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New Zealand
Rimu - South Island Multi-Activity Tour
The
Rimu is a very popular trip. It’s our longest running trip, now
entering its twelfth year, with constant evolution to make it as good
as we can possibly make it. We go to the most beautiful places in New
Zealand – both famous and little-known – and if you only come
here once in your life, you’ll have seen the best we have to offer
and missed very little! We snorkel to a seal colony; do an incredible
3-day guided backpacking, biking, or sea kayaking trip; take some of
New Zealand’s most stunning day hikes; and go sea kayaking and
cycling in various parts of the South Island. We maintain plenty of
options so we can make sure the trip suits all tastes and abilities,
and we have two guides to take good care of you. The Rimu is a great
way to see New Zealand if you enjoy the outdoors and like a challenge.
The accommodations vary – for over half the trip we have chosen
accommodations of very comfortable standards (B&Bs, lodges, etc...
) and for the rest of the trip we stay in more rustic lodgings in order
to be in the most beautiful and off-the-beaten-track places in New Zealand.
The Rimu is simply an awesome trip.
Monday
- Snorkeling with seals in Kaikoura
Most people leave the United States on a Saturday evening, and arrive
in Auckland early on Monday morning. You'll lose a day to the dateline
- but you get it back on the way home! You'll immediately take the short
flight to Christchurch, in the South Island, where we will meet you.
You'll need to arrive in Christchurch by 11am on the first day, at which
time we'll drive up the coast to the seaside town of Kaikoura, where
we will spend the afternoon and evening. We'll take you out to the Kaikoura
Peninsula for a snorkeling trip through the seal colony. You'll
have a wetsuit, a mask and a snorkel, and you can swim to within a couple
of feet of the native New Zealand fur seals as they cavort in the water.
This makes for a cruisy introduction to New Zealand, and gives you the
chance to spend most of the day relaxing and recovering from the long
flight. (You'll probably find jetlag is no big deal - it's a 12 hour
direct overnight flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, and there's only
a 3 hour time difference between New Zealand and US Pacific time).
ACCOMMODATION: A lovely local Bed and Breakfast, Kaikoura. (L,D)
Tuesday
- Visit vineyard, start multi-day options
From Kaikoura we’ll travel north for
a couple of hours to Blenheim, in the Marlborough wine region, and visit
Forrest Estate Winery to sample some of their fantastic wines and enjoy
a picnic on the vineyard lawn. When you book, you have the choice of
one of three 3-day/2-night options – a backpacking trip in Nelson
Lakes National Park, a sea-kayaking trip in the Marlborough Sounds,
or a biking trip on the Queen Charlotte Track. The backpacking trip
stays in mountain huts while the cyclists and sea kayakers stay in more
conventional lodgings, with private rooms, hot tubs – depending
in where we stay – and sometimes even a bar! Add US$399 + tax for
the sea kayaking or biking options. After lunch, we head off for our
various activities:
Thursday (continued) - Finish 3-day backpacking, sea kayaking or biking
After regrouping in Saint Arnaud we’ll head to the West Coast – 500 miles of gorgeous coastline with a population of only 40,000 people along its entire length. For dinner this evening, we’ll stop at the tiny seaside settlement of Charleston to pick up the quintessential Kiwi dinner – fish and chips! If it’s a fine evening, we’ll enjoy our dinner on the beach before heading south down the stunning coastline towards the coastal village of Punakaiki.
ACCOMMODATION: West Coast lodgings – comfortable and quiet (B,L,D)
Friday
- Hike in Punakaiki Rainforest
We’ll spend most of the day in Punakaiki
hiking among the limestone canyons and lush rainforest of the Inland
Pack Track. Gold miners established this trail over a century ago, so
there is a lot of pioneering history in the area. While we’re in
Punakaiki we’ll also head to the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes
– bizarre limestone formations which have been sculpted by the
relentless pounding of the Tasman Sea to resemble giant stacks of pancakes.
Then we’ll head down the scenic coastal road to Hokitika to check
out local art galleries and pounamu carving workshops (‘pounamu’
is Maori for jade) before carrying on to Okarito Lagoon. Okarito is
a hidden gem that is all but untouched due to it being 10 miles down
a one-way road from an obscure highway turnoff. With a population of
only 31 people, there are no shops, no restaurants and no traffic –
and watching the sun set over the Tasman Sea is definitely not to be
missed!
