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Welcome to Hooked on walking holidays and our walking holidays in New Zealand. This hiking vacation in New Zealand encompasses all the is great of New Zealand’s North Island and South Island. New Zealand is the “down-under“ paradise for nature lovers. Where else in the world can you find as many different landscapes, climate zones and vegetation so close together as in New Zealand. Bush walking is the best way to explore New Zealand‘s natural beauty. Therefore this tour includes many walks in the most beautiful National Parks. You will discover extinct as well as active volcanoes, secluded beaches, deep mountain lakes, geysers and thermal activity areas, as well as fiords and rain forests. Experience the multi-culture of the Polynesians, Maoris and European settlers with their different traditions and feel the cosmopolitan flair of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
(With this tour you can book the North or South Island separately)
start Christchurch unless marked
Available Dates: 19.10.09 , 9.11, 30.11, 21.12, 11.01.10
1.2, 22.2, 15.3, 5.4.10 ( Auckland )
Day 1 Christchurch
After your arrival in Christchurch, you will be dropped off at your downtown hotel. In the afternoon there will be a sightseeing tour through the ’Garden City‘, including the Port Hills and the ‘Sign of the Takahe’ with its magnificent views over the South Pacific and across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps.
Day 2 Christchurch – Queenstown (490km)
After a drive across the flat, alluvial Canterbury plains the road climbs the 671m Burke Pass which serves as the northern entrance to the area known as the MacKenzie Basin. On a picnic at the shores of Lake Tekapo you will be treated to magnificent views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Here you can do an optional scenic flight over Mt Cook, or Aoraki, the cloud piercer or walk up Mount John (approx. 2 hours). You continue your journey over the Lindis Pass along Lake Dunstan, one of the newest artificial lakes. We travel past fruit stalls and wind through the Kawarau River gorge to Queenstown.
Day 3 Queenstown (Rest Day)
Queenstown is an outdoor adventurer’s playground. Options could be a lake ride aboard the historic steamship Earnslaw, jet boating on the Shotover River, white water rafting, tandem paragliding, or a visit to the Kiwi house to see New Zealand's national icon in the flesh.
Day 4 Queenstown – Te Anau (168km)
A beautiful drive in the morning takes you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu until you reach Te Anau, the last township before Fiordland National Park. You have the option to do a half day excursion to the Manapouri Underground Power Station (departure from Te Anau is at 11.30am). Alternatively there is a walk to the bird sanctuary, a 3 hour walk on the Kepler Track, kayaking or just relaxing.
Day 5 Te Anau - Milford Sound (121km)
There are many great walks in this area such as the Routeburn, Hollyford & Key Summit. Depending on the weather the guide will suggest the best option(s) for the day. On the way to Milford Sound, you might spot cheeky Keas (Mountain Parrots) at rest areas next to the road. About 4pm we board a cruiseship (Milford Wanderer) for an amazing journey through the deep glacier carved Fiords of Milford Sound. In the evening you will be served a delicious dinner while anchoring in one of the tranquil bays. The on-board sleeping rooms have multiple beds per cabin – an unforgettable experience.
Day 6 Milford Sound – Wanaka (351km)
We disembark around 9am and drive back towards Queenstown. There may be time for a little detour to Arrowtown - an old gold rush village with lots of history. Continuing in the vehicle we drive over the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest road to Wanaka. At the west end of Lake Wanaka you can see the glittering snowtops of Mount Aspiring (3027m).
Day 7 Wanaka (Mt Iron walk)
Today we start with an easy stroll from the motel down to the lake. We continue along the shore past all the cafes and shops to Bremner Bay and then towards Penrith Beach. We link the 'Beacon Point Walk' with the 'Lake Outlet Walkway', followed by the short climb to the top of Mt.Iron. In total it a pleasant half-day trip (with total walking about 4 hrs).
We suggest you take your swimming togs as there will be enough time for a dip in the warmer shallow bays around the edge of the Lake.
