Find us on Facebook

  About the website
  Newsletter Archives
  Press Clippings
  Client Log-in
  Passport information
  (from U.S. State Dept)
  Trip Evaluation (Hiking)

  John Osaki's Blog
  Amy Osaki's Blog
  Mtnseeker Channel


Best time to travel: January to early March
Gateway city: Connect in Auckland for Nelson, New Zealand
New Zealand (Aotearoa, or "Land of the Long White Cloud" in the language of the native Maori) has long been a "dream destination" for hikers and lovers of wild landscapes. Our New Zealand adventure is designed specifically to immerse you in the finest highland landscapes New Zealand has to offer! You'll have an opportunity to experience some of the best mountain trails on both the North and the South Islands of this southern Pacific nation. From the hot springs, geysers, and volcanic landscapes of the North Island to the golden beaches, rugged mountains and far-ranging vistas of the South, this is a journey you'll long remember.
Day 1
Lunch & dinner included
Overnight in Abel Tasman National Park
From the city of Nelson, situated of the shore of Tasman Bay at the north end of the South Island, travel by vehicle to the coastal town of Kaiteriteri where we'll board a water taxi for a trip along the scenic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park, known for its golden sands and granite headlands, to Torrent Bay in the heart of the park where you'll overnight in a comfortable lodge.


Hiking the Abel Tasman coastline.
Day 2
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Abel Tasman National Park (Awaroa area)
This morning, hike north from Torrent Bay along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, another one of New Zealand's "Great Walks." The track passes through stands of pine trees and crosses the Falls River on a suspension bridge before dropping back to the sea at Bark Bay. Cross its estuary and ascend into a stand of manuka trees. The track returns to the sea again before crossing the Tonga saddle to arrive at Awaroa Inlet where you'll find your accommodations for the evening.


Lake Rotoiti.

Day 3
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in St. Arnaud
This morning a boat will take you south along the same coast you walked up the previous day. Upon arrival at the southern end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, travel by vehicle to Nelson Lakes National Park where you'll explore the lakes and glorious high country of the Roberts Range. Upon arrival in at Nelson Lakes, a walk along the shores of Lake Rotoiti introduces you to the lush woodlands around St. Arnaud.


Sunbreak on Roberts Ridge, Nelson Lakes National Park.
Day 4
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in St. Arnaud
Ascend on foot into the Roberts Range from where you'll enjoy panoramic views over Lake Rotoiti and the high country of Nelson Lakes National Park. The crest of the Roberts Range offers a splendid, view-saturated "sky walk" amidst one of New Zealand's finest alpine landscapes!


Lake Angelus in the high country of Nelson Lakes National Park.
Day 5
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Christchurch
Say farewell to Nelson Lakes National Park with an early morning "dawn chorus" walk. After breakfast, travel by vehicle to Lewis Pass where you'll enjoy a short mountain walk before continuing to Christchurch. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner followed by a pleasant stay in a centrally-located Christchurch hotel.
 
Day 6
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight in Christchurch
Today, you can opt to explore the sights of Christchurch on your own, or enjoy a hike along the nearby Crater Rim Walkway which extends along the curve of the Port Hills, remnants of the extinct Lyttelton Volcano. After the hike, there'll be time for a cold drink at one of the cafes at Sumner Beach! Enjoy a second evening in Christchurch.


Mount Cook (Aoraki).

Day 7
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Mount Cook National Park
Depart Christchurch bound for Mount Cook National Park which protects the most impressive cluster of high peaks and glaciers in New Zealand, an area included within the UNESCO-designated Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. The centerpiece of the national park is the ice-encrusted pyramid of Mount Cook, or Aoraki ("the Cloud Piercer") in the Maori language. En route, about halfway between Christchurch and Mount Cook, stop to enjoy a short leg-stretching hike along a portion of the Mount Somers Sub-Alpine Walkway, a lesser known but lovely highland route the traverses mountain beech forests and sub-alpine tussock lands in the foothills of the Southern Alps. After the hike, continue to Mount Cook where you'll overnight in the heart of the national park.


Glacier-cloaked Mount Sefton, Mount Cook National Park.
Day 8
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Mount Cook National Park
Begin your exploration of New Zealand's Southern Alps with a hike to the shallow Sealy Tarns tucked on a narrow, grassy ledge about 1,700 feet above the floor of the Hooker Valley. From the tarns you can survey outstanding alpine scenery that may remind you of Alaska or the Swiss Alps! Energetic hikers can continue beyond the tarns climbing through tussock lands to reach the vantage point of the Mueller Hut near the crest of the Sealy Range. Expansive views are the reward for the effort! Enjoy a second evening in Mount Cook National Park.


On the trail to Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut.


At the Sealy Tarns, Mount Cook National Park.
Day 9
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Mount Cook National Park
More hikes await in the mountains of Mount Cook National Park! Ascend the trail that switchbacks up the side of Mount Sebastopol to reach the Red Tarns set in a small cirque. The tarns are named after the red waterweed (Potamogeton cheesemanii) which is more commonly found at lower elevations. The sight of Mount Cook and her surrounding entourage of peaks reflected in the still waters of the Red Tarns is stunning! If you desire, continue beyond the Red Tarns toward Mount Sebastopol. From the ridgeline above the tarns views toward the Mackenzie Basin and the Tasman River Valley open up before you. Return to Mount Cook village for a third evening.


The Hooker Valley, Mount Cook National Park.

