Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Saturday evening, arriving in Auckland early Monday morning. You’ll lose a day crossing the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! It’s a short flight from Auckland to Christchurch on the South Island where your guide will meet you either at the Merivale Manor at 10:30 am or at the Christchurch Airport at 11:00 am, depending on your preferences.

You'll then head to Lake Tekapo for a hike along the lakeshore before emerging above the tree line on Mt. John for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. You’ll then carry on to the remote and beautiful Lake Ohau Lodge. The lodge is tucked 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 New Zealand. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably find jetlag is no big deal. For instance, it’s a 12 to 13 hour direct overnight flight from the west coast of the USA to Auckland and there’s only a 3 hour time difference between New Zealand and US Pacific time. If you’re coming from further afield, you’ll appreciate the gentle start to your New Zealand adventure.

Hiking distance: 5 miles (8 km), 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 1,080 feet (330 m)
Elevation loss: 1,080 feet (330 m)

Accommodations: Lake Ohau Lodge
Meals included: Lunch and dinner

After a late breakfast on the balcony overlooking Lake Ohau, you’ll take an impressive hike at the head of Lake Pukaki, up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake complete with icebergs! This is a great spot for lunch and on a clear day, the views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain), are stunning. You’ll return to the lodge where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner. An 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. Please see the FAQ for details.

Hiking distance: 5.6 miles (9 km), 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 328 feet (100 m)
Elevation loss: 328 feet (100 m)

Accommodations: Lake Ohau Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today you start the first of two memorable multi-day hikes. You’ll venture up the Matukituki Valley and hike into Mt. Aspiring National Park to reach your home for the evening – a spacious mountain hut nestled in a valley in the middle of nowhere. This hike is well suited to winter conditions and the track meanders past majestic snow-capped peaks, fresh mountain streams, and natural beech forest. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and some food, so your pack won’t weigh much more than a regular day pack. The scenery is off the charts with Mt. Aspiring rising 9,951 feet into the blue sky! It’s amazing how far you’ll feel from civilization after this relatively short walk. Tonight your guide will whip up dinner in the backcountry kitchen while you relax by the fire.

Hiking distance: 5.6 miles (9 km), 3-4 hours
Elevation gain: 197 feet (60 m)

Accommodations: Mt. Aspiring Hut, Mt. Aspiring National Park or Lake Wanaka Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After enjoying a delicious healthy breakfast and admiring the views, you’ll hike back to the trailhead. Head to Wanaka for a bike ride along the lakeshore, then it’s a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. You’ll sleep sweetly tonight at a lakefront hotel located in the heart of Queenstown, your base for the next couple of days.

Hiking distance: 5.6 miles (9 km), 2-3 hours
Elevation loss: 197 feet (60 m)
Biking distance: Up to 6 miles (10 km), 2-3 hours

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town - restaurants galore, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here, including horse trekking, a gondola, fishing, winery tours, a historic steamship, bungee jumping, jet boating and skydiving, as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere by the fire at one of the local cafés or pubs. Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today. Alternatively, you can go skiing or snowboarding for the day at one of four nearby ski areas. Please see the FAQ for details.

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals included: None

After breakfast, you’ll travel to Lake Te Anau to hike the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Unlike most of the other Great Walks, which evolved from Maori greenstone trails or pioneer exploration routes, the Kepler Track was custom-made, built for pleasure rather than necessity. The track has been carefully crafted to show walkers all the very best features of Fiordland, from the prolific bird life and tussock high country, to the huge mountain ranges and vast glacier-carved valleys.

This evening you’ll take a boat journey across Lake Te Anau to a glittering grotto of glow worms. These fascinating bugs light the way in a 656-foot system of caves, underground waterfalls, sculpted walls, and swirling pools. From the darkness of the glow worm caves, you’ll head back into the light of Te Anau where you’ll stay the night.

Hiking distance: 6 miles (9.5 km), 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 165 feet (50 m)
Elevation loss: 165 feet (50 m)

Accommodations: Matai Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This morning you’ll head towards Milford Sound on one of the most dramatically scenic drives in the world. You’ll pass through the Eglinton Valley and wind your way through the mountains of Fiordland. The drive takes you through the Homer Tunnel, an astounding feat of human engineering which must be seen to be believed.

Once you arrive, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Milford Sound and hopefully spot some friendly fur seals and dolphins. You’ll jump on board a boat cruise, where you’ll gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around, and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. This afternoon, you’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot to check out some of its endemic flora and fauna, like the kea (Nestor notabilis), New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and intelligent alpine parrot and the kotukutuku (Fuchsia excorticate), the world’s largest fuchsia.

