ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrive and Explore
Our journey begins in Queenstown, the undisputed adrenaline capital of the South Pacific and one of New Zealand’s most scenic towns. Guests will be picked up from Queenstown International Airport and driven to our accommodation for the next three nights: stylish, centrally-located apartments. Today will be a rest day, giving you time to explore the many shops, cafes, and galleries in Queenstown. If you prefer, however, you can use the afternoon to take advantage of the myriad adrenaline activities such as jet boating, paragliding and bungee jumping.

DAY 2: Exhilarating Whitewater Rafting
Today we’ll enjoy a 4.5-hour rafting trip down the world-renowned Shotover Gorge. Rafting from Deep Creek over peaceful waters at first, we’ll head toward the exhilarating rapids of the lower Canyon, experiencing a series of memorable rapids before heading through the unforgettable 170m Oxenbrudge Tunnel. There will also be time today for some local hiking or other optional adventure activities.

DAY 3: Heli-Biking or Flight/Cruise
Today, choose from two amazing adventures: heli-biking or a scenic flight/cruise to Milford Sound. The heli-bikers will start the day with an incredible heli-ride over the Southern Alps to reach the remote tussock lands that surround Queenstown. After enjoying the spectacular views, you’ll mount your bikes and enjoy an exhilarating 1700m single-track descent through pristine alpine scenery, ending at the historic Cardrona Pub (one of the most famous pubs in New Zealand) for a well-deserved beer. The Milford Sound group will take a breathtaking flight over the Southern Alps and down to the Sound, one of New Zealand’s most scenic landmarks. Here, you’ll take a boat trip in the fjord (known for its hundreds of waterfalls) before flying back to Queenstown in time for dinner. Those who do not opt for these upgrades can take a guided walk in the hills surrounding Queenstown or simply relax and enjoy the town and lake.

DAY 4: Mountain Biking
In the morning we’ll take a short but scenic drive to Wanaka, a laid-back ski town set on the edge of the breathtaking Lake Wanaka and surrounded by the peaks of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Wanaka has some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand, from picturesque lakeside trails to challenging single track forest rides, and even the chance to explore old miners’ tracks and backcountry trails. Depending on the interest of the group, we will navigate the West Wanaka track, a 4-5 hour ride on old farm trails that offers sublime views across Lake Wanaka, beautiful deserted beaches and a crystal river crossing along the way. In Wanaka we’ll settle into stylish apartments with views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

DAY 5: Alpine Hike
Today, we’ll tackle the Rob Roy Glacier hike, considered by many to be the most scenic day hike in all of New Zealand. The 4-5 hour hike will take us through lowland flats along the Rob Roy Stream and into beech forest with rich undergrowth of mosses and ferns. As we get higher, we’ll emerge from the trees into the alpine zone, characterized by low tussock vegetation. Impressive overhead hanging glaciers beneath Mount Rob Roy is the highlight of the walk, as are the numerous Keas (the only alpine and smartest parrot in the world) flying overhead.

DAY 6: Scenic Drive and Hike
Today we’ll drive through some of the South Island’s most rugged and spectacular scenery. We’ll start with a 1.5-hour drive through dense, temperate cloud forest. Chocked with thick ferns and undergrowth, New Zealand’s native forest is as beautiful as any in the world. We’ll stop various times during the drive to do some short hikes to waterfalls and lookout points. Once at the coast, our drive will take us through a remote region that’s flanked by wild beaches on one side and the jagged Southern Alps on the other. Shortly before we reach our destination, Franz Joseph Glacier, we’ll stop for a 1-hour hike around Lake Matheson, the so-called “Mirror Lake” for its amazing reflective properties. Tonight, we’ll check out the glow-worms on a short night-time hike before relaxing in a stylish lodge with spectacular views.

DAY 7: Explore Spectacular Glacier
This morning, we’ll embark on a guided hike of Franz Joseph Glacier, the West Coast’s longest and most impressive glacier. Franz Joseph Glacier is made all-the-more-remarkable by the fact that it runs through lush, temperate rainforest. The 4.5-hour trip will begin with a hike through the rainforest. Upon reaching the glacier, we will don crampons and spend an hour walking over the glacier. Our journey home will be via an alternate but equally scenic track. Those who prefer to conquer the glacier the hard way can choose to complete a 7-hour ice climbing course. In the afternoon we’ll continue our scenic drive along the West Coast, ending at the ocean-side village of Punakaiki where we’ll stay in stylish villas.

DAY 8: Explore and Drive to Nelson
This morning, we’ll visit one of New Zealand’s most iconic and scenic spots: the uniquely formed ‘pancake’ rocks with their impressive blowholes. Afterwards, we’ll jump in the vans for a scenic drive through Buller Gorge, stopping along the way for lunch at a local winery, before finishing at the beach town of Nelson in the very north of the South Island. Nelson is renowned for the most sunshine hours in New Zealand, so we may like to spend the afternoon at one of the region’s pristine beaches (weather permitting). Alternatively, this area is home to over 300 full-time artists and numerous wineries, so we could spend our afternoon visiting a sampling of galleries and wineries. Tonight, we’ll stay in stylish apartments near the town centre. From here we’ll have easy access to the town’s award-winning cafes.

DAY 9: Sea Kayak in Turquoise Waters
Our next three days will be spent in magnificent Abel Tasman National Park – arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal region. The park is road-free, so the main modes of transportation are hiking, kayaking and water-taxi. We’ll start our day with a short drive to Marahau. From here, we’ll launch our double sea kayaks and paddle our way around lush, golden-sand beaches and deserted islands. After setting up camp for the night on the beach, there’ll be time to swim, relax,or explore the surrounding forest before we help our guides prepare our open-air dinner.

DAY 10: Kayak through a Marine Reserve
This morning, we’ll explore the many pristine beaches, coves, islands, and spits of the national park in our kayaks. Our journey will take us to some of the most remote parts of the park, including a marine reserve where there is an abundance of sea life, such as fur seals, dolphins and penguins. Tonight, we’ll camp at a different beach and enjoy dinner under the stars.

DAY 11: Coastal Hike and Wine Tasting
We’ll start the morning with beautiful 3-hour hike out of the park which takes us past numerous deserted beaches and through lush coastal forest. Those who prefer not to hike can take a water-taxi ride back to our vehicles. From here we’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Marlborough (New Zealand's most famous wine region) to spend the afternoon visiting wineries. We’ll spend the night in the quaint, seaside town of Picton in the heart of spectacular fjords.

DAY 12: Wellington
We’ll take the ferry today, traveling from Picton to Wellington on a breathtaking 3-hour trip that meanders through the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, a spectacular region of fjords, across Cook Strait to arrive in Wellington in the early afternoon. This will leave us plenty of time to explore this vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Te Papa Museum, which provides an interactive overview of New Zealand’s history, culture, and ecology, is especially worth a visit. For your final night in New Zealand, you’ll have the opportunity to check out Wellington’s award-winning cafes and bustling nightlife.

DAY 13: Farewell & Departure
Depending on your flight time, you will have the morning to explore Wellington and shop for last minute gifts. Then we’ll take you to Wellington Airport to catch your departing flight.