New Zealand is a small country blessed with more than its fair share of natural wonders. Complete New Zealand (41800) starts in Auckland, a city cradled between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. We travel south to Rotorua, centre of both Maori culture and the most extraordinary thermal activity. Here you'll find geysers, bubbling mud pools and lakes which fizz with all the colours of the rainbow. Next stop is Tongariro National Park situated in a region of active volcanoes where we stay in the spectacular Chateau. The Tongariro Crossing is amongst the greatest one-day walks anywhere in the world (enjoyed as an optional extra; please ask our sales team for a quote).
From Wellington, we sail across the Marlborough Sound to Picton on the South Island. After walking alongside the Queen Charlotte Sound and visiting a vineyard, we spend two nights at St Arnaud in the beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park. Continue to Christchurch where we'll meet with those joining for South Island Discovery (41809) and explore the city together.
Travel to Franz Josef Glacier via Arthur’s Pass and the west coast route. We walk around Lake Matheson with its incredible mirror-like reflection of the Southern Alps and explore the valleys leading up to either Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier. Then onwards over the Haast Pass to Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park where we walk along some exhilarating trails.
From Wanaka, we travel on to Queenstown. You have the option to hike the popular Milford Track (please ask our sales team for a quote) or a walk from Queenstown. We enjoy dinner in the Skyline Restaurant, reached by gondola, with stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and the craggy ‘Remarkables' as a sensational backdrop. The next stop is Te Anau, the base for our visit to the Southern Lake District and the world-famous Milford Sound cruise.
We head north to spend two nights in Twizel, gateway to the peaks and trails of Mount Cook. Here we enjoy the last of our spectacular walks. This really is a holiday of a lifetime.
Please be aware that this holiday can have a total group size of up to 22 people. We also have options to do both the Tongariro Crossing and the Milford Track.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Option
Heralded as the best one-day trek available in New Zealand, it spans the length of Mount Tongariro covering 12 miles (19.2km) and takes on average 7-8 hours to complete. You have the option to participate in the Tongariro Crossing. A medium to high-level is fitness required. This walk is above the advertised walking grade for this holiday and is a similar walking grade to our challenging grade 7 RWH holidays. We can book the crossing through a local tour operator at the time of making your booking. Please contact our Sales and Reservations department for a quote. The price includes local guide, lunch, trekking/wet weather gear hire and return transfers from the Chateau. Please click the "Read More" tab to download the information guide.
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Milford Track Option
The Milford Track is world famous and the finest way to walk to Milford Sound. The first day begins with a boat journey from Te Anau Downs and a 1.6 km walk followed by a short nature walk. The following day we walk up the Clinton valley around 16 km with 200m of ascent. The next day we reach the head of the Clinton Valley and walk over the Mackinnon Pass around 15km but with 720m of ascent. A high level of fitness is required as this walk is above the advertised walking grade for this holiday and is a similar walking grade to our challenging grade 6 RWH holidays. Please contact our Sales and Reservations department for a quote. Please note that the price quoted will be based on you staying in a multi-share room. If you would like a quote for a room on a single basis then please specify at the time of booking. Please be aware that places are limited and on a first come first basis and are non-refundable depending on when you cancel (no name changes allowed). Once the spaces are booked, it is unlikely that we will be able to obtain more so please book early to avoid disappointment! Please ask Sales and Reservations for an information sheet for further details such as kit and accommodation. Please click the "Read More" tab to download the information guide.
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Choose either the entire Complete New Zealand route as above, or if you have limited time available, join us for the South Island Discovery only.