Alternatively, you have the option of booking an Alpine hiking tour in the Mt. Aspiring National Park. One of the local guiding companies will drive you approximately 50km into the West Matukituki Valley to the end of a rough gravel road. From here you start the moderately strenuous guided walk to the foot of the Rob-Roy Glacier. The view from the top of the trail to the surrounding mountains and the glacier is well worth the effort. This optional excursion will be subject to local weather conditions. (Hiking time is approx 4-5 hrs return & driving time).
This evening we have the option of organising a barbecue at our Motel.
(Please note: today is a rest day for your driver and the bus will not be used).
Day 8 Wanaka – Fox Glacier (265km)
The journey takes you alongside Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. First through arid countryside followed by dense rain forest on the border of Mount Aspiring National Park. After a short walk through beech forest at Haast Pass you continue to the township of Fox Glacier. There may be time for a walk to the Glacier Face, or an optional scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers (including. landing).
Day 9 Fox Glacier – Westport (305km)
In the morning you drive to the Franz Josef Glacier lookout before continuing on to Hokitika. Those who are interested can visit a Greenstone factory, where you have the opportunity to buy jade carvings and jewellery at reasonable prices. Pounamu is the Maori name for Greenstone. In Punakaiki you will see the well known pancake rocks and will walk the Truman Track. If time permits we can do the walk along the Pororari River (approx. 2hrs round trip or a shorter walk of 40 mins) which takes you through sub-tropical forest with many of those remarkable Nikau palm trees and lime stone cliffs. Then it is just a 57km drive (50 mins) to Westport along the spectacular coastal road.
Day 10 Westport – Picton (292km)
A walk along the Pororari River (approx. 2 hours) takes you through sub-tropical forest with many of those remarkable Nikau palm trees and lime stone cliffs. Further, the route will take you along the spectacular coastal road and just before Westport at Cape Foulwind, you will see a seal colony on one of the coastal walks. After the lunch break in Murchison you will drive along the Buller River to Lake Rotoiti for a short walk in the Nelson Lakes National Park. The world-renowned vine-growing region of Marlborough will be passed on the way to Picton.
Day 11 Picton – Queen Charlotte Walkway
From this little fishing village you take a boat through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to the beginning of the same named walking track. In 2-3 hours you walk through natural scenic reserves with lush coastal forest and over mountain ridges, with splendid views of the Sound. At 3pm you are picked up from Furneaux and taken by boat to the idyllic Portage Resort nestled right on the waterfront, where your luggage is already waiting for you.
Day 12 Queen Charlotte Walkway – Wellington (Arrival in Wellington for those participants who have booked the North Island)
In the morning you hike along the coast through dense rain forest with its gigantic tree ferns. In Mistletoe Bay a boat pick-up is scheduled for 12 noon, which will take you back to Picton. In the afternoon you enjoy the journey on the Interislander Ferry via Tory channel and Marlborough Sounds across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Day 13 Wellington – Tongariro National Park (348km) (Departure in Wellington for those participants who have only booked the South Island)
During your sightseeing tour through the city, euphemistically known as the "Windy City”, you will see among other things the Parliamentary Buildings and the historical district with its St. Paul Cathedral. You will be driven to Mount Victoria, from where you can enjoy fantastic views of the city and the harbour. Afterwards you visit one of the most innovative museums of the world, the National Museum ‘Te Papa’. Towards the evening you reach the small National Park village with amazing views of the largest volcanoes in the country.
Day 14 Tongariro National Park – Rotorua (200km)
The Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand's premier day walks. This is a non guided walk, which takes you on a fascinating journey through a variety of vegetation zones, over scorer-scattered moonscapes, past the most beautiful turquoise blue lakes, solidified molten rock pillars and boiling hot springs. There are some spectacular panoramas over the surrounding countryside (6-7h trek). Alternatively there are shorter walks of 2-3 hours in the National Park. In the afternoon you will drive along Lake Taupo, New Zealands biggest Lake before you reach Rotorua, the most unique and active thermal area in the country.
