Hiking New Zealand - South Island Grand Hikes Itinerary

Up to 3.3 km (2 miles), 1-1.5 hours hiking

At 4:00pm, gather in the Rutherford Hotel foyer to meet your guides and fellow walkers. You’ll have the chance to join a guided walk up Botanical Hill, the famed “Centre of New Zealand,” where breathtaking views of Tasman Bay and Nelson city await. Alternatively, your guides can suggest ways to explore Nelson’s vibrant town center on your own. In the evening, everyone will come together to celebrate the beginning of our South Island adventure with dinner at one of Nelson’s outstanding restaurants.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Nelson - 2 nights

Up to 12.2 km (7.6 miles), 4 hours hiking

After an early breakfast, we set off for Abel Tasman National Park. Board a water taxi and cruise the coastline past golden sand beaches and rugged granite headlands into the heart of the National Park. Step ashore at Bark Bay and follow the famed Abel Tasman coastal track through native forests and along golden sand beaches. A well-formed trail leads us up and over a gentle ridge into Torrent Bay, where the lovely clear freshwaters of Cleopatra's Pool may tempt you to take a dip or for those more daring - a slide down the naturally formed hydro-slide!

At Anchorage, we will meet the water taxi for a return journey to Kaiteriteri, a seaside village and gateway to this National Park, before heading back to Nelson. There is free time to do some more exploring in this vibrant and arty little town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Up to 6 km (3.7 miles), 2 hours hiking

On the way to the West Coast we stop for a remarkable hike to marvel at natural flames which have been burning since the 1920's. We access this phenomena with a local guide through a privately-owned working deer farm. Unlike the Eternal Flames of the Chimera in Turkey these flames are surrounded by lush tree ferns and beech forest. A cup of 'billy tea' and hot cakes prepared over the flames gives this experience a distinctly kiwi flavour.

We continue our journey alongside the mighty Buller River as it cuts through the massive wilderness of the upper South Island, arriving on the coast at Westport. We take a short stroll at Cape Foulwind to view a colony of New Zealand fur seals playfully splashing around in the rock pools. We then head south to catch the sunset at Punakaiki and visit a local pub for dinner. Take an evening stroll around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – we try to time our visit with high tides so we may leave the rocks until tomorrow if tide times are more favourable

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Accommodation: Punakaiki - 1 night

11km/3-4 hours hiking

Hike the Inland Pack Track from Punakaiki to Pororari. This historic route was once used by prospectors and miners to avoid the immense coastal cliffs while travelling the West Coast. Pass through deep limestone canyons, towering rainforests, and groves of Nikau Palms. You may not be able to resist a speedy swim in one of the many deep clear pools you pass on the way! After the hike, we join a remarkable highway that takes us from the lush green rainforests of the West Coast and over the glaciated Southern Alps to the parched soft yellow savannahs of Canterbury. This is one of the most cleverly engineered roads in New Zealand.

East of Arthurs Pass, stretch your legs and stroll around the enchanting limestone outcrops of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill). This area was an important meeting place and food gathering area for early Maori people. Interestingly it was also bestowed a “spiritual centre of the universe” by the Dalai Lama when he visited in 2002. Today it is a haven for rock climbers who climb and boulder on the multitude of rock forms. We then leave the highway and follow the back roads around Lake Lyndon and on to Methven, a ski town by winter and laid-back rural town the rest of the year. The Southern Alps form a spectacular backdrop. Wander in to the village for a meal at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Methven - 1 night

8.2 km (5.1 miles), 3 hours hiking

Drive south following the edge of the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, famous for its stunning turquoise waters and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, perched daintily by the lake. Hike up through wilding conifers and tussock grasslands to the summit of Mt John. Revel in the 360-degree views of the Patagonia-like landscape. The sweeping Mackenzie Basin is a sparsely populated region in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps; tawny-brown drylands, braided riverbeds and startling glacial lakes extend to the horizon.

On arrival at Mount Cook Village we hike up to Red Tarns for magnificent views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the surrounding alps. Relax here and enjoy the views before wandering back down arriving at the door of our accommodation, where we stay for the next two nights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:  Mt. Cook - 2 nights

5.3 km (3.3 miles), 3 hours hiking

Hike up to Sealy Tarns and enjoy the awesome views of Mt Sefton, Mueller Glacier and across the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/Mt Cook. If you're feeling energetic, join the guide for a further climb from the tarns up to the crest of Mueller Ridge for even wider views of this magnificent alpine landscape. Those not wanting to climb to Sealy or Mueller can take the flatter option and walk up the Hooker Valley (unguided), enjoying close up views of the Mueller and Hooker Glaciers on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

2km/1 hour hiking

Travel up the Tasman Valley towards the longest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman Glacier. Take a short walk through the glacial moraine and board a custom-built boat for a unique spin around the terminal lake. Like most glaciers in the world the Tasman Glacier is retreating and the terminal lake increases in size every year. This dynamic environment is dotted with icebergs of all shapes and sizes from the collapsing terminal wall of the glacier.

