DAY 1 KIA ORA (HELLO!) CHRISTCHURCH

To properly ramp up for this adventure-amplified trip, most Wild Women choose to arrive a day or two early to shake off the pesky grip of jetlag.

There are no scheduled activities today so take advantage of this slow-motion day to wander and reset. First, make your way to Merivale Manor. We’ll rendezvous in the evening (in the hotel lobby) for an orientation and welcome dinner–your guide will inform you what time to meet.

Note: When booking flights, please choose Christchurch International Airport (CHC).

Meals included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Merivale Manor

Day 2 – HIKE ARTHUR’S PASS

Today we’ll  travel into the granite folds of the Southern Alps (a 2 hour drive) to hike Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass. This easy walk will take us through tall stands of native beech forest to the pounding rush of the 131m(430 ft) waterfall. Be on high alert for the chicken-sized kiwis–though they are nocturnal. These comical-looking flightless, tailless endemics are the national icon (and unofficial emblem) of New Zealand. We’ll also be in the company of the impressive cinnamon-breasted fantail and tomtits, a small species of bird with a distinct large head and short tail (also endemic to NZ!). 

After the Punchbowl, we’ll wind down the coast to Franz Josef. The town of Franz Josef is the nerve centre of New Zealand’s glacier country and is located just 5km (3.1mi) from the famed glacier face. 

Fun fact: Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) was first explored by local iwi. In 1865, geologist Julius von Haast named it after the fabulously mustachioed Austrian emperor.

We’ll spend the night in the verdant 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
The skinny on today’s hike: 2 km (1.2 mi), 0.5-1 hour, elevation +/- 100m (330ft)
How much further? 2 hours (driving)

Day 3 – FRANZ JOSEPH GLACIER

This morning we’ll take a short journey over to Okarito (a 30 minute drive), a bijou beach community on the coast. We’ll slide tandem sea kayaks into the sheltered lagoon and paddle towards the reflection of the snowy peaks mirrored in the water. This one hour, beginner-friendly activity is optional of course!

Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand. Their mating dance of the heron is an elaborate one–once a female is attracted, the pair preen each other and intertwine their long necks, wings and bill.

The herons (kōtuku) are symbolic and integral in Māori myth and folklore. The rarest species of kiwi, the Okarito kiwi or rowi, is also found near the town of Okarito in a kiwi sanctuary (one of two on the South Island). Under Operation Nest Egg, the Department of Conservation collects kiwi eggs from the wild and hatches them in captivity where they are raised in “crèche sites” until the juveniles are independent enough to be released into the wild.

After lunch we’ll be hiking to the Franz Josef Glacier. With more than 140 glaciers inching their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is known best as glacier country. 

Few sights rival the natural spectacle of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier’s frozen rivers grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 250m (820ft) above sea level. This hike will take us along the Waiho riverbed up into the valley to the jawdropper terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier. 

From Franz Josef, we’ll travel down the coast through the velvet forest and over the divide to a small mountain village called Makarora. Here, we’ll kick back and taste some authentic local fare at the Wonderland Lodge where the surroundings are truly a wonder. Enjoy the bird soundtrack (chatty fantails and boisterous tūī ) and later, the star-speckled squid ink sky above our rustic chalets.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
The skinny on today’s paddle: 1 hour

The skinny on today’s hike to Franz Josef Glacier: 4.8 km (3 mi), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 20 m (66 ft).
How much further? 30 minutes (driving)

Day 4 – SIBERIA VALLEY FLIGHT + JET BOAT

In the morning, we’ll be buzzing and jangly from more than just a second cup of coffee. On a 20-minute super scenic mind-blowing flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park, we’ll have a true bird’s eye view of the tarns and iced caps of the lower Southern Alps before landing in the remote Siberia Valley and its glacial ribbons.

