Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Christchurch to Kaikoura- Start point
- Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand (On the first morning of the trip, please meet us in the lobby at Rydges Latimer Square Hotel at 10:00am, our designated departure point for all guests on your trip., 10:00)
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch at Gore Bay), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima - Kaikoura)
Included Activities
- Coastal drive from Christchurch to Kaikoura
- Picnic lunch at Gore Bay
- Coastal walk in Kaikoura with fur seal viewing
Landmarks Gore Bay Kaikoura Coastline - Day 2
Kaikoura to Nelson Lakes National Park
Kaikoura to Nelson Lakes National Park- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alpine Lodge), Hotel (Lakehead Hut)
Included Activities
- Hike from St Arnaud to Lakehead Hut (Active option) - 6.8 miles, 3-4 hours with 65 feet elevation gain/loss
- Water taxi return from Lakehead to St Arnaud (Active option)
- Backcountry hike from St Arnaud to Lakehead Hut (Challenging option) - 6.8 miles, 3-4 hours with 65 feet elevation gain/loss
Landmarks Lake Rotoiti Nelson Lakes National Park Lakehead Hut - Day 3
Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch by the lake (Active option)), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alpine Lodge), Hotel (Angelus Hut)
Included Activities
- Water taxi to Coldwater Hut (Active option)
- Hike from Coldwater Hut to St Arnaud (Active option) - 6.8 miles, 4-5 hours with 524 feet ascent and 459 feet descent
- Visit Whisky Creek and Whisky Falls (Active option)
- Backcountry hike from Lakehead Hut to Angelus Hut (Challenging option) - 6.2 miles, 6-8 hours with 3,445 feet ascent
Landmarks Lake Rotoiti Coldwater Hut Whisky Creek Whisky Falls West Bay Angelus Hut Hukere Stream - Day 4
Nelson Lakes National Park to Punakaiki
Nelson Lakes National Park to Punakaiki- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch with reunited parties), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Punakaiki)
Included Activities
- Hike toward Roberts Ridge (Active option) - up to 3.4 miles, with up to 1,804 feet ascent and descent
- Hike from Angelus Hut along Roberts Ridge to Lake Rotoiti (Challenging option) - 6.8 miles, 4-6 hours with 623 feet ascent and 3,117 feet descent
- Group lunch with reunited parties
- Travel across the Southern Alps to the West Coast
Landmarks Roberts Ridge Mt Robert Pinchgut Track Lake Rotoiti Tasman Bay Kahurangi National Park Southern Alps - Day 5
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
Punakaiki to Franz Josef- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch by the lake), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rainforest Retreat)
Included Activities
- Hike the Inland Pack Track through rainforest and limestone country - 4.6 miles, 3-4 hours with 459 feet ascent and 426 feet descent
- Visit Pancake Rocks and blowholes
- Browse Hokitika galleries and pounamu (greenstone) carving workshops
- Travel to Franz Josef
Landmarks Inland Pack Track Whisky Creek Whisky Falls Pancake Rocks Punakaiki Blowholes Hokitika - Day 6
Franz Josef - Okarito Lagoon
Franz Josef - Okarito Lagoon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rainforest Retreat)
Included Activities
- Sea kayaking on Okarito Lagoon - 2-4 hours
- Birdwatching from kayak
- Optional coastal walk - 2.6 miles, 1-2 hours with 394 feet ascent and descent
Optional Activities
- Coastal walk through Okarito landscape
- Hot tub soak at accommodation
- Unhurried time exploring Okarito
Landmarks Okarito Lagoon Southern Alps 
- Day 7
Franz Josef to Makarora
Franz Josef to Makarora- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wonderland Lodge)
Included Activities
- Hike near Franz Josef Glacier through forest - up to 5.5 miles, 4-5 hours with up to 1,640 feet ascent and descent
- Alternative hike to Lake Matheson and Blue Pools (if weather prevents Franz Josef hike)
- Travel to Makarora
Optional Activities
- Stargazing at Makarora on clear nights
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Southern Alps Lake Matheson Blue Pools Haast Pass Mt Aspiring National Park - Day 8
Makarora to Queenstown
Makarora to Queenstown- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Wanaka)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown), Hotel (Voco Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Hike the Rocky Mountain Track - 4.5 miles, 2-3 hours with 1,230 feet ascent and descent
- Travel to Wanaka for lunch
- Drive across Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown
Landmarks Rocky Mountain Track Wanaka Cardrona Saddle Lake Wakatipu - Day 9
Queenstown
Queenstown- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown), Hotel (Voco Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Queenstown area
- Mountain biking
- Kayaking
- Gondola ride
- Winery visit
- Spa treatment
- Café stops
- Day 10
Depart Queenstown
Depart Queenstown- End point
- Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand (Your trip ends after breakfast.)
Included Activities
- Group farewell and reflection
