Walking in New Zealand

Our tour starts today in Auckland, New Zealand's largest and most diverse city. Surrounded by volcanoes and volcanic cones, beautiful beaches and rolling countryside, Auckland is the perfect introduction to New Zealand. Situated on the North Island, the cosmopolitan city spans a narrow isthmus, between the harbours of Waitemata and Manukau. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Auckland at any time. We don't provide airport transfers on this tour, but you can find information on how to reach your hotel in the final documentation. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take a stroll around the city centre and wharf or get a bird's eye view of the sprawling city with a trip up the Sky Tower. Please note, if you plan to arrive before 3pm on Day 1 you might not be able to check-in to your hotel room, but baggage storage is available if you wish to explore the city.

After breakfast this morning, we'll wave goodbye to Auckland and head south through the Waikato Region to Rotorua (around a three-hour drive), the North Island's most famous destination for overseas visitors and an important cultural centre. Don't worry, you'll soon adapt to the distinctive sulphur smell, which comes from the vents to the underground thermal region. The area is known for its many geysers, steaming lakes and streams, and mud and hot mineral pools which are famed for their curative properties. On arrival, we'll explore Rotorua town or take an optional walk before we check in to our hotel. This afternoon, there'll be optional walks including around Blue Lake/Lake Tikitapu, and a trail through the magnificent Redwood and Douglas Fir trees of Whakarewarewa Forest. For those interested in walking, your tour leader will recommend the most suitable route for the weather and go with the walkers. In the evening, we'll get to experience a Maori 'hangi' dinner - cooked using heated rocks in a pit oven. Today's optional 5.5 kilometre/3.4 mile walk around Lake Tikitapu is expected to take around one hour and 30 minutes and the optional 3.5 kilometre/2.2 mile walk in Whakarewarewa Forest is expected to take around one hour.

This morning, we'll visit Waimangu Valley, a fascinating geothermal park of bubbling mud pools, hissing geysers and steaming lakes created in 1886 following the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera. We'll walk amongst the hot springs and steaming cliffs, with panoramas over the valley and the Southern Crater before taking the steps up to Inferno Crater which erupts to 8 metres/26 feet high, every 38 days.

Leaving Rotorua, we'll travel through an important forested area via the picturesque Huka Falls to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Later, we'll drive to Tongariro National Park where there will be a choice of several short walks.

The total driving time for today will be around two and a half hours.

Today's 2-kilometre/1.2-mile sightseeing walk in Waimangu is expected to take around one hour on a marked trail.

Today we'll enjoy a combination of short walks and drives to see the best of Tongariro National Park. Exploring the diverse and dramatic terrain: steam vents, volcanic peaks, waterfalls and magnificent views.

We'll depart from Whakapapa Village to hike to Taranaki Falls, crossing scrubland to enter the beech forest. The path passes Cascade Falls and over Wairere Stream to the waterfall. There are views on a clear day to Ngauruhoe's cone (aka Mount Doom), keep an eye out for native birds in the diverse forest. Returning from the walk we take a scenic drive along Bruce Road for spectacular views over the Whakapapaiti Valley and to Tawhaii Falls (Gollums Pool).

This afternoon, we'll head up Mangatepopo Road to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for a return hike up to Soda Springs. The main track gently climbs through the valley alongside a stream and around the edges of old lava flows with views to Mount Tongariro.

Today's morning 6-kilometre/3.7-mile walk to Taranaki Falls is expected to take around two hours and 30 minutes. The afternoon's 6-kilometre/3.7-mile walk on the Tongariro Crossing is expected to take around two hours. The terrain is boardwalks and well-trodden mountain paths.

Today, our trip continues southward through the fertile farmlands of Levin to Wellington (approximately a four-and-a-half-hour drive). New Zealand's capital lies partially on reclaimed land at the harbour and the steep hillsides adjacent to the Cook Strait. Wellington has been the capital city since 1865 and as such is also the country's political centre. The cultural centre of the country, the city has an engaging mix of art, food and craft beer, combined with stunning harbour views and a backdrop of rolling hills and forest. We'll take a city sightseeing tour and drive to Mount Victoria from where we can enjoy a beautiful view over the city. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore.

This morning, we'll visit Te Papa Tongarewa, the modern National Museum, which gives a good insight into New Zealand history, Maori Culture and Pacific culture. More than 20 galleries house imaginative exhibitions and interactive experiences that explore New Zealand's unique natural environment, dynamic art heritage, fascinating history and the vitality of Maori culture. In the afternoon, we'll say farewell to the North Island and board the Interisland Ferry to cross Cook Strait and cruise through the scenic Marlborough Sounds, an area of 'drowned' valleys, which resulted from the geological sinking of a mountain range. Today the Sounds are a maze of deep channels, sheltered waterways and secluded bays, encompassed by verdant bush-clad hills. After an approximately three-hour journey often described as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world, we'll reach the idyllic harbour town of Picton.

