Walks Wildlife Wilderness 14 Days - South Island From $5,999 per person
Experience a wilderness walk in a World Heritage area from the mountains to sea, an overnight cruise on the magical fiords, kayaking and nature cruises, scenic flight to Milford Sound, seaside villages, high country sheep station, albatross, penguins, seals, glaciers, rainforest, stylish accommodation, stunning cuisine and more! This 14 day self drive itinerary of the spectacular South Island's wildlife and wilderness will have your heart singing. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, revitalized and enamoured with the friendly New Zealand people!
"This trip was perfect. The Hollyford Track 3 Day Wilderness Jouney was the true highlight of our trip - a trampers dream, filled with unbelievable beauty! The friendliness and knowledge of our guide added a dimension we would have missed if we'd walked alone. We also cannot say enough about our experience at Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. We participated in their one day guided hike - this was one of our favorite parts of the trip. Rob was outstanding as a host and guide. Our stay at the Wilderness Lodge was the PERFECT way to end our time in New Zealand. This was a trip of a lifetime, and we can't imagine a vacation that could come close to being as perfect for us as this was!" --D & S Walker, MI - Dec 07
Day 1: Depart Los Angeles or San Francisco on Air New Zealand
Day 2: Cross the international dateline
Day 3: Arrive Auckland, transfer to Dunedin Overlooking the harbour and rolling green hills Dunedin is New Zealand’s most charming city offering old world charm, stunning architecture, and elegant Larnach Castle. Nearby Otago Peninsula is one of nature’s most blessed eco rich corners with incredible opportunities to see penguins, albatross, sea lions and fur seals. You will collect your rental car at the airport (or if you prefer, we can arrange a transfer to your accommodation and have your rental car delivered). Your centrally located accommodation is a well-appointed stylish Heritage home. Rest of the day is at your leisure, or have us prebook an afternoon tour.
Day 4: Dunedin Today, feel the history of New Zealand's oldest city which features grand scale Victorian and Edwardian architechture combined with unique wildlife experiences. Visit historic Olveston House, admire valuable collections at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Otago Musuem - New Zealand's oldest and largest Museum covering themes of culture, nature and science. Self drive today to the Otago Peninsula and visit Larnach Castle, Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, Penguin Place to see the Yellow Eyed Penguin and rare New Zealand sea lions, visit the world's only mainland breeding Albatross Colony at the Royal Albatross Centre or take a Monarch Wildlife Cruise or, have us book a tour to include the highlights of the Otago Peninsula.
Day 5: Dunedin - Lake Te Anau Leaving Dunedin this morning you will have the day to enjoy the scenery and time to stop along the way as you head towards Te Anau – a quiet, laid back town set on the shores of Lake Te Anau – also known as the ‘Walking Capital of the World’ as it provides access to five of New Zealand’s multi-day walking tracks, one of which is the ‘Hollyford Track’ which you will be walking. From the moment you arrive at your lodge accommodation and stand in awe at the breathtaking views over Lake Te Anau your Fiordland experience begins. Over the next four days you will experience some of New Zealand's best scenery, wilderness and wildlife. Early evening your Hollyford Track guides will ensure you are prepared for your 3 Day Wilderness Journey during a pre-trip briefing. Back at the lodge you will enjoy a fabulous meal and a good nights sleep before your wilderness adventure begins.
Day 6: Te Anau - Hollyford Track - Waterfalls, Pyke River Lodge, Glow Worms This morning you will meet your group and depart through the majestic Eglington Valley to the start of the track in the Hollyford Valley visiting the fascinating Gunn's Camp museum on the way. Then re-trace the footsteps of early explorers along the Hollyford River to Pyke River Lodge. As the track undulates gently through native beech forest and beside tumbling waterfalls enjoy interesting historical tales and interpretation of the forest and bird life. Arrive at the lodge in time to shower and enjoy a fabulous meal. In the evening you can visit our nearby glow-worm colony. Approx walking: 12 miles
Day 7: Lakes, Jet Boating, 1000 Year Old Trees and Wildlife Experience Begin your day with a short walk to Lake Alabaster and learn of the history and geology of the area whilst in the midst of stunning surroundings. Cross Fiordland's longest swing bridge and then enjoy a captivating jet boat journey down the Hollyford River and across Lake McKerrow to the historic site of Jamestown, the intended capital of the South Island in the late 19th century. Walk through the ancient Podocarp forest (New Zealand native pines) with huge Rimu, Totara and Kahikatea trees wrapped in massive Rata vines. Then visit the fur seal colony at Long Reef on the wild West Coast. You may see the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin. Spend the night at Martins Bay Lodge. Approx walking distance: 7 miles
Day 8: Martins Bay Beach and Coastline /Scenic Flight to Milford Sound Travel by jet boat to the beach and explore the seven kilometre Martins Bay Beach, sand dunes and lagoon. Learn about its history and its plant, sea and bird life. Return to Martins Bay Lodge and then enjoy a scenic flight to Milford Sound, with views of the Track route, Hollyford Valley and Mt Tutoko, Fiordland's highest peak. Board your coach for your return journey to Te Anau with stops of interest along the way. Approx walking distance: 5 miles. Arrive back in Te Anau by 5pm.
