[New Zealand - Best of the South Island Feb 3-16, 2009]
INTRODUCTION
Kia ora, (hello) Welcome to the South Island of New Zealand!
Words alone can not capture the wild essence of New Zealand, from rich forests and stunning fjords to hidden beaches and meadows carpeted with exotic flowers. We invite you to experience the breathtaking majesty of a landscape boasting the world-renowned Milford Sound, the storied Tasman Sea and the mighty Southern Alps. Sample the New Zealand culture while ambling through the gold-mining town of Hokitika, the colonial borough of Christchurch and the alpine resort of Queenstown. Discover wide, hidden beaches with sea lions, penguins and dolphins off the shore, then delve into the icy haunts of a massive glacier. New Zealand is a magnificent assemblage of wild scenery, exotic flora and fauna, and a people renowned for their friendliness and hospitality—come make it your own.
ITINERARY (We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.)
Day 1
Our morning starts with a 9.30 am pick-you up from your accommodations or from the Nelson Airport or bus terminal. Once everyone's together, we'll introduce ourselves and head to the Botanics Reserve for a walk up to the Centre of New Zealand and to the summit of Botanical Hill, providing us with wonderful views over Nelson. Our return path takes us along the beautiful Maitai River (walking time approx. 1 hr 15 mins)
We'lll then take a short drive to Founders Park for a wander around this historic village before heading to lunch at a local café. After lunch, you'll have time to take a stroll in the Miyazu Gardens and view intricate carved frontage of Nelson’s Maori Marae.
If time permits, we'll have time for some shopping in Nelson or we'll visit Nelson’s sandy beach at Tahunanui.
This evening we'll have our welcome dinner with drinks and barbecue at the home of our hosts.
Overnight in Nelson.
Historical notes:
Founders Heritage Park is a replica historic village containing many of the old historic buildings and artefacts of Nelson. Special attractions include Dr Bush's Windmill, the Port Nelson Exhibition, vintage and horse drawn vehicles, fire engines and a working train. Nelsonians created this historic townscape featuring real and replica buildings, much as they were in colonial days of the 19th century.
The Miyazu Gardens celebrates Nelson's relationship with its Japanese sister city. As soon as you walk through the gate made from old timber recycled from the port, the street noise is screened out with an immediate feeling of enclosure. Still reflective ponds, trickling bamboo spouts and melodic cascades enhance the sense of serenity.
The Whakatu Marae is the focal point of the Maori community of Nelson. The basis of the marae is the hosting of visitors. It is a community centre for cultural, social and recreational activities for all people of all ethnic groups. The marae brings together six local tribes.
Nelson received its name in honour of the Admiral of the Fleet 1st Viscount Nelson who defeated both the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Many of the roads and public areas around the city are named after people and ships associated with that Battle and Trafalgar Street is the main shopping axis of the city.
Day 2
With so many adventures to experience today, we'll meet at 8:15 am for our drive to Kaiteriteri where we'll board our boat for a cruise into Abel Tasman National Park and a trek along this beautiful seacoast. Perfect sunshine, clear blue-green waters and genuine golden sand make Kaiteriteri a dream destination and forms the main gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Kaiteriteri is one of the best beaches on the South Island, due in no small part to the wonderful colour of its sands. The weathering of ancient granite rocks releases crystals of quartz and mica which are washed down to the sea and finely ground into glittering gold particles of sand.
We have two outstanding hiking options today. Both will delight your senses!
Option 1: Walk along the lovely coastal path over a forested saddle to Bark Bay with time for a swim/sun bathe (approx. walking time 2 hours) Pick up by water taxi from Bark Bay at 3.40 pm
Option 2: Continue to water taxi from TorreTorrent Bay if you are feeling energetic! (approx. walking time 1.5 hours, total walking time: 3.5 hours)
Free time this afternoon to explore Kaiteriteri. Overnight in Mapua.
