Southern Light Ex Christchurch - 9 Days - Top Rated Adventure Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Rangitata

Pass By: Rangitata Rafts, 53 Waikari Road, Peel Forest 7992, New Zealand
Leaving Christchurch city centre at 2:30pm expect a warm welcome from your guides and fellow travellers who have travelled from Kaikoura this morning and have stopped briefly in Christchurch for lunch and to welcome those starting their tour here. Your first leg of the journey takes us towards the Southern Alps with fantastic views across the Canterbury Plains real Lord of the Rings country! Tonights unique camp is at the Shearers Headquarters (an actual operating farm) located at the foot of the Southern Alps.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tonight’s unique camp is at working farm located at the foothills of the Southern Alps. Upgrades available.

Day 2: Rangitata to Lake Tekapo. Get your camera ready as we pass through some of the most stunning alpine landscapes in NZ.

Pass By: Lake Tekapo 7945 New Zealand
Wake up to mountain views and try white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River! If rafting isn’t for you soak it all in with a morning cycle or walk through Peel forest. We then head through more jaw dropping landscapes (they don’t stop in the South Island) to the picture postcard, Lake Tekapo. Here you will view the most spectacular turquoise waters which get their colour from the glacial flour brought down from the rivers flowing from glaciers high up in the mountains.

Relax in the nearby hot pools or enjoy star gazing at the Mt John Observatory and make the most of staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, plus there are plenty of hike and cycle options to choose from.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Camp with amazing views over Lake Tekapo. Upgrades available.

Day 3: Lake Tekapo to the Pacific Coast. Enjoy hiking by NZs largest peak in Aoraki National Park before heading to the coast.

Pass By: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre, 1 Larch Grove, Mt. Cook Village, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 7999 New Zealand
Today is a real chance to immerse yourself in the snow-capped mountain scenery that New Zealand is famous for. We will be exploring Aoraki National Park and hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain - Mount Cook. We then head back to the Pacific coast with a short stop in the historic town of Oamaru. From there it’s a short drive down the coast to the small village of Moeraki. Go for a walk to a view point and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean and try and spot a little blue penguin along the shore. If you have a bike it’s possible to visit a colony of extremely rare yellow-eyed penguins near to camp.

Mount Cook (Maori name - Aoraki meaning 'cloud piercer') dominates the skyline at 3,724m and is New Zealand's highest mountain. Nestled in between the other 18 peaks above 3000m within Aoraki/Mt Cook national, Mt Cook dominates the skyline and is the main feature in the backdrop of our hike to the bottom of the Hooker valley glacier.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: A great camp looking over the Pacific Ocean with upgrades available.

Day 4: Moeraki to Dunedin. Discover the wonders of the Pacific Coast including Moeraki Boulders before our coastal camp.

Pass By: Moeraki Boulders, Moeraki Village, Oamaru New Zealand
Before heading south, we make a stop at the nearby Moeraki Boulders - a collection of perfectly round rocks each weighing up to 4 tonnes that sit down on the beach, and then it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin - the South Island's second-largest city. Its name is the Scots Gaelic word for Edinburgh, a testament to the mostly Scottish settlers who came here. This southern city is also home to the world’s steepest residential street, which makes for a great challenge to see who can get to the top first!

The Otago Coast stretches along the South Island's eastern side and Dunedin marks the halfway point along this coast which has a few decent surf breaks. Our camp is a short walk from the beach and you walk the short distance to St.Clair to grab some food at one of the laid back water front restaurants.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Excellent camp a short walk from the beach (with great surf!). Upgrades available.

Day 5: Dunedin to Fiordland National Park. Experience jaw dropping scenery as we head into NZs most dramatic national park.

Pass By: Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Journey through scenic southern pastures to Te Anau, the hub and jumping-off point for Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Our accommodation tonight is a unique and historic site hidden in the unspoilt Hollyford Valley - a true wilderness escape. There is even an onsite museum to learn more about the region and history. For cyclists there is the chance to cycle into camp and for the hikers this camp offers some great short treks (ask your guide about secret glow worm trails).

The south west corner of New Zealand is home to Fiordland - home to wild, dramatic and rugged landscapes. The main town for access to the Fiordland National park region is Te Anau, the park is a World Heritage Area over 1.2 million hectares in size. In this area everything is oversized - gigantic waterfalls, towering mountains and forested valleys meet you around every corner.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tonight we camp in the heart of the Hollyford Valley with cabin upgrades available.

Day 6: Milford Sound and the Routeburn Track. Prepare to be amazed by the 8th wonder of the world and NZs best great walk

Pass By: Milford Sound, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park 9679 New Zealand
Travel one of the world’s most scenic routes into Milford Sound! Described as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. The fiord's cliffs rise dramatically from the dark waters (home to seals and dolphins) whilst waterfalls as high as 1000 metres cascade downwards. Board the optional boat cruise to explore the fiord up close. Afterwards those who love hiking are in for a treat with the start of the Routeburn Track. This 3 day walk passes through 2 National Parks and is a haven for native birdlife. Charge up your camera as this hike offers everything from mountainous peaks and sheer rock faces to pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense, luxuriant forest. After dropping off our brave Routeburn hikers the rest of us will head back to Te Anau for the night where you can explore more of this small town with the awesome lake front and great mountain views.

In any weather Milford Sound is an incredible spectacle. The sheer cliffs and dramatic waterfalls lead along a spectacular 16km journey to the Tasman sea and back again. The boat cruise lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes and is a great way to see the fiord and get a feel for the scale of this awe-inspiring place!

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Perfectly lake front accommodation with great upgrade options

Day 7: Te Anau to Queenstown. Time to enjoy the adrenalin capital of the World

Pass By: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Today we journey to Queenstown along the shores of the photogenic Lake Wakatipu. Once we arrive at the adventure capital of New Zealand you have a huge selection of activities to choose from. There is everything here, from adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing and skydiving to a relaxing horse trek or boat cruise – this place has it all. There are great tracks around the lake ideal for bikers and hikers and all with wonderful views of this alpine region.

Camping isn’t feasible in this bustling alpine village, for the next two nights we stay in dorm-share accommodation in a centrally located hostel. Perfect for making the most of all Queenstown as to offer.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: A great centrally located hostel - included free with your trip!

Day 8: Queenstown. Enjoy a full day to explore this wonderful alpine town with panoramic views & adventure options galore!

Pass By: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
With so much to do we spend another day in fantastic Queenstown with the opportunity to enjoy those once in a lifetime experiences (don’t forget to try the legendary and very tasty fergburger!). Routeburn Track walkers re-join the group here with time to try the many exciting activities this vibrant city has to offer. Tonight you get the opportunity to dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a true kiwi feast (own cost).

Rightfully regarded as the adrenalin capital of New Zealand (if not, the World) Queenstown has something for every taste. It is also a spectacular location, nestled beside the deep blue of Lake Wakatipu by the foot of the Remarkables Range. Queenstown thrives year round with its superb alpine facilities and ski slopes - it was recently voted one of the top 25 cities in the World by a top travel magazine and we know why!

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: A great centrally located hostel - included free with your trip!

Day 9: Queenstown

Pass By: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Another chance to try any of the numerous activities including bungy, canyon swing, skydive, paraglide, horse trek or gondola ride - to name a few! This is the last day of the tour and there is plenty to keep you busy with options to extend the trip or stay on for more fun and frolics in the stunning, adrenalin capital. We say our final farewells by 2:00pm.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.