Hike, Bike, Kayak New Zealand 11 Days – North & South Islands *From $2,999 per person (land only) Share
Hire a bike, paddle a kayak or take to New Zealand’s many walking tracks and always with a nice meal, glass of wine and comfy bed at the end of the day! This itinerary offers the independent traveler a number of fabulous one day guided activities, along with the opportunity and time to discover some of New Zealand's best hiking, biking and kayaking destinations.
Mountain bike on the trails of Rotorua’s world class Te Ara o Ahi, the Pathway of Fire - part of New Zealand’s great National Cycleway; discover the sparkling waters, secret bays and hidden coves of stunning Lake Rotoiti on a sailing adventure; bath in hot pools and see geothermal sites from a kayak. From the wild volcanic landscapes, and thermal wonderlands of the North Island, you’ll fly to the South Island where New Zealand’s largest National Park and World Heritage area, Fiordland awaits. A journey along NZ's most spectacular alpine road, the Milford Road, offers the opportunity to Kayak beneath towering cliffs clothed in primeval rainforest, by waterfalls and glacial fiords of Milford Sound or an alpine hike amongst lush rainforest and cruise. In Queenstown, experience a day of biking along quiet country roads to one of New Zealand’s prettiest lakes or a day hiking the famous Routeburn Track – a magical world, blanketed by forest mosses and ferns and cloud-scraping mountains. Finally, there's no better place to conclude your Hike Bike Kayak adventure than Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park which offers some of the best hiking and mountain biking in New Zealand.
Price Includes:
• 10 nights four star accommodation (based on double occupancy); • 10 days Compact size rental car, auto, unlimited kms, daily insurance; • 5 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches; • Super Shuttle transfer Auckland Airport to hotel; • Bike and Sail OR Kayak and Sail - Geothermal Rotorua; • Kayak OR Hike & Cruise - Milford Sound; • Hike Routeburn Track OR Bike & Cruise Adventure - Queenstown; This itinerary can be customized to suit.
Not Included:
• International airfares; • Domestic flights within NZ; • Meals (unless specified); • Travel Insurance
I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1: Arrive Auckland This morning you will arrive in Auckland and transfer by shuttle to your centrally located hotel accommodation. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: 1 night
Day 2: Auckland - Rotorua This morning you will collect your rental car and drive to Rotorua. You may like to consider visiting Waitomo Caves on the way to Rotorua. Here you can experience glow worms glistening in the darkness, or try the famous blackwater rafting.
Accommodation: 2 nights
Day 3: Rotorua: Bike and Sail or Kayak and Sail Start your day with a fantastic mountain bike ride on the trails of Rotorua’s world class Te Ara o Ahi, the Pathway of Fire - part of New Zealand’s great National Cycleway or enjoy magnificent kayaking amongst beautiful scenery and wildlife followed by a relaxing afternoon on board a 53ft catamaran discovering the sparkling waters, secret bays and hidden coves of stunning Lake Rotoiti. Take the helm, help trim the sails, catch and cook a trout, chill out on deck, swim off the yacht, relax in lake edge thermal pools, or simply soak up the sun in comfort on the deck while enjoying a beverage from the bar and lunch on a 3 ½ hr charter.
Bike and Sail This morning you will be collected from your accommodation, fitted for your mountain bikes and prepared for your days activities. Te Ara o Ahi Cycle Trail is just a stone’s throw from Rotorua’s vibrant geothermal city. Open year round, this fantastic off-road cycling experience is suitable for most ages and abilities and features geothermal sites, wild volcanic landscapes, and Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderlands. Easy grade, suitable for beginner although trails offer something for everyone. Biking time: approx 2 ½ hrs.
Kayak and Sail This morning you will drive to Okawa Bay to meet your kayaking guide. Explore beautiful scenery and wildlife by Kayak. Your guide, will take you on a magnificent kayak trip beginning at Lake Rotorua, down the Ohau Channel along the way learning about the history while experiencing abundant wildlife up close from your kayak. Kayaking time: approx 1½ hrs.
After an enjoyable morning of biking or kayaking you will transfer to your afternoon sailing experience on one of Rotorua’s very special lakes. Skipper Matt will provides some great insight surrounding the lake on your sail.
Day 4: Rotorua to Queenstown (By Air) / Drive Queenstown to Te Anau This morning you will return your rental car to Rotorua Airport and fly to Queenstown. Upon arrival, you will collect another rental car and head south to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau (approx 2 ¼ hrs drive) located in the region of Fiordland. With New Zealand's largest National Park and a World Heritage area, Fiordland has in excess of 600km's (360miles) of formed track for vistiors to explore that traverses valley and alpine environments, earning this area a reputation as the 'Walking Capital of the World'. Along with the renown multi-day walks such as Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Tracks, there is a multitude of short walks available too. You should arrive mid afternoon, in time to enjoy a walk along the lake or possibly take the cruise across the lake to visit the famous Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Accommodation: 2 nights
Day 5: Te Anau / Milford Sound Today you will be collected from you accommodation for your day's activities. You will journey along NZ's most spectacular alpine road, the Milford Road, a World Heritage highway with highlights such as the famous Homer Tunnel wedged into a world of slab-sided mountainous rock faces, icy-clear streams, avalanche scars plus the Cleddau Valley, and the rocky gorge of the chasm.