Day 9: Lake Te Anau - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Enjoy a leisurely morning before a short drive to Manapouri. Here, you will take a short boat ride across the crystal clear waters of gorgeous Lake Manapouri where you will travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove to board the Fiordland Navigator for a very special overnight cruise on the fiords of Doubtful Sound. You will soon feel at home on board as you cruise the hidden waterways. Bottlenose dolphins frequently ride the bow waves, fur seals bask on the rocks and rare penguins can often be seen. As the shadows lengthen, anchors are dropped at a favorite mooring amidst this amazing wilderness. There is plenty of time to explore with a nature guide by tender craft, kayak around the shoreline, or simply relax on deck. This evening, enjoy dinner and an educational nature talk on this fabulous area. Awake in the morning to the amazing scenery, more cruising on the fiords before breakfast and your return to Deep Cove before the trip back to civilization, arriving back in Manapouri at noon - in time for lunch and a leisurely drive to your next stop, Queenstown.
Day 10: Queenstown Free day to enjoy any number of fabulous sightseeing experiences, from a boutique wine tour to arts and crafts shopping in the quaint and historic old mining town of Arrowtown to jetboating, whitewater rafting, scenic heli flights, horse trekking, bungy jumping, 4WD Farm Tours and more.
Day 11: Queenstown - Fox Glacier Leaving Queenstown you will travel north toward the glaciers. The scenery changes as you leave behind the Southern Lakes region, travel over the Haast Pass to arrive at the wild West Coast and Tasman Sea. There are many short walks to be enjoyed along the way to stretch the legs and also some wonderful photographic opportunities before arriving at the very small township of Fox Glacier.
Day 12: Fox Glacier This morning or afternoon you may like to enjoy a walk around New Zealand's most photographed lake, Lake Matheson - famous for it's stunning reflections. This evening, dine at 'Cafe Neve' - the best little restaurant in town!
Day 13: Fox Glacier - Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge Leaving Fox Glacier your drive takes you further up the West Coast - a landscape of mountain peaks, massive glaciers, mysterious lakes, raging rivers, lush rainforest and wild coastline. Nestled in the Southern Alps in a gorgeous mountain setting is Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge – a high country sheep station and nature reserve which also offers fabulous accommodation, cuisine and kiwi hospitality. Here, you can explore the network of nature walks on the reserve; join a small group guided day trip (additional cost) from the lodge or simply relax in this peaceful retreat.
Day 14: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass Explore the heart of the Southern Alps with a day of discovery. Enjoy a limestone cave/canoeing trip, or one of the many walks on offer. Experience complimentary shorter guided activities such as high country sheep shearing and sheep dog programmes, and help to blade shear a merino sheep. After dinner, discover the Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, satellites, Jupiter and Saturn. Your friendly lodge hosts will ensure you get the most out of your stay!
Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass is one of New Zealand’s only Wilderness Lodges. It combines high quality hospitality in a wild setting with nature discovery and protection. This 24 room lodge is owned by leading naturalist’s Dr Gerry McSweeney and Anne Saunders. Gerry is President of the Forest and Bird Society, New Zealand’s largest protection group. Walks and nature discovery guided activities are designed to introduce you to the wildlife, forests and rivers that surround this luxurious lodge. The lodge is operated on environmentally sensitive and sustainable management practices. Environmental education is central to the nature adventure activities.
Day 15: Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge - Christchurch As you wake to more wonderful views from your room it's time for breakfast, followed by a short 90 minute drive to Christchurch - the garden city, where you may like to spend the day before checking in for your afternoon / early evening flight back to the USA. Or, you may like to extend your stay by having a few extra nights in Christchurch.
Package includes:
Round Trip Economy Class Airfares Los Angeles or San Francisco– Auckland on Air New Zealand;
Domestic Airfares within New Zealand on Air New Zealand;
13 Nights Qualmark Rated 4 & 5 Star Accommodation (based on double occupancy);
