Southern Divide - 7 Day New Zealand Adventure Tour         

Journey through New Zealand's Adventure Central!
Let us transport you to the most picturesque and exciting places in the West Coast, Central Otago and Fiordland. Hike glaciers, raft underground caves and kayak Doubtful Sound - this journey is truly awe inspiring and not to be missed!

Your Tour Itinerary

Day One - Canterbury to West Coast

As the name states, Adventure Caving is full on expedition style caving. Following practise, your expeditions begins with a 130 ft abseil down Hi Hi Tomo. Down under, a scramble over boulders in dry rift passages take you to the active waterways of Te Tahi Cave. Wire ladders are used to climb rifts and waterfalls. Stealth and commitment is required to climb, chimney, bridge gaps and crawl through amazing passages. Active waterways replace the dry sporty passages with cascades, waterfalls, and squeezes. It is great fun and a physical challenge

Day Two - Franz Josef Glacier

Ice climbing Challenge yourself on Franz Josef Glacier’s spectacular vertical icefalls using the latest technical ice climbing gear. Only in Franz Josef can you enjoy such a stunning array of natural highlights in such close proximity. From the dramatic Alpine environment of the Southern Alps, including New Zealand's highest peaks and glaciers, to Westland's tranquil wetlands and rugged coastline. An instructional ice-climbing day where the first timer to this exciting sport can climb the spectacular icefalls of the Franz Josef Glacier. No Experience necessary !

Day Three Haast Pass

The scenery today is impressive all the way. We head over the Haast Pass and straight away the view changes dramatically as we head into the mountains and bid farewell to the coastline. Continuing up the Haast River into Mount Aspiring National Park we stop along the way for one or two short hikes. The history of the pass is quite unique - originally used by Maori to trade Poumanu (Greenstone) and food, it retains it’s “wilderness” feel. As we drop over the pass we follow Lake Hawea nearly all the way through to Wanaka.

Day Four - Wanaka

Canyoning The Big Canyon Here we have three very different canyons you can choose from ranging from extremely challenging to just physical - The one in the middle is The Mission, it has spectacular views out to the alpine scenery, it is particularly beautiful and hugely enjoyable. It features exciting abseils in strong water flows. The situations are dramatic and the abseils often take you into and behind spectacular waterfalls - visually sensational and very dynamic, It is a long day be prepared for over 4 hours of continuous descent (and the walk up the hill takes 40min). As we descend we link into the emerald stream with its many jumps and slides ¬ so you get in a lot of everything.

Day Five - Queenstown

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four seasons alpine and lake resort, nestled in the corner of Lake Wakatipu framed by 360 degree vistas of snow capped mountains. With year round action-packed thrills, such as jet boating, white water rafting, parapenting and bungy jumping – It’s your day to choose what you want.

Day Six/Seven - Fiordland National Park

Kayak Doubtful Sound, a world Heritage Area Practically untouched by man. The physical grandeur of towering peaks descending into moody waters, outstanding waterfalls from high-up ice-age valleys and fiords clad with ancient vegetation, create a powerful atmosphere of solitude and serenity. This is an unspoiled wilderness of many moods. Browne Falls cascades 619m to the fiord near Hall Arm and Helena Falls is an attractive feature of Deep Cove. Seals and dolphins are frequently seen, as well as the occasional penguin. Paddle down Deep Cove saying hi to any NZ fur seals on the way, and to Rolla Island, nesting place for Fiordland crested penguins. We camp in a small clearing in the ancient podocarp forest, some evenings exploring the valley, listening for kiwi, morepork, weka. Time to experience the remoteness, the being alone in this raw wilderness.

The stillness and silence of Hall Arm in the morning broken only by birdcall, lures us back to the kayaks -often the splashes and exhalations of Doubtful Sound’s resident bottlenose dolphins gives added impetus. Paddling out of Hall Arm we head down Malaspina Reach for lunch, if possible circling Elizabeth Island exploring Olphert Cove. Back to Deep Cove with a tail wind - test your kayaking skills or put the sails up for a cruisy trip home to civilisation.

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 What's Included

Departure Dates

The departure dates for this tour link in with the Northern Highlights, Central Discoverer and Southern Wonder tours. Link these tours together to make an 11, 14, 18, 21 or 25 day New Zealand adventure tour. Link two tours and save 10%. Link three or more and save 15%.

Tour Prices
Per Person in NZ$