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House, Okarito – off-the-beaten-path, isolated and comfortable. (B,L,D).
Saturday - Kayak Okarito Lagoon,
You have a lot of options today. You can spend a
relaxing day in this sleepy but beautiful beach town to recharge your
batteries, or get out for awesome hiking and kayaking. Okarito is home
to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host
of other interesting birds including the Okarito brown kiwi. You can
sea kayak on the lagoon with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains for
a few hours, then hike through lush coastal forest to Three Mile Lagoon,
and walk back along deserted beach next to crashing waves. Okarito is
also a great spot just to hang out and enjoy a good book, or talk philosophy
with some of the locals!
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House (B,L,D)
Sunday
- Hike at Franz Josef Glacier
Just south of Okarito there are two formidable
glaciers descending from the mountains to the sea. In terms of scenery,
this place is off the charts, and we’ll spend most of the day hiking
at Franz Josef Glacier. We’ll hike up through the rainforest to
either Alex Knob or Roberts Point, both of which give great views of
the terminal face, lower reaches and lateral moraines of Franz Josef
Glacier. We only do these hikes in good weather, as the rocks get very
slippery in the rain. If it’s raining, we’ll do a shorter
walk to the terminal face of Fox Glacier, hike around Lake Matheson
and visit the Blue Pools near the Haast Pass.
Heli-hike option (add US$299 + tax)
A less strenuous, but outrageously scenic option
today is to heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier itself. After being fitted
with crampons, ice axes and so on, you’ll board a modern turbine
helicopter and fly towards the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, landing
on the glacier at 4,000 feet (1300m) above sea level. Led by specialist
glacier guides, you’ll hike through the grand ice formations of
the glacier, checking out its crevasses, seracs and tunnels – no
previous experience required! The constant movement of the glacier means
every day is different, so your guides will cut steps in the ice, and
make sure you make the most of the conditions. At the end of your hike
on the ice, you’ll take another helicopter ride out of the mountains,
and back to civilisation. The heli-hike is extremely
popular, so we offer advance reservations with the helicopter operators
and guiding company. At the time of booking, or up until one month before
your trip, you can reserve a space on the heli-hike, and we’ll
make sure a spot is held for you. You can leave your decision until
you’re actually on your trip, and we’ll get you a spot if
it’s available.
Heli-hikers generally return a little earlier, so we’ll rendezvous at a local café before heading south. From Franz Josef it’s about three hours down the coast to Makarora (pop. 30), a small farming village bordering Mt. Aspiring National Park. We’ll stay at a beautifully landscaped, family-style homestead on the edge of the village with incredible views of the mountains right outside your window.
ACCOMMODATION: The Homestead, Makarora – very comfortable
and spacious. (B,L,D)
Click here to see an image of where you'll be staying.
Monday - Mt. Aspiring National Park to Queenstown
We’ll head inland to Lake Wanaka for
a hike overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains, then stop in
Wanaka township for lunch. From there, it’s a short drive over
Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. ACTIVE
NEW ZEALAND is based in Queenstown for a good reason – it’s
the adventure capital of New Zealand – and you’ll find all
the comforts of civilisation: massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk
cafés and window-shopping. You’ll also find incredible optional
activities here, including hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet boating,
skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and winery tours. Many of our clients
have noted how the Rimu caters very well to people with different interests
and our time in Queenstown is a good example. For instance, keen mountain
bikers can go single track riding in Skippers Canyon, famed through
New Zealand for its mountain biking trails. There are also great hiking
and kayaking opportunities here. Queenstown isn’t a big place –
the population is about 8000 – but there’s plenty to do! Or
you can do nothing and just soak up the atmosphere or lounge about reading
a book.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown. (B,L)
Tuesday - Free day in Queenstown
It’s all up to you today – enjoy!
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments. (B)
Wednesday
- Hike Routeburn Track, cycle Hollyford Valley
This morning we head down to Te Anau for lunch, before continuing
on to The Divide where we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track.
This hike gives us unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, from mountains
to sea, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina. When we get back to
the trailhead, you’ll be fitted with a 21-speed front-suspension
Specialized mountain bike for a spectacular ride through the Hollyford
Valley. This remote and gently-rolling backcountry road is lined with
unspoilt beech forest and surrounded by towering peaks – take your
time or go as hard as you want – either way, this is a ride you’ll
never forget! If cycling isn’t your thing, you can skip it and
just enjoy the scenery. All our activities, including cycling, are optional.
