New Zealand : West Coast Wilderness

The trip is aimed at fit walkers and includes some days of backpacking, but you don’t need to have had previous wilderness experience. The trip provides opportunities to see a variety of unusual birds, as well as seals and possibly dolphins. 

Food is bought on a kitty system, to which everyone contributes NZ$25 a day, which also covers any camping fees. Naturally, everyone helps out with preparing the meals and other daily tasks. This is very much a participatory trip, though of course your guide is always at hand to supervise.

The itinerary offers a great balance of experiences, the peaks and limestone of Kahurangi, the luxuriant rainforests of Paparoa, snow-capped mountains and hot springs of the Copland Valley and a stunning surf-pounded coastline.