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New Zealand Hiking Tour Itinerary
DOWNLOAD THIS ITINERARY (pdf) (2008 Sample Itinerary)
Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.
DAY 1
Broken River Summits
Hike – moderate, 2-4 hours, approximate elevation gain 1,300’.
Our tour of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island begins in the charming city of Christchurch, the country’s second largest city, with obvious influences of its English heritage. Our guides meet us and we travel northwest toward Arthur’s Pass, stopping in Craigieburn Forest Park on the way to stretch our legs in the magnificent foothills of the Southern Alps. We hike to the Broken River Summits and enjoy views of the Canterbury Plains, beautiful alpine tussocks, and herb fields. From here we continue on to our wilderness lodge at Arthur’s Pass, where we sleep nestled in comfort among the high wild forest of this 300,000-acre nature reserve.
Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
DAY 2
Bealey Spur
Hike – moderate to moderately strenuous on hiking trails, 6-8 hours, approximate elevation gain 2,000’.
This morning, from the lodge dining room, we enjoy a breathtaking view of the Binser mountain range, its highest peak Mt. Rolleston towering above us at nearly 7,500 feet, and the Waimakiriri River far below.
After breakfast, we depart on a short drive to begin our hike to Bealey Spur. Our trail climbs initially for about 400 feet, through lichen-blanketed beech forest, before emerging among low brush to a plain with a view of the Broad Stream Valley. We continue our hike, rewarded by the growing and changing views of the national park. Mt. Rolleston reveals itself to us, among the mountains to the north, before we reenter the beech forest and proceed along the trail, which takes us alternately through tussock fields and forest the remainder of the way.
Soon we find ourselves face to face with mountain history as we approach Bealey Hut. Built around 1916, Bealey Hut, with its four bunks and Spartan accommodations, will help us appreciate even more the luxury of the lodge that awaits us at the end of the day! From here it is another short climb to reach the grand viewpoint of Bealey Spur.
We make the return trip on the same trail, and head back to Arthur’s Pass. Before dinner we have time to rest or maybe peruse the lodge’s David McLeod Library. McLeod, who owned the sheep station (now a part of the Wilderness Lodge’s operation) for nearly fifty years, was a writer who made this part of the South Island’s high country famous in his many books.
Dinner is sure to be another delightful experience as the lodge chef transforms New Zealand’s finest ingredients into new culinary delights—well earned after a day of hiking!
Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
DAY 3
Hokitika & Lake Mahinapua
Optional canoe trip –easy (no experience necessary), 2-3 hours. Exploring the town of Hokitika.
Departing Arthur’s Pass we begin the journey into Westland, the locals’ name for their West Coast, and the town of Hokitika. First settled in the 1860’s after the discovery of gold, Hokitika became New Zealand’s major source of greenstone production. Carved historically by the Maori for weapons, you will see this incredibly hard stone all over the country; graceful carvings and pendants are among the most distinctive New Zealand keepsakes. Hokitika is a hub for artisans of all types and has a unique local culture.
After passing through Hokitika, some of us may choose to take in more of the remarkable landscape, and therefore we opt for a half-day canoe trip on Lake Mahinapua just six miles outside of town. Guides will transport us and offer basic instruction in safety and paddling techniques. Some of us may prefer to walk and Lake Mahinapua is a gorgeous place for that as well.
We continue on toward the village of Fox Glacier, just another two hours from here, where we spend the night at our comfortably elegant inn. With the Southern Alps and Lake Matheson nearby, there is no shortage of incredible vistas to capture on film.
Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier
DAY 4
Fox Glacier
Glacier hike – moderate, 6-7 hours.
This morning we eat a hearty breakfast to prepare for our journey onto the Fox Glacier. Our guide leads us on a walk beside the riverbed to our hidden trail which zigzags slowly uphill for forty-five minutes through ferns and regenerating temperate rainforest. From this high point we enjoy fantastic views of the glacier and its upper and lower icefalls.
Soon the trail winds down to the edge of the ice. At this point we are outfitted with instep crampons, specially designed for these conditions, and we follow the ice steps cut for us by our guides. The route takes us right onto the glacier among crevasses and ice ridges. Here we are confronted by the majestic pinnacles of the lower icefall where the glacier is moving up to two meters each day!