We’ll end up at Hollyford Camp, an isolated and rustic establishment,
originally set up in the 1930s for the workers who built the nearby
Homer Tunnel and Milford Road. This is a beautiful, tranquil place with
a dozen cabins scattered around a museum and historic general store,
still operating to this day. Hollyford Camp is right next to the Hollyford
River and is surrounded by the mountains of Fiordland National Park.
It’s definitely not a 5-star hotel, but it’s a great little
place, and a wonderful location to hang out at the end of such an adventurous
day!
ACCOMMODATION: Hollyford Camp, Hollyford Valley – rustic but idyllic OR Milford Lodge, Milford Sound. (B,L,D)
Thursday
- Sea kayak Milford Sound, cycle to Lake Manapouri
It’s an early start today. We’ll
have a short drive through the Homer Tunnel, emerging at the top of
a spectacular alpine road winding its way down to Milford Sound. The
lush rainforest carpeting the lower slopes of the mountains gives way
to the massively steep, glacier-carved slopes and waterfalls of the
Darren Range. Milford Sound, rated the 8th Natural Wonder of the World
by Rudyard Kipling, is breathtaking. Sheer rock walls plunge thousands
of feet to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascade into the deep blue
water. Most people see Milford Sound from the deck of a cruise ship
but we’ve got a better way – gliding along in a sea kayak
causing minimum disruption to the seals and dolphins, which are very
friendly and often eager to visit. This is an awesome trip, run by specialist
kayak outfitters, and it’s equally suitable for beginners or experts.
After your morning’s paddle, we’ll have lunch before continuing
on to Lake Te Anau. You’ll have a chance to cycle along the peaceful
country road that meanders its way through southern farmlands to Lake
Manapouri Inn, beautifully located on the lake’s edge. Again, if
you prefer, you can skip the cycling and just enjoy the great views
out over the lake and the surrounding mountains of Fiordland National
Park.
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn, Lake Manapouri. (B,L,D)
Friday - Explore high-country sheep farm
Today we have a relaxed start and head back
up the road to Queenstown, where you’ll have a couple of hours
to get some lunch, do any last minute shopping, send postcards home,
or whatever you might need to do before heading back into the wilderness
for the remainder of your trip. Then we’ll drive up to Lake Pukaki,
near Mt. Cook, where we stay on Duncan and Carol McKenzie’s 60,000
acre high-country sheep farm, called Braemar Station. (‘Station’
is the New Zealand word for a big ranch.) While we’re here, we
stay in the shearers’ quarters. It’s not a 5-star hotel but
many of our clients have told us this was one of their favourite places
on the whole trip! The view out of the kitchen window in the morning
will knock your socks off – the biggest mountains in New Zealand
piercing the sky on the far side of a gorgeous cobalt-blue lake. With
no lights for miles around, the stars on a clear night are like nothing
you’ve ever seen – just the place for your last couple of
nights in New Zealand!
ACCOMMODATION: Shearers’ quarters, Braemar Station
– the views are breathtaking! (B,D)
Click here to see an image of where you'll be staying.
Saturday - Hike Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
This morning it’s an hour or so to Mt.
Cook village, at the head of Lake Pukaki. Mt. Cook, known as Aoraki
or ‘cloud piercer’ by the local Maori, is the highest mountain
in New Zealand and we have a stunning and little-known day hike (weather
permitting) to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier – directly
opposite Mt. Cook. It’s a tough slog up, but you’ll remember
the view of the Mueller Glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Main
Divide forever! There are also other hiking options if you’d like
to take it a little easier. The weather conditions are very important
in this area, as it’s a true alpine climate notorious for sudden
weather shifts. If we aren’t able to do the Mueller hike, we’ll
take an impressive hike up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake at the
base of Hooker Glacier, complete with icebergs! Then we head back to
the shearers’ quarters for the last night of the Rimu. We’ll
enjoy a traditional Kiwi BBQ and a cold drink as we sit outside and
watch the sun set over Mt. Cook.
