New Zealand : New Zealand Encounter Series

WEST COAST ENCOUNTER

Day 1 Christchurch - Picton following a briefing this morning, drive northwards to Kaikoura and enjoy a coastal peninsula walk.  Afterwards head north to the Marlborough region, famed for its Sauvignon Blanc and from there on to Picton for the night  (L,D)

Day 2 Picton - Motueka  today paddle in your sea kayak on the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.  Mid-afternoon drive up through the hills and forest and the sunshine city of Nelson to the world-renowened Abel Tasman National Park.  (B,L)

Day 3 Motueka enjoy a hike through to Torrent Bay this morning (easy grade) ane explore around the Anchoragte/Torrent bay area.  Then it's onboard our boat for a sail out of the heads and along the Mad Mile with gentle winds in our sail.  (B,L)

Day 4 Motueka - Punakaiki try a cave rafting tour on the Buller River and float downstream on tubes!  Late afternoon watch the sun set into the Tasman Sea as we follow the spectacular coastline to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks. (B, L)

Day 5 Punakaiki - Fox Glacier Travel through lush rainforest for an afternoon hike on a glacier.  An evening option is to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Matheson or an optional helicopter ride. (B, L)

Day 6 Fox Glacier - Lake Wanaka Head to Haast and take a thrilling jet boat ride into the remote Waiatoto valley then continue to Wanaka via Lake Hawea.  (B, L)

Day 7 Lake Wanaka - Queenstown our tour ends today.  Enjoy a hike to an amazing viewpoint at Diamond Lake; then later delight your taste buds with a wine tasting at the mouth of Lake Dunstan.  (B, L)

Grade: Introductory level 

SOUTH ISLAND ENCOUNTER

Day 1 Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Travel to Lake Manapouri via Te Anau and journey by coach and launch to Doubtful Sound for an unforgettable overnight cruise.  (L D)

Day 2 Doubtful Sound - Stewart Island Return to Lake Manapouri and travel on by coach to Bluff where we catch the Ferry to Stewart Island, New Zealand's most recent National Park, Rakiura NP.  (B,L)

Day 3 Stewart Island At leisure to explore this rugged island; perhaps include a visit to neighbouring Ulva Island, and wonder at its unique wildlife (optional, extra cost). (B)

Day 4 Stewart Island - Catlins Return to the South Island and head along the east coast, exploring the beautiful Catlins conservation park with many magical locations and experiences.  (B L)

Day 5 Catlins - Dunedin Today we are Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula bound.  The headlands of the Peninsula are famed for their unique wildlife. (B,L)

Day 6 Dunedin - Aoraki Mt Cook Head inland to the Southern Alps and spectacular Mount Cook where you can hike beneath towering mountains to the Hooker Glacier.   Visit the new Sir Edmund Hillary Museum.  (B,L)

Day 7 Aoraki Mt Cook - Christchurch Take a boat trip on the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier before travelling on to Lake Tekapo where we stop for a farm lunch and a final kiwi family experience.  Our final stop brings us to Christchurch where our tour ends.  (B,L)

Grade: Introductory level