West Coast Explorer

Day 2: Queenstown - 4WD Adventure
After breakfast your guide will privately transfer you to begin your full day exclusive charter 4WD adventure to Skippers Canyon and Mace Town. For the first part of your journey you will travel the spectacular Skippers Road, which was hacked by hand through solid rock to the historic township of Skippers. See the breathtaking views down to the Shotover River from the comfort of your private Range Rover. Your knowledgeable and experienced guide will show you the stunning features of the Shotover Valley and will tell you stories of hardship, luck and fortune that the prospectors faced. The second part of your journey is a true 4x4 off road adventure, which explores the historic gold mining town of Mace Town. Ride the rugged road for excitement and adventure crossing the Arrow River some 25 times each way. Immerse yourself in the history of this precious region by panning for gold and letting their knowledgeable guides teach you about the hardship and exhilaration these miners faced. You will be transferred back to your accommodations for the evening. (B, L)

Day 3: Queenstown - Morning Lakeshore, Forest and Bird Walk, Evening free
Today after a delicious breakfast you will enjoy a private guided half day walk to explore the unique flora and fauna and witness the magnificent lake and mountain views of New Zealand. The lakeshore, forest and bird guided walk is a unique nature interpretative experience taken at a leisurely pace through native beech forest, with morning or afternoon tea/coffee on the lakeshore to the sounds of native birdcalls and surrounded by majestic mountains. The afternoon is free to enjoy the adrenaline pumping town of Queenstown. (B)

Day 4: Queenstown to Te Anau - Scenic drive to Te Anau, Evening free
After a leisurely breakfast your guide will privately transfer you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. On arrival your driver/guide will drop you off at your lodge. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure. Te Anau is a township of tranquil beauty, nestled at the southern shores of a lake bearing the same name. New Zealand's second largest lake and largest body of fresh water in the South Island, Lake Te Anau covers over 300 square kilometers and has 500 kilometers of uninhabited shoreline. Activities based at Te Anau include fishing, kayaking, sailing and horseback riding as well as a variety of trips on the lake itself. Dinner will be provided at your accommodations. (B, D)

Day 5: Te Anau - Milford Sound
Today after breakfast you will experience one of the most stunning sights of New Zealand, Milford Sound. Your full day tour combines a nature cruise of Milford Sound with a private drive over spectacular alpine roads. The road to Milford Sound, through Fiordland National Park, offers exceptional viewing opportunities with dense rainforest, towering mountains, glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. On arrival in Milford Sound you will join a nature cruise to explore Milford Sound in a leisurely and casual way with a picnic lunch and onboard nature guides. Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound draws visitors from all over the globe to cruise its length - and wonder. Luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, a majestic presence dominating the skyline. Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. After your cruise retrace your steps to Te Anau with your private driver/guide. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Te Anau to Wanaka - Scenic drive to Wanaka, Evening free
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge until your guide meets you to begin your private, scenic drive to Wanaka. Upon arrival in Wanaka your guide will drop you off at your lodge and the remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Wanaka is a year-round tourist resort on the edge of picturesque Lake Wanaka and surrounded by Mount Aspiring National Park. Lake Wanaka, with its surrounding rivers, is a huge aquatic playground providing every water activity imaginable, including jet boating, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing or just swimming in the safe waters. During the winter months, Wanaka is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders wanting to experience a variety of alpine terrain. (B)

Day 7: Wanaka - Morning Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk, Evening free
After a scrumptious breakfast, today you will partake in a private lake cruise and island nature walk. Lying close to the center of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and used to be a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that once plied the lake. A well-formed track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Just before the top you will see Arethusa Pool, a small lake on the island with small islands in it - very intriguing! From the top you will have a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its surrounding mountains and valleys, and below Arethusa Pool. Going back down the track gives you more time to take in the surroundings, listening to and watching the lively bird-life, and just enjoying this unique wildlife reserve. You will feel well rewarded as you re-join the boat for the cruise back to Wanaka. Once back in Wanaka the remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. (B)

Day 8: Wanaka to Fox Glacier - Morning drive to Fox Glacier, Evening free
After a leisurely breakfast your private guide/driver will pick you up from Tiritiri Lodge for your journey up the West Coast to Fox Glacier. Upon arrival in Fox Glacier Village your driver will drop you off at your accommodation and the remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. (B)

Day 9: Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier Walk Adventure
An epic day awaits you today, you will spend the day exploring the fascinating ice features and majestic pinnacles of the longest West Coast glacier. Approach the glacier through a rainforest which offers breathtaking glacier views and fantastic photo opportunities overlooking the undulating iceflow where you will soon be venturing. Outfitted with crampons specially designed for Fox's seasonal ice conditions you will enjoy trekking to a high point of the glacier which overlooks towering ice pinnacles, and spectacular seracs. This dramatic terrain is where the glacier is moving up to two meters a day and your guide can point out various features as you navigate your way through it following fresh ice steps cut by your guide. (B)

Day 10: Fox Glacier to Christchurch - Scenic drive and stop to West Coast
After an early breakfast this morning your guide will meet you for your full day tour from Fox Glacier to Christchurch via Greymouth and Arthur's Pass. Arthur's Pass National Park is a beautiful wilderness area. Established in 1929 it shares a common boundary with Westland National Park and between them the two parks contain a number of spectacular Southern Alps peaks, the Tasman, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and large areas of luxuriant rain forest. There is a striking difference between the habitats on either side of the Main Divide (the mid-line of the Alps). To the east the forests are almost entirely mountain beech, to the west the situation is more complex with a variety of podocarp species, beech, kamahi and kaiakawaka all present. Alpine plants grow in profusion above the bush line and this is one place where they can be seen quite easily on a short walk off the road. On arrival in Christchurch your driver/guide will drop you off at your accommodations. (B)

Day 11: Christchurch -Return Flight Home
Depending on your flight time, you will have a leisurely morning at your accommodations. When it is time for your departure, you will be driven to the Christchurch Airport for your return flight home. (B)