Fault-line Adventure

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8 Day Hiking Tour - Christchurch to Queenstown

New Zealand did not become one of the most diverse and dramatic landforms on earth by accident. Where New Zealand is situated happens to be right over a collision zone of two of the largest slabs of the earth's crust forming a fault-line. Over millions of years this collision has created the Southern Alps, which are the backbone of the South Island.

During this 8-day Alpine Hiking Tour, New Zealand, you will actually cross over the fault-line twice, once when you cross the Alps near Arthur's Pass and again on Day 6 on your way to Haast Pass.

Don't worry if you are a bit confused by plate movement, collision zones and fault-lines because you are guaranteed to love the amazing play ground that it has created for us, and you will see it from so many different perspectives, whether it be hiking through deep limestone canyons, kayaking across pristine lagoons, jetboating down the Wilkin River or from the air in a helicopter above the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park.

This is a trip of a lifetime, the perfect combination of adventure and incredible scenery with quality character accommodation to relax in at the end of the day. This New Zealand Walking Holiday runs Saturday to Saturday, so you can squeeze it into one week of annual leave.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday.  Tour begins Christchurch                                                     4-5 hours hiking

Your tour begins in Christchurch, the Garden City. After a briefing from your guide you will soon head across the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps, which form the backbone of the South Island. Our first stop is at Kura Tawhiti, a bizarre yet beautiful landscape of limestone bluffs and outcrops that stand like battlements at the foot of the Craigeburn range. We spend some time exploring here before setting off on a hike up Bealey Spur, for great views of the Southern Alps. You will have afternoon tea at an old

musterer's hut before descending back to the vehicle. It's a short drive through to Arthur's Pass where you spend the night.

Day 2: Sunday.  Arthur's Pass            3 hours hiking

This morning there is the opportunity to go on a hike to nearby waterfalls or have a relaxing morning at the Chalet before driving through to Lake Brunner (crossing the fault-line) for a picnic lunch and a swim. In the afternoon, take a hike along the wild and windswept West Coast near Punakaiki, exploring remote beaches and sea caves that were used by early Maori. At high tide you can check out the famous Pancake Rocks, 30 million year-old towers of limestone with spectacular blowholes.

Accommodation tonight is nestled in the rainforest, near the sea.

Day 3: Monday. Punakaiki, Paparoa National Park           7 - 8 hours hiking

Today you will hike one of the most beautiful day hikes in New Zealand. The group will be dropped off at Bullock Creek at an abandoned farm. From here you will follow the Inland Pack Track through luxuriant lowland rainforest, stopping for lunch on the banks of Fossil Creek. There is time to relax and feel dwarfed by the towering Rimu and Kahikatea trees, some over 50 metres tall and hundreds of years old.

After lunch, continue on until you meet the Fox River Canyon. Follow this deep canyon crossing the river several times (learn river-crossing techniques) until you arrive at the coast. Return to your accommodation. Visit the local pub for dinner.

Day 4: Tuesday.  Okarito, South Westland World Heritage Area                    4 hours kayaking

Drive south today making a brief stop at Hokitika where the group will stock up on supplies. This town was once known as Capital of the Goldfields. It has become a major centre for pounamu (jade or greenstone), which was prized by the Maori for making jewellery, tools and lethal weapons.

Continue on to Okarito, where the rainforest meets the sea. A historic gold-rush town, it is now a sleepy collection of seaside cottages with a permanent population of about 25. Here, take sea kayaks and paddle out over the Okarito Lagoon, New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland. Explore the river delta, which takes you right into the rainforest. A great variety of bird-life can be seen, from tuis and bellbirds in the forest, to kotuku (white herons) and spoonbills on the lagoon. After you return from the kayak there is time to relax on the beach and enjoy a delicious hangi feast prepared by your guide.

A short drive through to Fox Glacier, stay here for the next 2 nights at a friendly B&B.

Day 5: Wednesday. Fox Glacier         4 hours hiking

Today, you will take a hike on the nearby Fox Glacier, one of the most dynamic glaciers in the world and one of the few places where you will see a glacier descending into a rainforest. On this half-day hike you can explore seracs, crevasses and ice caves and learn about the fascinating natural history of this area.  There is the option of upgrading (extra cost) to a heli hike, where you can walk and explore the upper reaches of the glacier. 

