Hiking Under Southern Skies

22 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Hike the iconic trails and stunning landscapes of New Zealand, learning from experts as you discover national parks, cascading falls, a wildlife sanctuary and traditional Maori culture.
From$7,699
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

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

What's this trip about?

    Hike the iconic trails and stunning landscapes of New Zealand, learning from experts as you discover national parks, cascading falls, a wildlife sanctuary and traditional Maori culture.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityHamilton
End CityWellington

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Winter Sports

Destinations

Activities

  • Cycling
  • Hiking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Board overnight flight from USA

Day 2 In Transit to Program Continues, Crossing Int’l Dateline In Flight

A day is “lost” due to crossing the International Dateline

Day 3 Arrive Auckland, To Hamilton, Welcome Lunch, River Walk Hamilton

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 ...

Day 4 To Turangi, Glow-Worm Caves, Huka Falls, Volcanic Centre Turangi

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...

Day 5 Visit & Hike in Tongariro National Park Turangi

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.

Board coach to Whakapapa Village on the flanks of Mt Ruapehu. Visit Whakapapa Visitor Centre. Walk to Silica ...

Day 6 Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike Turangi

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...

Day 7 Free time, Lake Rotopounamu Walk Turangi

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 ...

Day 8 To Rotorua, Geothermal Area Visit, Maori Cultural Concert Rotorua

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’...

Day 9 Flight to South Island, To Staveley - Home Hosts Staveley/Methven

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...

Day 10 All-Day Hike on Mt Somers Foothills Trail Staveley/Methven

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...

Day 11 To Twizel via Tekapo & Lake Pukaki Twizel

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...

Day 12 Walks in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Twizel

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...

Day 13 To Glenorchy via Free Time in Queenstown Glenorchy

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...

Day 14 Greenstone Track, Lake Rere Walk Glenorchy

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...

Day 15 Hike Routeburn Track to Flats or Falls Huts Glenorchy

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...

Day 16 Mt Judah Track Walk Glenorchy

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...

Day 17 To Stewart Island via Invercargill Stewart Island

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...

Day 18 Local Movie, Lighthouse, Golden Bay Walk Stewart Island

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...

Day 19 Port William Hike, Return by Boat Stewart Island

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...

Day 20 Pelagic Boat Trip, Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary Visit Stewart Island

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...

Day 21 Foveaux Strait Ferry, Flight To Wellington Wellington

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...

Day 22 Parliament Visit, Botanic Gardens, Program Concludes In Flight

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

Price From $7,699
Price per day$350
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

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.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 19
  • Number of Lunch: 18
  • Number of Dinner: 19
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-18758

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