New Zealand: South Island

DAY 1

Described as “more English than England,” Christchurch offers a bit of the familiar with double-decker buses, cricket-playing schoolboys, Gothic buildings, and, of course, gardens galore (one acre in every three is devoted to public parks). If you arrive a day early, you may get to know the city by walking its charming streets and manicured parks. A stroll through the Botanical Gardens will orient you to some of the native flora, much of it unique to the island. There is also the Antarctic collection in the Canterbury Museum, which traces the steps of Scott and Amundsen in their conquests to the South Pole.

Soon after meeting in Christchurch, an approximate two-hour drive takes you across Canterbury Plains and over Porters Pass to the spectacular high country of the Southern Alps. Here, you stop for a picnic lunch in the Craigieburn Forest Park. You then embark on a walk, a gradual ascent through southern beech forest to Lyndon Saddle (elevation gain of 1,000 feet). Here, you can relax and enjoy the views or continue for an additional 20 minutes to Helicopter Hill, which boasts even more impressive panoramic views of the Castle Hill Basin.

A beautiful wilderness lodge with spectacular alpine views is your home for the next two nights. Here, you are warmly greeted by your hosts, who continue to run a high country sheep station on their property. At some point during your stay, you visit the sheep shearing shed to learn about Merino wool production and life on a sheep station.

Before a welcome dinner in the comfortable dining room, you have the option of joining one of the lodge’s guides on an optional two- to three-mile exploration of its magnificent setting.
Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass

DAY 2

Today you explore the Otria Valley. This glacial valley has an incredible array of wildflowers and unique alpine plants on display.

If the weather is not suitable for this walk, the alternative is the beautiful Bealey Spur trail. Demanding, but rewarding, this trail climbs (elevation gain 1500 feet) steadily for three miles and offers stunning views. You walk through native manuka, beech forest, and tawny-tussock grassland before reaching a historic sheep musterer’s hut, where you are surrounded by rocky peaks, mountain streams, and a variety of hardy alpine plants.

On either trail, you follow ancient Maori paths to the west coast and savor a picnic lunch with spectacular mountain views.

This evening you have time to enjoy the tranquility of the lodge before indulging in its well-known New Zealand cuisine.
Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass

DAY 3

This morning, you travel south (approximately two hours) over Arthur’s Pass and arrive into the heart of Westland, a region unlike any other place in the world. Over 14,000 years ago, the last ice age retreated, leaving lowland areas covered in rainforests, grasslands, lagoons, and gravel-lined glacier lake beds. You visit the quaint town of Hokitika, once the “Goldfields Capital” at the heart of the gold rush. While the prospectors are long gone, the town now thrives as a center of farming, art, tourism, and conservation. Lunch is on your own today in Hokitika, where you will also have time to browse the craft stores for leather, pottery, woodware, and other regional crafts, or for something lovely made from iron-hard green stone called pounamu (nephite jade), prized by the Maoris for making weapons.

In the afternoon, you enjoy an easy track along the bush and beaches of the coast. Following the walk, you continue driving approximately another 1½ hours to a pleasant, modern inn, which is located in the village of Fox Glacier. After a satisfying meal, you rest up for tomorrow's glacier adventure.
Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier

DAY 4

After a hearty breakfast you prepare for a glacier excursion. Like its neighbor, Franz Joseph, Fox Glacier is the world’s lowest lying glacier outside of the Arctic regions. It starts its descent in barren icy peaks, then winds through valleys of steep rock and green bush, finally terminating in lush rainforest.

The challenging glacier walk continues a tradition started at Fox Glacier over a century ago. Equipped with crampons and walking sticks, you begin on a track across a riverbed, then climb a rough, rocky path up through rainforest to the top of the bluff (elevation gain of 1,000 feet) for a spectacular view of the glacier terminal. Cutting steps through the ice in the time-honored manner, your guide leads you across the glacier to a view of a beautiful amphitheater of seracs. Walking on the granular expanse of blue-white ice requires concentration, but the exhilaration is truly unforgettable. An easy non-glacier option is available for those who choose not to participate in this walk.
Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier

DAY 5

Today’s adventures offer an intimate look at the ruggedness and isolation of the South Westland with its deserted coastlines, moss-covered forests, and deep, dark lakes. The walk begins on the Chalet Lookout, following the historical glacier access route, which offers magnificent views of Fox Glacier. Initially, you cross a suspension bridge and turn onto a well-trodden trail through regenerating forests with glimpses of the glacier through the trees. Later, you walk along Bruce’s Bay, filled with large Rimu (native red pines). You traverse the bay on the beach, considered by many to be truly iconic of the South Westland Coastline.

