New Zealand

Mountain Landscapes Hiking Tour

A walking trip to some of the most spectacular alpine peaks and valleys in the South Island, as well as some of our hidden secrets. A trip designed to appeal to the more active trekker looking to discover the lesser-visited locations and be provided with comfortable accommodation and excellent, knowledgeable guides.

Day 1
Above Christchurch we start the walking with a skyline trek that provides us with stunning vistas across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps and back. We also explore the volcanic history that is now our Lyttelton Harbour. This early hike stretches our legs and sets the scene for the next 10 days. Departing from Christchurch we travel across the plains into the Canterbury foothills. Over the Porter Pass we make a stop at the surreal Castle Hill boulders, our own limestone Stonehenge, with the chance to explore and discover something of the cultural heritage of this unique area. After a further short drive we enter the native Beech Forests of the Craigieburn Range and embark on a 2 hour round trip which explores this
scenic area. In the late afternoon we return to our lodge accommodation and enjoy a meal together. (L, D)

Day 2
After a hearty breakfast we head into the fringes of the nearby Arthurs Pass and hike an easy 3 hour round trip on a gently rising mountain spur with its views into the broad river valleys below and defined vegetation patterns. Eventually returning to the coach, we drive onto Arthurs Pass in time for lunch and a
short walk to a nearby waterfall. Back on the coach we cross the pass and descend into the rainforests of the West Coast, travelling onto Franz Josef for our next two nights. (B, L)

Day 3
Okarito Lagoon is the home of the white heron and numerous other bird life. There is no better way to explore this unique area than by sea kayak on an incoming tide. After this delightful excursion we walk the old gold mining coastal track over to the next bay and return via the wild beach on a low tide. En route we divert to the nearby trig point from where we obtain one of the finest views of the Southern Alps. (B, L)

Day 4
We drive onto nearby Fox Glacier and following the briefing, depart for a 4-hour walk onto the glacier itself. With guide and ice axe we have the unique experience of walking on 200- metre thick ice next to dripping rainforest. We travel south down the coast until Haast where we turn inland and cross the Southern Alps again before arriving at our accommodation at Makarora. (B, L, D)

Day 5
An early morning start begins with an awesome scenic flight over the nearby Aspiring National Park before landing at a small mountain airstrip. Crossing the nearby river to a mountain hut we then turn down valley and walk through the beech forests to the Wilkin Valley in time to meet our jet boat for an adrenaline
rush as we boat back to Makarora, our accommodation and a hearty BBQ dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 6
Leaving the beautiful lodge we drive to a nearby quiet bush walk and enjoy a short walk with stunning views onto the lake. By early afternoon we reach Lake Wanaka and a chance to relax, catch up with postcards or just read a book. (B, L)

Day 7
From Lake Wanaka we drive over the Crown Range with its spectacular views into the Wakatipu Basin. After a chance to explore historic Arrowtown we travel onto Te Anau and our accommodation. A late afternoon walk on the nearby Kepler track takes us to the shores of Lake Manapouri. This return hike
provides an insight into the vegetation changes of this rainforest, before we return to Te Anau for the evening. (B, L)

Day 8
With an early start we drive into the Fiordland National Park with its huge glaciated walls and rainforests. Driving into the Darran Mountains we come to understand some of the forces of nature as we view the devastation wrought by the huge avalanches that fall off the vertical walls in the heart of winter.
At the Hollyford Valley road end we start our 17 km walk following the picturesque river valley and through some of Fiordland’s premium rainforest. Surrounded by towering peaks above the valley floor we make our way to our secluded lodge for the night. (B L D)

Day 9
After our fantastic lodge breakfast we walk and jet boat to historic Martin’s Bay where we have a chance to explore this remote coastal area visited by so few. From here we take an exciting flight around the coastline and through magical Milford Sound. In the early evening we sail out into the Sound and overnight on our magnificent purpose built ketch. Enjoy an optional kayak and/or fishing in the evening for those feeling fit and energetic. (B, L, D)

Day 10
There is often an opportunity before breakfast to view the rare endemic Fiordland Crested Penguin and the unique underwater observatory on the voyage back to the wharf at Milford. We rejoin our bus and climb up through the Homer Tunnel to the Gertrude Valley. We have options for a final alpine walk on the way back to Te Anau and then onwards to Queenstown for our final night and the end of the tour. (B, L)