This morning, we'll board a water taxi and cruise to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary (a one-hour journey) where we'll enjoy an hour-long walk from the jetty to the lookout over Marlborough Sounds. Later, we'll be dropped off at Resolution Bay to walk part of the Queen Charlotte track. This 67-kilometre/41.6-mile coastal walking track stretches from the historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa in the spectacular Marlborough Sounds and enjoys a temperate climate which allows good year-round walking conditions. Today, we're walking from Resolution Bay to Endeavour Inlet - the verdant, subtropical native bush is home to many of New Zealand's native birds. In the late afternoon, we'll reach Endeavour Inlet and board the water taxi again to cruise back to Picton. Today's 11-kilometre/6.8-mile walk is expected to take around three hours and 30 minutes with an ascent and descent of 300 metres/984 feet on a marked coastal trail.

After breakfast this morning, we'll take the Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock, one of New Zealand's most delightful scenic drives. Winding past the Sounds' numerous bays, this bush-fringed road takes us to the head of Pelorus Sound and the seaside village of Havelock. Once a thriving gold-mining town, Havelock is New Zealand's primary producer of Greenshell mussels. We'll then continue to Keiteriteri, (approximately a three-hour drive), where we'll take a water taxi in Abel Tasman National Park to Onetahuti. We will pass several offshore islands that provide a protected habitat for native wildlife including Tonga Island famous for its seals. From Onetahuti, we'll walk along the Abel Tasman Coast Track down to Bark Bay with beautiful golden beaches and stunning coastal views. We'll then take a boat back to Keiteriteri before the one-hour drive to Nelson, the town with the most sunshine hours in the country. Many years ago, New Zealand's first roadside cafe opened here and today the town is home to craftsmen and artists. Today's 5.5 kilometre/3.4 mile walk is expected to take around two hours with an ascent and descent of 230 metres/755 feet along a marked coastal trail. The walk is shorter at low tide.

Our journey today takes us inland through an unbelievably scenic region with excellent roads and minimal traffic. Rugged, green and wild, the West Coast was one of the busiest and richest areas in the nineteenth century, when gold drew men from all over the world. On the way to Westport, we'll travel through Murchison, where we can learn about the earthquake of 1929. At Hawks Crag we'll drive under a spectacular overhang, where the road has been cut out of solid rock. Just past Westport is Cape Foulwind, where we will take the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Walk (20 minutes) to have a close encounter with a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals in their natural habitat. From Westport, we'll journey to Punakaiki, where we'll visit the famous Pancake Rocks with dramatic blow holes during high tides and take a walk along the Pororari River Track; this track follows a magnificent limestone gorge with two main features - a river with huge rocks in deep pools, and beautiful forest featuring subtle changes from sub-tropical to temperate. Tonight, we'll stay in a motel, with simple apartment-style rooms and private facilities. It's ideally located on the West Coast Road. Our total driving time for today is around five hours. Today's 7-kilometre/4.4-mile walk is expected to take around two hours. The duration of the walk will depend on the weather and time available but will be up to two hours.

Leaving Greymouth behind us today, we'll take a short drive to our next stop, Hokitika, known as New Zealand's Greenstone capital. Most of this precious stone is found in this region and then turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery. We'll pass the forgotten gold miners' towns of Hari Hari and Ross on our way down the West Coast to Westland National Park making a stop at Okarito Lagoon. The lagoon is home to more than 76 species of native birds including the white heron and royal spoonbills. Here we'll have two short walks available depending on time, weather and interest, a wetland boardwalk or up to the Okarito Trig viewpoint overlooking Westland Tai Poutini National Park. In the afternoon, we'll reach the spectacular Southern Alps and the region of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Unfortunately, at present the glaciers are in a state of retreat and as such we cannot walk to either of the terminal faces. We will however make our planned walk in the valley as the receding glaciers have carved out an impressive landscape which is fascinating to explore. If the weather is good, then we'll be able to view the glaciers from a distance. To get a closer view there is also the option, weather permitting, to take a scenic flight which offers a bird's eye view of the glaciers and surrounding landscape. Please speak with your tour leader who can help you arrange this activity locally. Our total driving time for today is around three hours. This morning's wetland walk is expected to take around 30 minutes, and the alternative 4-kilometre/2.5-mile Trig Hill walk is expected to take around one hour and 30 minutes. The afternoon 3-kilometre/1.9-mile walk through the glacial valley is expected to take around one hour. The exact walks will be decided upon by your tour leader depending on the day's weather conditions.

