New Zealand South Island
Encompassing mighty glaciers, golden valleys, magnificent coastline and majestic mountains, this is an unbeatable itinerary for walkers keen to explore the South Island's stunning national parks.
- Compelling landscapes of the South Island
- Great walks, including the Routeburn Track
- A holiday for the walking connoisseur
Detailed information
| 2009 Tour
Itinerary |
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Day: 1 Depart UK
Day 2: Overnight flight via Hong Kong. |
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Days 3-4: Arrive in Christchurch (2 nights) and a day
to relax before we follow the Godley Head Walkway
with its stunning sea views. |
Day 5: Cross the Southern Alps, with short walks at
the Bridal Veil waterfall, to Greymouth (1 night).
Day 6: Take a memorable guided trek onto the
awesome Fox Glacier (1 night).
Days 7-9: Drive through coastal forests and over the
Haast Pass to Wanaka (3 nights). Here we enjoy two
full-day walks in the beautiful Mount Aspiring National
Park including the Matukituki Valley with spectacular
views of the Rob Roy Glacier.
Days 10-11: Travel on to Queenstown (2 nights),
gateway to many fine walking areas, and walks along
the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We also enjoy excellent
walks over the Ben Lomond saddle, following the
Moonlight Trail in the footsteps of early gold diggers.
Days 12-13: Continue to Te Anau (2 nights) and the
Fiordland National Park where we walk along the
Kepler Track and cruise across Lake Te Anau for a day
walk along the famous Milford Track.
Days 14-16*: Spend three days walking the Routeburn Track (2 nights), one of New Zealand's
classic walks, and one of this holiday's many
highlights. This well-graded route takes us to Key
Summit and Lake Howden and beyond to Lake
Mackenzie and Routeburn Falls, before descending
through alpine pastures to Queenstown (1 night).
Days 17-18: Free time to relax in Queenstown before
the drive to Twizel (2 nights) where we walk in the
Hooker Valley beneath the towering summit of
Mount Cook.
Day 19: Back to Christchurch (1 night) via
Lake Tekapo.
Day 20: Time for last-minute sightseeing before the
return flight.
Day 21: Arrive UK
* The popularity of the Routeburn Track means that early booking is essential. Those who prefer not to
commit to a three-day walk may remain in Queenstown - this must be advised at time of booking.
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 Milford Track
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Extend your holiday by 6 nights to
walk this famous route. This includes return flights
from Christchurch to Queenstown, transfers and
the Milford Track walk. |
Day 15: Drive to Te Anau and lake cruise.
Days 16-18: Three days of outstanding guided walking along the Milford Track. You'll stay in comfortable lodges (multi-bedded rooms - may be mixed) with the final night at Mitre Peak Lodge.
Day 19: Travel by boat across Milford Sound and then on to rejoin the group in Te Anau.
Download full 2009 itinerary here.
If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here
Milford Track Supplement: £1,465 (including a £75 non-refundable deposit).
Single supplement: £110 (2 of 6 nights).
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| About
the walks |
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The focus is very much on walking, with walks on 15 days of the holiday. Other days are spent travelling and sightseeing.
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Guided Walks:
Short walks, usually on days transferring from one area to the next, are 3-4 miles, with up to 1,000ft of ascent. Longer walks range from 5-10 miles with ascents of 1,000-2,200ft. |
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| Dates
and prices |
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| 12 February 2009 (17nts) |
£3,798 |
£2,820 |
| 12 November 2009 (17nts) |
£3,798 |
£2,820 |
Single room supplement: £525.
# Land itineraries start on day 3 and finish on day 20. Independent travellers who book the no flight option can join the HF Holidays' airport transfers for £20 per person return.
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
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| Temperatures |
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Both departures offer pleasent walking conditions, with daytime temperatures normally 16 - 21C. The spring (November) holiday is likely to be the best for flowers.
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| Accommodation |
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A wide variety from modern city hotels to country lodges in beautiful locations. All have high standards of meals and facilities. On the Routeburn Track we stay in comfortable, private mountain lodges (2 nights), where accommodation is in multi-bedded rooms which may be mixed.
Where you'll stay
Christchurch - 2 nights
Greymouth - 1 night
Fox Glacier - 1 night Wanaka - 3 nights
Queenstown - 2 nights
Te Anau - 2 nights
*Routeburn Track - Track Lodges - 2 nights; Queenstown - 1 night
Twizel (For Mt Cook) - 2 nights
Christchurch - 1 night
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| Flight information |
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Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 23.09.2008 (provisional)
Air New Zealand
Heathrow - Christchurch (via Hong Kong)
Out 21:15 (Thurs) - 13:35 (Sat)
Christchurch - Heathrow (via Auckland & Hong Kong)
Return 20:40 (Tues) - 13:35 (Wed)
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| What
the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel UK / New Zealand on scheduled airline with
appropriate in-flight meals.
- 15 nights' accommodation in twin-bedded en-suite rooms,
2 nights' on the Routeburn Track where rooms are multi-bedded.
- Half Board plus lunch
on day of arrival and three picnic lunches on the Routeburn
Track.
- Services of courier / driver.
- Services of an HF Holidays' leader.
- Services of local guides.
- Walks, sightseeing and entrance fees for the itinerary as described.
- Travel by air-conditioned coach.
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