ACCOMMODATION: Shearers' quarters. (B,L)
Sunday - Depart for home
This is the last day of your two-week trip
around the South Island. See the itinerary for the Kauri trip if you
want to take a few more days to see the North Island as well. We’ll
leave after breakfast for the three-hour drive to Christchurch, and
arrive in the afternoon in time for the flights back to Auckland. International
flights after 4pm are ideal, and we can make domestic flights as early
as 2.30pm if we have a little notice. International flights from Auckland
usually leave early evening, so if you’re heading back to North
America, you’ll get home some time on Sunday, even though you left
on Sunday evening! Flights back to Europe, of course, take a little
longer. You’ll be refreshed and invigorated from the good food,
exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New
Zealand! (B,L)
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Rimu is an activity-oriented trip around the South Island. We’ve chosen interesting and
PRICE: The trip fare is US$2999 + 12.5% government taxes. .
INCLUDED: The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
- All guiding services. We always have at least two
guides per trip, and we take no more than 14 clients per trip. This
means we can really make sure you have a great time!
- Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you
are with us. We can also organize accommodation for you if you want
to arrive earlier or leave later.
- All your meals, except in Queenstown where we've
found people prefer to check out the wide range of restaurants. Alcohol
is not generally included, although we do like to see the look on
your face when we our turn up with an icebox full of beer (and juice,
and water). After a hike!
- All hiking, cycling, and kayaking described in the
itinerary, except optional activities as noted. There are also many
optional activities available at extra cost, particularly in Queenstown.
None of these activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem
less awesome if you do the cheap or free options. Although some people
really enjoy bungy jumping, paragliding, skydiving etc, others prefer
to focus more on hiking, paddling and cycling.
- Because so much is included in the trip, you could start the Rimu with US$50 in your pocket, and go home with change.
Dates - 2009 - Mar 30 09 - Apr 12 09,
Apr 6 09 - Apr 19 09, Apr 13 09 - Apr 26 09, Apr 20 09 - May 3 09, May
4 09 - May 17 09, May 18 09 - May 31 09, Oct 5 09 - Oct 18 09, Oct 12
09 - Oct 25 09, Oct 19 09 - Nov 1 09, Oct 26 09 - Nov 8 09, Nov 2 09
- Nov 15 09, Nov 9 09 - Nov 22 09, Nov 16 09 - Nov 29 09, Nov 23 09
- Dec 6 09, Nov 30 09 - Dec 13 09, Dec 7 09 - Dec 20 09, Dec 14 09 -
Dec 27 09, Dec 21 09 - Jan 3 10, Dec 28 09 - Jan 10 10
2010 - Jan 4 10 - Jan 17 10, Jan 11 10
- Jan 24 10, Jan 18 10 - Jan 31 10, Jan 25 10 - Feb 7 10, Feb 1 10 -
Feb 14 10, Feb 8 10 - Feb 21 10, Feb 15 10 - Feb 28 10, Feb 22 10 -
Mar 7 10, Mar 1 10 - Mar 14 10, Mar 8 10 - Mar 21 10, Mar 15 10 - Mar
28 10, Mar 22 10 - Apr 4 10, Mar 29 10 - Apr 11 10, Apr 5 10 - Apr 18
10, Apr 19 10 - May 2 10, May 3 10 - May 16 10, May 17 10 - May 30 10,
May 24 10 - Jun 6 10
ACCOMMODATIONS: comfortable accommodations throughout. Some places are quite luxurious, but many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track and don’t have many accommodation options, but they are really, really spectacular. Our clients often say a real highlight of the trip is meeting their New Zealand hosts and we think you’ll love the places we stay! We prefer to stay in comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single rooms are available upon request. As there is such a variety of accommodations, some places have ensuite bathrooms and some have shared bathrooms, so we may ask you to share a bathroom with other group members on occasion.
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS: If you’re flying in on the first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we recommend arriving in Christchurch by about 9 - 10.30am on Monday, and departing from Christchurch after 2.30 - 4pm on Sunday. Other flight times may also be possible. If you are considering alternative flight times please let us know.
PICK UP INFORMATION: On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Holiday Inn City Centre in Christchurch at 10.30am, or at the Christchurch domestic airport in front of the information desk at 11am.
DROP OFF INFORMATION: On the last day of the trip we can drop you off at Christchurch airport in time for the flights above, or anywhere in central Christchurch in mid-late afternoon.
TRIP DIRECTION: To keep our group sizes down, we run the Rimu in two different directions around the South Island – northbound (refers to the initial direction of travel from Christchurch) and southbound. This itinerary happens to be written up in the northbound format. We also run the Rimu starting and ending in Queenstown. Whichever direction you take, you'll do all the activities we've mentioned, just in a different order. This trip is a product of many years of evolution and fine-tuning – it works well whichever way you do it!
