8 Day New Zealand South Island Adventure Tour: Classic South

Leaving the city behind, we head to Lake Tekapo for a hike along the lakeshore before emerging above the treeline on Mt. John for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Tonight, we’ll spend the night in the Mackenzie Country basin, with stunning views stretching across the Southern Alps. The area is known for the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with light pollution strictly controlled, so it’s the ideal spot to stargaze!
Accommodation: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel or Mt Cook Lodge and Motels, Mt Cook
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 5 miles (8 kilometers), 2-3 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,080 feet (330 meters) ascent, 1,080 feet (330 meters) descent 

This morning we’ll journey to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, home to Mt Cook, named Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by South Island Maori, the highest mountain in New Zealand. On a clear day, the views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook are stunning, and we’ll have a few hike options available depending on the day. 

After our mornings hike, we’ll head south, driving through the tussock-country of Lindis Pass to a small mountain village called Makarora, where we’ll enjoy some local fare.
Accommodation: Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Up to 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers), 2-3 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: Up to 328 feet (100 meters) ascent, 328 feet (100 meters) descent 

You’ll head out for a mind-blowing scenic flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park, with a bird’s eye view of the lower Southern Alps, landing in the remote Siberia Valley. After crossing the Wilkin River you can choose to have some downtime at the Sibera Hut or a walk upstream past a waterfall and amazing views of the mountains.

After lunch, you’ll hike downstream along the Wilkin River, through beautiful silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) forests to a jet boat rendezvous. Then it’s a thrilling ride back to Makarora for dinner and perhaps a well-earned drink at the local pub.
Accommodation: Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 460 feet (140 meters) ascent, 1,050 feet (320 meters) descent

This morning, we'll take a beautiful drive through spectacular glacier-carved valleys. The landscape changes rapidly from dense beech forests to semi-arid mountainous terrain.

When we arrive at Lake Hawea, you’ll be fitted with an e-bike for a scenic ride along the Hawea River Trail. This gently undulating track follows the Hawea and Clutha Rivers through the rugged Central Otago landscape to the charming lakeside town of Wanaka. Lake Wanaka is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand and surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains. Whether you’re skipping stones on the lake’s edge or exploring the shops, Wanaka is a great spot to rediscover simple pleasures.  

We’ll have lunch and spend time here before a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu where you’ll sleep sweetly tonight in this alpine town. 
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel or Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 18 miles (29 kilometers), 1-2 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 370 feet (115 meters) ascent, 524 feet (160 meters) descent

Today you have two options – a full day hike or a free day to yourself. For those keen for an alpine hike, you’ll meet your guide downtown at 8:30am, ready to head up the Ben Lomond Track. To save our legs a little, we’ll take a short gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak, which is 1,476 feet (450 meters) above Queenstown. From there, we’ll head out along the trail through alpine tussock-land towards the summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point, you’ll find yourself immersed in amazing views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, which are themselves dwarfed by the surrounding mountains including Mt. Aspiring.

As an alternative, you can have a free day to explore on your own. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilisation are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, sidewalk cafés, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here including horse trekking, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, jet boating and skydiving. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere or lounge about reading a book.

Your guides will happily share their favourite haunts and point you in the right direction if you choose to have a free day today.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel or Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Queenstown
Meals: No meals

Hiking: 5 miles (8 kilometers), 4-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,208 feet (978 meters) ascent, 3,208 feet (978 meters) descent

This morning we’ll make our way around Lake Wakatipu, leaving behind the towering Remarkables and head west to the small town of Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. This afternoon we’ll take a hike on the famous Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks - we follow the track through mountain beech forest and along the Waiau River. It’s an awesome hike with spectacular views!

Tonight we’ll stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau, enjoying the scenery and the delicious local fare.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent

It’s an early start this morning as we set off for our largest and perhaps most spectacular national park, Fiordland. We’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel and emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound. Rudyard Kipling rated this fiord as the eighth natural wonder of the world and it is truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into the deep inky water.

We’ll jump on board the first boat cruise of the day, where we’ll have the water to ourselves, as we gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. We may be lucky enough to encounter the friendly fur seals and dolphins that are sometimes in the area.

Afterwards, we’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot again, with a hike to Key Summit on the famous Routeburn Track. The panoramic views are incredible from this vantage point and you’ll probably get to meet New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and intelligent alpine parrot, the kea (Nestor notabilis).

After our hike, we’ll continue heading out of Milford Sound to return for our last night on the shores of Lake Te Anau. Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner for our last night.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise: 2 hours

Hiking: 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1540 feet (470 meters) ascent, 1540 feet (470 meters) descent

After breakfast, we’ll return to Queenstown. This is the end of your trip and you’ll have had an exhilarating week. We’ll leave you buzzing with excitement, but feeling relaxed and refreshed as well! 
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast