NEW TRIP
From South to North Island on the Best Trails of the Te Araroa
Hiker’s Journey to New Zealand
Overview
The 1,900-mile-long Te Araroa trail (Maori for “Long Pathway”) traverses New Zealand from the bottom of the South Island to the top of the North Island—it takes hardy “through-hikers” about three months to hike this great route. For our own Te Araroa adventure, we've selected some of the best sections on both the south and north islands, including the lush Queen Charlotte Track, the panoramic “Stairway to Heaven” staircases high above the Kapiti Coast, and the memorable Tongariro Alpine Crossing, known as the best one-day hike in New Zealand. Many delights await along the way, including swimming with dusky dolphins, jetboating on the Whanganui River, sampling superb cuisine and wines, and enjoying the friendly culture of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Arrive: Christchurch, New Zealand
Depart: Taupo, New Zealand
Highlights
- Snorkel with dolphins on the Kaikoura Coast
- Walk the tranquil paths of the lush Queen Charlotte Track
- Climb the Stairway to Heaven for high panoramas over the Kapiti Coast
- Jetboat on the Whanganui River, with optional canoeing
- Hike the epic volcanic landscape of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Itinerary
From Christchurch, we take the scenic Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura, where we’ll board a boat and snorkel with playful dusky dolphins (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins provided), or just watch their leaps and backflips. We’ll also stretch our legs on a hill hike above the coast.
The spectacular Queen Charlotte Track, part of the Te Araroa Trail, stretches from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa, passing through lush coastal forest, around coves and inlets, and along skyline ridges with breathtaking views of Queen Charlotte Sound. Scenic water taxi rides take us from our lodge to our daily trailheads, and one of our hikes brings us through private farmlands to the beautiful coast at the village of Anakiwa.
We fly to Wellington for a visit to the fascinating Te Papa Museum, then hike the Te Araroa Trail’s spectacular “Stairway to Heaven,” a breathtaking path above the Kapiti Coast. Day 9 finds us in Whanganui National Park, where we’ll jetboat along the pristine Whanganui River.
For a grand finale, we make the challenging full-day hike known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, navigating a volcanic landscape of steaming vents, glacial valleys, vividly-hued crater lakes, and ancient lava flows. Easier hikes are offered for those who don't want to make the crossing, and the next day we'll relax with a soak in the warm geothermal waters of Otumuheke Stream. Depart Day 12 via Taupo.
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 4, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system, and is for people who enjoy a real hiking challenge. The trails vary from well-maintained tracks to more challenging, unmodified trails. Some trails can be muddy and slippery and require a certain level of coordination and hiking ability. New Zealand is mountainous and trails include ascents and descents ranging from 300-3,750 feet, depending on hiking option, so we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition.
The Te Araroa Trail from the tip of the North Island to the very bottom of the South Island connects some of the country's iconic hiking trails, such as the Tongariro Crossing, but often follows paths that range from flat and paved roads to barely discernible routes through nearly impenetrable bush and steep climbs of extended duration. We have selected hikes that are within the description of a “Level 4” Wilderness Travel trip, but we also sample the incredible diversity of the Te Araroa Trail. Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents and many sections that cross rough or rocky trails. Many trails are not “groomed” but follow the natural contours of the land and are therefore uneven. We will no doubt experience every conceivable type of weather on this trip, so it's best to be prepared.
Temperatures on the North and South islands in midsummer are generally warm and pleasant with averages in the high 60s and low 70s and minimal rain, but it can get much colder. Since the weather in New Zealand is often variable so we may occasionally have to wait for it to change in order to participate in our planned activities or change our activities to suit the weather. In such a case, we may rearrange the daily itinerary to accommodate the weather conditions. Note: On the Tongariro Crossing (Day 10), you will be hiking in alpine conditions, so be sure to bring the recommended clothing layers.
We spend our nights in small, picturesque inns, full of Kiwi charm and ambiance. The rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
One of the highlights of this trip is the chance to enjoy the fresh local food New Zealand is famous for. We'll be close to the source of much of the food we eat, experiencing a variety of dining experiences, most of which will also be memorable for the location and the company. Most lunches will be either a picnic or packed lunch on the trail.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"Every aspect was excellent: my fellow hikers, the guide, the itinerary. I liked that there were some non-hiking days (swimming with the dolphins!, Wellington museum and bird sanctuary, Whanganui river) interspersed with mostly rigorous hiking days -- plus the New Zealand people and landscape, and the food and wine."
Tom H.
Portland, OR
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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.