FITNESS: You must have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on the Rimu. You don’t have to be young and extremely fit (although if you are, you won’t be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some exercise. Age and experience are not important. For example, a person in their 50s who hikes every couple of weeks will be happier than a 22-year-old couch potato. If you’re concerned about your fitness level, have a chat with us so we can help you choose between the Rimu and our other trips.
EXPERIENCE: You don’t need any outdoor experience at all to enjoy our trips. All our trips allow you to make the most of New Zealand’s incredible environment. Our experienced guides are highly trained, and will look after you! You don’t have to carry a heavy pack. You don’t need to have been in a sea kayak before to enjoy kayaking Okarito Lagoon or Milford Sound. You don’t need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy the rides we have available. In fact we have so many options available that you don’t need to ride at all, if you’d rather hike, fish, or just laze around! All we ask is that you be energetic and in reasonable shape and you’ll have an incredible time. The challenges are there though, if you’re looking for them. For instance, on the second day of the backpacking trip we spend the day climbing to Lake Angelus. The views are incredible – and they get better the higher you go – so the fitter members of the party often push on to the top of the ridge for some unforgettable views of both sides of the South Island, while others enjoy just staying at the hut and admiring the view. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government licenses and our staff are highly trained and experienced.
FLEXIBILITY: Because of the off-the-beaten-path and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodations on this trip, we sometimes need to change a night stop. For instance, every now and then the shearers’ quarters at Braemar Station are required by the shearers. We try to make as few changes as possible, but we ask that you know we retain the flexibility to make sure your trip is as good as it can be.
Winter dates: 2009 - Jun 1 09 - Jun 14
09, Jun 15 09 - Jun 28 09, Jun 29 09 - Jul 12 09, Jul 6 09 - Jul 19
09, Jul 13 09 - Jul 26 09, Jul 27 09 - Aug 9 09, Aug 10 09 - Aug 23
09, Aug 24 09 - Sep 6 09, Sep 7 09 - Sep 20 09
2010 - May 31 10 - Jun 13 10, Jun 14 10
- Jun 27 10, Jun 28 10 - Jul 11 10
Winter is one of the best times to hike in New Zealand
as we’ll almost always have the tracks to ourselves, and with all
the snow-capped mountains, it’s a beautiful time of year to explore.
Our maritime climate ensures we have mild winters suitable for outdoor
pursuits (typical day temperature is about 45-60°F or 8-15°C)
and the Winter Rimu trip is well adapted to suit the cooler conditions.
We do two incredible multi-day guided backpacking trips to alpine hot
pools, glaciers and remote snowfields. We take some of the best day
hikes in the country and head out for unforgettable sea kayaking and
biking, or if you prefer, a couple of days of skiing or snowboarding
in the mountains surrounding Queenstown. We maintain plenty of options
so we can make sure the trip suits everyone and we generally have two
guides per trip to take good care of you. The accommodations vary –
for over half the trip we stay in accommodations of comfortable standards
(B&Bs, lodges, etc... ) and for the rest of the trip we have chosen
more rustic accommodations in order to be in the most beautiful, isolated,
and off-the-beaten-track places in New Zealand. The Winter Rimu is simply
an awesome trip.
Monday - Arrive, hike Mt. John
Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere
on a Saturday evening, and arrive in Auckland early on Monday morning.
You’ll lose a day to the dateline – but you get it back on
the way home! You’ll take a short flight to Christchurch in the
South Island arriving by around 10am. We’ll meet you there, and
then head south for a hike at Mt. John. We’ll walk along the shores
of Lake Tekapo then head uphill through fragrant wilding pine, before
emerging above the treeline for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding
mountains. Then we’ll drive to the remote and beautiful Lake Ohau
Lodge, near Mt. Cook. With awesome views of Lake Ohau, Glen Mary Glacier,
Mt. Cook and the Lake Ohau Range, you’ll see why this is one of
our favourite winter hideaways! The stars here are amazing too, as there
is no artificial light for miles in any direction. You’ll have
the rest of the afternoon to relax at the lodge or head out for another
short walk to explore your surroundings. We always make sure the first
day of our trips is relaxing and undemanding, so you can recover from
your flight. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll
probably find jetlag is no big deal. For instance, it’s a 12-hour
direct overnight flight from the West Coast of the USA to Auckland,
and there’s only a five-hour time difference between New Zealand
and US Pacific time. If you have more time, by all means try to arrive
in New Zealand a day or so early, especially if you’re coming from
further afield.