Our drive to Wanaka follows the Mackenzie country south before climbing over the tussock lands of the Lindis Pass into the southern lakes district. Wanaka is a lovely holiday town on the lake-side

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Wanaka - 1 night 

Up to 7.2km (4.5 miles), 3 hours hiking

Travel beside Lake Wānaka to reach Aspiring National Park’s striking peaks. Today’s hike explores the lower Matukituki Valley, starting with the Diamond Lake walk and ascending Rocky Mountain, a glacially shaped feature known for its panoramic views of Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps, and Mount Aspiring/Tititea. There are several walk options to suit different energy levels—from a gentle loop around Diamond Lake to a more challenging climb to Rocky Mountain’s summit. After lunch, drive over the scenic Crown Range, past Lake Wakatipu, and through to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or take an easy lakeshore stroll for views of vast Fiordland wilderness

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinnerdistin

7.2 km (4.5 miles), 3 hours hiking

Today we journey through the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland to the unforgettable Milford Sound. En route, we stop at The Divide to hike a scenic section of the Routeburn Track to Key Summit, where sweeping alpine views of the Humboldt and Darran Mountains await. If cloud cover limits visibility, easier walks in the lush Hollyford Valley offer a rewarding alternative. We continue to Milford Sound and cruise beneath towering cliffs and glacier-carved peaks, with chances to spot seals, dolphins, or even the elusive Fiordland crested penguin. In the afternoon, we return to Te Anau inspired by this breathtaking region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9.8 km (6.1 miles), 3 hours hiking, elevation +/-180 m (430 ft)

This morning we walk a gentle section of the renowned Kepler Track, following the shores of Lake Manapouri—often called the loveliest of all lakes for its island-dotted waters, forested bays, and dramatic mountain backdrop. After the hike, we begin our journey north toward Queenstown. In the heart of Central Otago wine country, we pause to celebrate the trip with a relaxed lunch at a local vineyard restaurant, enjoying regional cuisine and fine wine. We arrive in Queenstown late afternoon, where the tour concludes. Drop-offs are available at select central locations and Queenstown Airport.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included Highlights

• Experience the golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park
• Visit the ‘Natural Flames’ phenomenon for a distinctly ‘kiwi’ experience
• Crystal clear rivers and limestone canyons of the West Coast
• Explore the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook
• Cruise a glacier terminal lake and touch 300-500-year-old glacial crystals

Inclusions

• A roomy minibus
• A knowledgeable guide
• Almost all meals
• First aid kit
• Drinking water
• Safety equipment
• Maps

Fitness

• Up to 4-5 hours of physical activity per day
• At times carrying a backpack of 4-5kgs (8-10 lbs)
• Tracks generally in good condition
• Altitude gains of up to 600m (2000ft) on harder days
• No hiking experience necessary

Accommodation

This tour uses a range of hotels and quality lodges chosen for their good standards and wonderful locations. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Some lodges have units with two bedrooms per unit. Rooms are twin-share or doubles. If you are travelling on your own you will be given a twin share room with a fellow traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available on this tour.

This tour has been created for those that appreciate a high standard of accommodation after a good day of hiking.

Food

Almost all of the meals are included on this tour, but when staying in the cities we let you do your own thing and try some of the excellent local restaurants (see “Additional Costs” section). Breakfast is usually (but not always) continental-style in the lodges and hotels. There are plenty of opportunities to graze the local cafes if you would prefer to explore in the morning. The lunches we prepare ourselves are often ‘on the run’ in picnic areas or on trails. Our guides usually set out lunch food for you and you simply help yourself. We provide healthy and wholesome food and include a lot of fresh produce. It is part of our philosophy to get everyone involved so there is a pretty good chance you may find yourself wielding a sharp knife or pushing the tea trolley around at lunchtime. Our customised trailers have a fold down table and cooking area that is perfect for preparing picnics at all those secret places we will take you. Included dinners are frequently in lodge restaurants (either set menu or a la carte), or in a restaurant in the town but occasionally somewhere out of the ordinary!

Additional Costs

All activities outlined in the itinerary are included in the trip price.

Meals out: Meals that are included in the trip price are detailed in the itinerary. Two evening meals are not included (Nelson and Methven). The typical cost for a restaurant main course in New Zealand is about $28.