Trekking in New Zealand
Trekking in New Zealand
Trekking in New Zealand
19 Days Starting in Auckland and ending in Christchurch
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Whirinaki Forest Park, Taupō, Tongariro National Park, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Wellington, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, Murchison, Buller River, Paparoa National Park, Punakaiki, Hokitika, Makarora, Wanaka, Mount Aspiring National Park, Queenstown, Te Anau, Kepler Track, Milford Sound, Mackenzie Country, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Sealy Tarns Viewpoint, Christchurch, Oceania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TLZ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 15
Physical rating:
Moderate / Challenging
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$11550 (USD)Tour Overview
New Zealand epitomises contrasting scenery and culture and is an ideal country for adventure travel. Explore both islands as you weave your way through New Zealand on this active trip, visiting all the main highlights and many off-the-beaten-track attractions. Maximise your time in out of the way places and yet still marvel at the iconic destinations. Enjoy true wilderness campsites followed by comfortable lodges. Trek through Jurassic-like rainforest, hike along a glacier, climb up volcanic peaks and enjoy fish and chips on the beach. It is this mix which makes New Zealand extraordinary - it is majestic but down to earth, otherworldly yet reassuringly familiar. A range of activities and glacier walking (optional extra) complement the hikes superbly and keep this tour as diverse and exciting as the landscapes travelled!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Auckland
Location: Auckland
Meals Included: No Meals
Start Auckland; afternoon free to relax at your central hotel or wander the
downtown to get your bearings in New Zealand's largest city. Catch a ferry to
Devonport or clamber up the Mt Eden volcanic cone to get panoramic views of
the city and its bright blue harbours and gain a sense of the city’s
complex volcanic past. There will be a briefing in the hotel foyer at 6pm
this evening. Afterwards those who wish, can gather for a group meal, your
leader will organise.Â
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*Â *
Day 2 : Travel To Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Meals Included: Lunch
We depart Auckland and head south through the dairy farming plains of the
Thames Valley before passing over old ignimbrite flows to reach Lake Rotorua
with its stunning crater lakes and volcanoes. We savour a picnic lunch
sitting on the beach of Lake Tarawera - an ancient caldera crater amongst
forest and volcanoes. In the afternoon we enjoy a bush walk along a good
trail alongside this splendid lake - there are plenty of great swimming
spots. We use a water taxi to travel one way. Sample good kiwi kai (food)
with an evening meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Rotorua.*
*
Day 3 : Hike Through The Jurassic-Like Rainforest Of Whirinaki Forest Park; Visit The Waiotapu Thermal Reserve
Location: Whirinaki Forest Park, Taupō
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
It is a 1.5-hour drive to the Jurassic-like rainforest of Whirinaki Forest
Park. This park covers an area of 60,000 hectares and is famous for its
podocarp trees, an ancient off-shoot of the conifer family that evolved
before flowering plants. It is thought that forests like this once covered
the super-continent of Gondwanaland more than 150 million years ago. This is
where the BBC ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’ series was filmed. Step back in
time as you hike amongst weeping ferns, forest giants and rare birdlife. On
our way back to the vehicle we keep an eye out for the rare Blue Duck that
are sometimes seen in this river.
En-route to Taupo we visit Waiotapu Thermal Reserve, where you can walk at
your own pace through this fascinating thermal wonderland of geysers,
bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and
sinter terrace formations.
We'll visit Huka Falls before arriving in Taupo, situated on the shores of
the largest lake in New Zealand; which was formed by a series of massive
volcanic eruptions over the last 2000 years.Â
*Â *
Day 4 : South To Tongariro; Bush And Alpine Walks
Location: Tongariro National Park
Meals Included: Lunch
A 1-hour drive gets us to the Tongariro National Park. Established in 1887,
it was New Zealand's first National Park, gifted to the people of New Zealand
by a Maori chief (Tukino Te Hue Hue) who saw this as a way of protecting the
tapu (respect or sacredness) of the land - in particular the summits of the
active volcanoes. It is also a dual World Heritage Area, a status which
recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as
well as its outstanding volcanic features.