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Ohau Lodge, Lake Ohau (L,D)
Tuesday - Hike Mt. Cook National Park or ski at Ohau
Ski Area
We’ll have a leisurely start today. After
a late breakfast on the balcony overlooking Lake Ohau, it’s a short
drive to Mt. Cook village, at the head of Lake Pukaki. Here we’ll
take an impressive hike up Hooker Valley to a glacial lake complete
with icebergs! This is a great spot for lunch and on a clear day the
views of Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, are stunning.
Then we’ll return to Lake Ohau where we’ll enjoy a sumptuous
dinner. Another option today is to spend the day skiing at the small
and friendly Ohau Ski Area, one of the South Island’s more remote
backcountry ski fields. (Skiing option about US$100.)
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Ohau Lodge (B,L,D)
Wednesday - Hike in Mt. Aspiring National Park
Today we start the first of two memorable
multi-day hikes. This hike is well suited to winter conditions, due
to the sheer beauty and unpopulated nature of the area at this time
of year. It is a gentle valley walk of less than three hours, but we
have a great side hike to Rob Roy Glacier on the way to the hut which
is considered one of the best day hikes in the South Island. The trail
passes tumbling rivers, towering snowfields, and huge mountain peaks
straight from the set of The Lord of the Rings! We hike up a narrow
glacial valley, coming out of the forest in a dramatic alpine cirque,
with incredible views of the Southern Alps. When we arrive at the hut
you can continue further up the valley or simply head for the fireside
and relax. Mt. Aspiring Hut is a spacious and modern mountain lodge,
albeit in the middle of nowhere, with floor to ceiling windows that
perfectly frame Mt. Aspiring – one of New Zealand’s tallest
peaks at nearly 10,000 feet – at the head of the valley. We limit
numbers on this hike to minimise our impact on the area. If you prefer
not to stay in the hut we offer an alternative option, staying at the
more luxurious Lake Wanaka Lodge and doing day hikes into the mountains,
or just relaxing and enjoying Wanaka’s laid-back, small town atmosphere!
The choice is yours.
ACCOMMODATION: Mt. Aspiring Hut, Mt. Aspiring National Park (B,L,D)
Thursday - Hike Mt. Aspiring National Park
We have a leisurely start today, enjoying
a healthy breakfast and admiring the views, before hiking back out to
the trailhead. From here we have a short drive to Wanaka where we’ll
meet up with the rest of the group. Then we’ll cross the Cardrona
Saddle and drop into Queenstown, a picturesque town set in a basin on
the edge of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by snowy peaks. It’s a
great place to spend a couple of days, and you’ll find all sorts
of options to pique your interest!
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown (B,L)
Friday - Free day in Queenstown
Queenstown it’s the adventure capital
of New Zealand and you’ll find all the comforts of civilisation:
massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, window-shopping,
and adrenaline-pumping activities! You’ll also find incredible
optional activities here too, such as hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet
boating, skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and winery tours. Many of
our clients have noted that the Winter Rimu caters very well to people
with quite different interests and our time in Queenstown is a good
example. For instance, there are great hiking, biking and kayaking opportunities
in this region. Also, being winter you can go skiing or snowboarding
for the day at one of Queenstown’s nearby ski areas (approximate
cost US$100 for ski or snowboard hire, transport and lift pass –
available as snow conditions suit, generally from June to September).