Kayak Milford Sound or Hike and Cruise Milford Sound Today you have a choice of ways to experience one of New Zealand's icon's, Milford Sound.
Kayak Milford Sound Kayaking Milford Sound is a wonderful way to experience the sheer beauty of the fiord in a non-instrusive manner. You will paddle beneath towering cliffs clothed in primeval rainforest, by waterfalls and glacial fiords which are home to dolphins, fur seals and crested penguins. Medium level of fitness and some water confidence required, but no previous experience necessary. Kayaking time on fiords: 4-5hrs. Note: kayaking on Milford Sound does not operate during June, July, August, Sept and 25 Dec.
Hike and Cruise Milford Sound Today you can choose to embark on an unguided walk ascending up through lush beech rainforest into an alpine environment with panoramic views of the surrounding Fiordland Mountains, alpine lakes and deep bush-clad valleys. Alternatively, a second option offers a guided nature exploration of the secluded lower Hollyford Valley. After a wilderness tea break, you'll join a nature cruise for a leisurely exploration of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to view waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. Day 6: Te Anau - Queenstown This morning you will travel back to Queenstown and have the afternoon at leisure. Suggested sightseeing in Queenstown (additional cost)
Accommodation: 3 nights
Day 7: Queenstown Bike and Cruise Adventure or Hike Routeburn Track
Today you have the choice of either the Bike and Cruise Adventure or Hike Routeburn Track. Either activitiy is a full day tour, including vistas of stunning Lake Wakatipu, picnic lunches, fabulous guides and a great day out.
Bike and Cruise Aventure You will meet your tour guide in Queenstown where you will be fitted with your mountain bikes and equipment. Your adventure starts with a cruise from Queenstown on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak. At Walter Peak you will travel by vehicle to one of New Zealand’s prettiest lakes, Mavora Lake. At Mavora Lakes you will bike along a quiet country road through beech forest and tussock grasslands followed by a picnic lunch at a historic musterers hut. We return on quiet back roads through Walter Peak and Mt Nicholas stations. Today offers amazing photo opportunities amongst a backdrop of stunning scenery. Moderate fitness required. 1- 4 hours leisurely biking, gentle rolling terrain. Bike between 9 - 21miles as back up van is provided.
Hike Routeburn Track This morning you will be collected from your accommodation by your guide. This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley and the world-famous Routeburn Track. We begin among towering ancient beech forest, through an 130 million year old magical world, blanketed by forest mosses and ferns and cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost and small glaciers. We enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the grandeur of alpine meadows, meandering streams and majestic snow capped mountains. On our return we explore the old forgotten paths of the Maori, as we travel along the original Greenstone trails, finding new enchantment around each corner and where native birds abound. Walking: easy to moderate. Time: 3-5 hours (optional).
Day 8: Queenstown
Free day to explore.
Day 9: Queenstown - Wanaka Today you will drive over the Crown Range (New Zealand's highest mountain road) to the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka. Lake Wanaka offers some of the best hiking in New Zealand, from short local walks along the lake and rivers to multi-day guided adventures in Mt Aspiring National Park. From Mt Iron near to the centre of town, you’ll see 360 degree views from the Clutha River Basin stretching to the majestic Southern Alps. For locals’ favourites, try the picturesque Outlet Track or visit one of the outlying communities of Lake Hawea or Luggate along the linking riverside tracks.
Native golden tussock, dark manuka trees and beech forest with all its native birdlife feature on many tracks including the popular Rob Roy Glacier track. Spectacular in its serene beauty, the sight of waterfalls and icefalls cascading down the top of the valley will leave you speechless.
Accommodation: 2 nights
Day 10: Wanaka Wanaka is the perfect place to take off on your own and discover one of the many hiking tracks or biking trails. Alternatively, if you prefer we can arrange a 'guided' day out. We suggest hiking the Rob Roy Glacier or hiring mountain bikes from Racer's Edge and taking to one of the many trails. Check out this great Wanaka trail guide.
Be sure to visit Rippon Vineyard - easily accessed by walking or biking along the lake. Wanaka is also a fabulous spot to get up in a helicopter to view Mt Aspiring and glaciers.
Day 11: Wanaka - Queenstown / Depart New Zealand Today your Hike Bike Kayak New Zealand adventure ends. You will travel back to Queenstown airport and return your rental car.
I T I N E R A R Y E N D S
Conditions: Itinerary is strictly subject to availability at time of booking. This itinerary can be customized to fit your needs. Activities can be added, accommodations and car hire upgraded (additional cost) etc. Itinerary is subject to our booking conditions.
