NEW TRIP
Hike the Best of the “Great Walks,” Plus Milford Sound & Queenstown
New Zealand: Ultimate South Island
Overview
This journey brings you everything you could want to do on the South Island—that's why we named it “ultimate” South Island! We hike four of the country's Great Walks: the alpine Routeburn Track, plus the lush pathways of the Rakiura, Kepler, and Abel Tasman tracks, all protected in pristine national parks filled with soaring landscapes. We'll also savor an overnight cruise in Milford Sound (the jewel of Fiordland National Park), hike and sea kayak in the coastal paradise of Abel Tasman National Park, look for kiwis (the feathered kind) on remote Stewart Island, and sip wines in Central Otago. We've arranged three internal flights so we can easily get to the South Island's most diverse settings.
Arrive: Queenstown, New Zealand
Depart: Nelson, New Zealand
Highlights
- Hike four of the “Great Walks”: the Routeburn, Rakiura, Kepler, Abel Tasman trails
- Sea kayak in Abel Tasman National Park, take an overnight cruise in UNESCO-listed Milford Sound
- Optional kiwi-spotting, heli-hiking, and jet boating, special access to the Rob Roy Glacier Track in Mt. Aspiring National Park
- Savor New Zealand's best wines and farm-to-table cuisine
Itinerary
From New Zealand's "adventure capital," Queenstown, we stretch our legs with a hike on the Mount Crichton Loop Track, enjoying vistas of 50-mile-long Lake Wakatipu. In Mt. Aspiring National Park, a fantastic walk on the Routeburn Track takes us across swing bridges above the jade-green Routeburn River.
A short flight brings us to remote Stewart Island, more commonly known by its Maori name, Rakiura. Taking a water taxi out to Ulva Island, predator-free and a birder's paradise, we hike the Rakiura Track along the coast. One evening, there's an option to visit a private conservation area to search for the nocturnal and flightless Stewart Island kiwi. Flying back to the mainland on Day 6, we'll hike our third “Great Walk,” the Kepler Track, through red beech forests along Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park, with an optional thrilling alpine heli-hike from the Luxmore Hut.
Nestled amid the towering peaks of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a spectacular meeting of mountain and sea, with 4,000-foot-high walls rising from the water's edge. We'll board our three-sailed vessel for an overnight cruise through this majestic body of water. On Day 9, we explore Gibbston, one of the most scenic parts of New Zealand wine country, set between rugged mountains and the dramatic Kawarau Gorge. Here we can sample the pinot noirs for which Central Otago is famous and explore the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
In the majestic Matukituki Valley, we hike the Rocky Mountain Track to Diamond Lake for panoramas of the Southern Alps. The next day's hike is a fantastic journey across the Rob Roy Glacier Track into a dramatic setting of snowfields, hanging glaciers, cliffs, and waterfalls.
Flying to Nelson, we'll make an exciting journey by water taxi out to Abel Tasman National Park for a grand finale in a world of aquamarine waters, native forests, golden beaches, and magnificent coastal trails. Wading to shore from the boat, we'll hike a coastal trail to our lodge by way of mystical fern forests and lagoons. Our lodge, the Awaroa, is set in a 47-acre private reserve inside Abel Tasman National Park itself. From this beautiful setting right in the park, we'll hike to our heart's delight and explore by sea kayak. Depart via Nelson on Day 15.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3+, Moderate, according to our trip grading system, with softer options available for anyone who prefers a gentler hike. You will need to be comfortable hiking 8 miles in a day, being on your feet for up to 5 hours a day. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents and some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. On one or two occasions, our hiking routes cross an estuary or small stream, and you will get your shoes wet (bring some Tevas or shoes appropriate for walking through water).
The weather in New Zealand is notorious for changing throughout the day. Average temperatures in New Zealand's spring (September to November) typically range from the low to mid-60s. Crisp, sunny days can briskly change to cool temperatures and spring showers. Summer temperatures (December to February) are generally warm and pleasant with averages in the high 60s and low 70s and minimal rain, though it can get much colder in certain places and in the evenings. In autumn (March to May), long sunny days linger with temperatures still averaging in the mid-60s to low 70s, and you'll hardly notice that summer has officially ended. Although it is rare, we have even experienced snowfall in the mountains in mid-summer. The pressure systems travel west to east, so the Southern Alps have a noticeable “wet” and “dry” side. The west side gets the greatest amount of rain. Cold and snow are permanent fixtures on the highest peaks. On the east side, temperatures are a bit warmer. Since the weather in New Zealand is often variable, we may occasionally have to wait for it to change in order to participate in our planned activities or possibly change our activities altogether. When packing, be prepared for a wide range of weather scenarios.
We stay a range of delightful accommodations along the way, including a lakeside alpine hotel, a charming bed-and-breakfast, vineyard cottages, an overnight aboard a boat, and a luxurious lodge accessible only by water taxi.
Most of the meals we eat on our journey will be very local and wonderfully fresh. With a thriving agricultural economy and thousands of miles of coastline, New Zealand offers a bountiful variety of ingredients, from abundant seafood to a famous lamb held in high esteem around the world. Local farm-grown produce is on most menus. Of course, New Zealand's wine is known around the world, from full-bodied pinot noirs to fruity sauvignon blancs, and artful craft beers are widely available.
Our vehicle touring is over good roads in a comfortable van or minibus. The trip includes three short internal flights, and is designed to make the most of our time exploring the diverse landscapes the South Island has to offer.
Client Testimonials
"The trip was action packed, we saw and did such wonderful hikes in the fern forests, top of mountains, and gorgeous lakes. Bonus helicopter ride too!"
Monica L.
San Rafael, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.