New Zealand Best of South Island

Arrive to Christchurch on your own and check into our hotel in the afternoon. We will gather there at 5pm for a progressive walking dinner tour of Christchurch to get a welcome dose of culture, flavors, and city vibes. In between courses, our local guide will let us in on some of the city’s best kept secrets, we will learn some popular Māori words and be introduced to some of the friendly locals as we move through the vibrant and dynamic city of Ōtautahi / Christchurch.

The night is yours to sleep early or explore the city after dark, whatever your wandering heart desires.

• Accommodation: Drifter Christchurch or similar
• Meals: D - Food tour

We will depart our hotel in Christchurch around 08:00am and drive south across the Canterbury Plains and through small agricultural towns with some of them now home to breweries and distilleries showcasing local flavors. Upon reaching Fairlie we enjoy lunch at the legendary bakery before carrying onto Lake Tekapo’s lakeside where we leave the sealed road and head towards Mt Gerald station. Here we start the hike 3-4 hours up onto an alpine terrace to Rex Simpson Hut (a 12 bunk private hut). To greet us are stunning vistas across the lake and into the rolling tussock landscape that surrounds the area. As day turns to night, we savor the sun setting behind mountain silhouettes and a star-studded sky (one of the clearest and darkest skies in the southern hemisphere) and enjoy a hearty meal prepared by our guides.

Tonight's hut consists of three rooms, sleeping 12 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers and the toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view! The hut is fully equipped with pot belly stove, firewood, gas, and solar lighting. Sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses are at the hut; liners and pillow cases are provided each trip. It provides a comfortable and unique place to call home for the night. Note: Please remember we will be staying in an alpine hut on this first evening, we suggest packing a small overnight bag with clothing suitable for staying in an alpine environment, you will not need to take all your luggage with you. If necessary, we can provide small overnight packs and walking poles.

• Hiking: 7.5km, 560m gain, 3-4hrs
• Accommodation: Rex Simpson Hut (bunk bed dormitory style)
• Meals: B, L,D

From the hut we climb onto a broad easy spur which gradually gains height showcasing breathtaking views back down the lake and across to the Southern Alps with the prominent east faces of Aoraki Mt Cook and Tasman. For the strong trekker, the summit of Beuzenberg Peak at 2070m is a just reward. Back at the hut we pack up and return to our vehicle for the stunning drive around Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki to drive 90 mins to the World Heritage area, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and our lodge accommodation where we enjoy a BBQ dinner with views of Mt Cook.

• Hiking: 20.50 km, 670m gain, 1230m loss, 6-8 hours
• Driving: 1.50 hours
• Accommodation: Aoraki Court Lodge
• Meals: B,L,D

The entire day awaits to explore Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring landscapes and mighty peaks that surround. Ideally we climb up to Mueller Hut, which is weather dependent, yet offers views which are the best in the National Park; however, there are other options which deliver. The Mueller Hut starts with countless stairs to Sealy Tarns, gaining 450m in the first hour. From here there are awesome views around the neighboring valleys, the Mt Cook Range and Mt Sefton. Then the path becomes less defined, a little rocky in places, and as it gets higher and starts to leave the alpine scrub and tussock, it enters boulder fields. The final ascent to the ridge line is up a steep-ish scree slope. At around 1600m, the view opens up to an amazing vista of Mt Sefton and the Mueller Glacier far below. Mueller Hut is then about a kilometer away, at an altitude just short of 1800m. The route to the hut is marked by poles, across boulder fields, and requires some rock-hopping, but later on crosses a couple of small basins before reaching the hut. The hut is located at a unique vantage point with 360-degree views of uninterrupted alpine beauty. It makes a wonderful location for lunch before returning the same way. A second night in the village provides another opportunity to view these peaks at sundown and the incredible starry night sky that follows.

There is an opportunity to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Museum (entry fee payable) in the afternoon and/or the Department of Conservation Centre which showcases the history of climbing in the Park or kick back and admire the view of peaks from our lodge accommodation.

• Hiking: 10km, 1,096m elevation gain and loss, 7 hours
• Accommodation: Aoraki Court Lodge
• Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast we drive south to Omarama and swap from hiking to biking attire to experience one of the best sections of New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail: the Alps to Ocean. Today’s ride takes us down the Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes, dams, and epic views. First, we follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting. From there, we join the lakeshore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree-covered islands. The trail then drops us down from above the Benmore Dam and we head off the trail and ride up to Otematata High Country Station, a 6th generation high country station whose story echoes the pastoral history of our nation. Here we will be greeted by Philippa Cameron who will host us for morning tea. Phillipa is the inspiration behind the blog and Instagram account What’s For Smoko. We will hear how she feeds hoards of hungry workers and enjoy a tasty morning tea whilst learning about her most recent project - publishing her second cookbook. Phillippa is also a force for change across a variety of social and community causes, plus a keen cyclist and multi sport competitor, and proud mum and wife to boot!

After enjoying the station hospitality we’ll head back to Omarama for the night. If time allows there is the option of enjoying a hot tub at the local hot pools where we can soak in fresh, mountain water (own expense) while admiring the surrounding mountain views. Dinner is at the legendary Boots and Jandals pub, a classic kiwi pub meal. 

• Biking: Omarama to Otematata - 36km, 135m gain
• Accommodation: Sierra Motels
• Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast we drive south to Cromwell in the Central Otago region via the Lindis Pass, a spectacular sealed alpine pass surrounded by tussock-covered mountains.

