South Island National Parks Explorer - Totara - Gate 7
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Totara
South Island National Parks Explorer
AUD $6299/pp
8 Days 14 People Max Hiking Activity Level 3-4
Visit Fiordland, Aspiring and Mount Cook National Parks during the winter months, for
snow-clad mountains and crisp blue skies
Christchurch to Queenstown
Visit the South Island during New Zealand's winter months to hike quiet trails under crisp blue skies. You’ll be surrounded by stunning
snow-clad mountains on this hiking adventure, and the maritime climate offers relatively mild winters. Listen to the rumbling of avalanches
in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, try to spot the birdlife on the Kepler Track, and be mesmerised by Milford Sound’s countless waterfalls.
Page 1 / 7Highlights
Hike
Mt John
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Mt Aspiring National Park
Kepler Track
Cruise
Milford Sound
Explore
Queenstown
Our Active Adventures Assurance
We value loyalty, and appreciate that it goes both ways. So when you book with us we'll make
a few assurances to you so you can book with complete confidence, no matter what's
happening in your life (or the world).
COVID-Ready Certified: Safe Travel for our Guests Travelling Overseas
Active Adventures has received the World Travel and Tourism Council's Safe Travels stamp,
which guarantees you that we'll follow all ATTA and WTTC health and safety guidelines on all
our trips. See how our small group, off-the-beaten-track adventures are perfect to start
exploring again.
Page 2 / 7Totara ~ Itinerary
DA Y 1
Arrive Christchurch, Hike Mt John
We'll begin our trip in Christchurch, and after introductions we'll head straight on the road to Lake Tekapo where we’ll stretch our legs with
a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd, easily one of the most scenic locations for a church you’ll ever come across! After lunch by the
glacier-fed lake and its cobalt blue allure, we'll hike along the lakeshore before emerging above the treeline on Mt John for breathtaking
views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then we’ll carry on to the remote and beautiful Lake Ohau Lodge. The lodge is tucked in
beside an alpine lake, with stunning views stretching across to Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps – the ideal spot to soak in the hot tub
and star gaze! Today is a relaxed introduction to the South Island and if you’re coming from further afield, you’ll appreciate the gentle start
to your New Zealand adventure.
Ohau Lodge, Lake Ohau (Lunch & Dinner)
Hiking Distance: 8 kilometres (5 miles), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 330 metres (1,080 feet)
Elevation Loss: 330 metres (1,080 feet)
DA Y 2
Hike in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
The highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook was first named Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by South Island Maori. This region was Sir Edmund
Hillary’s training ground as he prepared for his and Tenzing Norgay’s famous summit of Mt Everest in 1953. Feeling inspired, we’ll take an
impressive hike up to a lake at the base of the Hooker Glacier, complete with icebergs! The track is surrounded by peaks, glaciers, native
vegetation and mountain streams, and provides excellent views of Aoraki/Mt Cook on a fine day. If you’re keen for a challenge, another
option is to take a day hike to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier. It’s a tough hike and the weather would need to cooperate, but the
views across the Southern Alps are worth it! Afterwards, we’ll return to Lake Ohau Lodge to enjoy dinner as we sit outside and watch the
sunset on Aoraki/Mt Cook.
***Another option today is to spend the day skiing at the small and friendly Ohau Ski Area, one of the South Island’s more remote
backcountry ski fields (extra fees apply for gear rental & tickets).
Ohau Lodge, Lake Ohau (All meals)
Hooker Valley Hiking Distance: 9 kilometres (5.6 miles), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 100 metres (328 feet)
Elevation Loss: 100 metres (328 feet)
Sealy Tarns Hiking Distance: 6 kilometres (3.7 miles), 2-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 650 metres (2,132 feet)
Elevation Loss: 650 metres (2,132 feet)
DA Y 3
Hike Mt Aspiring National Park
Our hike today will take us into the Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park, to catch a glimpse of Rob Roy Glacier. If it's a clear day,
we'll be able to see Mt Aspiring from the track start at Raspberry Creek Flat! We'll start our hike alongside the Matukituki River, though
shortly crossing a bridge over the river to ascend up into the side hanging valley. Soon we'll be surrounded by thick native beech forest as
we hike up, and we'll have the chance to see South Island bush robins, tomtits, fantails, and even kea if we're lucky! After a few kilometres
of steady uphill through the forest, we'll come to an area where the bush opens out and we're presented with stunning views of the Rob
Roy Glacier and Rob Roy peak. We'll make ourselves comfortable to take in the views while enjoying our picnic lunch, before retracing our
Page 3 / 7steps back to the valley floor.
