glacier Lake Wanaka 
- Day 8
Wanaka to Te Anau
You're heading south through Crown Pass and stopping in Queenstown on the way to Te Anau. In the afternoon, you'll hike a section of the Kepler Track, which is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. The route goes from Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri, crossing a suspension bridge and passing through Beech forest that inspired the Fengorn Forest scenes from Lord of the Rings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kepler Track hike (Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay)
Landmarks Kepler Track Lake Manapouri - Day 9
Te Anau to Milford Sound and back
You're driving through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound for a cruise through the fiords. During the cruise, you'll see countless waterfalls cascading down sheer rock faces with spray sweeping across the boat. After returning to land and stopping at viewpoints for photos, you'll hike the Key Summit Track, which is part of the Routeburn Track. This hike gives you alpine views of glacier-carved mountains, Lake Marian, and valleys that stretch to the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Key Summit Track hike
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Key Summit Track Lake Marian 
- Day 10
Te Anau to Queenstown
You're departing Te Anau and traveling along the scenic shores of Lake Wakatipu toward Queenstown. In the afternoon, ride the Skyline Gondola for sweeping views of Queenstown and the Remarkables mountain range. If you're interested, there's the option to hike the Ben Lomond Track with guide instructions (guides can't accompany due to regulations) to reach a saddle or the summit for panoramic views. Later, explore Queenstown's dining and nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Queenstown Gondola
Optional Activities
- Ben Lomond Track self-guided hike
- Queenstown dining and nightlife
Landmarks Skyline Gondola Ben Lomond Track The Remarkables Lake Wakatipu 
- Day 11
Queenstown
You have the full day to explore Queenstown on your own. There are lots of activity options like high-speed jet boat rides, scenic cruises with BBQ on the historic TSS Earnslaw, river rafting, skydiving, or shopping and dining. You'll rejoin the group later for dinner to share stories and photos from your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- High-speed jet boat rides
- TSS Earnslaw scenic cruise with BBQ
- River rafting
- Skydiving
- Shopping and dining in Queenstown
- Day 12
Queenstown to Tekapo Lake
Today you're heading to Mount Cook National Park for a hike among New Zealand's highest peaks. You'll see Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook's reflection and vibrant lupins. At the base of Mount Cook, you'll hike the relatively flat Hooker Valley Trail, crossing suspension bridges and a glacial lake to reach Hooker Lake. There's also a stop at Tasman Lake to see Tasman Glacier with floating icebergs. Later you'll travel to Tekapo Lake in the Mackenzie Country dark sky preserve and enjoy stargazing from Tekapo Springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hooker Valley Trail hike
- Tekapo Springs entry
Optional Activities
- Stargazing soak at Tekapo Springs
Landmarks Mount Cook Mount Cook National Park Lake Pukaki Hooker Valley Trail Hooker Lake Tasman Lake Tasman Glacier Tekapo Springs 
- Day 13
Tekapo Lake to Christchurch
You're heading back to Christchurch with stops at viewpoints along the way. You'll make a special stop at Fairlie Bakehouse to try some well-known pies like salmon, pork and apple, and the Kiwi favorite lamb and mint.
- End point
- Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (2-4 PM Drop Off- Airport/ Downtown, 14:00 - 16:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Pie tasting at Fairlie Bakehouse
Landmarks Fairlie Bakehouse
