Day 1 : Your home country
Depart your home country.
Day 2 : International Date Line
Cross the International Date Line.
Day 3 : Auckland
Touch down in Auckland early morning and transfer on to an internal
flight to Wellington, arrive mid-morning. You will then have a free day to
get those body clocks back in order and to explore New Zealand's lively
capital city. Situated on a splendid harbour on the southern tip of the
island, Wellington is seen as New Zealand's answer to San Francisco. You
will then have the chance to visit the Te Papa museum and get an insight
into the history that shaped this amazing country. Overnight in a Wellington
Hotel
Day
4 : Cook Strait
We will begin our first day out in the open with a three-hour ferry trip
across the Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands.
Arriving at the picturesque port of Picton, we will be picked up and
transferred to the entrance of the Abel Tasman National Park (three hours).
We have a short trek to our evening camp along a gently winding path over
the peninsula towards Anchorage Bay. It is a gentle start to the trek and we
will get our first glimpses of the beautiful north coast of the South
island. An undulating wooded path takes us down to our evening campsite.
Approx. 3 hours trekking.
Day 5 : Torrent Bay
This is a long day weaving up and down along the coastline. We will walk
across the coastal flat (tide dependent) out of Torrent Bay and climb up
though the wooded coastline towards Bark Bay. Dropping back down again we
reach the beautiful beach and a shady lunch spot below. Heading across the
sand after lunch, we come to the tidal inlet. Depending on the tide, we can
cross either up to our knees in water or take the path which skirts around
the coastline. Leaving the sea, we climb steeply up the wooded slopes to
cross the peninsula before dropping down to yet another golden sandy beach.
Our final hour takes us rising gently over the Tonga Saddle and into Awora
Bay. Our camp is in this spectacular coastal haven. Approx. 7 hours
trekking.
Day 6 : Awora Bay
We head off across a coastal flat towards the wildlife-rich area north of
Awora Bay. It's our final chance to indulge ourselves before we head out of
the park and transfer to Nelson Lakes for the next stage of our trip. An
easy half day trek, flatish terrain. We camp in the West Bay campsite at
Nelson Lakes. Approx. 3 hours trekking.
Day 7 : Pinchgut Track
Today we follow a dirt road out of camp, gently climbing to the base of the
small single Pinchgut track which steeply zigzags up Mount Robert to the top
at just over 1,400 metres. Our morning's excursions allow spectacular views
over Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding valley. We can also look down over our
campsite far below. We head off along the ridge before starting back down to
the lakeside. This is a long day, which allows us to experience the whole
valley before returning to camp at West Bay campsite. The most strenuous
day. Approx. 9 hours trekking.
Day 8 : Lewis Pass
Transfer
day: As we leave camp and head south-east over the Lewis Pass, we have a
steep climb before taking advantage of a rest day and the opportunity to
indulge in relaxing hotsprings before continuing on to Kaikoura on the
spectacular east coast of the island. A welcome rest day after yesterday's
exertions. Approx. 3 hours trekking.
Day 9 : Mount Fyffe
Our final day takes us up the imposing Mount Fyffe. Rising 1,600 metres
straight from sea level, we climb up the well-established four wheel drive
track which snakes up this impressive mountain. Overlooking the Kaikoura
Peninsula, and with the shimmering blue-green waters of the Pacific below,
it is a stunning climb to the top. Rising steeply as it leaves the flat
coastal lands we have only a slight respite, along the ridge, before
climbing steeply to the top at 1,602 metres above sea level. Our return is
down the route we climbed, but it is an impressive end to our South island
trek, and a welcome seafood bonanza awaits us as a celebration meal back in
the bustling, little community of Kaikoura.
Day 10 : Christchurch
An early morning chance to swim with the dolphins or to take a flight over
the waters in search of the whales offers a fitting end to the trip. We then
head south to Christchurch with a chance to do some last-minute shopping
before catching our evening flight home.
Day 11 : Back to home
The adventure ends.
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