Finding our land legs, we’ll 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 back on the glacial river to Makarora for dinner and a celebratory drink at the local pub. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Wonderland Lodge, Makarora
The skinny on today’s hike: 9.5 km, +/-50 m, 2-3 hours
How much further: 20 minute flight, 45 minute jet boat

Day 5 – THE BLUE POOLS

This morning, we’ll head back toward the West Coast and stop to walk up to the Haast Pass Lookout. The trail has a steady treadmill incline and doesn’t offer any plateau until we reach the tip top. The views above the treeline are startling and worth every huff and puff. 

On our way back to Makarora, we’ll check out the iconic teal Blue Pools pocketed among the mature beech (tawhero) and podocarp (plum pine) forest. These pools of deep teal water and trout eventually flow into the Makarora River and encourage a reflective moment. Listen for the brilliant yellowhead (bird) in the canopy.

Alternatively, you can indulge in a sleep-in and spend the morning absorbing the mountain views. We’ll regroup (early birds and sleepyheads) in Makarora for a picnic lunch before taking a gorgeous drive through the spectacular glacier-carved valleys. The landscape transitions rapidly from dense beech forests to semi-arid mountainous terrain. 

In Wanaka, we’ll take a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Arrowtown, a small historic gold mining village established in the 1800s. 

We’ll hop on bikes and tear up a portion of the Queenstown Bike Trail. The trail is a well-packed surface and winds parallel to the Arrow River. We’ll follow the Arrow Bridges Trail through to Morven Ferry Car Park or the famous Kawarau Bungy Bridge, depending on the group’s pace and enthusiasm. 

After our ride, we’ll head on to the alpine town of Queenstown (a 10 minute drive)and Lake Wakatipu’s captivating views. We’ll be spending two nights at this lakefront hotel so you can unpack a little! 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Queenstown Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
The skinny on today’s hiking options:
Haast Pass Hike: 3.5 km (2.2 mi), 1 hour return, elevation +/- 107m (351 ft)
Blue Pools Hike: 1.5 km (0.9 mi), 1 hour return, elevation +/- 54m (177 ft)
The skinny on today’s pedal: 7.5-13 km (4.6-8.1mi), 1-2 hour, elevation +/- 127m (416 ft)
How much further? 90 minutes (driving) to Arrowtown via Wanaka

Day 6 – HIKE BEN LOMOND TRACK

Today our group can entertain two tempting options: a full day hike or a totally free day in Queenstown.

For those keen on the challenge of an alpine hike, we’ll meet our guide at reception at 9AM to make tracks on the famed Ben Lomond Track. To save our quads a little, we’ll take a short gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak, which hovers 450m(1,476ft) above Queenstown. From here, we’ll split through alpine tussock-land towards the daunting summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point, we’ll be spoiled with incredible views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu and the immensity of Mt. Aspiring. 

For those who want to be free range chickens, there’s lots to explore in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! This cosmo city has endless restaurants, sweet sidewalk cafés, modern lounge bars, day spas and boutique shops to pop in and out of. There are also optional activities that our guide can help arrange including horse trekking, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungee jumping, jet boating and skydiving. 

Our guide can also help point you in the right direction with some info about their favourite hot spots for food and drink tonight. Dinner is NOT included today so you can follow your cravings and indulge as you wish. Our hotel is located less than 2km (1.2mi) from downtown Queenstown where there are several  tempting options from empanadas to NZ beef burgers to craft beer, Indian and Thai menus.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (*Note: a boxed lunch will be provided for the hikers, but if you choose a free day in Queenstown, your lunch will be independent.)
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Queenstown Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
The skinny on today’s hike: 8km (5 mi), 4-5 hours, elevation +/- 978m (3,208ft) 

Day 7 – HIKE KEPLER TRACK

This morning we’ll make our way (2 hours, 15 minutes driving) around Lake Wakatipu, leaving behind the towering Remarkables (how great is that name?) and head west 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’ll double-knot our hiking shoes and experience one of New Zealand’s Great Walks– the famous Kepler Track. We’ll follow the trail through mountain beech forest and along the Waiau River.

Tonight, we’ll stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau, and sop up the scenery and tantalizing local fare. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Hiking: 9.5 km(6 mi), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 50m (165ft)
How much further: 2 hours, 15 minutes (driving) from Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau

Day 8 – MILFORD SOUND AND ROUTEBURN TRACK

It’s an early bird start this morning as we set off for our largest and perhaps most spectacular national park, Fiordland. 

