Hiking Tour

Start:	Nelson i-SITE Visitor Centre, Cnr Halifax St. & Trafalgar St., 8:00am
Finish:	Queenstown 7:00pm (approx.)
Length:	11 days
Grade:	D (River crossings, some uneven terrain)
Price:	NZ$1650
Extra Costs:	$30/day kitty, optional activities.
Departs:	Mondays

Please click on the map to enlarge it

This wilderness adventure is a vacation exploring the western part of New Zealand's South Island.

Highlights: Your New Zealand hiking vacation on the west coast is packed full of highlights including a hike through beech forest, past limestone sinkholes and across tussock-covered mountain slopes in Kahurangi NP. Watch the antics of New Zealand fur seal pups at a breeding colony. Hike through lush rainforest in a limestone canyon, wade across crystal clear rivers, and explore glowworm caves in Paparoa National Park. Take a guided walk on the spectacular Fox Glacier and marvel at its crevasses and ice caves. Kayak the tranquil Okarito lagoon and watch native birds feeding in the shallows. Hike through podocarp forest to natural hotpools surrounded by mountain peaks in Westland NP. Throughout your New Zealand hiking vacation, you should keep watch for dolphins as you stroll along isolated beaches.

Day 1: Begin with a drive to Flora Saddle, where we have lunch and pack gear. Start two day hike through beech forest on a pack track down the Flora Stream then up to tussock-covered tablelands of Kahurangi National Park. Stay overnight in a natural rock shelter. Introduction night. 4 hours hiking.

Day 2: Up early to explore sinkholes. Hike up over Gordon's Pyramid (1501m), past limestone karst to Mount Arthur (1795m). Return to Flora Saddle and drive to a character cottage overlooking the Buller Gorge. Enjoy a home cooked meal made from locally grown organic produce. 7 hours hiking.

Day 3: Visit a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals (once almost hunted to extinction), then head south to Paparoa National Park and begin two day hike up 'Rivendell' canyon to the Ballroom Overhang to camp with elves. 4 hours hiking.

Day 4: Hike up a side canyon with a refreshing swim to see glow-worms. Explore caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Hike back down river along the Inland Pack Track, then to overnight accommodation in Punakaiki. Coastal walks in the afternoon. 6 hours hiking.

Day 5: Check out the Pancake Rocks, then drive south to Greymouth to pick up food and fellow hikers. Drive to the coastal settlement of Okarito. Camp by the beach and enjoy a hangi and beach bonfire. 2 hours hiking.

Day 6: Optional morning kayak on Okarito Lagoon. Catch the in-going tide into the lagoon to see birdlife, including white herons, godwits, black swans, and tui. Explore channels into kahikatea forest. Return to camp. Free time to wander along this remote beach, hike up to a viewpoint, or just relax in the afternoon. 4 hours kayaking plus optional hiking.

Day 7: A short drive takes us to Fox Glacier, which descends from the mountain tops into rain forest. Take a guided walk on the glacier with seracs, crevasses and ice caves. Join your guide for an optional hike in the National Park. Stay in cabins. 4 hours hiking

Day 8: Start three day hike up Copland Valley through podocarp forest across swing bridges to Welcome Flat. Stay in hut or camp. Relax weary muscles with a soak in natural hotpools with magnificent views of 3000m peaks within Westland National Park. 7 hours hiking.

Day 9: Explore this alpine valley or relax at hut and hot pools. Boulder hop up to waterfalls for a refreshing shower and great views of Aoraki/Mount Cook (3754m). Return to the hut and the hotpools. 4 hours hiking.

Day 10: Hike back down the Copland Valley stopping for a swim (optional) and lunch by this glacial-fed river. Stop at Ship Creek and look out for Hector's dolphins. Drive south to Moeraki. Camp or cabins near Haast with a feed of fresh salmon baked on a campfire. 6 hours hiking.

Day 11: Drive over Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka for lunch, swims, and vehicle clean-up. Plenty of short hikes to choose from as we drive over Haast Pass. Continue to Queenstown via the Crown Range arriving early evening. 2 hours hiking.

Click here for the detailed trip dossier

HIKING NEW ZEALAND
Postal Address: PO Box 93,Lyttelton 8841, New Zealand.
Phone: + 64 3 384 3706; Fax: + 64 3 3766 483
Free Phone New Zealand: 0800 697 232;
Free Phone Australia: 1800 141 242
Email: info@NZhike.com