Day 15 Rotorua
In the morning you will be guided through the Maori village centre Whakarewarewa. Here the successor of the first Polynesians present their culture. You will be entertained with a cultural performance, followed by a Hangi lunch (cooked in the traditional earth fire oven). The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the active thermal valley or take a walk along the lake shore with a visit to the historic St. Faith`s Church and it’s beautiful woodcarvings.
Day 16 Rotorua – Whitiango (240km)
Today the tour travels past Lake Rotorua and through the unspoiled Kamai Mamaku forest to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. The mild climate is excellent for kiwi fruit growing. We then drive onto Coromandel Peninsula. At the beginning of the 19th Century this region was in a gold rush. A walk through Broken Hills near Pauanui is a reminder of the turbulent times.
Day 17 Coromandel Peninsula
This Peninsula has a diverse landscape on a small scale. On one side you find bare mountains of volcanic origin and on the other side a rugged coastline with beautiful beaches. This day has a lot to offer, from kayaking, riding or hiking some of the local bush walks, to an excursion to Hot Water Beach, so named because a hot spring bubbles up through the sand, making it a lovely warm place to relax at low tide and watch swimmers enjoying the sea and surf.
Day 18 Whitiango – Auckland (190km)
In the morning you drive along the peninsula and the beautiful coastline to the small village of Waiomu. On a 2 hour hike with river crossings or swing bridges you will see some of the few Kauri trees (local giant) left. You will leave Coromandel and reach Auckland after about 3 hours drive. During a sightseeing tour in the ’City of Sails‘‘, which is famous for its many sailing yachts in the Hauraki Gulf, you will see among other things the Harbour Bridge, Waitemata Yacht Harbour and Mount Eden, from where you can see the Skytower.
Day 19 Auckland - Departure
The last morning is for your own leisure. You will be transferred to the airport in the afternoon.
Please note that your trip may differ from the above itinerary either to better suit the needs of the group, or due to circumstances beyond our control such as the weather.
Difficulty: If possible there will be daily walks depending on the tour itinerary. The average walking time is between 3-4 hours, except the Tongariro Crossing, which will take 6-7 hours and is rated medium to hard.
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What is Included
- Airport transfers
Day 1 only: Christchurch (between 7am & 2pm from the Airport)
Day 19 only: Auckland (between 7am & 3.30pm from the Hotel)
Transfers outside these days/times are your own arrangements
- Accommodation: 18 nights in 3–4 star (NZ standard) hotels & motels
- Meals: 1 breakfast & 1 dinner (Milford Overnight cruise)
There is an option to contribute to a group kitty for the occasional breakfast and many picnic lunches. For those that are interested (purely optional), the Tourguide will collect approx NZ$100pp
- Tourguide (who is also the driver)
- Support vehicle (Coaster Bus) with luggage compartment (for 1 bag pp)
- Overnight cruise in Milford Sound
- Boat transport in Queen Charlotte Sound (with luggage transfers also)
- Ferrycrossing Picton to Wellington (normally mid afternoon crossing)
- Whakarewarewa general entrance in Rotorua
- All National Park and other entry fees, except the “optional“ ones
- Wine tasting in Marlborough region
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Extras
- Getting to the tour start and from the tour finish
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Optional extra excursions
- Extra Nights
- Travel Insurance
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2009/2010 Prices
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Tour Code HOWNZ1
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing twin or double room - Full tour
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£2345
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Single persons price Full tour
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£3029
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing twin or double room - North Island
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£1257
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Single persons price North Island
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£1658
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing twin or double room - South Island
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£1577
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Single persons price South Island
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£2107
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How to get there
There direct flight from the UK to Christchurch or Auckand.
To view our other worldwide walking holidays
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Cycling Holidays in New Zealand
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