Deluxe 9 day nature and wilderness safari tours

CHRISTCHURCH - WEST COAST
QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND

Brian Lucas of Canterbury Trails Ltd offers his exclusive personally guided small group scenic and nature tours – Wilderness South Expeditions. Taking you “off the beaten track”, these tours are fully escorted with guided walks, first class service, superb food and luxurious accommodations. Maximum group size for these tours is six guests and exclusive private trips can also be arranged.

• 9 days of scenic splendour
• Diverse landscapes
• Get in touch with nature
• A photographer’s dream!

Day 1... Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass

"Arrival, greeting and orientation"

After being met by your guide, you will be driven through the "Garden City" and up onto the Port Hills, the flanks of one of the ancient extinct volcanoes that form the Banks Peninsula. From the hills there are spectacular views of the city and the Kaikoura Range can be seen far to the north, while the Pacific Ocean sparkles to the east. To the south and west the vast Canterbury Plains stretch to the horizon and in the distance, the Southern Alps beckon you to discover them. This is an opportunity to talk about where we are going and what we will see on the tour, to get to know everyone and discover what their expectations are.

Having orientated ourselves in Christchurch, we then escape the city and start our journey west across the Canterbury Plains. As the distant mountains become closer, we wonder like the Maori and the early settlers before us how we shall find a way through. Crossing Porter’s Pass, a dramatic landscape change occurs as we enter the highcountry, a high tussock grass basin bounded by the Torlesse Mountains to the east and the Craigieburn Mountains to the west.

Travelling through this region we pass glacial formed lakes and the limestone formations of Castle Hill which dominate the landscape. Farther on, we reach the wide expanse of the Waimakariri River and the Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass.

ACCOMMODATION : Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass (AT, D)

Day 2… A day in the mountains

"High country, sheep, valleys and keas"

This is a day to discover the real high country - a day where you can explore and learn about the alpine landscape, plants and the animals in the spectacular Southern Alps. A tour of the high country sheep farm, which is part of the lodge will enable you to visit the woolshed and see a sheepdog demonstration. From the lodge we will head into the heart of the Southern Alps - Arthur’s Pass National Park which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from the eastern beech clad hills and tussock grass valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west.

In Arthur’s Pass National Park, we will take walks to see waterfalls, learn about the forests and alpine plants of this area and experience the alpine landscape. Explore the glacial landscape and learn about the features that the Ice Age left behind. Seek out and hopefully find a unique South Island personality who is mischievous, inquisitive, comical and rowdy; the cheeky kea - the world’s only alpine parrot. You may have to defend your mini coach, as they have been known to try and remove aerials and door trims with their beaks!

ACCOMMODATION : Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass (B, MT, L, AT, D)

Day 3... Arthur’s Pass - Hokitika - Fox Glacier

"Mountains, pioneers, greenstone and ice"

After breakfast we will travel through Arthur’s Pass National Park and depart Canterbury province for Westland ("The West Coast"). Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route will reveal great mountain valleys and we will marvel at the road as it winds it’s way down the spectacular Otira Gorge – a geographer’s dream.

We follow rivers that flow to the West Coast and observe the changes to the rainforest and the many varieties of ferns that contribute to their character. Travel on a backcountry road, walk through old gold miners' tunnels and marvel at the tenacity of the miners in their quest for gold. Visit Hokitika, once the capital of Westland, a roaring gold mining town and also a place where the Maori sought their treasured greenstone (jade). Greenstone is a feature in the town’s bustling centre of art and craft shops.

As we journey south we will be able to visit the Bushman's Centre where we can meet some "coasters" in a village with a population of 2! Heading farther south see the West Coast bush and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets. We arrive at Franz Josef and view the Franz Josef Glacier pushing into rainforest - truly incredible! Overnight at Fox Glacier.

ACCOMMODATION : Te Weheka, Fox Glacier (or similar) (B, MT, L, AT, D)

Day 4... Fox Glacier - Lake Moeraki

"Geology, Ice Age and podocarps"

A day to explore the glaciated landscape of the Fox Glacier region. Walks are available to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier and to a glacier viewpoint to witness the Fox Glacier’s descent down the mountain into the rainforest. Here you can also experience a guided hike on the Fox Glacier with an alpine guide or perhaps an exciting helicopter ride to view the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the upper reaches of the glacier. (Please note that the optional glacial hike and helicopter trips are not included in the tour cost and are subject to the weather).

After lunch, a beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson. It is here that incredible reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in the lake can often be seen. Alternatively, a drive through the lush rainforest to a remote beach on the Tasman Sea for views of the alps and where we can look for the rare Hectors Dolphins.

From Fox Glacier, travel south to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, set in the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu – the South West New Zealand World heritage area. This lodge is a Tourism Award Winner providing a first class wilderness experience.