We’ll enjoy our lunch on the glacier before our return trip to the village of Fox Glacier and a mountaineers’ celebratory dinner at the inn.
Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier
DAY 5
Lake Moeraki
Hike – easy to moderate, up to 6 miles at your discretion.
Saying goodbye to Fox Glacier, we make our transfer to Lake Moeraki less than two hours away. We stop prior to our arrival to explore the Moeraki River Valley before arriving at our next wilderness lodge, situated near spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins. Here we find untouched lowland rainforests that spread between pristine lakes and rivers draining the snowcapped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match this unique natural setting in the heart of the 270 million acre South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The lodge sits in a lakeside clearing surrounded by 1,000 year old trees and overlooks the lovely Moeraki rapids.
This afternoon you are free to relax in the tranquil Moeraki Lounge watching the river roll by, while native birds feed and trout jump from the crystal water. Or, for those who wish to get some exercise, you may spend your pre-dinner hours exploring some of the many rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks.
For dinner, we enjoy selections from the lodge’s excellent wine cellar and menu of fresh, wild food: whitebait from the river, seafood from the coast, game from the forest, and delicious vegetables and fresh fruit are among their specialties.
In the evening we take a short walk to see glow worms and the Southern Cross, and perhaps hear a naturalist’s talk on penguins and the rainforest in preparation for tomorrow’s adventures.
Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki
DAY 6
Lake Moeraki & Tasman Sea
Optional kayaking on Lake Moeraki – easy (no experience necessary). Hike – moderate to strenuous, 4-5 hours.
After breakfast we enjoy a peaceful start to the day as we explore the quiet water of Lake Moeraki by kayak. Our guides give us basic instructions in our stable boats before we paddle upriver through magnificent rainforest to enter the shallow wetlands of Lake Moeraki.
Next, we venture a bit farther afield to discover the dramatic coastline of the Tasman Sea. On this wet-footed walk we scramble over beach rocks along the shore in order to see a variety of wildlife—the Fiordland crested penguin if we are lucky, or even the New Zealand fur seal. The steep 400-foot climb at the end insures that we are ready for another fine meal this evening.
Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki
DAY 7
Smoothwater Bay
Hike – easy to moderate, 4-5 hours.
Leaving Lake Moeraki we drive approximately one hour to reach the fishing community of Jacksons Bay, which is located as far south as we can go on the West Coast of the South Island. Our route follows part of an old road that was constructed in 1876. An attempt was made at that time to move twelve families onto the banks of Smoothwater River, but the settlement failed due to the isolation, the lack of a wharf, and the harsh weather conditions. Now, we benefit from that isolation in the form of a pristine and little-traveled trail. With our guides’ navigation skills, we meander down the riverbed in order to enjoy the scenery along the banks: moss-covered rocks and trees draped with thick green lichen.
After our exploration, we continue on to Wanaka and the lodge that will host us for the next two nights. Our lodge is a short walk to the restaurants and shops of downtown, on the shore of Lake Wanaka. Arriving in the afternoon we can enjoy a film at the quirky local theatre of Cinema Paradiso, taste the local brew at Wanaka Beerworks, or do a wine tour of the Central Otago Vineyards. Of course, we can always choose to simply laze under a walnut tree at the lodge with a cool drink, or relax while we enjoy stunning mountain views from our private balconies. Dinner this evening is on your own in Wanaka.
Te Wanaka Lodge, Wanaka
DAY 8
East Matukituki Valley, Mount Aspiring National Park
Hike – moderate, 4-5 hours.
This morning we start our day with a hot gourmet breakfast—freshly brewed coffee, home-baked croissants, specialty breads, muesli, cereals, yogurt, fruits, juice and a selection of cold meats and cheeses—healthy fare for a full day of hiking. We spend the day in glorious Mount Aspiring, New Zealand's second largest national park. We wander in forests full of native birds and even venture into pristine alpine meadows to glimpse the high hanging glaciers and waterfalls pouring free from dizzying heights. It is a very memorable nature experience for our last full day here on the South Island.
In the afternoon we return to the lodge to unwind before our barbeque dinner, or for some last minute shopping in town, as tomorrow we depart from Wanaka and say goodbye.
Te Wanaka Lodge, Wanaka
DAY 9
Depart from Queenstown
We are transported to Queenstown by mid afternoon for further independent travel or flights home.