Trip Overview
Departures
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Duration
12 Days
Activities
Boating/Rafting
Cycling
Hiking
Kayaking
Physical Rating
Moderate–Challenging
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Adrenalin-charged Hikes
Experience New Zealand’s remote landscape and glacial marvels by pedal and paddle, on foot, jet boat and plane. From the startling face of Franz Josef Glacier to the “Cloud Piercer” (Mount Cook), the torrents of waterfalls, skyscraper peaks and fictional teal Blue Pools, it’s one big playground. The South Island hikes are challenging and unforgettable—we check off biggies like the Devil’s Punchbowl, Haast Pass, Routeburn, Kepler and the behemoth, Ben Lomond Track. We also visit two knock-out national parks on this 12-day adrenaline-infused adventure: Mount Aspiring and Fiordland.
Feel the Supernatural Rush
Spin into the Scenery
In Queenstown, we sop up the backdrop of the Southern Alps. It’s the hopping off point for bungee jumpers at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension bridge and jet boaters on the Shotover and Dart river—it’s also a very cosmo base for exploring the region’s coveted vineyards and historic gold mining towns. Jump from biking the Milford Sound Bike Queenstown Trail and the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail (New Zealand’s longest), to hiking hidden pockets of wild forest, to sea kayaking in the sanctuary of the Okarito Lagoon among the white heron rookery.
The guides were absolutely superb! Great driver, great cooks, great hikers, wonderful stories about NZ. The group was really nice but the guides made the trip the wonderful adventure that it was.”
Sarah C.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Christchurch
Kia Ora (Hello!)
To ramp up for this adventure-amplified trip, most Wild Women choose to arrive a day or two early to shake off the long haul flight and properly reset. There are no scheduled activities on Day 1. Take advantage of this slow-motion time to wander and stretch. We rendezvous in the evening (in the hotel lobby of Sudima Hotel, where our Wild Women group is staying) for a trip orientation and icebreaker welcome dinner.
It’s time to pinch ourselves—we’ve arrived! Our New Zealand dreams are unfolding, together!
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Sudima Hotel
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Day 2
Arthur’s Pass
Hiking and Hot Tubs
Today we travel from the east coast into the granite folds of the Southern Alps in the west to hike Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass.
The Punchbowl is an easy walk that slips through tall stands of native beech forest to the pounding rush of the powerful 430-foot (131 m) waterfall. For the birders in our crew, there’s the impressive cinnamon-breasted fantail and endemic tomtit, a small species of bird with a distinct large head and short tail.
After the Punchbowl, we wind down the coast to Franz Josef, the nerve center of New Zealand’s glacier country. We spend an extremely elemental night in the subtropical rainforest in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The Rainforest Retreat strongly adheres to the sacred Tiaki Promise. Tiaki means to care for People and Place and this sustainably-minded property is committed to being a generational guardian. Extra bonus: there’s a hot tub!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
The Hike
1.2 miles (2 km) or 45 minutes, with an elevation of 330 feet (100 m)
Travel
3 to 4 hours of driving
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Day 3
Franz Josef Glacier
Paddle into the Peaks
This morning we drive to Okarito, a bijou beach community. Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand. The herons (kōtuku) are symbolic and integral in Māori myth and folklore. Here, we slide tandem sea kayaks into the sheltered tidal lagoon and paddle towards the reflection of the snowy peaks mirrored in the water.
After lunch we hike along the Waiho riverbed to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier (*if time and group pace permit). This area is known as glacier country, with more than 140 glaciers. Few sights rival the natural spectacle of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier’s frozen rivers grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest.
In the small mountain village of Makarora, we kick back at our chalets and taste some authentic local fare at the Wonderland Lodge. Enjoy the bird soundtrack of chatty fantails and boisterous tūī!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
The Paddle
1 hour (beginner-friendly and optional)
The Hike
Franz Josef Glacier: 3 miles (4.8 km), 2–3 hours, with an elevation gain of 66 feet (20 m). Note: There will be two guides, so if you wish to opt out of the hike, you may travel onward to the lodge instead.
Travel
30 minutes of driving
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Day 4
Siberia Valley Flight
Supersized Scenery
We are on the move early today, driving two hours to Makarora Village to catch a short but super scenic flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park. The flight provides a true bird’s eye view of the tarns and iced caps of the lower Southern Alps before we land in the glacial ribbons of the remote Siberia Valley. We will be guaranteed to have WET FEET today as the hike involves a river crossing. You may wish to bring an extra pair of shoes as it’s too rocky to cross barefoot.
Finding our land legs, we hike downstream along the Wilkin River, through serene silver beech forests to our jet boat. It will be a thrilling 45-minute jet boat ride on the glacial river to Makarora for dinner and a celebratory drink at the local pub.