Day 3
The morning begins with a drive to the seaside town of Kaikoura. Once a sleepy fishing village, Kaikoura is waking up to its increasing popularity as one of the best places in the world to view marine mammals. An amazing variety of whales, dolphins, and seals feed in the krill-rich waters surrounding Kaikoura. Ever seen a 1,000 year old tree? You will today! We'll enjoy a river walk among 1,000 year old trees at Pelorus Bridge and then head to the Allan Scott winery near Blenheim for wine tasting and a fabulous lunch. And there's more, because this afternoon we'll have a unique opportunity to see and observe up to 100 seals at the seal colony. Tonight's accommodations are right on the beach Yea!
Day 4
Today we'll enjoy a full walking day in Kaikoura, including a trek around the beautiful limestone peninsula and observe seals and sea birds as well as spectacular views of the surrounding coastal mountains. Watch out for the sleeping seals! Haven't had enough fun yet? This afternoon we'll stop at some friends to enjoy a wonderfully humourous sheep shearing demonstration. If you happen to need a trim, step right up! Free haircuts for all! Seaside dinner.
Kaikoura (“Meal of Crayfish”)The township is situated on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the Kaikoura Ranges. The often snow-clad mountains serve as a dramatic backdrop for the picturesque seaside village and rugged beaches.
The Maori name Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish’ (Kai – food, koura – crayfish), and it is crayfish for which the region has traditionally been famous. The area’s abundant food sources attracted Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa sites can still be seen on the peninsula to this day.
Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at different times of the year, but almost always the huge Sperm Whales. The clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors. Fun loving Dusky Dolphin can also be spotted. Fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing. Seabirds, also enjoying the rich sea harvest, are abundant.
Day 5
Going from east to west we traverse the South Island traveling on beautiful back roads. We'll stop for some refreshments at a beautiful, small rural town called Waiau. We'll explore the Boyle River area (St. James Walkway) for a wilderness trek and a sumptuous picnic. After lunch, we continue to the West Coast and Hokitika via enticeingly scenic farm country and rain forest.
The St James was the first walkway to be established in a sub-alpine area. It is well marked, including stretches of open farm land where cairns and markers indicate the route. About 66 km long, it is designed to take five days, allowing walkers to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace. Don’t worry, we're just doing the start of it! Located partly within the Lewis Pass National Reserve and meandering through St James Station pastoral lease and Lake Sumner Forest Park, the St James Walkway combines diverse scenery, wildlife and vegetation.
Day 6
A great day for a rainforest hike and a lakeside trek in the seldom visited mountain foothills to the east of Hokitika. We walk along wilderness Lake Kaniere and, weather and time permitting, visit the turquoise blue Hokitika River Gorge. Free time this afternoonfor shopping in Hokitika and/or visiting the West Coast Museum. Beach walk and evening excursion to see glow worms.
Hokitika River Gorge The milky blue colour of the river flowing down this gorge is incredible. A swingbridge crosses the gorge, giving you closer access to the waters. The colour comes from glacial ice water melt mixed with the milkiness of the silt that has been ground down from the rock faces/bed around and under the moving glacier.
Day 7
Today we head for Whataroa and enjoy a unique tour of New Zealand's only White Heron nesting colony. In the early afternoon, we'll head for Franz Josef or Fox Glacier for a walk up to the glacier face, weather depending. Then we'll head south to Haast, with various stops - Lake Matheson, Knights Point and, in season, viewing wild penguins.
What's so special about Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier is that they descend almost into the forest - a mere 12 kilometres from the sea. Twelve kilometres in the opposite direction takes us to the top of New Zealand's highest peaks! Glaciers have shaped all of this country. Beautiful lakes have been left behind by previous ice age retreats and the low hills are old moraines.
Day 8
We join our host Roger Crow of River Safaris Co. for a jetboat ride from the ocean up the remote Waiatoto River. This full morning activity is a wilderness experience that you'll never forget, all in an area designated a World Heritage Park. Then on to beautiful Haast Pass with selected scenic stops. We pass by Lakes Wanaka and Hawea on our way to Wanaka. You are on your own this evening for dinner at one of Wanaka's excellent restaurants. Lodge accommodation.
Day 9
Our early morning drive of about an hour takes us to Raspberry Flat through the strikingly beautiful Matukituki River Valley and into Mount Aspiring National Park. Day hike to Rob Roy Glacier (walking time approximately 4 hours) with everything you could possibly want in scenery...waterfalls, keas, high peaks. Breathtaking glacial valley. The Maori called Mount Aspiring, Tititea, meaning steep peak of glistening white. Lodge accommodations.
