Luxury New Zealand’s South Island Hike, Bike & Kayak (Christchurch To Queenstown) 9D8N, Fully Guided

Level 2, Approx 5 km (3 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 7:15 a.m. at the train station in Christchurch, New Zealand. The station is situated about 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the centre of town, just west of Hagley Park, on a side street between Blenheim Road and Whiteleigh Avenue.

Please ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day’s hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodations). Please remember that today's hiking terrain is rocky and can be wet, so bring shoes or boots with good tread.

Hello, New Zealand! After we convene at Christchurch on the South Island’s Pacific coast, we journey west through the Canterbury Plains, past the Waimakariri River Valley gorge up to Arthur’s Pass National Park—breathtaking views await at every turn.

We arrive at Arthur’s Pass, a tiny resort town seated amid a majestic mountain landscape. We savour lunch at a local cafe before heading out on our first scenic hike of the trip. Starting at a waterfall, our trail twists through lush native forest before ending climatically at the area’s famed road.

We set off from here to the Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass, a peculiar hybrid of a secluded resort and working sheep station designed to preserve and showcase the natural environment.

This evening, we come together for a welcome reception before sitting at the Mount Rolleston Restaurant, where stunning vistas of Arthur’s Pass accompany dinner.

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx 32 km (20 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)
Level 3, Approx 47 km (29 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 427 m (1,400 ft)

Begin the day with a shuttle to the renowned gold mining town of Kumara. As soon as you arrive, your tour leaders fit your bike and enlighten you briefly on biking techniques and safety. Then, we pedal along quiet country roads through a terrain of dense woodland and green paddocks. If the mercurial South Island weather cooperates, we will see the snow-capped Alps as we approach the town of Hokitika, set on the shore of the Tasman Sea.

Following a delectable lunch in town, cycle along quiet framing roads into the countryside. Or choose to spend time on your own touring the historic community, famed for its crafts and jade carvings. You may also want to visit the Greenstone Factory to witness how colossal boulders are ground and cut by diamond saws, then sculpted into elegant jade jewellery.

In the afternoon, we shuttle further down the coast to Westland National Park, passing by a lush rainforest to the cosy township of Franz Josef. You will have time to wander into the village or down to the imposing Waiho River.

For a comfortable and unforgettable night, we settle into the five-star Te Waonui Forest Retreat, situated next to the Glacier Hot Pools. Dinner is at the hotel’s Canopy Restaurant, where mouth-watering dishes are prepared with fresh local ingredients.

ONE BIKING OPTION:
Level 2, Approx 23 km (14 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

ONE HIKING OPTION:
Level 1, Approx 5 km (3 miles), 1-2 hours walking,

Start with your morning coffee and breakfast at our forest-ensconced hotel. This area is outstanding! The lush rainforest meets vaulting ice in the Franz Josef Glacier Valley, creating a breathtaking juxtaposition of colliding environments, establishing the area as one of New Zealand’s greatest wonders.

We shuttle briefly and reunite with our bikes to kick off the day’s adventure. Embark on an unforgettable ride to the picturesque coastal community of Okarito, where ocean waves break rhythmically on the shore. Put on your hiking shoes and set out on a trek along the peaceful Okarito Trig pathway. Afterwards, join a shuttle or cycle along the quiet road back to where we began. Return to Franz Josef and refuel with a family-style lunch at the hotel.

After lunch, lace up your boots and head into the Glacier Valley for an easygoing walk. Navigate the trail as it takes you through the forest past Peter’s Pool, a small kettle lake that gorgeously reflects the surrounding lushness and mountains, before returning to town on foot.

You may spend your afternoon back at the hotel, perhaps indulging in a spa treatment, before savouring dinner at your leisure in town or at the hotel (Spa treatments at own expense).

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 5 km (3 miles), 1-2 hours walking, Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 2, Approx 10 km (6 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 244 m (800 ft)

After a wholesome breakfast, join your tour leaders for a guided hike to explore more of the Franz Josef Glacier Valley on foot. Please note that trail conditions in the area often change, and your leaders will adjust offerings accordingly.

Over the last century, the glacier has experienced a steady loss of ice and snow, withdrawing to higher altitudes that are no longer safely reachable on foot. To enjoy a bird’s-eye view, you can take a scenic helicopter flight before our hike. (These flights are not included in the trip price and are frequently cancelled due to weather conditions. However, we are always cautiously optimistic and have reserved space; if you’re interested, your leaders will help you make arrangements.)

Join our van to the trailhead and then go up the steep-sided valley to the top of the glacier. The views are spectacular! After, we take a quick shuttle to town, where you can enjoy lunch on your own. There are many restaurants in the lively township of Franz Josef to choose from, and your leaders are happy to make recommendations.

Mid-afternoon, we get in the shuttle and head for our next destination, Lake Matheson, near the town of Fox Glacier. Take a walk around this stunning lake, enjoying a mostly forested trail with dazzling flora and bird viewing. On a clear day, you can see New Zealand’s highest peaks (Mount Cook and Mount Tasman) reflected in the lake’s naturally dark waters!