Enroute to the Park, we enjoy a short 1 hour hike through stunning forest
around the slopes of Mt Pihanga and to the mystical Lake Rotopounamu (Lake of
Greenstone). The next two nights are spent in a hotel on the edge of the
park, providing a great opportunity for you to explore the area at your
leisure. In the afternoon hike to Taranaki Falls, cascading 20 metres over a
15,000 year old lava flow.
Day 5 : Trek The Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Location: Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is a full days hiking on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded
as one of the best day walks in the world. The well-built track climbs,
steeply at times, to the craters of Mt Tongariro. Hike up through a moon-like
valley of contorted lava flows and ash fields before climbing up the last
steep section to Red Crater, and down to the Emerald Lakes - our usual lunch
stop. Admire the volcanic views and steaming vents that make this hike so
outstanding. This is a tough walk so those who prefer a more restful day can
find plenty to do at the village (unguided): Soda Springs walk, Taranaki
Falls walk, or simply drink coffee and view the great exhibits at the Park
Visitor Centre. Enjoy your second night in this village.
Today and yesterday may be swapped around in order to take advantage of the
best weather on the Tongariro Alpine crossing.
*Â *
Day 6 : To Wellington; Free Time
Location: Wellington
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we drive to Wellington, arriving in the early afternoon.
Wellington is New Zealand’s wonderful harbour capital. The giant
fault-created harbour almost encircled by steep suburbs gives it a giant
coliseum feel. You have free time to enjoy walking around the central city
and absorb the lively atmosphere. Wellington is well known for its vibrant
café, art and culture scenes. There is no shortage of places to have a
coffee or a drink - with more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than New
York. You may like to visit the museum of New Zealand, called Te Papa, or the
beehive (Parliament House).
Day 7 : Short And Scenic Flight To Nelson; To Abel Tasman; Water Taxi Into Park
Location: Nelson
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We transfer to Wellington airport for the short flight across the Cook Strait
to the South Island. Here we meet our South Island-based guide. A pleasant
drive through the orchards and vineyards of Nelson Bay takes us to
Kaiteriteri, a popular holiday spot for kiwis and a gateway into Abel Tasman
National Park. Abel Tasman’s wilderness flows unhindered to a coast of
golden beaches and granite headlands; there are no roads here - just boat and
walking access. We hail a water taxi to reach the lovely Onetahuti Beach in
the heart of the park. From here we start our hike on the famed coastal track
and hike through to our tranquil campsite at Bark Bay. A great spot to gaze
at the stars before falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean.
Day 8 : Walk Abel Tasman Np Coastal Track; To Murchison
Location: Abel Tasman National Park, Murchison
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we wander through lush coastal forests, cross Falls River via a 47
metre suspension bridge then depending on the tides we may cross an estuary
or follow the all tide track. Cleopatra's Pool is a worthwhile side trip,
here the river has carved a smooth slide down the rocks into deep clear pools
- you may not be able to resist taking a dip! We finish our hike on the
golden sand beaches of Anchorage, where a water taxi takes us back to
Kaiteriteri and our vehicle. We spend the night in Murchison, a quiet rural
town on the edge of the wilds. This is the north eastern limit of the vast
wilderness ranges and rivers that dominate much of the South Island.*
*
Day 9 : To Paparoa N.P.; Hike Up Fox River To The Ballroom Overhang
Location: Buller River, Paparoa National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we drive west beside the mighty Buller River to the rugged West
Coast. At Cape Foulwind we take a short walk to view a seal colony. The New
Zealand fur seal pups are born in December and January. We might see the
young pups frolicking around in rockpools sheltered from the heaving waves
that pound this part of the coast. After lunch we start an overnight hike in
Paparoa National Park. Amongst the largest remaining tract of coastal native
forest in New Zealand are towering limestone cliffs, caves and rivers - an
ideal area for hiking. Starting at the mouth of the Fox River, we take a
historic pack-horse route to Dilemma Creek, and then follow the river upwards
to the Ballroom Overhang where we spend the night. Your guide will show you
river crossing techniques and you will be thankful for your proper hiking
boots, which are essential in this terrain. The Ballroom is a large limestone
overhang which shelters a serene campsite just above the Fox River. The
evening is spent sitting around the campfire and enjoying a delicious meal.*
*
Day 10 : Hike Out Of Canyon; Drive To Punakaiki, Pancake Rocks, Hokitika And Fox Glacier
Location: Punakaiki, Hokitika
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a leisurely breakfast we hike back down the Fox River before driving
south along the coast to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks. These
30-million-year-old limestone rocks have formed immense features with
thousands of layers. Continuing south, we stop at Hokitika. Originally known
as the 'Capital of the Goldfields', Hokitika was once a thriving and
prosperous port. Much of its old character remains and it is now a major
centre for greenstone (pounamu) or jade. This hard stone is treasured by the
Maori who used it for decorative jewellery and for carving some of their
lethal weapons – the war clubs known as meres. From Hokitika we continue
south to Fox Glacier, one of the few places in the world where you will see
glaciers descending into the level of the rainforest.*
*
Day 11 : Fox Glacier Trek; To Makarora & Wanaka
Location: Makarora, Wanaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We make the most of being in the South Westland World Heritage Area this
morning and hike to a view point of the Franz Josef glacier. This dynamic
glacier falls 2400m over 12kms as it makes its journey from high in the
Southern Alps to temperate rainforest just 250m above sea level.
After we return from the hike we continue our drive through this remarkable
World Heritage Area on to Makarora crossing back over the Southern Alps en
route at Haast Pass stopping to explore remote beaches and coastal lagoons
and forests on the way. Tonight we stay we stay in the lakeside town of
Wanaka.
Day 12 : Rob Roy Glacier Walk In Mt Aspiring Np; Transfer To Queenstown
Location: Mount Aspiring National Park, Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a relaxed breakfast enjoying the stunning views over Lake Wanaka we set
off on today’s hike to the Rob Roy Glacier. We start off with a beautiful
drive up the Matukituki Valley, driving through large sheep, cattle and deer
farms along the way. Our hike starts from Raspberry Flat and crosses a
suspension bridge across the Matukituki River before climbing through Beech
forest alongside the raging boulder strewn stream of Rob Roy. Eventually the
track emerges above the tree line in a delightful alpine meadow with a superb
vista of the Rob Roy glacier. We take lunch here before wandering back down
the valley to the vehicle. We drive over the Crown Range into Queenstown
where we stay for the next two nights.
*Â *
Day 13 : Free Day In Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Meals Included: No Meals
Labelled the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown offers the chance
to sample numerous optional activities! Alternatively, you may choose to sit
back, relax and take in the amazing views from the shores of Lake Wakatipu on
this free day. There are also some great day walks (some up to eight hours)
that leave from this bustling little town. Your guide will outline all the
options on how to make the most of your day.*
*
Day 14 : To Te Anau; Afternoon Hike On The Kepler Track
Location: Te Anau, Kepler Track
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We head into Fiordland National Park - World Heritage Area, the largest
National Park in New Zealand. The huge glacial lakes of Te Anau and Manapouri
are the border of Fiordland’s dramatic inland coast. The area is dominated
by water, either in the form of lakes, ocean fiords or as falling rain –
which has enabled the establishment of temperate rainforest.Â
We hike on the Kepler track, firstly around the lake shore before climbing
gently up through the forest and limestone outcrops to the bush-line. From
these broad tussock tops you are rewarded with the sweeping views of the
Fiordland wilderness including the Murchison and Kepler mountains and Lakes
Te Anau and Manapouri. Descend back to the lake and follow the lakeside trail
back to the vehicle. We base ourselves in Te Anau for the next two nights.
An ideal base to explore and experience Fiordland National Park.
Day 15 : Drive To Milford Sound; Optional Boat Cruise Into The Fjord; To Te Anau
Location: Milford Sound, Te Anau
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional 2 hour boat cruise.