Day 10
We begin our day with a half-day hike part way up a small mountain on the Diamond Lake Track. Fantastic views of Mount Aspiring and Lake Wanaka. Afternoon departure for Arrowtown, a quaint old gold mining town, via beautiful Crown Range mountain road. Arrowtown is the best known of New Zealand’s former gold mining settlements, beautifully set beneath the foothills of the Crown mountain range, with pretty tree-lined streets and historic miners’ cottages. You'll have free time this afternoon to do some exploring on your own! Motel accommodation.
Day 11
At 8:15 we head out for a full-day tour of beautiful Milford Sound. On the way we'll stop for morning tea at Te Anau. Our cruise of Milford Sound offers some of the very best scenery including stunning waterfalls and certainly great opportunities to see dolphins ans seals.
Milford Sound Also known as Piopiotahi (first native thrush) in Māori, Milford Sound is more accurately classified as a fjord. It has also been called an eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling. Situated within the Fiordland National Park which is in turn part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Wales, and the Cleddau River which flows into it is similarly named for its Welsh namesake.
Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 metres or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1517 m (4977 ft), said to resemble an elephant's head, and Lion Mountain, 1302 m (4271 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent the waters.
Day 12
En route to Mt. Cook through the Lindis Pass with its hundreds of acres of wild lupines. The dramatic Lindis Pass links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago, affectionately called 'Central' by southern Kiwis. These stark and uncompromising landscapes have a beauty all of their own. The saddle, which is between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers, is at an altitude of 971 metres above sea level. You may find that glimpses of the towering Southern Alps look familiar—they were used as the Misty Mountains surrounding Rivendell in Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings.Okay, if you've ever wanted to try bungee jumping, now's your chance. Kawarau bridge is a well-known bungee destination. Who knows? We'll do lunch at the Tarras Country Coffee Shop And we'll make a stop at a salmon farm to pick up tomorrow's
dinner. Overnight in Twizel at our B&B accommodation.
Day 13
Trek up the moon-like terrain of Hooker Valley, at the base of Mount Cook, to the terminus lake of the Hooker Glacier. Swing bridges and superb views of New Zealand's highest peaks. Perhaps the most striking of all our treks! Farewell dinner.
Aoraki/Mount Cook At 3754 metres, New Zealand's tallest peak is known as Aoraki by Maori. According to legend, Aoraki was a young boy in the canoe Te Waka a Aoraki, which was stranded on a reef and tilted to one side. Aoraki and his brothers climbed to the high side and sat on the wreckage. The south wind froze them and turned them into stone, creating the Southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o te Moana.
In 1851 Captain J. L. Stokes, sailing down the West Coast, gave the mountain its European name, Mt Cook, in honour of the English navigator Captain James Cook.
The park is a harsh land of ice and rock. Glaciers cover 40% of it. There are 19 peaks over 3,000 metres. The park is also part of Te Waipounamu - South Westland World Heritage Area in recognition of its outstanding natural values. There is virtually no forest in the park but it is alive with the most wonderful alpine plants. Look for the striking Mount Cook buttercup, the large mountain daisies and watch out for the fearsome wild spaniard or spear grass! The braided riverbed of the Tasman is home to the kakī/black stilt, one of New Zealand's rarest birds.
Day 14
Early departure for Christchurch via Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Lunch at Rakaia and on into Christchurch. Delivery to airport for flights or taxis into your city accommodations.
Christchurch is an exceedingly lovely city and you may wish to spend several days there.
DETAILS:
Dates: February 3-16, 2009 (These are the actual trip dates and do not include flight days from your home country.)
Price: $4495 U.S.
Trip Begins: Nelson on the South Island New Zealand
Trip Ends: Christchurch - South Island New Zealand
Please note: the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseen eventualities!
The price includes transport in minibuses, accommodation, food (apart from a couple of evening meals), wine provided for some of the meals, all activities, Milford Sound trip, and GST (Goods & Services Tax), not to mention the experience and knowledge of two guides! Flights are not included.
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