Afterwards, we shuttle to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, a tranquil hideaway in one of the genuinely isolated and pristine parts of New Zealand. After settling in, we sit down for a sumptuous and relaxed dinner together.

Take the day to explore your enchanting surroundings. Wilderness Lodge Moeraki is beautifully located in the heart of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area, which protects ancient forests from future developments and conserves the region’s pristine beauty and unique wildlife, including flightless birds that evolved without natural predators. Naturalists at the lodge offer a wide variety of activities appropriate to the weather and season. (One guided activity is included in the trip price. Additional activities are at your own expense.)

You can set out on a satisfying hike through the rainforest and climb into a canoe for a paddle across the lake. You can also choose to traverse the well-marked trails followed by a refreshing swim. Take a stroll to Munro Beach and down at the water, scour the beach for pounamu, New Zealand’s native jade or enjoy gorgeous Tasman Sea vistas and the pounding surf's sound. If it’s raining, you may want to kick back and relax at the lodge, perhaps with a good book.

Tonight, we convene for dinner at our hotel’s Riverside Restaurant and compare notes on the day’s discoveries.

ONE BIKING OPTION:
Level 3, Approx 48 km (30 miles), 3-5 hours biking, Elevation gain: 366 m (1,200 ft)

ONE HIKING OPTION:
Level 1, Approx 5 km (3 miles), 1-2 hours walking

Today’s adventurous ride puts us in awe of the sheer ruggedness of the environment, with breathtaking scenery and potentially rainy weather. Eat an early breakfast before we shuttle to Haast and jump in the saddle. Follow a rarely-travelled road as it takes you past lovely farmland and the pitted coast. Soaking in gorgeous vistas of the glistening Tasman Sea, spin your way to the sleepy fishing village of Jackson Bay, where the road and our ride end.

Rest your legs in the van as we ride up the incredibly steep Haast Pass and over the Main Divide (the equivalent of the US Continental Divide) of the Southern Alps, delighting in the views of the pristine mountains and cascading waterfalls along the way. On the other side of the divide, the scenery abruptly shifts, with the forest giving way to taller and more jagged peaks as we enter the heart of the Southern Lakes region. We head to The Neck, a lookout point nestled between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea that offers striking panoramas of bright teal-coloured water surrounded by rugged mountains.

Our final destination for the day is the Edgewater Resort Hotel, our home for the next two nights and the perfect sight after a long day’s journey. Dinner tonight is on your own—your tour leaders are happy to point you toward their favourite restaurants near Lake Wanaka.

Level 3, Approx 11 km (7 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 610 m (2,000 ft)

Take this day to traverse the scenic environs of Wanaka and try out various activities. Attach yourself to a leader and hop on your bike for an out-and-back morning ride past Glendhu Bay. Later, joining a leader-supported hike up Rocky Mountain or Mt. Iron might be the perfect way to spend the afternoon. You can also choose to spend the day on your own, visiting a nearby winery, or simply taking it easy in town and shopping for souvenirs. You also have enough time to indulge in spa treatment at Edgewater’s superb spa.

If the weather permits, you may want to take a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most scenic natural treasures. You can board a boat for a cruise on the sound, revealing striking cliffs enlivened by waterfalls and abundant foliage. (Please note this flight/boat cruise to Milford Sound is not included in the trip price and may be cancelled due to weather conditions.) Lunch is up to you: enjoy a leisurely meal or grab a quick bite between activities.

Tonight, we gather to raise a glass to a fulfilling adventure before dinner in town at one of our favourite local restaurants.

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 19 km (12 miles), 1-2 hours biking, Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 2, Approx 39 km (24 miles), 2-3 hours biking, Elevation gain: 396 m (1,300 ft)

Begin your day with breakfast and a quick shuttle to nearby Hawea, a picturesque waterfront village with a rich Maori history. Pedal through the bucolic valley on two wheels, soaking in stunning views of the striking Alps that envelop you. In the sheep farming community of Tarras, hop in the van for a ride to the Central Otago wine region. With its arid climate and soil, the area produces world-renowned Pinot Noir. Here, we enjoy a delectable lunch at a local winery.

Following that, we shuttle through rolling farmland and past the historic mining village of Arrowtown to downtown Queenstown, New Zealand’s “Adventure Capital.” We spend the last night of the trip at the magnificent Sherwood Queenstown, which offers a beautiful lake and mountain view. You can choose many ways to enjoy the rest of your day—visit the hotel’s yoga studio, relax in the sauna, or head downtown. Tonight, we gather for cocktails before a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, put on your water sandals and meet with our rafting team at the lake for a 30-minute jet boat ride on majestic Lake Wakatipu. Then, we meet our guides, get fitted to our rafting gear, and set off on a 2-hour rafting experience! You can also choose to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely morning. The trip ends after lunch in the early afternoon at our Queenstown hotel, where we provide shuttles to the Queenstown airport.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.