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (includes breaks at scenic overlooks)
Boat cruise time: 2 hours

Accommodations: Matai Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This morning, you’ll journey past beautiful rolling farmland and around the edge of Lake Wakatipu back to Queenstown. You’ll have a couple of hours to spare here to catch up on some shopping, grab a coffee, or head off on a local hike - your guides will have plenty of suggestions. Lunch today is an opportunity for you to explore more of the outstanding food scene in Queenstown by yourselves - ask your guides about their favorite places to eat!

Afterwards, you’ll head through the stunning Southern Lakes district and over the Haast Pass to the West Coast – a long stretch of gorgeous, rugged coastline with a population of only 40,000 people. You’ll mingle with the ‘coasters’ tonight in the tiny township of Haast, exchanging tales of your adventures at the local pub in front of a roaring fire.

Accommodations: Heartland World Heritage Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Today you’ll hike into a stunningly beautiful mountain basin set directly underneath the towering peaks of the Southern Alps, with an awesome highlight – natural hot pools! It’s a challenging six to seven hour hike (10 miles) up the Copland Valley with a gradual elevation gain, but it’s absolutely worth it. Your guides are pretty tough and they’ll carry the lion’s share of the load. All you’ll be carrying is a backpack with your sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and a share of the group's food. Tonight, you'll stay in one of New Zealand’s most spacious backcountry huts, a comfortable two-level building. One of the best things about hiking this track in winter is that the group may well have the hut all to itself! While you soak in the natural hot pools your guide will whip up a hearty dinner.

Hiking distance: 11 miles (18 km), 6-7 hours
Elevation gain: 1,380 feet (420 m)
Elevation loss: 130 feet (40 m)

Accommodations: Welcome Flat Hut
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today you’ll hike further up the track towards Douglas Rock for even more amazing scenery and views of multiple glaciers clinging to the top of the mountain valley. If you prefer, you can have a relaxing day at the hut – soak in the hot pools, enjoy the stunning scenery, or relax with a good book. Either way, the hot pools are without a doubt the star attraction here, closely followed by the dramatic scenery.

Hiking distance: 8.6 miles (14 km), 6-7 hours
Elevation gain: 1,410 feet (430 m)
Elevation loss: 1,410 feet (430 m)

Accommodations: Welcome Flat Hut
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

An early start sees you on the track, a great time to hike with the fresh morning air and stillness. After a relaxing evening in the rejuvenating hot pools and the slightly downhill gradient you’ll be feeling sprightly on the outward hike.

Once back at the trailhead, you’ll rest your body with a scenic journey up the coast to the township of Franz Josef where you’ll stay for the next couple of nights. Nestled in the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, Franz Josef is the heart of New Zealand glacier country.

Hiking distance: 11 miles (18 km), 4-6 hours
Elevation gain: 130 feet (40 m)
Elevation loss: 1,380 feet (420 m)

Accommodations: Rainforest Retreat
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This morning you’ll make a short journey over to Okarito, a little-known beach community on the coast. You’ll take to the water in sea kayaks and glide along the picturesque lagoon, set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host of other interesting birds.

Once back in Franz Josef, you’ll have the option to take another hike to the terminal face for exceptional glacier views or relax in the hot tub, before enjoying a traditional Kiwi roast dinner.

Kayaking time: 2-4 hours
Hiking distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 km), 1-2 hours
Elevation gain: 394 feet (120 m)
Elevation loss: 394 feet (120 m)

Accommodations: Rainforest Retreat
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This morning, you’ll travel along the coast to check out local art galleries and a pounamu carving workshop (pounamu is Maori for jade) in Hokitika. After lunch, you'll carry on to Punakaiki, where you’ll hike the Inland Pack Track. Travel through temperate rainforest and limestone canyons as you hike in the footsteps of the gold miners who established this trail over a century ago.

While you’re in Punakaiki, you’ll also check out the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – aptly named limestone formations that have been sculpted through relentless pounding by the Tasman Sea. Tonight you’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner for the last night of your trip.

Inland Pack Track hiking distance: 4 miles (6 km), 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 425 feet (130 m)
Elevation loss: 425 feet (130 m)

Pancake Rocks hiking distance: 0.6 mile (1 km), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation gain: 30 feet (9 m)
Elevation loss: 30 feet (9 m)

Accommodations: West Coast lodging
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

You’ll leave after breakfast for the beautiful journey over Arthurs Pass to Christchurch. This is the last day of your trip, and you'll leave refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had in New Zealand’s winter landscape.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch