Hiking Under Southern Skies
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Overview
Highlights
- I love pushing myself, and I can keep a steady pace on rugged and steep terrain
- This is as challenging as it gets? Great
- Let’s do this
- At the end of the day, I want to feel like I’ve had a real workout
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Itinerary
Board overnight flight from USA
A day is “lost” due to crossing the International Dateline
Getting on/off a bus; getting on/off a plane. Road trip Auckland to Hamilton: 70 mi (113 km) 1 hr 25 min. Walking in Hamilton Gardens: approx. 1 hr 30 min; flat gravel paths. Waikato River walkway: flat paved path 2 mi (3.2 km), 1 hr 30 min.
After claiming your ...
Getting on/off a bus; in/out of a small boat. Glow-Worm Caves: some steps, paths, uneven ground. Huka Falls walk: 1.2 mi (2 km) 45 min; well-formed riverside path. Road trip Hamilton to Turangi: 127 mi (204 km), 2 hr 30 min.
Coach to Waitomo to view the renowned...
Getting on/off a bus. Silica Springs and Taranaki Falls walks: 4 mi (6 km) 2 hr (each); well-formed dirt/gravel paths; some steps; uneven terrain; loop.
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Getting on/off a bus. Tongariro Alpine Crossing: 12 mi (19.4 km) 7-8 hr; climb from 3600 ft to 6250 ft (1100 m to 1900 m) & down to 2460 ft (750 m) over steep volcanic terrain; well-formed track; some scree; uneven footing; numerous steps; through. Alternative opt...
Getting on/off a bus. Rotopounamu Track: 3 mi (5 km) 2 hr; loop; gentle undulations; firm dirt/gravel; uneven; some roots.
FREE TIME to relax after the previous strenuous day. Options include: Visit to Tokaanu Thermal Pools (own cost), short walk around thermal ...
Getting on/off a bus. Road trip Turangi to Rotorua: 80 mi (130 km) 1 hr 35 min. Geothermal area walk: 0.62 mi (1 km); smooth asphalt paths.
Board coach to Rotorua. Visit Te Puia (Whakarewarewa) one of New Zealand’s premier Maori cultural and geothermal visitors’...
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a plane; in/out of a car. Flight Rotorua to Christchurch (South Island): 2 hr. Road trip Christchurch to Staveley: 70 mi (111 km) 1 hr 30 min.
Board coach to Rotorua Airport for a flight to Christchurch (South Island’s east coast). O...
Getting in/out of a car; on/off a bus. Mt Somers Track: 6.5 mi (10 km) 5 hr; loop; packed dirt; uneven; some roots & rocks; varies from flat easy sections to a couple of steeper pitches.
By coach to the start of the all-day hike on the Coalminers Track to Wo...
Getting in/out of a car; on/off a bus. Road trip Staveley to Twizel: 127 mi (205 km) 2 hr 30 min. Mt John Walkway: 5 mi (8.2 km) 3 hr; loop; packed dirt; uneven; some rocks; uphill & downhill.
Saying farewell to our gracious hosts and new friends, we board t...
Getting on/off a bus. Tasman Lake Track: 2.2 mi (3.5 km) 1 hr; out & back; packed dirt; uneven; some rocks. Hooker Valley Track: 6 mi (10 km) 3 hr; out & back; packed dirt; uneven; some rocks; undulating. Road trip Twizel to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village: 41.5 mi (67...
Getting on/off a bus. Kiwi Birdlife Park: Paved or gravel paths; well-formed. Road trips Twizel to Queenstown: 124 mi (200 km) 2 hr 30 min. Queenstown to Glenorchy: 28.6 mi (46 km) 45 min.
Board coach to Queenstown via the stark and dramatic Lindis Pass and Crom...
Getting on/off a bus. Greenstone Track/Lake Rere: 8.7 mi (14 km) 6 hr; loop; uneven; packed dirt/stones; rocks; roots; undulating.
Board coach for the 1 hr drive to the Greenstone Valley carpark. Our hike takes us alongside the Greenstone River, known for its cl...
Getting on/off a bus. Routeburn Track (to Flats Hut): 9.3 mi (15 km) 4-5 hr; out & back; hard-packed dirt/gravel; well-formed; roots; rocks; uneven. Routeburn Track (to Falls Hut via Flats Hut): 11.7 mi (18.9 km) 7-8 hr; out & back; hard-packed dirt/gravel; we...
Getting on/off a bus. Mt Judah Track: 8 mi (13 km) 4-5 hr; out & back; hard-packed dirt/gravel; uneven; rocks; gentle uphill with steeper zig zag for last half hour. Shorter tracks available as alternative option.
For those who are keen, we hike on the old M...
Getting on/off a bus; on/off a ferry. Road Trips Glenorchy to Bluff: 146 mi (234 km) 3 hr. Invercargill to Bluff: 16 mi (25.6 km) 21 min. Foveaux Strait Ferry Crossing, Bluff to Stewart Island (Rakiura): 1 hr.
Board coach for drive to Invercargill, tracing the e...
Akers Point Lighthouse to Golden Bay, Observation Rock: 7 mi (10-12 km) 5 hr; loop; hard-packed dirt/gravel; uneven; rocks; undulating; numerous steps (Golden Bay Track).
We visit the local cinema for a delightful film describing the history of the island and li...
Getting on/off a boat. Oban to Port William Walk: 7.5 mi (12 km) 5 hr; through; hard-packed dirt/gravel; uneven; rocks; undulating; some steps.
We depart on foot from the hotel, walking alongside the road past several picturesque beaches before entering the Raki...
Getting on/off a boat. Ulva Island: Well-formed tracks for all levels of fitness.
We board a specialized vessel for a pelagic boating trip (with commentary) taking us just offshore and between islands, marveling at the ocean-going seabirds, including many variet...
Getting on/off a ferry; on/off a bus; on/off a plane. Foveaux Walkway from Stirling Point: 2.2 mi (3.5 km) 1 hr ; out & back; well-formed; light gravel; flat.
Depart by ferry for return crossing of Foveaux Strait to Bluff on the South Island. We are picked u...
Getting on/off a cable car; on/off a bus, on/off a plane. Walking up to 3.5 mi (6 km); paved city streets. Walking & standing during field trip.
We check out of the hotel but our luggage is stored on the premises. We walk from the hotel to the Cable Car for ...
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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