Edgewater Resort, Wanaka (All meals)
Hiking Distance: 10 kilometres (6 miles), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 420 metres (1,380 feet)
Elevation Loss: 420 metres (1,380 feet)
DA Y 4
Hike Rocky Mountain
This morning we’ll have a hearty breakfast before heading off for our hike today on the Rocky Mountain track, a spectacular circuit through
an area carved out by ice-age glaciers, surrounded by native forest and shrubland. Here we have several options - those who want a more
relaxed pace can opt for a relaxed walk just around Diamond Lake, and those who want a bigger challenge can walk to the top of Rocky
Mountain, for views over Lake Wanaka and back to the township. We’ll enjoy lunch after our hike in Wanaka, then it’s a short but dramatic
drive over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, our base for the next couple of nights. You’ll have time to
explore and plan your free day tomorrow before dinner. You’ll sleep sweetly at this lakefront hotel located in the heart of Queenstown.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast, Lunch)
Hiking Distance: 7 kilometres (4.5 miles), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 375 metres (1,230 feet)
Elevation Loss: 375 metres (1,230 feet)
OR
Alternative Loop Hiking Distance: 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles), 1 hour
DA Y 5
Free Day in Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilisation are packed into this tiny resort
town: restaurants galore, sidewalk cafés, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here
including horse trekking, a gondola, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, jet boating and
skydiving, as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere or lounge about reading a book. Your guides
will happily share their favourite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Queenstown (No meals)
DA Y 6
Hike Kepler Track
We’ll take a scenic drive through to Te Anau today, our base for the next couple of nights and we'll tick off our one Great Walk for this
adventure - the Kepler Track. Interestingly, the Kepler Track differs from the Routeburn and Milford Tracks in that it didn’t actually evolve
from a Maori greenstone trail, but was custom-built for hiking. The section we’ll hike today passes over the control gates at the outlet of
Lake Te Anau and meanders through ancient beech and podocarp forest. Afterwards, we’ll experience a mysterious underground world
with a guided cave tour past the rushing water of an underground stream before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer
of hundreds of glowworms. This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. By geological standards, the caves are very young (12,000
years) and are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone
passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall. After exploring the caves we'll make our way to our
accommodation for the next two nights and enjoy the scenery and the delicious local fare.
Matai Lodge, Te Anau (All meals)
Page 4 / 7Hiking Distance: 9.5 kilometres (6 miles), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 50 metres (165 feet)
Elevation Loss: 50 metres (165 feet)
DA Y 7
Cruise Milford Sound, Explore Eglington Valley
This morning we’ll take a drive into Milford Sound, through the Homer Tunnel to emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley
for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound (actually it’s a fiord!). Rudyard Kipling rated Milford the eighth natural wonder of the
world and it’s truly breath-taking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand metres to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading
into deep inky water. When we arrive at Milford Sound we’ll relax on the deck of a ship, cruising the dark, deep waters of the fiord in the
hands of a knowledgeable captain and the nature guides on board. We’ll marvel at the majesty of Mitre Peak - so named for its likeness to
a Bishop’s hat - and get up close and personal with several waterfalls! The landscape here looks superimposed because of the sheer scale
of your surroundings. On our way back we'll have time to check out a few of our favourite viewpoints along the way, and explore some of
the highlights of this World Heritage Area, including the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes and Marian Gantry. The waterfalls viewed from the
gantry will take your breath away! Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner for the last night of our adventure.
Matai Lodge, Te Anau (All meals)
Cruise Time: 2 hours
DA Y 8
Farewell!
After breakfast, we’ll return to Queenstown. This is the end of your adventure with us and you’ll have had an exhilarating week. We’ll leave
you buzzing with excitement, and feeling relaxed and refreshed as well!
(Breakfast)
Useful Info
Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?
Most other travel companies charge all solo travellers a single supplement fee. We don't! When it comes to accommodation, our
trip fares are based on a twin-share rate, which means we'll match you up with another person of the same gender to share a
room with. If there's no one suitable to share with, there's no forced single supplement! Having said that, if you specifically
request your own room, you can opt to pay the additional single supplement fee.
What's the maximum group size on this trip?
