Great Hikes of South Island New Zealand, 10 days

This unforgettable tour immerses you in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Southern Alps and some of New Zealand’s most spectacular national parks. Step into paradise as you trek the legendary Kepler Track and hike the Routeburn Track to Key Summit, where panoramic views of the Southern Alps will leave you speechless. These iconic Great Walks showcase the very best of New Zealand’s pristine wilderness.

No visit to this region is complete without exploring the majestic Milford Sound. Glide through its dramatic fiords on a day cruise, surrounded by cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs.

Then, venture deeper into the wild with an immersive overnight cruise voyage on Doubtful Sound. Surrounded by sheer peaks, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife, you’ll have the chance to kayak through serene waters, getting up close with playful dolphins, seals, and rare native birds. With far fewer visitors, experience the fiord’s serenity at dusk/dawn in this remotely, almost untouched region.

The Rob Roy Glacier Track brings us face to face with active glaciers and get up close and personal with Lake Wanaka on a memorable kayak adventure. Do not miss Lake Country where is home to Lake Wanaka, gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

Immerse in close company of Aoraki Mt Cook and its surrounding National Park. Hiking up the Hooker Valley and experiencing many of the short walk options in this world renowned area.

Duration: 10 days

Itinerary

Highlights

~ Experience the Routeburn and Kepler Great Walks.

~ Explore the outstanding beauty of some of NZ’s stunning National Parks.

~ Admire the majesty of NZ’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook.

~ Hike up the Rob Roy Track and get face to face with active glaciers.

~ Enjoy an unforgettable kayak excursion on Lake Wanaka.

~ An immersive overnight cruise on the spectacular Doubtful Sound.

~ Spend time in Mount Cook Village and hike Hooker Valley and Tasman Glacier.

Day 1 Arrive Queenstown

Arrive Queenstown. Group shuttle transfer to the accommodation. Official check-in is 3 PM.

Depending on your arrival time, spend your free time checking out Queenstown’s many cafes and outdoor shops or you can stick with the active theme of the tour and choose one of the myriad of activities offered by New Zealand’s adrenaline capital!

Meal: nil

Stay: hotel, Queenstown

Day 2 Rainbow Reach Trail & Kepler Great Walk

A scenic transfer (2.5 hours) to Te Anau, journeying the scenic shores of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston. Cross through several small farming settlements before arriving at the town of Te Anau located on the shores of another stunning lake.

Hike a delightful section of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Kepler. The track follows the terraces of the Waiau River through red and mountain beech forest and continues to Rainbow Reach on an easy terrain.

This afternoon, relax and enjoy the Ata Whenua movie (Fiordland on Film) taking you on an unforgettable cinematic journey through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel/motel, Te Anau

Hiking Distance: 9 KM est. Hiking Hours: 4+ hours approx.

Day 3 Key Summit Hike & Milford Sound Cruise

Transfer into the Fiordland National Park amid the beech forests and mountains that the region is famous for. The beautiful Milford Road tracks through the wilderness. Stop to enjoy some of the short walks and views on the way, before arriving at The Divide. From here, walk to Key Summit which forms part of the Routeburn Track. Admire the spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and Humboldt and Earl Mountain ranges.

Then drive (2.5-hour) through the Homer Tunnel and onto Milford Sound, stopping enroute to explore the famous Chasm Walkway before joining our afternoon cruise through Milford Sound.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: hotel/motel, Te Anau

Hiking Distance: 7 KM est. Hiking Hours: 5+ hours approx.

Day 4 Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

In the morning, there is free time to explore Te Anau, where the Bird Sanctuary is a ‘must visit’. Some of Fiordland’s special birds that are difficult to see in the wild, including the Takahe, Kaka, blue duck, Parakeets and many more.

A short drive to Manapouri. As we journey on the edge of the wonderfully remote Fiordland National Park, get fascinated as we are dwarfed by the mountains looming all around us.

Join a spectacular Doubtful Sound experience beginning with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, then a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove to board the expedition-style small ship. Cruise out into Doubtful Sound, formed by glaciers, with huge cascading waterfalls and vertical cliff faces. As we sail, be surrounded by magnificent views with a nature guide sharing their knowledge of the region, and wildlife which may include dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

There may be a chance to kayak from the boat. At the end of the day, relax into an evening of entertainment, fine food and comfortable sleep in the private cabins. In the heart of the wilderness of the Fiordland National Park, you’ll be constantly surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains, feeling quite insignificant amongst this grandeur. The sunset is superb (weather permitting).

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: onboard Vessel Fjordland Navigator, ensuite

Day 5 Doubtful Sound – Wanaka

After breakfast, the captain and crew request your attention to enjoy a period of complete silence as the ship is located in a stunning bay. The “sounds of silence” is a powerful way to highlight the immensity of Doubtful Sound and an opportunity to enjoy the morning bird call. Then continue cruising through the fiord. before returning to Deep Cove and travel back to Manapouri over Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri.

Make our way to Lake Country driving through the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, with diverse landscapes and travelling through small South Island towns and to our destination Wanaka.