Or you can do nothing and just soak up the atmosphere, or lounge about
reading a book.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B)
Saturday - Multi-day cycling and kayaking OR skiing/snowboarding options
When you book, you have the choice of a 3-day/2 night cycling and kayaking option in Fiordland National Park or a skiing/snowboarding option in Queenstown. Each is wonderful in its own way, so we’ll let you decide! After breakfast together, we head off for our various activities:
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CYCLING AND KAYAKING OPTION IN MANAPOURI AND
MILFORD SOUND Today is a cycling day, for the keen cyclists among us! You’ll be fitted with a 21-speed front-suspension Specialized mountain bike for a spectacular ride near Queenstown, or if you prefer to avoid cycling in winter, you’ll have most of today available for extra Queenstown options. We’ll do one of the many cycling tracks in the area, and the biking is guaranteed to suit all levels of ability. At the end of the day, we have a two-hour drive to Lake Manapouri, which will be the base for our sea kayaking adventure to Milford Sound. We’ll stay at Lake Manapouri Inn, with great views over the lake and the surrounding mountains of Fiordland National Park. ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn, Manapouri (B,L,D) Sunday - Sea kayak Milford Sound ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn (B,L,D) Monday - Cycle near Lake Manapouri |
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING OPTION IN QUEENSTOWN
(available as snow conditions suit - generally June - Sept) Saturday (continued) With Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Cardrona ski areas all within an hour of Queenstown, there are plenty of skiing and snowboarding options for novices and experts alike, and being locals we’ll be happy to point you to the best of them! If you want to brush up on your skills, or if you’re relatively new to the sport, private lessons are a great option (private lessons are about US$75-80 per person per hour), although not essential. You can bring your own gear, or you can rent gear down here (gear hire is about US$40 per day). Conditions vary throughout the season, but you can expect good skiing and riding, on and off-piste, with plenty of chairlifts and scenery that will blow you away! If you want to go skiing, but you don’t want to miss out on Milford Sound, you can also use today or tomorrow to take a day trip to the world famous Fiordland National Park. At the time of booking, or up until one month before your trip let us know if you would like to organise a day trip to Milford and we’ll be happy to arrange this for you ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B) Sunday - Skiing or snowboarding ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B) Monday - Skiing or snowboarding |
Monday (Continued) - Finish multi-day options
After regrouping we’ll head to the tiny hamlet
of Makarora, on the edge of Mt. Aspiring National Park. We’ll stay
in a comfortable family-style homestead and enjoy a beautifully prepared
meal.
ACCOMMODATION: The Homestead, Makarora – very comfortable and spacious (B,D)
Tuesday - Hike to Copland Hot Pools, Westland National
Park
We are very privileged to be able to do this
hike. We’ll walk into a stunningly beautiful mountain basin, set
directly underneath the towering peaks of the Southern Alps, with an
awesome accoutrement – reliable natural hot pools! It’s a
challenging six to seven hour hike (17km/10 miles) up the Copland Valley
with a gradual 1,000 foot elevation gain, but it’s worth it to
have all of tomorrow to take side hikes, soak in the hot pools and enjoy
your alpine surroundings. You don’t have to carry a very heavy
pack – our guides are pretty tough and they’ll carry the lion’s
share of the load. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare
clothes, and some food – no need for any more than that. Once we
reach the hot pools, we stay in one of New Zealand’s most modern
and spacious backcountry huts. It’s a hut in name only – it’s
a comfortable two-storied building (a palace compared to many New Zealand
huts) and one of the best things about hiking this track in winter is
we may well have it all to ourselves!
ACCOMMODATION: Welcome Flat Hut, Westland National Park (B,L,D)
Wednesday - Hike to Douglas Rock and soak in the
hot pools
Today we will hike further up the track towards
Douglas Rock for even more amazing scenery and views of multiple glaciers
clinging to the top of the mountain valley. If you prefer, you can have
a relaxing day at the hut – soak in the hot pools, enjoy the stunning
scenery, or even just hang out with a book! Either way, the hot pools
are without a doubt the star attraction here; closely followed by the
spectacular meals we’ll be serving up!.
ACCOMMODATION: Welcome Flat Hut (B,L,D)
Thursday - Hike Copland Valley and relax in Okarito
An early start sees us on the track and walking
back to the trailhead. It’s a little quicker this time, being slightly
downhill, and we’ll be back by mid-afternoon. With a really early
start, we’ll have time to stop at Fox Glacier afterwards, for a
walk right up to the glacier’s terminal face. Fox Glacier is an
enormous river of ice, unusual in that it comes right down through the
rainforest to sea level. Then we’ll carry on to Okarito Lagoon,
a West Coast gem that is all but untouched due to it being 10 miles
down a one-way road from an obscure highway turnoff. There are no shops,
no restaurants, no traffic, and a population of only 31 people! We stay
at the Okarito Beach House, and you’ll love this place. There’s
plenty to do here so we’ll stay two nights, to catch our breath
and relax. Tonight you can sprawl by the fire with a glass of mulled
wine (or hot chocolate!) after your long hike.