This morning (weather permitting), we'll go for a walk around Lake Matheson, which could give us an excellent opportunity to take that perfect photo of Mount Cook with its mirrored reflection on the lake's calm water. We'll then continue our trip through Westland National Park, a World Heritage Park and rainforest that has subtropical character. Here, we'll take a walk through the coastal rainforest to reach the seldom-visited Monro beach, which once joined part of Gondwanaland. Your tour leader will explain the different species of native trees, such as Rimu, Kahikatea and Beech. After our walk, we'll continue driving via Haast Pass towards Wanaka, in Aspiring National Park, with breathtaking views of the surrounding snowy peaks and the glacier lakes Hawea and Wanaka.

The total driving time today will be around four hours.

The 2.5 kilometre/1.6 mile walk around Lake Matheson is expected to take around one hour and 30 minutes and the 5 kilometre/3.1 mile walk to Munro Beach is expected to take around two hours.

Wanaka is a hiker's paradise thanks to its beautiful environment. The tranquil township lies directly on the shores of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand's fourth-largest lake. It reflects the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park whose dominant feature is impressive Mt Aspiring, towering above a magnificent glacier-sculpted wilderness. The area boasts a great variety of walking tracks. Today is free for exploring.

After breakfast this morning, we'll traverse the Crown Range Road and take the opportunity to visit the partially restored and well-interpreted Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. This is a quiet reminder and tribute to the contribution made by the Chinese gold miners and business people to the region's gold mining, cultural and business history.

We'll then continue to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand. In the afternoon, you can take an optional walk to Ben Lomond before returning down to explore the town.

After breakfast today, we'll make our way to Te Anau, known locally as 'the walking capital of the world'. Some of the most wild and most dramatic scenery in New Zealand can be found in Fiordland, in the southwest corner of the South Island. Fiordland is one of the largest National Parks in the world and a World Heritage area. It's truly spectacular to witness, from its waterfalls tumbling hundreds of metres into virgin, forested valleys and lonely fiords, to endless stretches of shimmering lakes and granite peaks. Today we'll walk part of the Kepler Track, one of the great walks of New Zealand, to Rainbow Reach.

Today's 9.5 kilometre/5.9-mile walk is expected to take around five hours. The track is gently undulating and wanders through mountain beech forest with some great river views.

Today we'll drive to one of New Zealand's natural icons - the majestic Milford Sound. Our route there (as we pass between Te Anau and Milford Sound) will take us through one of the most scenic alpine drives in the world. Watch in awe as broad grassy flats, dense rainforest and towering mountains pass by, giving way to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. No other road in Fiordland offers such a diverse glimpse into New Zealand's alpine zone. We'll take a 90-minute boat trip on the Milford Sound, which is dominated by the mighty cone of the Mitre Peak, towering steeply up out of the water. We'll have lunch here (included) before heading back to Te Anau. Time permitting, we might also be able to complete one of the many optional hikes in the area before or after our trip to Milford Sound.

After passing by Lake Wakatipu and through the rocky Kawerau Gorge and Cromwell village, the road winds upward to Lindis Pass where we can take a short walk to the viewpoint. The plains of the Mackenzie highland lie before us. On the left are the mountains of the Southern Alps, which we'll continuously see whilst we drive to Twizel.

As we travel through old gold settlements and small towns there are some optional stops on the route (these will depend on the group's interest and conditions). There are several vineyards that can be visited including one of New Zealand's premier winemakers Cloudy Bay Cellar Door near Cromwell (there will be an additional charge for wine tasting) or take an hour's walk along the Clay Cliffs at Waitaki.

The afternoon is free for your tour leader and driver. You can independently explore the area or relax.

Our total driving time today is around five hours.

This morning, we'll drive to Mount Cook village to enjoy the unique environment of different alpine plants and flowers and the panoramic vista of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook (3,724 meters/12218 feet). Walks may include Tasman Glacier and Tasman Lake. Blessed with a marvellous view of the surrounding peaks we overnight again close to the Mount Cook National Park.

There are different short walks available, and one will be chosen by your tour leader depending on the weather. One of the regular walks is 3 kilometres/1.9 miles and takes approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

This morning, we'll drive to the stunning turquoise Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of Good Shepherd set on the shore surrounded by mountains. Built in the 1930's in memory of the local pioneers all the materials for the church were sourced from within a five-mile radius and the builders were instructed not to disturb the site so rocks were incorporated into the walls. We'll then continue our drive to the largest city on the South Island - Christchurch. On arrival, we'll take a city tour before enjoying our last evening together in New Zealand.? Driving time today is approximately four hours.

Our tour ends this morning at our hotel in Christchurch.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Christchurch at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. We don't provide departure transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the Christchurch International Airport will be provided in your final documentation.