Nine-Day Wilderness Expedition

Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass

“Greetings, views, plains & alps”

After being met by your guide and host, 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 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. This is an opportunity to talk about where you will be going and what you will see on the tour.

You will then escape the city and start your journey west across the Canterbury Plains. As the distant mountains become closer, you may wonder just like the Maori and the early settlers before us how you will find a way through. Crossing Porter’s Pass, a dramatic landscape change occurs as you enter the high country, an inter-montaine plateau bounded by the Torlesse Mountains to the east and the Craigieburn Mountains to the west. Travelling through this glacial shaped region, you will pass glacial formed lakes and the stunning spiritual limestone formations of Castle Hill which dominates the landscape.

Further on, you will reach the wide expanse of the Waimakariri River and the Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass.

Accommodation:      Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass or similar

Included meals:        AT, D

A day in the mountains

“Mountains, sheep, beech trees and keas”

This is a day to discover the real high country – a day in which 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 view and learn about the ways of sheep farming in the high country.

From the lodge you 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, you may 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 or similar

Included meals:        B, MT, L, AT, D

Arthur’s Pass – Hokitika – Franz Josef

“Mountains, pioneers, greenstone and ice”

After breakfast you will travel through Arthur’s Pass National Park and depart Canterbury province for Westland – Te Wai Poutini or “The West Coast” as it is known.

Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route reveals great mountain valleys and the marvel of the road as it winds its way down the spectacular Otira Gorge – a geographer’s dream.

Follow rivers that flow to the West Coast and observe changes to the rainforest and the many varieties of ferns that define their character. Travel on a backcountry road, walk through old gold miners’ tunnels and wonder at the tenacity of the miners in their quest for gold. Visit Hokitika, once the capital of Westland and a roaring gold mining town and now the pounamu / jade / greenstone centre of New Zealand.

A visit is also made to view the dramatic Hokitika Gorge before you journey south to Glacier Country. Along the way, you will pass through villages that were once bustling and one now has a population of 2 (three, including the dog!).  Heading on, see the West Coast rainforests and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets, and the lateral moraines on the coastal plains and the deep iced formed valleys. Arrive at Franz Josef and view the Franz Josef Glacier and then overnight at Franz Josef.

Accommodation:      Te Waonui Forest Retreat at Franz Josef

Included meals:        B, MT, L, AT, D

Franz Josef – Lake Moeraki

“Ice Age, podocarps, geology and lakes”

A day to explore the glaciated landscape of Glacier Country. Walks can be made to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier and to a glacier viewpoint to witness the Franz Josef Glacier’s descent down the mountain into the rainforest. An option is a beautiful and tranquil walk which can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson.

It is here that incredible views (and sometimes 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.

Optional trips available are guided hikes on the Fox Glacier or an exciting helicopter ride into the alpine area. These flights include a snow landing on the upper reaches of the glacier, and close views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and the Southern Alps.

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

Included meals:        B, MT, L, AT, D

Lake Moeraki

“Rain forest, wilderness, pristine and remote”

Untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow-capped Southern Alps – this is Lake Moeraki. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare Te Wahi Pounamu – Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. The landscape has been shaped by successive glaciations into fjords, rocky coasts, towering cliffs, lakes and waterfalls. Two-thirds of the area is covered with southern beech and podocarps, some of which are over 800 years old.

This special place is also home to breeding colonies of the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (seasonal), the Hectors Dolphins (the world’s smallest dolphin) and numerous varieties of 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

Included meals:        B, D

Lake Moeraki – Haast Pass – Wanaka – Queenstown

“Beaches, waterfalls, tussocks and gold”

Depart Moeraki and travel south to 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. Walk through a primeval swamp forest to see ancient “dinosaur” trees, view a coastal lagoon and fossick for greenstone on the remote beach.

From here, you will head south again to Haast where the road turns east, following the Haast Highway. You 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.

From Haast Pass the road eventually 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 you. 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, 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.

You will 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

Included meals:        B, MT, L, AT

Queenstown – Piopiotahi / Milford Sound excursion – Queenstown

“Fiords, glacial lakes, cruise and alps”

Today, your highlight will be a flight to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound. Once you arrive at Milford, you will be transferred to your 2 hour nature cruise. Your catamaran explores nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail.

This ‘ecotour’ is perfect for close-up shots of seals, birds and other Fiordland wildlife, including the rarest penguin in the world, the Fiordland crested penguin (Spring & Autumn).

Your nature cruise helps you appreciate the sheer size and grandeur of the fiord’s cliff faces rising hundreds of metres out of the water. You’ll get within touching distance of impressive geological features and close enough to catch and drink pure glacial water, or feel the full force from the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls.

At any time on the fiords visitors may see our New Zealand Fur Seals, Bottlenose Dolphins, penguins and other New Zealand native wildlife. Join the skipper on the bridge for a birds-eye view and see first-hand how the boat operates, taking sheer U shaped glaciated valleys. The fiord receives an average yearly rainfall of approximately 7.5m (300 inches) because it is situated on one of the world’s most formidable coastlines, which is subject to rapidly changing weather conditions.

The weather is famous for its ability to deteriorate or improve within a very short period of time. These dramatic weather patterns of Piopiotahi/Milford Sound can result in some of nature’s most amazing scenery transformations, especially when viewed from a scenic flight. Your trip will conclude with a return flight to Queenstown where your guides will meet you and show you some more of the Queenstown area.

Please note that in the event of your flight being subject to unfavourable weather conditions, your guides will try and make alternative arrangements for your Fly/Cruise/Fly trip for the next day. In the event that the flight options are not available at all due to the weather, you will be offered the opportunity of doing a full day Drive/Cruise/Drive trip to visit Piopiotahi/Milford Sound.

Accommodation:      Millbrook Country Resort

Included meals:        B, L

Queenstown

“Adventure and relaxing in the mountains”

A “free” day for you to experience and enjoy some of the many activities and attractions which Queenstown has to offer.

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 or perhaps   paragliding from Bob’s Peak. Another New Zealand experience is bungy jumping at the Kawarau Bridge, the first bungy jumping site in the world or perhaps a Ziptrek ecotour through the trees. 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 on the gondola offers spectacular views across to the mountains known as the Remarkables. Your guides will be available to advise and assist with transfers as to the venues and activities of your choice in the Queenstown and Arrowtown district.

Accommodation:      Millbrook Country Resort

Included meals:        B

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. Perhaps spend some time for that last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure, before it is time for your guides to bid you farewell.

Included meals:        B