ACCOMMODATION : Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B, MT, AT, D)

Day 5... Lake Moeraki

"Wilderness, wildlife and rain forests"

Another opportunity to spend a day at a Wilderness Lodge with its own special attractions. Untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. This special place is home to breeding colonies of the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (seasonal), the world’s smallest dolphin, the Hectors Dolphins and numerous native birds.

Lake Moeraki is a nature lover's paradise. Visits can be made to wild and remote beaches and activities include guided walks to get close to the wildlife, learning about the forest and experiencing amazing scenery. If you prefer to have a restful day then you can take a canoe out on the tranquil lake or just relax in the lodge.

ACCOMMODATION : Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B, MT, L, AT, D)

Day 6... Lake Moeraki - Wanaka - Queenstown

"Estuaries, explorers, tussocks and gold"

From Moeraki we travel to nearby Ship Creek. Here, from a viewing tower on the beach there is a good chance of seeing the rare Hectors Dolphin playing beyond the surf. We walk through a primeval swamp forest to see ancient "dinosaur" trees, view a coastal lagoon and fossick for greenstone on the remote beach.

After a little while the road turns east, following the Haast Highway. We can now observe how the landscape again changes dramatically as the road climbs over the Haast Pass from the dense rain forest of the West Coast to the drier tussock lands of the Otago province. On the way, there are short walks to see waterfalls and if there has been recent rainfall, the Haast River passing through the gorge known as the Gates of Haast can be truly spectacular.

A while after the Haast Pass the road skirts first along the banks of Lake Wanaka and then making a slight turn and rising over a ridge, Lake Wanaka is left behind and Lake Hawea is before us. The road follows the shoreline of this lake and then we reach the alpine village of Wanaka. This is a quiet mountain resort on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka.

From Wanaka, we pass the old gold mining village of Cardrona and head over the rugged and remote Crown Range, the site of gold diggings in the 1860's. From the top of the Crown Range there are dramatic views of the Queenstown district and we then descend to the valley floor and reach the quaint and historic village of Arrowtown. It is then a short drive to your Queenstown accommodation, Millbrook Resort.

ACCOMMODATION : Millbrook Country Resort (B, MT, AT, D)

Day 7... Queenstown

"Adventure and relaxing in the mountains"

A "free" day for you to experience and enjoy some of the many activities which Queenstown has to offer. Your guide is available to transfer you to the venues and activities of your choice, in the Queenstown area.

You might like to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the old steamship Earnslaw, the lady of the lake. For those wanting more excitement, try an exhilarating jetboat trip through the Shotover Canyon. Another New Zealand experience is a bungy jump at the Kawarau Bridge, the first bungy jumping site in the world. There are wineries to visit and also an art and craft trail around the district to visit some of the many artists and craft studios. Golf and horse trekking are other possibilities available in Queenstown.

For some this is an ideal opportunity to do some shopping and a ride up the gondola offers spectacular views across to the mountains known as the Remarkables. For those who wish to hike, a climb up Queenstown Hill offers spectacular views or perhaps a walk around a remote and beautiful glacial lake. Your guide will be available to advise and assist with transfers as required. *(Please note that activities are not included in the tour cost).

ACCOMMODATION : Millbrook Country Resort (B)

Day 8... Queenstown - Milford Sound Excursion

"Milford Sound, glacial lakes, alps and fiords"

The road to Milford Sound through the Fiordland National Park is justifiably almost as famous as the sound itself. To Te Anau there is farmland, then there are lakes and tussock flats and then the breathtaking sheer U shaped glaciated valleys. As the road proceeds, the landscape becomes more rugged and the sound of water becomes more prominent, especially after rain when it roars and there are waterfalls everywhere.

At Te Anau there is a bird sanctuary where you can catch a glimpse of the extremely rare Takahe, one of NZ’s flightless native birds as well as some of our other rare birds. On the journey to Milford Sound, we can see waterfalls, spectacular alpine views and lakes. The Homer Tunnel, started in the Great Depression is a tribute to the labourers who made this route possible. Dug through the Darran Mountains into the Cleddau Valley, it gives us access to Milford Sound, a truly majestic place voted as one of the seven scenic wonders of the world. You will then explore the magic of the fiord on a small boat cruise before heading back to Queenstown. Optional extras (not included in tour cost) for the day are a return flight from Milford to Queenstown by plane or perhaps a private helicopter charter with a snow landing.

ACCOMMODATION : Millbrook Country Resort (B, MT, L, AT, D)

Day 9... Queenstown & Farewell

After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in the odd bit of pampering with some of the many health and beauty facilities that are available at Millbrook. A range of products designed to revitalise and relax weary bodies are available and we all need a little care and attention sometime! Time for that last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Your guide will transfer you to the airport, car rental office or coach depot, as required.

B

Meal codes indicating those meals which are included in your wilderness experience…
B - Full breakfast; MT - Picnic morning tea; L - Lunch
AT - Picnic afternoon tea; D - Dinner