1. WELLINGTON TO PICTON

   Join your guide and fellow travellers at the Railway Station in central Wellington city then it’s underway to the ferry terminal for our departure to Picton through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Tonight, we stay at a great hostel with time tomorrow morning to explore before joining our group at 11am.

2. NELSON, PICTON TO KAIKOURA - THE INCREDIBLE PACIFIC COAST!

   Leaving Nelson we travel towards Picton then onwards to Kaikoura. The Pacific coast to Kaikoura takes us along a stunning coastal route where close encounters with fur seals and sea birds are common. Optional sea kayak or whale watch flight and a spectacular evening peninsula walk. Stay at a beach camp with an amazing sunrise opportunity

   • Meals: Dinner
   • Optional Activities: sea kayaking or whale watch flight

3. KAIKOURA TO RANGITATA – DOLPHIN SWIMMING AND THE CANTERBURY PLAINS

   This is the morning of one of the most popular activities we offer, swimming with dusky dolphins! It’s an early start but it’s great starting the day with an epic sunrise and definitely worth it for a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with wild dolphins! For those not swimming we’ll have a leisurely breakfast and a bit more time to check out Kaikoura before heading south to Christchurch.

   We’ll arrive in Christchurch in time for lunch and you’ll have a couple of hours to explore this city that is still on the mend after two major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Evidence of these earthquakes is evident in the city  but there is also evidence of new and exciting prospects for the city as it works to rebuild. You can visit the restart mall which was made from shipping containers brought in shortly after the quakes, check out the botanical gardens and see the remains of the Christchurch Cathedral which famously collapsed during the earthquakes.

   After leaving Christchurch we will start heading towards the mountains and across the Canterbury plains, a flat open area of farmland. Tonight we stay at a sheep shearers HQ, on a working farm with great mountain views and next to the Rangitata river. 

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Cycle into camp along a quite country road through fields of cows, sheep and deer with a mountainous backdrop
   • Walks and Hikes: The Peninsula Walkway is a must if you missed it yesterday! You’ll also have plenty of time on your feet when we stop through Christchurch to check out the awesome rebuild of Christchurch city!
   • Optional Activities: Dolphin swimming, dolphin viewing
   • Available Upgrades: Yes
   • Drive Distance: Approx. 4 - 5 hours

4. RANGITATA TO LAKE TEKAPO - RAFTING OR EXPLORING PEEL FOREST DURING THE MORNING BEFORE HEADING INLAND TO A BEAUTIFUL GLACIAL LAKE

   Optional white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River or explore the region with a morning cycle or walk in Peel Forest. Travel through Geraldine and MacKenzie Basin with views of the Main Divide before arriving at the amazing Lake Tekapo. We stay by the lake with wonderful outdoor Hot Pools to soak up the views of Mount Cook.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Morning cycle to peel forest if not rafting
   • Walks and Hikes: exploring peel forest
   • Drive Distance: 2 Hours

5. LAKE TEKAPO TO MOERAKI - VISITING NEW ZEALANDS HIGHEST PEAKS BEFORE HEADING BACK TO THE EAST COAST

   Scenic lake side drive or optional cycle past Lake Pukaki to the Aoraki National Park. Hike around the basin of Mt Cook, before making our way to the east coast. We have a short stop in Oamaru before heading to our camp overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Short cycle along the lake or at camp later in the day
   • Walks and Hikes: walk to the base of Mt. Cook up the Hooker Valley
   • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

6. MOERAKI TO TE ANAU - MYSTICAL BOULDERS ON THE BEACH TO THE GATEWAY OF THE FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK

   The day starts with a short walk, to the mystical Moeraki Boulders then it’s onto Dunedin where we stop to stretch out legs on the world’s steepest residential street! Continuing on we journey through scenic southern pastures with a short lunch stop in Gore then it’s onto the picturesque township of Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland National Park and our home for the next two nights.

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: cycle from camp to an awesome viewpoint
   • Walks and Hikes: walk up the worlds steepest street before exploring Dunedin
   • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

7. TE ANAU INTO THE FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK - A DAY TRIP INTO THE STUNNING MILFORD SOUND

   Today we travel on a route voted in the top 10 drives in the World as we head to the scenic and stunning Milford Sound! Take to the water with an optional boat cruise to enjoy the fiord and all its beauty up close before we return to Te Anau with time to explore the many walking and cycle tracks. Our campsite is beside the serene deep waters of Lake Te Anau which offers a great optional boat and glow worm tour. 

   • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
   • Bike Rides: Cycle rides around Te Anau from camp
   • Walks and Hikes: Short bush walks from camp
   • Optional Activities: Milford Sound boat cruise, Te Anau boat and glow worm tour
   • Drive Distance: 4 Hours

8. TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN - ONTO THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

   Today we journey to the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown! Be prepared for spectacular views and a huge selection of activities to choose from. There is everything here, from adrenalin pumping bungy and skydiving to horse trekking and boat cruises – this place has it all. 

