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Day 1 – Morning meeting in Christchurch, drive to Kaikoura for a whalewatching expedition. On this boat tour over a deep undersea canyon, encounter a wealth of NZ bird- and sea-life, including a variety of whales that pass through. Stay overnight at The Old Convent.
Day 2 - Travel northwards to Blenheim. Dubbed the sunshine capital of New Zealand, the warm and dry climate here has helped it become the country’s largest grape-growing and wine-making region. We’ll be tasting samples at a number of wineries and lunching alfresco under the vines. Travel on north westwards to stay in Nelson.
Day 3 – Morning free time in Nelson. Then the start of a 3 day walking and sea-kayaking adventure in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park, with intimate estuaries, golden sand beaches and forested headlands. Drive to Kaiteriteri, water taxi to beachfront Torrent Bay Lodge.
Day 4 - Torrent Bay to Awaroa. Beach hopping up the coast with a m idday stop for lunch at Bark Bay and take time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe on the golden sand. Then a long w alk over the Tonga Saddle to Meadowbank Homestead, Awaroa.
Day 5 - Awaroa back to Nelson via Marahau. Breakfast and then a Water Taxi transfer south to Marahau, cruising the coastline, we have just explored by kayak. Walk and explore Marahau area with is estuary and wetlands. Overnight in Motueka.
Day 6 – We join the West Coast Highway, named one of the best drives in the world by Lonely Planet and travel to Punakaiki in the Paparoa National Park to see the Pancake Rocks - columns of limestone etched by sea, wind and rain. Stay at Punakaiki.
Day 7 – Travel to Okarito Lagoon, NZ’s largest unmodified wetland for a guided tour of white herons in the afternoon - a birdwatchers paradise with over 70 species recorded in the area. Travel to Whataroa.
Day 8 – Franz Josef Glacier guided hike – an incredible glacier experience, amidst the world’s most spectacular and challenging glacier environments. Armed with an ice-pick and wearing ice-talons we’ll explore a world of ice formations. Drive to Wanaka through the scenic Haast Pass. Stay near Lake Wanaka.
Day 9 – Drive to Queenstown for a whitewater rafting trip on the Shotover River. There 10 rapids interspersed throughout the exhilarating 18km trip. In between these exciting torrents we float by some breathtaking scenery. Stay overnight in Queenstown.
Day 10 – Travel to Manapouri for Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. We’ll board the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove to view stunning land/sea-scapes and wildlife. Kayak around the shoreline or go exploring with a nature guide. We’ll drop anchor at a favourite mooring for the night.
Day 11 –Travel through to Dunedin for a twilight tour of the Albatross and penguin colonies on the Otago Peninsula at the entrance to the Dunedin Harbour. The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head is home to one of the world’s largest flying birds, the Northern Royal Albatross.
Day 12 – Moeraki Boulders - marvellously huge marbles all over the beach! The famous Moeraki boulders lie scattered along a beach 40 kilometres south of Oamaru. Short hike at Timaru, and then a drive through to Christchurch, bordered by hills and the Pacific, on the edge of the Canterbury Plains, stretching to the South Alps.
Day 13 – Port Hills day hike. The Crater Rim Walkway passes through some of the finest remnants of native forest on the Port Hills as well as areas planted in native and exotic trees. The hills clearly show the volcanic nature of the land, with impressive views over Christchurch and the plains.
Day 14 – Town visit, lunch and departure.
Every one of our adventures is All-Inclusive. That means once you are with us all transport, meals, accommodation, activities and entry-fees are included in the one price – no hidden extras along the way.
FITNESS RATING: MODERATE
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