Evening takes you to Lake Moeraki, which means “to sleep or dream by day” in Maori. At a lakefront wilderness lodge, a welcome dinner of regional specialties such as salmon or venison is served with a taste of the renowned Canterbury Merlot.
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki

DAY 6

Today a full day of active options are available from the wilderness lodge. You may choose to start your day with an early morning stroll through the awakening rainforest. You are able to discover the bird life, ferns, and the ancient trees of this truly magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site.

After breakfast, some may wish to join the skilled lodge staff on a kayak safari exploring the enchanting forests and wetlands of Lake Moeraki and the Moeraki River. In the afternoon you may choose to embark on a challenging walk into Moeraki’s interior, or, depending on the tides, a moderate walk to a secluded cove in search of seals and the rare Fjordland Crested Penguin, which nest in the bush surrounding the isolated beaches. Before returning to the lodge you have time to walk along the rock-studded coastline in search of Biscuit Starfish and colorful stones.

Before retiring, you can choose to bring out a flashlight to discover the mysterious sights, sounds, and smells of the rainforest under the Southern Cross in the night sky. You may hear the call of the Morepork, a small spotted owl, and find shimmering strands of dangling glowworms.
Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki

DAY 7

Today involves a combination of driving and walking in this beautiful area of striking contrasts. In the morning, following a short transfer, you explore more of this unique UNESCO World Heritage site on a walk through a magnificent Kahikatea forest followed by a coastal Rimu forest to a point overlooking Dune Lake and the Tasman Sea. The trails at Ship Creek were built in the early 1990s to allow walkers to experience the inside of a Kahikatea forest.

Following lunch, you drive (approximately one hour) to reach the Haast Pass, the lowest road pass in the Southern Alps. Here, you follow sections of an old bridle path that once linked Otago and Westland. Along the way, you enter a forest made up almost exclusively of silver beech. You also walk through a thick carpet of ferns and mosses, with peppertrees, lancewoods, and coprosmas overhead. The track crosses a suspension bridge over Fish River, passing the thrilling plunge of the Makarora River Gorge.

Late in the afternoon the drive continues to Wanaka (approximately 1½ hours) and our ultimate destination, a lakeside hotel. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka, your spacious rooms offer views of the lake or alps; each offering a private balcony or patio. Tonight you are on your own for dinner, free to enjoy one of the small cafes or restaurants in town. Or, you may prefer to relax at the resort to utilize the tennis courts, rent a kayak, take a dip, or wander the lake-side trail.
Edgewater Resort, Wanaka

DAY 8

A scenic drive of approximately one hour starts the day through the Matukituki Valley into Mount Aspiring National Park. This is a majestic alpine region of wide valleys, secluded flats, and massive mountains. The largest of these, the park’s namesake, is also known as Tititea (“peak of glistening white”) to the Maori. The walk to Rob Roy Glacier (elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet) begins along a stretch of open flats to the Rob Roy stream. You cross a suspension bridge then climb steadily for 3.5 miles through beech forest, with the massive ice cliffs of Rob Roy Glacier looming overhead. Picnicking with spectacular views of the glacier, you return to the valley in the afternoon, looking for kea (a unique alpine parrot) along the way. An easier walking option takes place in the Matukituki Valley, which also has stunning views of the valleys and mountains.

This evening dinner is served at our hotel’s exquisite restaurant.
Edgewater Resort, Wanaka

DAY 9

This morning’s walk is along the Fisherman’s Track, a rolling, well-maintained trail that follows the Clutha River from the outlet at Lake Wanaka to the small village of Albertown. Along the way you spot trout in the river pools and enjoy views of the lovely Clutha Valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch sitting on the banks of this clear blue river.

Afterwards, you depart for Queenstown with several stops along the way to appreciate this most unusual region of mountains and wide valleys dotted with lakes. After checking in to your Queenstown lakefront hotel in the late afternoon, there is time to relax or walk into town. Tonight’s final dinner is celebrated in a fine Queenstown restaurant.
Novotel Gardens Hotel, Queenstown

DAY 10

The tour ends after breakfast in Queenstown. If you are not flying out this morning, there are endless opportunities to explore this active community.

You may choose to spend the day in Queenstown, where there is always a festival going on (“Queenstown Just for Fun” is the town’s official slogan). Start at the lakefront on Queenstown Bay and follow the Marine Parade to lovely public gardens. Stop into some of the shops or visit the Kiwi House. Ride the gondola to Bob’s Peak for a spectacular view of the town and surrounding peaks and take the hiking trail down. Adventurous spirits will find an endless array of excursions from which to choose.