Tonight, we have another fun night in the simple, rustic A-frame cottages of Wonderland Lodge.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
The Hike
6 miles (9.5 km) or 2–3 hours, with approximately 164 feet (50 m) elevation gain
Travel
2 hours (driving), 20 minutes (scenic flight), 45 minutes (jet boat)
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Day 5
The Blue Pools
Following the Arrow River
This morning, we take in the panorama from Haast Pass Lookout before visiting the iconic teal Blue Pools in the mature beech and podocarp (plum pine) forest. In Makarora, we have a picnic lunch before our drive through the glacier-carved valleys, and semi-arid mountainous terrain to Wanaka. In Arrowtown, we visit a small historic gold mining village established in the 1800s. If time permits, we can elbow up to the bar of the Cardrona Hotel—rumor has it that this historic hotel is the most photographed building in all of New Zealand.
We hop on bikes to tear up a portion of the well-packed surface of the Queenstown Bike Trail that runs parallel to the Arrow River. After our ride, we head on to the alpine town of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu’s captivating views. We have two nights at this lakefront hotel so we can unpack a little!
Included Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Accommodations
Queenstown Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
The Hike
Haast Pass Hike: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) or approximately 1 hour return, with an elevation gain of 351 feet (107 m)
Blue Pools Hike: 0.9 miles (1.5 km), 1 hour return, with an elevation gain of 177 feet (54 m).
Both hikes are optional today.The Bike
Arrow Bridges Trail: 4.6–8.1 miles (7.5–13 km) or 1–2 hours, with an elevation gain of 416 feet (127 m)
This bike ride is optional. Those who don’t wish to participate can take a bus shuttle. You may also ride this trail part way and take advantage of the shuttle at any point.Travel
90 minutes of driving
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Day 6
Hike Ben Lomond Track
The Summit vs. Sidewalk Stroll
Today our group can entertain two tempting options: a full-day hike or a totally free day in Queenstown. Keen hikers can make tracks on the famed Ben Lomond Track. There’s a short gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak to the Ben Lomond trailhead, which hovers 1,476 feet (450 m) above Queenstown. At the summit or “saddle” of Ben Lomond we are spoiled with incredible views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and Mt. Aspiring.
For those who want to wander in Queenstown, this cosmopolitan city has endless restaurants, sidewalk cafés, day spas and boutique shops. Optional activities that our guide can help arrange include horse trekking, kayaking, winery tours, hang gliding, bungee jumping, jet boating and skydiving.
Dinner is NOT included tonight, but our hotel is located less than 1.2 miles (2 km) from downtown, where we can find empanadas, New Zealand beef burgers, craft beer and Indian and Thai menus.
Included Meals
Boxed lunch (*Note: lunch will be provided for the hikers, but if you choose a free day in Queenstown, your lunch will be independent.)
Accommodations
Queenstown Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
The Hike
5 miles (8 km) or 4–5 hours, with an elevation gain of 3,208 feet (978 m)
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Day 7
Hike Kepler Track
The Great Walk
Today we drive around Lake Wakatipu, leaving behind the towering Remarkables (how great is that name?). We head west through the pastoral landscape to the small town of Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. This region is home to the stunning takahē, a flightless swamphen.
In the afternoon, we double-knot our hiking shoes and experience a section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks—the famous 37-mile (60 km) Kepler Track. We follow the trail through mountain beech forest and along the Waiau River, leisurely enjoying all the sights—this isn’t a strenuous hike by any stretch.
Tonight, we stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau and absorb a big dose of scenery and swap stories and laughs over local fare.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Matai Lodge, Te Anau
The Hike
6 miles (9.5 km) or 2–3 hours, with an elevation gain of 165 feet (50 m)
Travel
2.5–3 hours of driving
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Day 8
Milford Sound & Routeburn Track
Peaks and Parrots
We set off for the largest and perhaps most spectacular national park, Fiordland, through Darran mountain range to the shore of Milford Sound.
On our boat cruise we may encounter curious fur seals and see the bottlenose dolphins that sometimes frequent the area. The Fiordland crested penguin is a truly rare sighting (as are whales), but Mother Nature always has surprises up her sleeve.
After the cruise, we explore Fiordland wilderness on foot again, with a hike to Key Summit on a section of the famous 20-mile (32 km) Routeburn Track. This hike is more physical due to the steep and quick elevation gain. On this tramping track we’re bound to see New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and hyper intelligent alpine parrot, the kea parrot.
After this exhilarating out-and-back tramp, we head out of Milford Sound to spend our last night on the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Matai Lodge, Te Anau
The Hike
2 miles (3.4 km) or 3–4 hours, with an elevation gain of 1,246 feet (380 m)
Travel
1.5 hours (driving), 1.5 hour (boat cruise)
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Day 9
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
A Mobile Lesson on Native Plants
After an early breakfast, we drive back through Queenstown and head north, cutting through the tussock-country of Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki. Here, we stretch our legs on a flat, beginner-friendly section of the well-groomed Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail around the alpine lake with views across to the startling Aoraki Mount Cook.
