Trekking Hiking and
Walking Holidays

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Trekking in New Zealand

South Island Wild

An energetic hiking (sometimes backpacking) tour that actually finishes high on New Zealand's highest mountain! Dramatic walks down the 'wild' West Coast, through rainforests, limestone gorges and caves, on glaciers at almost sea level and even bathing in hot pools. From Queenstown an independent 'tramp' of the renowned Routeburn Track leads to Milford Sound and an overnight sail! A guided alpine hike over the south ridge on Mt Cook in the heart of the Southern Alps is a spectacular finale.

Eleven days of adventures as we travel down the West Coast before crossing the Southern Alps to reach Queenstown. Mountain peaks, bivouac caves, wild beaches, rainforested valleys and remote huts. We also kayak in a bush fringed lagoon, listen for nocturnal kiwis and join a hiking trip on the white ice of the Franz Josef glacier.

Queenstown is a fun place to recharge before setting off on the Routeburn Track which leads to majestic Milford Sound and an overnight sail!

Finally it's Mount Cook and we make a 3 day crossing of Ball Pass, high on the south ridge of New Zealand's highest mountain. With axes and crampons and a pre-dawn start from our private alpine hut we cross a glacier pass surrounded by a dazzling array of alpine peaks.

NORTH ISLAND EXTENSIONS...

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

From Auckland, fly or catch a ferry to Great Barrier Island, a volcanic island protecting the Hauraki Gulf from the Pacific Ocean with forest covered hills, magnificent steep rocky pillars and unspoilt beaches. Base yourself in our comfortable accommodation by the coast with walking, mountain biking, kayaking, beaches and hot springs all within reach.

Detailed Itinerary

BAY of ISLANDS

The Bay of Islands, a sheltered bay sprinkled with islands of all sizes and accessible by road or plane from Auckland is a perfect place to recover from jetlag or wind down at the end of your trip. This is where the first settlers arrived and there are beaches, boat trips, dolphins & whales, snorkelling and walks to rocky headlands and though mangrove swamps.

Detailed Itinerary

ROTORUA & TONGARIRO NP

Fly or drive to Rotorua and spend time in the geothermal areas before heading on to Tongariro National Park with guided or unguided options on Ruapehu and Tongariro. Finish in Auckland or Wellington

Detailed Itinerary

OR
Join these three extensions together to make a NORTH ISLAND TOUR

SOUTH ISLAND EXTENSIONS

CAPTAIN COOK EXTENSION

An opportunity to walk part of the Queen Charlotte Walkway, one of New Zealand’s best known and most picturesque walking tracks. This trip is a great start to our New Zealand trips or as part of your independent visit to the South Island.

Detailed Itinerary

ROUTEBURN/MILFORD TRACK

If you BOOK EARLY you can do the Routeburn or the Milford or another Great Walk.

Detailed Itinerary

PACIFIC EXTENSIONS

PACIFIC ISLANDS STOPOVER

If you are coming all the way from Europe, do consider a few days in the exotic South Pacific before or after your trip. Air New Zealand has the best options for Pacific stopovers en route to/from New Zealand. Our own favourite is the Cook Islands, with very much a New Zealand style, NZ$ currency, relaxed living etc. The main island, Raratonga, is a classic Pacific island, 35kms circumference, with palm fringed beaches, coral lagoons and a rugged mountainous interior.