This trip has a maximum of 14 guests, plus two experienced guides.
Page 5 / 7Where does the trip start?
On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Merivale Manor in Christchurch at 9.30am, or at Christchurch airport
in front of the Travel and Information desk at 10am.
Where does the trip end?
On the last day of the trip we can drop you off at Queenstown airport (ZQN) in time for the recommended flights below, or
anywhere in Queenstown around lunch time.
What flights would you recommend?
Arrival: Please ensure your flight arrives by 8am if you're arriving the morning of the trip start.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Queenstown any time after 12 noon.
Page 6 / 7General Trip Information
You can find details on recommended flights and fitness, as well as trip start and end in the 'Useful Information' section above.
Availability Accommodation
Once a trip is full, we’ll often add a second departure that You’ll love the interesting places we’ve discovered over the
travels in a different direction (southbound or northbound, years. You’ll visit really spectacular and off-the-beaten-track
referring to your direction of travel upon departure), to ensure locations and stay in comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges,
the highest level of service on all of our trips and to keep our apartments and hotels for the most part. Keep in mind that
group sizes small. Both trip directions include all the activities the most remote locations have limited accommodation
mentioned, just in a different order, and they work whichever options, but 5-star scenery!
direction you go.
Transportation Outdoor Experience
Since New Zealand isn’t quite small enough to simply walk Our trips allow you to make the most of the New Zealand
everywhere and still see all the highlights in a limited amount backcountry, whether you’re relatively new to hiking or a
of time, we travel in fuel-efficient 20-seat Toyota Coasters and seasoned trekker. Our highly trained and experienced guides
our guides make the journey enjoyable. They’ll introduce you will be at your side, safely guiding you to magnificent places
to some local tunes as well as provide interesting commentary, that you wouldn’t get to on your own. The challenges are
and we pass the time you do spend on the road in a fun, social there, if you’re looking for them, and all we ask is that you be
way, with New Zealand’s ever-changing scenery providing a energetic and in reasonable shape and we guarantee you’ll
feast for the eyes. Our focus, as always, is getting you out of have an incredible time. You don’t have to have been
the vehicle and into the scenery. kayaking to enjoy paddling out on the water and you don’t
need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy most of the rides we do.
In fact, we have so many options available that you don’t
need to ride or paddle at all if you’d rather hike or just laze
around!
We hold all relevant government licenses and permits, have
an impeccable safety record and are certified by
OutdoorsMark, New Zealand’s leading outdoor safety auditors.
So, with all the research, logistics, safety and hospitality taken
care of, you can focus on the most important thing – making
the most of your vacation!
Included Not Included
The fare includes just about everything, specifically: The trip fare doesn’t include flights before or after your trip, or
• All guiding services. We have two guides per trip, a lead 15% NZ government tax. This is your all-inclusive vacation
guide/driver and a co-guide/chef. On our smallest trips, one of and there are no hidden costs. You’ll have a few meals and
our most experienced guides will look after you. drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you’ll
• Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you are probably feel like tipping your guides at the end of a fabulous
with us. We can also organise pre and post-trip trip, though you won’t need to pull out your wallet every few
accommodation, if you like. minutes on your Active Adventures trip!
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on most days, as indicated, with
many delicious meals prepared by your guides, who are adept
at catering for all dietary requirements. In places like
Queenstown and Auckland there’s a wide variety of
restaurants and we’ve found people prefer to check out the
options on their own. Alcohol is not included, although we do
spring a few drinks here and there!
• All activities described in the itineraries including hiking,
kayaking, biking and rafting, except the optional extra
activities that are available at additional cost.
• All transportation from trip start to end.
• The highest level of service from our guides and from our
experienced team behind the scenes. We’re always here for
you and we always go the extra mile!
Flexibility Itinerary Updates
We’re really flexible and none of our itineraries are written in We update our itineraries annually, so please check our
stone, so if you have a particular interest you’d like to include website for the most up-to-date itineraries and pricing. We
or you need to leave a trip earlier or join later (at an altered make every effort to ensure itinerary accuracy at the time of
fare), just let us know and we can almost always make it printing, though changes may occur without prior notice due
happen. Likewise, all adventure travel requires a certain to local circumstances.
amount of flexibility and we sometimes have to make minor
changes to the accommodation or activities because of
weather and availability, but we have plenty of options up our
sleeve and the experience to keep your trip running
seamlessly.
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