2009-2010 Dates

Prices

Included
• Guides and transportation
• All accommodation including the last night in Queenstown
• Meals - all breakfasts and lunches and 5 dinners
• All activities as below
• Bushmans Centre Museum
• Okarito Lagoon guided kayak tour
• Fox Glacier guided bush and glacier walk
• Siberia Experience scenic flight, Hike, and Jet Boat tour
• Milford Wanderer overnight in Milford Sound
• Access and concession fees to Dept of Conservation land
• New Zealand Goods and Service Tax (GST)
• Optional return transport to Christchurch on Day 11

Not Included
• Breakfast on Day 1 and the morning following the trip finish (Day 11)
• Any alternative or optional activities throughout the trip
• Personal expenses
• Alcohol other than that supplied on Day 1 evening meal
• 5 evening meals

Pre trip briefing
At 8.30am on the day of departure, our guides will collect you from your hotel. Prior to the trip departure, we will provide a trip overview and briefing on the walks and the itinerary overall. A more in depth briefing will be undertaken at the Basin lodge that night.

Accommodation and meals
Accommodation during the Mt Landscapes is as diverse as it is interesting! We have sought locations that add value to the experience of your trip. Accommodation is on a twin share (or double) basis unless you request and pay for a single supplement. If you require a single room throughout the trip, please note that there may be some places where a single room cannot be provided, as is the case with the Milford Overnight Cruise. Private facilities are available on six nights with the balance being shared facilities.
Meals are either provided by your guides or are taken as a group at the accommodation or at a local restaurant. On five nights that dinners are not provided clients are free to dine out with or without the group. Our guides will often provide breakfasts and lunches, and these are usually a highlight of the trip. We have asked you to advise us of any dietary requirements you may have. Your accommodation
for the final night at Queenstown is supplied. While we recommend a final evening meal in town,
neither this, nor the breakfast the next morning are included in the price.

Because the weather is often changeable, and the nature of the adventure activities involved, you will need to have suitable clothing for a wide range of conditions. The following is a recommended list.
• hiking boots (with firm ankle support and soles which grip well) - essential
• warm socks x 2 pairs (wool or polypropylene)
• day pack for personal equipment (preferably waterproof, can be supplied for you)
• sports shoes
• light socks
• waterproof parka/anorak (with hood) - essential (see weather section)
• waterproof leggings highly recommended (see weather section)
• shorts or light trousers
• T shirts
• sunhat (baseball cap or sunshade is ideal)
• swim suit for the adventurous and towel
• warm trousers or sweat pants
• warm shirt
• woollen jersey or fleece jacket
• warm hat
• gloves or mittens
• thermal underwear or an extra old woollen jersey (lightweight)
• comfortable casual wear for the evenings
• personal toilet gear
Miscellaneous items
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• drink bottle (approximately 1 litre)
• insect repellent
• camera and film (optional)
• small torch
• trek pole

Health and fitness
This is an active holiday so you need to be fit and in good health. If you are taking medication please let your guide know. Fitness is difficult to define. However as a general rule you should be able to comfortably walk for up to 3-4 hours a day, on some uneven ground and with some uphill. If you don’t do a lot of physical activity we would recommend you set yourself a programme starting with short walks of say half an hour a day and gradually building up to 3-4 longer walks each week, including some uphill. The secret is to start slowly, and increase your exercise gradually. The fitter you are the more enjoyable your trip will be.

Weather
New Zealand enjoys a sub-tropical maritime climate, i.e. a climate with few extremes. However the weather can be changeable. Maximum mid summer temperatures range from 12°-25°C (65°-77°F) with January and February being the warmest months. The temperatures are cooler in the mountain regions. It does rain at times especially on the West Coast and in Fiordland, but this is rarely a problem. However you do need a
waterproof parka or anorak. Occasionally weather conditions on the land or coastal waters may prevent us from completing a scheduled activity. The decision to alter the itinerary is made in the best interest of the group and it’s safety, and alternative plans are made.

Luggage
We recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer. We urge you to keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday we can easily arrange to have it shipped to Queenstown for the end of the trip.