We rise early and drive through the Homer Tunnel and down to Milford Sound
itself. Here we have the option to take a cruise on the fjord with its
cascading waterfalls and views of Mitre Peak (1722m). Fiordland crested
penguins and New Zealand fur seals often play near the boat.Â
An afternoon hike takes us up to Key Summit (the tail end of the renowned
Routeburn track) for fantastic views across the gneiss and granite Darran
Mountains. After the hike return to Te Anau via the splendid Eglinton Valley,
one of the only road accessible valleys in Fiordland National Park.
Day 16 : Drive Through Mackenzie Country To Aoraki/Mt Cook
Location: Mackenzie Country, Aoraki / Mount Cook
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After several days of rigorous hiking give the legs a rest today on our drive
north to Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park. A stop in Cromwell is a good
opportunity to sample some of the delicious fruit that is grown in this area
as well as taking a stroll through the quaint and lovingly restored
historical precinct of the town. Central Otago’s high country landscape,
contains some of New Zealand’s largest high country sheep stations, many
measuring tens of thousands of hectares – Patagonian like in size and
splendor. Crossing Lindis Pass we continue through the MacKenzie country to
the shores of Lake Pukaki and then west to Aoraki/Mt Cook (3724m). Arriving
late in the afternoon the remainder of the afternoon is yours to do as you
please, either hike (unguided) the nearby Red Tarns track or relax and enjoy
the stunning views of Aoraki.
Day 17 : Hike Up To Mueller Ridge Via Sealy Tarns
Location: Sealy Tarns Viewpoint
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we hike up the Mueller Ridge via Sealy Tarns, with awesome views of Mt
Cook and Mt Tasman (the two highest peaks in New Zealand) and Mueller Glacier
with its terminal meltwater lakes. There is time in the afternoon to take
another hike up to the Hooker Valley, or alternatively take a stroll around
the village and visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center.*
*
Day 18 : Hike Small Lakes Of Tasman Glacier; Transfer Across The Canterbury Plains To Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Time for one final hike this morning, as we explore the nearby Tasman Valley,
a stunning area of alpine vistas, lakes and glacial morraines. Leaving Mt
Cook we continue north through the MacKenzie country, taking a break at Lake
Tekapo - aqua blue waters framed by the Southern Alps. Tekapo is filled by
glacially fed rivers which deposit tons of glacial flour (finely ground rock)
into the lake; this flour is so fine that it is suspended in the water and
refracts the light giving the lake a stunning colour. After crossing the
Canterbury plains we arrive in Christchurch in the mid afternoon, and here
the trip concludes after 3 weeks of hiking through volcanoes, thermal
wonderlands, rainforests, glaciers and remote mountain valleys.Â
Day 19 : End Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
End Christchurch
What's Included
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Tour leader throughout
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All accommodationÂ
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All transport and listed activities
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15 breakfasts, 16 lunches & 4 dinners
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14 breakfasts, 16 lunches & 3 dinners
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
Food
The itinerary includes 14 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 3 dinners.
Usually the group and the leader prepare the meals together as many of the
meals are picnic/buffet style lunches or dinners.
Breakfasts are generally buffet/continental style; lunches are sandwiches,
salads and fruit. The evening meals prepared in the backcountry are a little
more basic for practical reasons, but still flavoursome and nutritious
(mainly vegetarian).
Please note: food for lunches and dinner will be purchased during the tour by
your leader, and you may be asked to help out with picking up these supplies.
Accommodation
We spend 16 nights in hotels, lodges and cabins (some with private bathrooms and some with shared facilities) and two nights in huts/camping with shared facilities. The camping is in a wilderness setting, basic facilities and generally the group is expected to put up and take down their own tents and pitch in with cooking and washing up.
Single rooms are available for 15 nights of this tour for a supplement and must be requested in advance, so please inform us at the time of booking. Private bathrooms are unlikely on nights 2, 3, 8, 10 and 11. Single tents are provided for the camps (the two remaining nights).
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
16+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What is the maximum group size?
15
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Monday - Friday
Nov 11, 2024 - Nov 29, 2024Monday - Friday
Jan 06, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025Monday - Friday
Jan 27, 2025 - Feb 14, 2025Monday - Friday
Feb 17, 2025 - Mar 07, 2025Monday - Friday
Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 28, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.