Today we’ll be riding on New Zealand’s newest cycle trail, the Lake Dunstan Trail, which travels through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago. The trail starts with an easy ride following the glistening shores of Lake Dunstan. We pass through Cromwell’s Old Town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s, where galleries, coffee shops and boutiques give us a short break from the bike. The trail continues along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge offering stunning views across the lake while passing by wineries and olive groves. This is the perfect stop for lunch and a wine tasting at a nearby boutique vineyard.

After lunch we head into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, where the track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered cantilevered platforms and bridges rising above the lake (a MUST-DO trail for cycle enthusiasts!). The trail finishes in the small and perfectly preserved historic gold mining town of Clyde where we’ll be staying the night at a delightful and quirky historic accommodation, which is perfectly located across the road from a stunning wine bar! If time allows, we will arrange for a private tour and tasting at the local winery.

• Biking: Smiths Way to Clyde - 55km, 580m gain
• Accommodations: Dunstan House
• Meals: B,D

After an early breakfast, we have a 3 hour van transfer through small towns and rural landscapes to Te Anau, on the edge of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, known for its glacier-carved fiords. Today we embark on a challenging hike along part of NZ’s famous Kepler Track. We climb above the bushline to give us views of row upon row of jagged mountains with Lake Te Anau shimmering far below.

We set off from Te Anau town with a short boat ride across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay where we join a well-made track through mountain and red beech. We climb steadily for about 2 hours up to some limestone bluffs before breaking out of the bushline. Here, the panoramic views of the Te Anau Basin, Takitimu Mountains, and the Snowdon and Earl Mountains are spectacular. This is also where there’s a good chance you’ll encounter kea - New Zealand’s large, extremely intelligent (and mischievous) alpine parrots. It’s another 45 minute walk to reach Luxmore Hut where we have a break and refreshments, and if time allows we can visit the Luxmore Cave, with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. We then return to Brod Bay, descending the same way and take the boat back to Te Anau in the early evening.

• Hiking: Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut 6-8 hours, up to 8km each way, 910m gain
• Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge
• Meals: B,L,D

This morning we drive into another area of the Fiordland National Park amid the beech forests and mountains that the region is famous for. The beautiful Milford road tracks through the wilderness and we stop to enjoy some of the lookouts and views on the way, before arriving at The Divide. From here we walk to Key Summit, a 3-hour return hike which forms part of the Routeburn Track and gives spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and Humboldt and Earl mountain ranges. The Routeburn Track is another of New Zealand’s Great Walks, classified as premier tracks that pass through diverse and spectacular scenery.

We drive a short distance further through to the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound where we board a boat to cruise about and see the magic and sheer granite cliffs from the water. We return to Te Anau for a well-earned meal.

• Hiking: 9km, 3-4 hours, 450m gain
• Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge
• Meals: B,L,D

This morning we will have some time to wander the shops of Te Anau before we are collected at 11:30am by Real NZ to commence the overnight Doubtful Sound experience. We start with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where we will meet the “Navigator,” a luxurious boat that will be our home for the night.

We cruise out into the beautiful Doubtful Sound, formed by glaciers and far less-visited than the more well known and more accessible Milford Sound. We have opportunities to go kayaking or on a nature tour to meet dolphins and fur seals. Then relax into an evening of entertainment, fine food and comfortable sleep in our quad share bunk bed cabins. In the heart of the wilderness of the Fiordland National Park we are constantly surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains, the sunset is superb and we feel quite insignificant amongst this grandeur.

• Accommodation: Real Journeys “Navigator”
• Meals: B,L,D
• Please note that today from 11:30am is the start of a 24hr legally required rest day period for the guides.

After a great on-board breakfast and the “sounds of silence” experience, we continue cruising through the fiord, returning to Deep Cove and back to Manapouri, arriving at Midday. This afternoon we have a choice to cycle or walk. We can ride the Lake to Lake trail from Lake Manapouri back to Lake Te Anau or walk on a different part of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The walk option leaves from Rainbow Reach and follows the Waiau River through beautiful beech forest to the Lake Te Anau outlet. Once back in Te Anau there’ll be time to visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary to take a peek at some of Fiordland’s special protected birds, including the Takahe and Kaka, that are difficult to see in the wild. Tonight’s dinner is free for you to choose from a range of options.

• Cycle Distance: 30km approx. 2.5 hrs, 0m gain
• Walking Distance: 9km approx. 2.5hrs, 0m gain
• Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge
• Meals: B,L (Dinner on own!)

This morning we leave Te Anau and after a 2-hour drive, we'll arrive at the hidden Mavora Lakes, a site of scenes from Lord of the Rings. From here we ride by the lakes and through the beech forest before continuing on to the colourful Von Valley. There is a real sense of isolation and the huge mountain and tussock landscape is vast. We farewell our supporting coach as we cycle downhill to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Mount Nicholas station. Here we are greeted with stunning views of alpine peaks and snow-covered Mount Earnslaw at the head of the lake. We follow the lakeside trail to Walter Peak Station, where we enjoy afternoon tea in the historic homestead. We then board the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamer and cross Lake Wakatipu, returning us to Queenstown in the early evening. We’ll have definitely earned our final celebratory dinner at one of Queenstown’s many breweries.

• Biking: Mavora Valley to Walter Peak Station - 55km, 480m gain
• Accommodation: Blue Peaks Lodge
• Meals: B,L, D

Our trip of a lifetime ends upon checkout, but the memories and friendships will certainly last!

• Meals: None