Tonight you get the opportunity to sample local cuisine at a restaurant of your choice.  Spend a second night at the local B&B.

Day 6: Thursday. Haast Pass               1 hour hiking

Start the day with a leisurely hike around Lake Matheson - on a clear day the Southern Alps are perfectly reflected on the lake - a photographer's paradise. Continue south stopping at a local salmon farm to "pick up dinner."  Today you will cross back over the "fault-line" (Southern Alps) to the eastern side and stay in Makarora. Take an afternoon hike on an old bridle path starting at Haast Pass. Enjoy a delicious meal of fresh salmon.

Day 7: Friday. Mount Aspiring National Park                     5 hours hiking

Start the day by boarding a helicopter for an extraordinary flight around the ice carved mountains and glaciers of the World Heritage, Mount Aspiring National Park. Land in the remote Siberia Valley. Home tonight is a classic backcountry hut that you will share with other hikers. You can either spend the day relaxing on the porch gazing at the mountains or go on an exhilarating hike up to Lake Crucible, a gorgeous alpine lake set amongst huge snow capped mountains.

Day 8: Saturday. Tour ends Queenstown   3 hours hiking

Spend the morning hiking down to the Forks where you will meet a jetboat, taking you a spectacular journey down the Wilkin River back to Makarora.

After lunch it just a short drive to the historic Cardrona Hotel on the Crown Range, where the group will have a celebratory drink and enjoy the ambience and charm of one of New Zealand's oldest hotels. Then it's over the range to the alpine resort of Queenstown where the trip concludes after 8 days of spectacular hikes, peaceful kayaking, exhilarating helicopter and jetboat trips coupled with relaxing accommodation.

The trip ends in Queenstown. You may wish to take advantage of a free shuttle return to Christchurch on Day 9 or you can stay in Queenstown to enjoy the endless activities this town offers. Should you wish to take advantage of the free return to Christchurch on Day 9 please make this known on booking.

Please note: We do not recommend people book any onward travel on the evening of our arrival in Queenstown. There is a very small chance we could get a wild storm with heavy rain that keeps us up in the Siberia Valley for an extra night. This is highly unlikely, as our guides will be studying the long-range weather forecasts and may take you to a different area if the weather isn't suitable. However, we would hate for you to miss your flight, so it is best to plan a day in Queenstown after the trip and then fly out the next day just in case.

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Guides and Safety

We have a small team of hand picked professionals coming from a range of backgrounds, from teachers, outdoor instructors, photographers, mountaineers and escapees of the corporate world!  All of them share a passion for the New Zealand wilderness and have the experience to go with it.  New Zealand is a fascinating place and you will have a lot of questions, so you will be pleased to know that all of our guides have a vast knowledge of our natural and cultural history.

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Transport

Travel is in a 10 or 12 seat minibus towing a trailer with equipment and your luggage. All vehicles have a public address system, and a stereo with a variety of music. We also carry a range of natural history reference books. Time spent driving is kept to a minimum, we average about 2 hours per day and we drive on a range of roads - sealed and unsealed. We make the most of being small and flexible and often find ourselves stopping to check the unexpected!

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Food

All the meals are included in the price, except dinner on day 3 and day 5 - this will give you the opportunity to get out and try the local cuisine. The first night we eat at the local restaurant and your guide prepares the dinners on nights 2, 4, 6 and 7. You may be asked to help with the preparation or washing up. Don't let this put you off though - it's part of our philosophy to get everyone involved as we believe this makes the whole experience more fun and rewarding! On the night of the hangi (Maori earth oven) the meal is a real team effort and the guide will need your help collecting firewood, collecting rocks and, of course, eating it!

Meals will be healthy and wholesome and include a lot of fresh produce. The trailers we tow are customised with a cooking area and fold-down table, which is great for preparing picnics at all those secret places we will take you. Breakfast is usually continental style, but don't be surprised if you wake up to the smell of fresh pancakes!

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Accommodation

Most of the time you will be staying at locally owned B&B's. If you are travelling with a partner you can request a double/queen room; otherwise rooms will be twin share. Most of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Single supplements are available. We stay away from big hotels and keep to the smaller friendlier places with character! On the last night you will sleep in bunks in a classic back country hut, these huts can't be booked in advance so we will be sharing it with other users, but that just adds to the fun of it. You will need to have a sleeping bag for this night, but you can hire one from us if you need to.

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