Our accommodation for 2 nights is located within walking distance of Wanaka and its lakefront. If time permits, walk up Mount Iron for stunning views across Lake Wanaka.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: motel, Wanaka

Hiking Distance: 4.5 KM est. Hiking Hours: 3 hours approx.

Day 6 The Rob Roy Glacier Track Hike

Today’s hike brings us face to face with active glaciers. The Rob Roy Glacier Track leads into Mount Aspiring National Park, an amazing world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. The track follows Rob Roy Stream through beech forest with waterfalls and a luxuriant understorey of ferns and mosses. At the tree line, the forest gives way to alpine vegetation and spectacular views of the hanging glaciers beneath Mount Rob Roy. The walk to the viewing point is mostly uphill, but the incline gradual. The cheeky kleptomaniac kea (mountain parrots) is fond of anything edible or not that you may leave unattended on a rock – just saying!

Returning to Wanaka, the evening is free at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Stay: motel, Wanaka

Hiking Distance: 10 KM est. Hiking Hours: 4-5 hours approx.

Day 7 Lake Wanaka – Twizel

Lake Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s largest lakes situated in a glacier carved basin and is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps. This makes it the ideal location for an unforgettable (4-hour) kayaking adventure exploring the beautiful coastline whilst enjoying the outstanding scenery.

In the afternoon, enjoy another stunning (2-hour) drive taking you from the shores of Lake Wanaka, over the Lindis Pass, and into the Mackenzie Basin, with stunning views of mountains and turquoise lakes, arriving in Twizel.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel/motel, Twizel

Day 8 Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park

Transfer to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Take a 3.5-hour hike on the Hooker Valley track along Hooker Valley and Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Mueller Glacier on a clear day. Along the way, cross the Hooker River via three swing bridges and see picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains.

If time permits, there is also opportunity for other short walk options in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, it may be the Red Tarns Track with beautiful views of alpine tarns and Aoraki; Kea Point Track to the foot on Mount Sefton with beautiful glacier or Tasman Glacier Viewpoint, with vistas of NZ’s longest glacier and the Tasman Lake.

This afternoon, rest and relax or perhaps, you may explore the Edmund Hillary Centre or the highly recommended DOC centre.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel/motel, Twizel

Hiking Distance: 10 KM est. Hiking Hours: 4-5 hours approx.

Day 9 Twizel – Christchurch

The drive to Christchurch offers more great views as we head back along Lake Pukaki and continue through the MacKenzie Basin via Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd to the pretty country towns of Fairlie and Geraldine. Cross the vast canterbury plains to arrive Christchurch in the late afternoon.

This evening, experience a ‘Kai’ (food) walking tour in Otautahi – Christchurch, introducing you to the local culture, discover delicious ‘kai’ food. Immerse yourself in an emerging foodie scene. Follow the guide to some of the city’s best kept secrets, learn some popular Maori words. Meet some of the friendly locals as you move through the vibrant and dynamic city of Otautahi – Christchurch.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Christchurch

Day 10 Depart Christchurch

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for the group shuttle transfer to Queenstown Airport and the tour concludes. Official check out time is 12 PM.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 8 nights in accommodation;

~ 1 night onboard Fjordland Navigator vessel on Doubtful Sound;

~ 9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners;

~ provision of water and snacks during hiking hours;

~ return airport group shuttle transfers on day 1 and day 10;

~ luggage transfer as required;

~ necessary admission fees, National Park fees;

~ Ata Whenua movie at Te Anau;

~ Milford Sound Day Cruise;

~ kayaking experience on Lake Wanaka;

~ English-Speaking Hiking Guide;

~ necessary transportation as required.

Exclusions

~ air/land travel to Christchurch/Queenstown, New Zealand;

~ New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation application NZeTA;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ meals not mentioned within the itinerary;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure on personal effects;

~ anything not specified in the trip inclusion and itinerary.

Important Notes

~ A non-refundable deposit, 30% of the trip price, is required at the time of booking. If the actual trip price increases by more than 10% than the featured price, hikers may withdraw, and the deposit will be fully refunded.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ Only book your air ticket to Christchurch/Queenstown, New Zealand when you have been informed to do so.

~ Most visitors will require New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation (NZeTA) to enter New Zealand, check your entry requirement and apply HERE.

~ Should you require a visa to enter New Zealand, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests, but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ There are hard gravel walking tracks, some days the hikes involve hiking on moving small rocks on the ground and grassy uneven terrain. Some of the hikes involve gradual climbing without clearly defined track to follow. The sense of isolation and wilderness is a strong highlight of this trip. You must be confident walking across uneven terrain and are able to walk comfortably for up 4 hours at a time (with breaks included) and walking uphill, with some steep sections.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore, the inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary, and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for hikers with chronic and/or acute diseases. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike.

~ If the hiker presents difficulty in completing the day’s hike, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker and team in mind. The hiker can board the support vehicle for relaxation. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during the planned hiking day where possible or make it a rest day. Hiker can relax onboard the support vehicle. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	Hiking
Hiking Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus, Grade 3 – Intermediate
Season	01 – January, 02 – February, 11 – November, 12 – December
Country	New Zealand

Great Hikes of South Island New Zealand, 10 days