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Walks and Hikes: Great walks around Queenstown
   • Optional Activities: To many to list!
   • Drive Distance: 3 Hours

9. QUEENSTOWN - A FULL DAY IN THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL

   Time to enjoy any of the action-packed Queenstown activities on offer with too many options to list here – but you are guaranteed to find something you like. Test yourself with an adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing, skydive or enjoy a more relaxed horse trek or gondola ride – this place has it all, there really is something for everyone! 

   • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   • Optional Activities: To many to list!

10. QUEENSTOWN TO LAKE HAWEA - FROM THE ADVENTURE CAPITAL TO THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURERS'S PARADISE

    Our final morning in Queenstown and your last chance to indulge in the Queenstown’s action before we leave at midday, travelling by mountains and on towards stunning glacial lakes. We arrive at our next camp which is located in a place of intense beauty and mountainous extremes, Lake Hawea - an outdoor adventurers’ paradise.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Bike into Hawea village from camp
    • Optional Activities: To many to list!
    • Drive Distance: 1.5 Hours

11. LAKE HAWEA TO GLACIER COUNTRY - FOLLOW GLACIER CARVED VALLEYS TO THE WILD WEST COAST

    Enjoy a relaxed morning at our lakeside camp then it's northward bound through Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy some great short walks as we make our way to the wild West Coast. After stopping for a picnic lunch, we then head towards camp where tonight we’ll be staying beside the beautiful Lake Paringa enjoying a true West Coast wilderness experience.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Drive Distance: 2.5 Hours

12. GLACIER COUNTRY TO OKARITO – INCREDIBLE MOUNTAIN SCENERY TO ONE OF OUR BEST BEACH CAMPS

    This morning is all about the highly recommend Lake Matheson hike where you get incredible views over the Southern Alps if the weather is clear, and if it’s calm the lake can reflect the view. 

    We then travel the short distance to Franz Josef where the afternoon is all about visiting the Franz Josef glacier, either by Helicopter or by walking up to the terminal face viewpoint. The heli hike option is one of the most memorable activities you can do during the tour and is the only way to step foot on the ice, you fly up by helicopter and mountain guides take you into cravasses and ice caves before a short return flight to Franz Josef. If you’re not keen to head up by helicopter, you can view the valley and glacier but from a distance, the trail is also open to bikes so make the most of the afternoon and explore the area. There is something for everyone here and if glaciers aren't for you explore the nearby water ways with a guided kayak tour or take to the skys with a scenic skydive.

    We then leave Franz Josef and make our way to Okarito, a tiny west coast town that is famous for its wetlands reserve and bird conservation projects, where it’s possible to spot some rare and endangered bird including the kiwi!

    The camp is right next to a quiet west coast beach where we like to set up a small camp fire and chill out while watching the stars. 

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Ride along the walk/cycleway to the Glacier viewpoint. There is also a beautiful ride on the quiet road that leads to Okarito
    • Walks and Hikes: A highly recommended walk around Lake Matheson in the morning then if you're not hiking on the ice, head up to the terminal face viewpoint in the afternoon.
    • Optional Activities: Guided Heli-Hike, guided kayak tour, hot pools, skydiving
    • Available Upgrades: Yes (limited options)
    • Drive Distance: Approx. 3 hours

13. OKARITO TO PUNAKAIKI - DRIVING THE INCREDIBLE WEST COAST ROAD FINISHING IN THE MAJESTIC PUNAKAIKI

    Start the day with an early morning walk and a chance to spot a Kiwi in the wild then it’s onto Hokitika and the Greenstone factories. There’s a great coastal walk option through native forest then we travel to the Paparoa National Park, home to Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks! Catch the sunset then explore the Punakaiki cavern for glow worms.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Walks and Hikes: Early morning walk and walks in Paparoa National Park
    • Drive Distance: 4 Hours

14. PUNAKAIKI TO MARAHAU - WEST COAST TO SUNNY TASMAN BAY

    Travel through the Buller Gorge to one of NZ’s most stunning spots – the Abel Tasman region. View the region from above with an optional skydive then it's off to camp where we stay for two nights with the Abel Tasman National Park on our doorstep.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: cycle to camp
    • Walks and Hikes: short walks from camp
    • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

15. MARAHAU - EXPLORING THE AWESOME ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

    Free day to explore the National Park by kayaking or sailing the crystal-clear waters, or multiple walking options.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Kaiteriteri mountain bike park, cycle rides from camp if not on activities
    • Walks and Hikes: Exploring the Abel Tasman National Park - single & multi day walk options
    • Optional Activities: Multi day & single day kayaking options, canyoning, sailing, water taxi / walk, conservation projects (free), conservation tour
    • Available Upgrades: Yes
    • Drive Distance: No driving today

16. MARAHAU TO NELSON / WELLINGTON - LEAVING ABEL TASMAN AND THE TOUR FINISH

    Your last chance to exchange photos before we say our final goodbyes.

    • Meals: Breakfast

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