ONE DAY

Queen Charlotte Full Day Guided Walk
Take the boat from Picton to Ships Cove past the Salmon Farms and sea birds on a beautiful voyage. Walk on the Queen Charlotte track from Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet (14km - 5 hours approx). Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the track with many beautiful views across the Marlborough Sounds. Your informative local guide will explain the European and pre-European connections of this significant historical area as well as detailed information on flora and fauna. Enjoy your prepared gourmet lunch along the way today.

Queen Charlotte Sound Walks
Situated at the top of the South Island, the Queen Charlotte Sound has lush coastal forest, many secluded coves and inlets and skyline ridges offering breathtaking views. The walks cover the old bridle paths formed by New Zealand's pioneers and pass many places with historical significance. One of the main points of interest is Ship Cove, which Captain Cook visited five times on his journeys around the world.

Today it still remains untouched, the time spent there will transport you back in time. Access to and from the walks is provided by water taxi. A light day pack is provided for lunch, snacks, camera etc. Each day your luggage will be transported by water taxi for you.

Abel Tasman National Park Walk 3* to 5 days
5 day walk departs Tuesday & Friday
The Abel Tasman National Park Walk is one of the most popular walks in New Zealand for locals and visitors alike. Regarded as an excellent introduction to walking holidays, the mild climate and easy to negotiate track make this a most popular adventure. The area is distinguished for its golden sand beaches, tranquil and secluded bays and safe waters. Your adventure begins with a coach transfer from Nelson, then you will walk from Awaroa to Marahau over five days, spending two nights at Awaroa Homestead Lodge and two nights at Torrent Bay Lodge. During this walk there is plenty of time to swim in the startling blue waters, try sea kayaking, take the dinghy for a row or go fishing. As a one-way walk, you will either begin or finish with a scenic launch cruise along the coastline. A light day pack is provided for lunch, snacks and camera etc. Each day your luggage will be transported by water taxi for you.

*A three day option is available for those with limited time. This spends one night in each of the two lodges.

Ball Pass Mount Cook Trekking
A challenging 3-day alpine crossing of the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman Valley to the Hooker Valley. The route allows close views of New Zealand's highest mountains and most spectacular alpine scenery..

Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. With all but one of its 29 peaks over 3000m, it is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek.

Ball Pass is a demanding 3 day trek which crosses the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman to the Hooker Valley. The route follows the Ball Ridge, vis a vis the Caroline Face of Mount Cook, and overlooks the Tasman Glacier. Guided hikers spend two nights at the fully furbished Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft.

Breathtaking views of Mount Cook and New Zealand's highest mountains. Rich alpine flora and unique bird life. Moderate snow and glacier travel. You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience.

Mountain Landscapes 10 Days
Departures November to March
Departing from Christchurch, you will soon find yourself entering the Craigieburn State Forest and walking amongst beech forests. Visit the upper alpine areas of the Arthur's Pass National Park before descending into the rainforests of the West Coast. Stunning viewpoints high above Franz Josef Glacier across the mountains and along the sweeping coastline will show the true diversity of the West Coast.

Spend two nights in a spacious mountain hut dwarfed by the surrounding peaks. Explore the Fiordland National Park with several walks, such as the bottom of the famous Kepler Track, walk to Green Lake, start the Routeburn Walk, then drop into the Lower Hollyford Valley by a seldom used track; walk up the gertrude Valley and look down on the magnificent and famous Milford Sound. Finish your Fiordland experience with an overnight cruise aboard the MS Milford Wanderer.

This trip is your opportunity to explore parts of New Zealand that few ever find or know exist. This is a true mountain wilderness accommodated journey taken as a small group tour with excellent guides, organisation and interpretation.

Heaphy Track 5 days
Departures November to April
The attraction of the Heaphy Track is the rich diversity of the landscape, from the nikau palms fringing the West Coast beaches to the beech forests and the red tussock grassland at Gouland Downs. The track which crosses the Kahurangi National Park is 77km long. The remoteness of the area has made it the refuge for native birds and animals that have disappeared from inhabited areas. Named after Charles Heaphy, a surveyor who spent many years in the area, the route pioneered is still in use today. You will reach the highest point on the track of 915 metres on the first day when crossing the Perry Saddle. At this high level the trees are stunted and many sub-alpine plants will be seen.

A feature of the limestone caves and arches at Gouland Downs is a stream which flows out of a cave creating a waterfall. Expect to see tui, bellbirds, fantails, tomtits and the native pigeon kereru.