On this ride we learn more about the native plants of this area from a Maori perspective—the trail is dotted with the brilliant yellow blooms of the Kowhai (it’s a popular one with the endemic Tui birds), flax and tussocks. The trail then slices through farmland across the Mackenzie Country basin before we muscle our way back to Twizel and bike straight to our accommodation!
For our last two nights we have stunning views that stretch like open arms across the Southern Alps. We’ll be sleeping in the cloak of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Mackenzie Country Hotel
The Bike
15 miles (24 km) or 2–3 hours
Travel
2.5 hours of driving
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Day 10
Hike the Cloud Piercer
Touch the Sky
Mount Cook is known as Aoraki or “Cloud Piercer” by South Island Maori. It’s the highest mountain in New Zealand with 23 peaks over 9,843 feet (3,000 m). We strike off on a stunning but challenging hike to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier through the Sealey Tarns and along Mueller Ridge to the famed Mueller Hut.
Weather conditions in this area are typical of an alpine climate and notorious for sudden shifts. We can always opt for the Mueller Glacier hike or a flatter (but still impressive) hike up to a glacial lake (complete with icebergs!) at the base of the Hooker Glacier.
After a good grind, we visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at the Hermitage Hotel. This gallery tribute to one of the world’s greatest explorers also houses the world’s southernmost digital dome planetarium.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Mackenzie Country Hotel
The Hike
- Mueller Ridge Hike: 4.4 miles (7.2 km) or 5–6 hours, with an elevation gain of 3,200 feet (975 m)
- Hooker Glacier Hike: 5.6 miles (9 km) or 3–4 hours, with an elevation gain of 328 feet (100 m)
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Day 11
Christchurch
Christchurch Chillout
After breakfast, we make our way to Christchurch (a four-hour drive). We will have lunch en route before checking in at the Scenic Hotel Cotswold. If our group is interested, we can stop at a salmon breeding farm and opt for hyper local fish on the “barbie” tonight.
We have a free afternoon to poke around Christchurch. We can see the blooms of the Botanic Gardens, take a punt down the River Avon, ride the vintage tram or take a gondola ride with startling views of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Just a reminder: this is your last chance to try Jaffas, pineapple lumps and hokey pokey (vanilla-flavored ice cream with small lumps of honeycomb toffee dispersed throughout it).
Later, we’ll swap pics, stories and laughs tonight over our last celebratory dinner together.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Scenic Hotel Cotswold
Travel
4 hours of driving
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Day 12
Christchurch
Departure
Invigorated and inspired from the South Island hikes, paddles and pedals, it’s time to unwind on the flight home. You may book flights out of Christchurch International Airport (CHC) at any time today. The hotel staff can help arrange a taxi transfer to the airport (not included).
Hug your Wild Women crew tight and figure out when and where you’ll hike together again!
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodations
Scenic Hotel Cotswold
Travel
4 hours of driving
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and nine dinners (*please note that Wild Women Expeditions guides will be preparing all meals except for four restaurant dinners)
- Drinking water and snacks
- 11 nights’ shared accommodation (jungle lodge, A-frame chalets, 4-star hotels)
- All ground transportation (minibus) from Christchurch hotel on Day 1 to Christchurch hotel on Day 12
- Two awesome expert female kiwi guides
- Guided hikes on classic routes like the Routeburn, Ben Lomond and Kepler Track
- Entry to Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Park
- 90-minute Fiordland boat cruise
- 20-minute scenic mountain flight to Siberia Valley
- 45-minute jet boat ride in Mt. Aspiring National Park
- Bikes and helmets
- Tandem sea kayaks and paddling safety equipment at Okarito Lagoon
- Hiking poles available for rent ($50 USD)
- Private upgrade upon request and subject to availability
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Christchurch, New Zealand (airport code: CHC), and finishes in Christchurch, New Zealand (airport code: CHC).
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we hike, cycle and might even get a little wet. Yes, it’s a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an active adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- For several of the hikes on this trip, expect steep passages, long uphill climbs, sharp descents, a river crossing and suspension bridges
- Hikes average in length from 1.2–6 miles (2—9.5 km) while the biking distances range from 4.7–15 miles (7.5–24 km)
- The sea kayaking activity is a 45-minute beginner-friendly option in a sheltered lagoon
- Not comfortable swimming? Please let us know!
- Physical Rating: Moderate – Challenging (Be prepared for active physical activity. Trips average 5 to 8 hours of physical activity most days, and depending on the shape you are in, they typically require activity specific training ahead of the trip.)
