New Zealand's South Island offers some of the best - and certainly most varied - hiking anywhere in the world. From the golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park to the glaciers of the Southern Alps, from the dramatic mountains of New Zealand's fjordland to the raw natural beauty of the interior: we sample all these on our classic walking trip, and take in many other highlights besides.

Abel Tasman & the Kahurangi NP
One of New Zealand's only coastal parks, the Abel Tasman National Park - named after the Dutchman who was New Zealand's first European visitor - boasts of some of the country's most pristine beaches. We walk on the famous Abel Tasman Track, sea-kayak to Tonga Island seal colony & stay on a houseboat in the heart of the park. Kahurangi National Park has some of the most diverse walking tracks in New Zealand, with terrain ranging from the sub-alpine tussock lands of the Kahurangi peneplains to the subtropical nikau palms of the Tasman coast. We trek to Sylvester Lake in the remote Cobb Valley and on the dramatic coast at Whararika. We also take time to visit the rare seabird reserve at Farewell Spit. Nelson Lakes NP also provides many opportunities for spectacular mountain walks, including on the shores of Lake Rotoiti.

Transalpine Journey & Mt Cook
From Greymouth we travel by rail over Arthur's Pass. Regarded as one of the great railway journeys of the world, we pass through some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. From Christchurch we travel to Mt Cook National Park, where there is the opportunity to walk in the shadow of New Zealand's highest mountain (3754m), with views over a stunning landscape of icy peaks and glaciers.

Fjordland, Milford Sound & Queenstown
New Zealand's Fjordland is one of the world's great wildernesses and our journey to Milford Sound takes us first to the massive u-shaped Gertrude Valley, before we take to the sea for an overnight cruise on this spectacular fjord. On our return we hike up Key Summit on the Routeburn Track, with sweeping views of three Fjordland valleys. Our final day's travel to Queenstown is via the scenic Mavora Lakes (Fangorn Forest & Nen Hithoel of the Lord of the Rings) and we arrive in Queenstown on the historic steamship Earnslaw.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Nelson. 2 Transfer by bus and water taxi to Abel Tasman NP, walk on Abel Tasman coastal track; check on to houseboat. 3 Sea-kayaking in Abel Tasman. 4 Walking in Abel Tasman; transfer to Kaiteriteri. 5 Hike to Sylvester Lake (5hrs); drive Takaka. 6 4WD safari to Farewell Spit Bird reserve; stay Takaka. 7 Drive Whararika beach and walks; stay Takaka. 8 Public bus to Nelson Lakes NP; stay in St. Arnaud. 9 Day free in Nelson Lakes NP; various optional walks. 10 Drive to Punakaiki. 11 Drive to Greymouth; Transalpine train to Christchurch. 12 In Christchurch. 13 Drive to Mt Cook NP. 14 Walking in Mt Cook National Park. 15 Drive to Te Anau. 16 Drive to Milford Sound, walk in Gertrude Valley; overnight cruise. 17 Drive to Te Anau, walk Key Summit. 18 Drive via Mavora Lakes to Walter Peak Station; steamship to Queenstown. 19 In Queenstown. 20 End Queenstown.

Accommodation: 15nts hotel/motel, 2nts houseboat, 1nt cruiseboat; 1nt lodge; 19 breakfasts, 1 lunches & 3 dinners included.
Transport: Small Coach/Water Taxi/On Foot/ Sea Kayak/Train/ Cruiseboat/Steamship.
Comment: The trekking is varied but overall the grade is moderate.
Group: Approx: 8 to 12.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus drivers & local track guides.
Trip Reference: ZT