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Bus and Self-drive Tours / Escorted Tours for
18-35 year olds
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Tui - 8 days
The Tui is an action-packed, adventure-oriented itinerary
that works well if you are looking for an incredible adventure vacation
but don’t have a lot of time to see our country, or as part of
a longer trip to New Zealand. You can fly from home on a Friday evening,
sleep on the plane, and then be back at work by Monday, 10 days later.
We always offer plenty of choices for activities, but remember, it’s
your vacation so nothing is compulsory! Anyone in reasonable shape can
do the activities we offer. You’ll see some great parts of New
Zealand, but we won’t pretend you’re going to see it all.
The Tui trip is about quality not quantity!
Sunday - Arrive, hike in Arthur’s
Pass
The Tui trip starts in Christchurch, the main
city and airport in the South Island. You’ll need to be in Christchurch
by around 9am. We’ll meet you there and head to the Southern Alps
for a hike in Arthur’s Pass to Devils Punchbowl where we’ll
see an awesome 430 foot (131 metre) waterfall. We then head down the
coast to the beautiful seaside village of Okarito, one of the best kept
secrets of the West Coast, that’s 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. Because of the action-packed nature of the Tui, we get much
of the driving out of the way on the first day of the trip. As an option,
you can miss out most of the first day’s driving by meeting us
in the afternoon in the West Coast town of Hokitika, a short 30-minute
flight from Christchurch, and we’ll pick you up on the way through.
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House, Okarito – off-the-beaten-path, isolated and comfortable (L,D)
Monday - 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, and head south. From Franz Josef we head down the coast to Haast, an isolated West Coast hamlet, where we’ll be having the quintessential Kiwi dinner – fish and chips!
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Park Lodge, Haast (B,L,D)
Tuesday - Start Mt. Aspiring National Park options
This morning we’ll drive to Makarora,
on the eastern side of Mt. Aspiring National Park. At the time of booking,
you have the choice of one of two different 2-day/1-night options –
a backpacking trip in Mt. Aspiring National Park, or an overnight stay
in the small farming village of Makarora. After lunch, we head off for
our various activities:
|
SIBERIA VALLEY WILDERNESS OPTION IN MT. ASPIRING
NATIONAL PARK Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Lake
Crucible This is the only night on the Tui where accommodations
are a little more basic, but we’ll be back in civilisation
the next day. 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,
although we’ll provide tents and so on if you’d prefer
to camp out under the stars Wednesday - Hike Siberia Valley, jet boat |
MAKARORA ADVENTURE OPTION IN MT. ASPIRING NATIONAL
PARK Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Mt.
Shrimpton ACCOMMODATION: Makarora Wilderness Resort, Makarora
(B,L,D) Wednesday - Jet boat Wilkin River |
Wednesday (continued) - Finish Mt. Aspiring National
Park options
After regrouping in Makarora we’ll have
a picnic lunch, before a beautiful drive down past Lake Hawea to the
shores of Lake Wanaka. We cross the mountains at Cardrona Saddle where
you will enjoy spectacular views of the Wakatipu basin, and then head
through to Queenstown by mid-afternoon.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown (B,L)
Thursday - Hike Ben Lomond or free day in Queenstown
Today you have two options – a full day
hike or a free day to yourself – it’s up to you! For those
keen for a challenging alpine hike, after breakfast we’ll hike
up Ben Lomond Track. Ben Lomond, one of Queenstown’s prominent
peaks, was named by the early Scottish settlers in the area who were
reminded of the highlands of their home country. We hike up through
forested slopes which then give way to alpine tussock-land leading us
to the summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point you’ll find
yourself immersed in amazing views over Queenstown Bay and Lake Wakatipu
which are themselves dwarfed by the surrounding mountains such as Mt.
Aspiring.
As an alternative, you can have a free day with no activities scheduled, although we’ll certainly help with suggestions if you like. Queenstown is a great place to spend a couple of days. You’ll find all the comforts of civilisation: massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, window-shopping and adrenaline pumping activities! You’ll also find some incredible optional activities here such as biking, hang gliding, hiking, white-water rafting, jet boating, skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and wine tours – it’s all here! Your guides can help you during the trip to book any of these optional activities. Queenstown is not 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.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments (B)
Friday - 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)
Saturday - 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 head back to Hollyford
Camp for 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, Manapouri (B,L,D)
Sunday - Depart for home
Well, it’s almost time to go home. We’ll
leave after breakfast for the two-hour drive to Queenstown, and arrive
by late morning in time for the flights back to Christchurch or Auckland.
This will have been a very exhilarating week, and you’ll be buzzing
with excitement but feeling relaxed and refreshed as well! See the itinerary
for the Kauri trip if you want to take a few more days to see the North
Island. (B)
2009 PRICE: The trip fare is US$2299 + 12.5% government taxes.
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.
- Transport as required, in our super-comfortable vehicles,
planes, jet boats, and whatever else is required.
- 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, bungy jumping and kayaking described in the itinerary. There are also many optional activities available at extra cost 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 paragliding, skydiving etc, others prefer to focus more on hiking, paddling and cycling.
Dates: 2009 - Apr 5 09 - Apr 12 09, Oct
11 09 - Oct 18 09, Oct 18 09 - Oct 25 09, Oct 25 09 - Nov 1 09, Nov
8 09 - Nov 15 09,
Nov 15 09 - Nov 22 09, Nov 22 09 - Nov 29 09, Dec 6 09 - Dec 13 09,
Dec 20 09 - Dec 27 09, Dec 27 09 - Jan 3 10
2010 - Jan 3 10 - Jan 10 10, Jan 10 10 - Jan 17 10, Jan 17 10
- Jan 24 10, Jan 31 10 - Feb 7 10, Feb 14 10 - Feb 21 10, Feb 28 10
- Mar 7 10, Mar 14 10 - Mar 21 10, Mar 28 10 - Apr 4 10, Apr 11 10 -
Apr 18 10
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Tui 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. 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.
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 8 - 9am on the first Sunday, and departing from Queenstown any time after 12 noon on the last Sunday. Other flight times may also be possible including flying straight to Hokitika on the first day – 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 9.30am, or at the Christchurch airport in front of the information desk at 10am. Another option is to meet us at the Hokitika airport that afternoon.
DROP OFF INFORMATION: On the last day of the trip we can drop you off anywhere in central Queenstown in the late morning, or at the Queenstown airport in time for the flights above
FITNESS: We incorporate plenty of adventure activities and our focus is on getting you out of the vehicle, out of stress-mode, and into the scenery! Like all our trips, you don’t need to be young or really fit – but this trip is all about action and pace, and it’s definitely not designed for couch potatoes. Every one of the days on the trip will be unforgettable. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government transport and outdoor guiding licenses and our staff are highly trained and experienced.
EXPERIENCE: You don’t have to have any outdoor experience at all to enjoy the Tui. We offer trips that allow you to make the most of New Zealand’s incredible outdoor environment. Our highly trained experienced guides will look after you! You won’t be carrying a heavy pack and you don’t need to have ever been in a sea kayak to enjoy kayaking Milford Sound. You don’t need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy some of the rides we have available either. 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 on the Tui.
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 Okarito Beach House is booked out. 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.
We'll see you soon!