After a short drive through Darran mountain range’s  1.2 km (0.75 miles) long Homer Tunnel we’ll emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound (approximately 1.5 hours, driving).

Rudyard Kipling deemed this fiord as the eighth natural wonder of the world–the steep, 1000m tall (3,281ft) granite walls disappear into the depths of the Tasman Sea with snakes of waterfalls gushing over the vertical rock faces. Some boat captains insist their passengers try a “free glacial facial.” Just ask!

We’ll jump on board the first boat cruise (90 minutes) of the day to avoid the crowds and journey out to the entrance of the fiord. We may be lucky enough to have an encounter with the curious fur seals and 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 our boat excursion, we’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot again, with a hike to Key Summit on the famous Routeburn Track. The panoramic views are indelible. On this Track we’re also bound to encounter New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and hyper intelligent alpine parrot, the kea parrot.

After our exhilarating hike, we’ll head out of Milford Sound to spend our last night on the shores of Lake Te Anau. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Getaway Te Anau
The skinny on today’s hike: 3.4 km (2 mi), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 380m (1,246ft)
How much further: 1.5 hours (driving) from Fiordland NP to Milford Sound Shore, 1.5 hour cruise

Day 9 – ALPS 2 OCEAN CYCLE TRAIL 

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive back through Queenstown and head north, cutting through the tussock-country of Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki (a 2.5 hour drive). Here, we’ll stretch our legs and bike a section of the well-groomed Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail around the alpine lake with views across to the startling Aoraki Mount Cook.

This supernatural ride is a colourful one, dotted with native plants like 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. We’ll bike straight to our accommodation for the last two nights where we’ll 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 which means light pollution is  strictly controlled in the area. This makes for even more stars to wish upon!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Mackenzie Country Hotel
The skinny on today’s pedal: 24 km(15 mi), 2-3 hours
How much further? 2.5 hours (driving) from Queenstown to Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki

Day 10 – HIKE THE CLOUD PIERCER 

Mt. Cook (named Aoraki or ‘Cloud Piercer’ by South Island Maori), is the highest mountain in New Zealand–it has 23 peaks over 3,000m (9,843ft) high!

Directly opposite to the mountain, we’ll set off on a stunning hike to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier. It’s a challenging route but the glacier view and peaks will remain like a tattoo on your heart. 

The weather conditions in this area are typical of an alpine climate and notorious for sudden shifts. If weather impacts this hike, we will opt for the Mueller Glacier hike, or depending on the group’s interest, there’s an easier but still impressive hike up to a glacial lake (complete with icebergs!) at the base of the Hooker Glacier. 

After logging some unforgettable miles, we’ll head back to our accommodation for a little pampering and a simmering sunset over the Southern Alps.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Mackenzie Country Hotel
The skinny on today’s hikes:
Mueller Ridge Hike: 7.2 km (4.4 mi), 5-6 hours, elevation +/- 975m (3,200ft)
Hooker Glacier Hike: 9km(5.6 mi), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 100m (328ft) 

Day 11 – CHRISTCHURCH CHILL-OUT

After breakfast, we’ll make our way to Christchurch (a 4 hour drive), have lunch en route and check-in at the Scenic Hotel Cotswold.

We will have a free afternoon to poke around Christchurch–you may wish to visit the Botanical Gardens, take a punt down the River Avon, ride the vintage tram or take the cable car aboard a gondola. 

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. 

We’ll swap pics, stories and laughs tonight over our last celebratory dinner together. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Scenic Hotel Cotswold
How much further? 4 hours (driving)

Day 12 – DEPARTURE

Invigorated and challenged from the hikes, paddles and pedals, it’s time to unwind on the flight home. Hug your Wild Women crew tight and figure out when you’ll walk together again!

You may book flights out of Christchurch International Airport (CHC) at any time today.

Meals included: Breakfast
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: In the window seat of the plane, on the way home!