Day 10
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Queenstown
Enjoy a morning hike in the Hooker or Tasman Valleys before departing Mount Cook for Queenstown. TEN DAY SOUTH ISLAND OPTION ENDS THIS DAY (with dinner and lodging in Queenstown).

Day 11
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Rotorua
This morning we'll depart Queenstown to catch a flight to Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island. Rotorua, in the North Island's "Bay of Plenty" region, is situated on the south shore of Lake Rotorua (a caldera lake) at the center of a world class geothermal wonderland. Rotorua is also an important center for Maori culture. Upon arrival, you can stroll across the grounds of Government Gardens to the shore of Lake Rotorua and make your way northeastward along the lakeshore to the Maori community of Ohinemutu built on thermal ground. If you have a specific interest in New Zealand's geysers, you can visit, on your own, the Whakarewarewa Thermal area which includes the lovely Pohutu Geyser. The Whakarewarewa Thermal area is part of the Te Puia complex (named after a 14th century Maori fortress) which also houses the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in central Rotorua.


5 Pohutu Geyser, Whakarewarewa Thermal Area, Rotorua.

Day 12
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Rotorua
Travel by vehicle from Rotorua to the Whirinaki Rain Forest on the western edge of the Urewera National Park. Whirinaki is known for its magnificent native podocarp forests composed of species such as rimu, totara, kahikatea, matai and miro. These native forests support abundant bird life which includes the North Island kaka, red and yellow crowned kakariki and kereru. The Whirinaki Forest has deep spiritual meaning for the Maori people who work cooperatively with New Zealand's Department of Conservation to manage and protect it. A choice of hikes leads you through this verdant, mountainous wonderland! Return to Rotorua for the evening.


The Whirinaki Forest.
Day 13
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Tongariro National Park
Depart Rotorua this morning bound for Tongariro National Park. En route, enjoy a choice of hikes in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a ten-mile-long rift pockmarked by seven explosion craters that was created by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. Today, the valley is filled with hot springs including the now extinct Waimangu Geyser which was at one time the world's largest geyser with eruptions that reached one thousand feet in height! Continue to Tongariro, stopping for a visit at the thundering Huka Falls, and enjoy lunch in Taupo. After lunch, an enjoyable walk around Lake Rotopounamu, a crater lake surrounded by lovely forest, will introduce you to the landscapes of the Tongariro National Park. Overnight at a lovely hotel in the heart of the national park.


Ngauruhoe Volcano seen from the Tongariro Crossing.
Day 14
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Tongariro National Park
Travel to Tongariro National Park, a volcanic wonderland in the center of the North Island that was named a World Heritage Site in 1990. In addition to its geological values, Tongariro National Park is also an important cultural landscape with many of its features having religious and cultural significance to the Maori people. Some of the most striking natural features of Tongariro include the beautiful, cone-shaped stratovolcano of Ngauruhoe along with the Tongariro and Ruapehu volcanoes, the latter capped with a lake in its summit crater. Today, hike the famous "Tongariro Crossing," one of the nine "Great Walks" of New Zealand! This hike takes you across the national park via the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro volcanoes and, weather permitting, is one of the most spectacular mountain hikes in New Zealand. Very strong hikers may also be able to include a side trip to the summit of the Ngauruhoe volcano (weather and volcanic conditions permitting). Overnight once again in Tongariro National Park.


 Emerald Lake on the Tongariro Crossing.
Day 15
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight in Tongariro National Park
Continue your exploration of Tongariro National Park with a selection of additional hikes which may include a hike to the Tama Lakes or the completion of the Waihononu Traverse. This evening, a farewell dinner caps off your two-island adventure in New Zealand! (Breakfast the next morning and a vehicle transfer to Auckland is included.)

More Adventuring in New Zealand
If you'd like to extend your hiking vacation in New Zealand, you might want to consider adding a 3-day tramp along the Routeburn Track or a 5-day tramp along the Milford Track. Both tracks are in the Fiordland region of the South Island and easily accessible from Queenstown. Only one company, based in New Zealand, is legally permitted to operate commercial guided trips along these very popular hiking tracks. We can help you book one of these trips so you can extend your New Zealand adventure at the conclusion of your "Hiking New Zealand" trip.


5 Milford Sound.  

Other Resources
 Interested in learning more about the language of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori? For starters, check out: 100 Maori words every New Zealander should know and Korero Maori (a language gateway for learners of the Maori language).
Te Ara (the New Zealand government-sponsored Encyclopedia of New Zealand).
Watch the film Moa's Ark in its entirety at NZ On Screen's website. Naturalist David Bellamy discusses New Zealand's natural history in this program originally produced in 1990 by TV New Zealand.
Learn about New Zealand's two national anthems.
 
Interested in a New Zealand hiking trip? Please let us know:

Fields marked with (*) are required in order to submit this form.

Your name:

Your preferred travel window:

Your comments/questions:

*Email:

Mountain Hiking Holidays, Inc. does not release any of the information you provide us to any third party without your specific permission.

For security reasons, please enter the two words shown in the box below before clicking on the Submit button. If you can't make out the words, click on the symbol below to load two new words.

          

 
You can also organize a New Zealand hiking trip for your own private group of 6-8 persons. See our Private Trips page for more information.

Back to top


Mountain Hiking Holidays Home

© Mountain Hiking Holidays, Inc.
PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286, USA
503-715-0844 / Toll free 1-800-313-0345
info@MountainHikingHolidays.com
TRIPS FOR THE ADVENTUROUS HIKER SINCE 1996