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House, Okarito – off-the-beaten-path and very cosy (B,L,D)
Friday - Kayak Okarito Lagoon, hike beach and forest
Today you can spend a relaxing day in this
sleepy but beautiful beach town to recharge your batteries, or get out
for awesome hiking and kayaking. Okarito Lagoon is home to the only
native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as lots of other amazing
birdlife including the Okarito Brown kiwi. You can sea kayak on the
lagoon with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains for a few hours, then
spend the rest of the day hiking along the beach or in coastal rainforest.
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House (B,L,D)
Saturday - Hike Punakaiki Rainforest and beaches
This morning we’ll drive along the coast
to Hokitika to check out local art galleries and a pounamu carving workshops
(‘pounamu’ is Maori for jade). Then after lunch, we’ll
carry on to Punakaiki, where we’ll spend the afternoon hiking among
the limestone canyons and lush rainforest of the Inland Pack Track.
We start at a classic ‘submergence’ – where the river
suddenly dries up mid-stream and goes underground for a mile or so before
resurfacing at Cave Creek. The rainforest in this area is unbelievably
lush, and the limestone canyons and distant hazy mountains of Paparoa
National Park make this an awesome day hike. The trail was originally
established by gold miners over a century ago, so there’s plenty
of history in the area as well. We’ll also check out Punakaiki’s
famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes.
ACCOMMODATION: West Coast lodgings, Punakaiki (B,L,D)
Sunday - Depart for home
This is the last day of your two-week trip
around the South Island. We’ll leave after breakfast for the four-hour
drive to Christchurch, and arrive early in the afternoon for flights
back to Auckland. Any flight after 4pm is ideal but we can make 3pm
flights with a little notice. International flights from Auckland usually
leave early evening, so if you’re crossing the dateline you’ll
get home some time on Sunday, even though you left on Sunday evening!
Flights to Europe, of course, take a little longer. Wherever you’re
travelling to, you’ll go back refreshed and invigorated from the
good food, exercise, rest and great times you’ll have had with
us in New Zealand! (B,L)
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Winter Rimu is an activity-oriented trip around the South Island. We’ve chosen interesting and comfortable accommodations throughout. Some places are quite luxurious, but many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track and don’t have many accommodation options, but they are really, really spectacular. Our clients often say a real highlight of the trip is meeting their New Zealand hosts and we think you’ll love the places we stay! We prefer to stay in comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single rooms are available upon request. As there's such a variety of accommodations on this trip, some places will have ensuite bathrooms and some will have shared bathrooms, so we may ask you to share a bathroom with other group members on occasion.
TRIP DIRECTION: To keep our group sizes down, we run the Winter Rimu in two different directions around the South Island - northbound (refers to the initial direction of travel from Christchurch) and southbound. This itinerary happens to be written up in the southbound format. Whichever direction you take, you'll do all the activities we've mentioned, just in a different order. This trip is a product of many years of evolution and fine-tuning – it works well whichever way you do it!
INCLUDED: The trip fare is US$2999 + 12.5% NZ government taxes. We quote all prices in US dollars, so our guests from all over the world can more easily relate prices to their own currencies. You can also join for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated fare. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
• All guiding services. We have two guides per
trip, a lead guide/driver and a co-guide who is responsible for meals
and accommodations. This means we can really make sure you have a great
time! We operate with small groups and we don’t hesitate to offer
a second departure when our trips start getting full.
• Comfortable accommodations for the entire period you are with
us. We can also organize accommodations for you if you want to arrive
earlier or leave later.
• All your meals, except in Queenstown where we’ve found people
prefer to check out the wide range of restaurants.
• All hiking, cycling, and kayaking described in the itinerary,
except optional extra activities, such as skiing at Lake Ohau or activities
on your free day in Queenstown. We have estimated the rates for optional
extra activities operated by local activity operators in US dollars,
including all required equipment, but these rates may vary according
to the USD/NZD exchange rate of the day. There are many optional activities
available at extra cost, particularly in Queenstown. None of these activities
are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you do the
cheap or free options. Although some people enjoy sampling hang gliding,
bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, and so on, others prefer to focus
more on the hiking, paddling and cycling, which is of course the reason
you’re coming to New Zealand in the first place!
NOT INCLUDED: This is your holiday, and we are serious about not nickel-and-diming you! You’ll have a few meals and drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you’ll probably feel like tipping your guides at the end of a fabulous time, but you won’t be pulling out your wallet every few minutes on your trip!
We'll see you soon!