Travel to New Zealand: Kiwi Family Adventure

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Kiwi Family Adventure

			DAYS: 13 GRADE: II, Active Family Adventure define PRICE: From $2350 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Awawarata track Mount Aspiring Hut Mt. Iron and Lewis Pass hiking Franz Josef Glacier exploring Okarito sea kayaking Hanmer Hot Springs Queenstown ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Explore New Zealand's South Island on this exciting, active family adventure. We travel through spectacular scenery from alpine highlands and coast to coast including set locations and backdrops for the movie Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Two Kiwi naturalist guides keep everyone engaged providing the right mix of adventure and relaxation walking on Franz Josef Glacier, playtime at the beach, rafting and jet boating, an overnight hike to Mount Aspiring Hut, and free time to sample Queenstown's fun adventures. Amazing wildlife we will discover includes glowworms and the endangered Kiwi bird. Accommodations vary from family run homesteads, local inns and lodges, to a mountain hut that get us far off the beaten track. This adventure is suitable for families with children at least 9 years of age.

From coast to alpine highlands we hike and explore ancient forests of Middle Earth.

DAY 1 :  WILDLIFE RESERVE AND KIWI VIEWING
Welcome and meet your guides and fellow adventurers in Christchurch by 10 AM (arrive a day early if necessary). We head towards the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, a relaxed and fascinating start to our journey where we are introduced to the wildlife of New Zealand that has been isolated from the rest of the world for over 80 million years! You'll experience many of New Zealand's unique creatures first-hand, such as the Tuatara lizard, Kune kune pigs, the endangered kiwi bird and of course the namesake of our trip the Kea-their cheeky mountain parrot. In the afternoon we head south and inland to overnight at Methven Lodge or similar. [LD]

DAY 2 :  JET BOATING, HIKING AND STAR GAZING
This morning will knock your socks off as we jet boat down narrow river sections, rapids and shallow waters of the Rakaia Gorge in these fast, maneuverable boats. This adrenaline -pumping activity is safe and exciting for the whole family. Then we're off for the short drive south to lace up our hiking shoes and walk through the ancient Podocarp forest full of silver ferns, the national symbol of New Zealand and worn by the national rugby team the All Blacks. Traveling inland towards Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain we arrive at the shore of Lake Pukaki, a glacial lake with an unworldly turquoise-blue color. It's a remote spot with wide open spaces, clear evenings and lack of artificial light that gives us the perfect opportunity to check out southern constellations including the Southern Cross and Orion's Belt. Overnight Glentanner Lodgings. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  HIKING NEAR MT. COOK
Starting at the head of Lake Pukaki, our favorite hike is the stunning and little-known route to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier (weather permitting). It's a tough slog up, but it's a real achievement for the whole family to share the spectacular view of the Mueller Glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Main Divide! There are also other easier hiking options. The weather conditions are very important in this area, as it is a true alpine climate notorious for sudden weather shifts. If we aren't able to do the Mueller hike, we'll take an impressive hike up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake at the base of Hooker Glacier, complete with icebergs! Overnight Glentanner Lodgings. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  RAFTING NEAR QUEENSTOWN
Driving through fruit orchards and vineyards we'll stop for the best ice cream in New Zealand-you'll find out why! We proceed directly towards Queenstown stopping en route for a family rafting trip in Skippers Canyon. Expert guides give a safety talk before pushing off downriver through exciting Class I and II rapids that promise a safe but rollicking good time through the whitewater and beautiful rose lined schist gorge past historic gold mining locations and Lord of the Rings locations. Proceed to Queenstown with two days ahead to explore the adventure city. Overnight Queenstown apartments. [BL]

DAY 5 :  FREE DAY TO EXPLORE QUEENSTOWN
A day on your own to explore the Adventure Capital of the World. Up for some bungy jumping, jet boating, luging, hang gliding, skydiving, horse trekking, or even fishing? Earth, water or air, there is something to test and thrill all adventure seekers, or kick back and relax in a sidewalk cafe, do some window shopping, or simply soak up the scenery and atmosphere. Do as much or as little as you like. Guides happily hang out with the kids if parents want some time on their own. This free time in Queenstown also offers the perfect opportunity to take a day or overnight trip to magical Milford Sound, a few hours away in Fiordland National Park. (Request in advance if you would like to visit Milford Sound, based on availability.) Overnight Queenstown apartments. [B] (Queenstown activities are not included. Ask about skiing and snowboarding options in winter from June-September.)

DAY 6 :  QUEENSTOWN FREE DAY
So much to do! Continue exploring on your own or join your guides and check out some amazing scenery and history in Arrowtown with its old Chinese gold mining area. Try hand panning for gold in the Arrow River. Check out the views on a walk to the mountain tarn at Skippers Canyon Saddle. Have fun and burn off some energy playing Frisbee golf in the Queenstown Botanical Gardens. Overnight in Queenstown apartments. [B]

DAY 7 :  HIKE TO MT. ASPIRING HUT OR GLENDHU STATION
Today we have two options: enjoy a hike up Mt. Aspiring and spend the night in a mountain hut or relax on a local sheep farm.

Head out over the Crown Range to Wanaka and up through the Matukituki Valley. Strap on your pack and head out on one of New Zealand's favorite tramps. Its an awe inspiring walk in this World Heritage Site of majestic mountains and natural rainforest. Our destination is a modern mountain hut in the middle of nowhere. Mt. Aspiring looms 10,000 feet above us. For such a short walk, it's amazing how far you'll feel from civilization! Guides whip up dinner in the backcountry kitchen, while you and the kids relax in front of the fireplace. Overnight at Mt. Aspiring Hut. [BLD] (Note: Overnight pack and sleeping bag available for rent.) OR

After departing from Wanaka, well drive a short distance to Glendhu Bay, nestled in a sunny cove next to the mountains on the shores of Lake Wanaka. Named after the New Zealand term for a ranch, Glendhu Station is a beautiful 7,500 acre high-country sheep and cattle farm. Maintained by the McRae family for three generations, the original homestead was first established in the 1880s and offers the perfect destination for a taste of rural New Zealand life and history. While were here, well overnight in a cottage that features many of the amenities of a five-star hotel, including a spa bath, open fireplace, and plenty of space to explore outside. [BLD]

Option to stay at a comfortable lodge in Wanaka if both Mt. Aspiring National Park and Glendhu Station are full.

DAY 8 :   PUZZLING WORLD
Sleep in and enjoy a lazy breakfast admiring the dramatic views before hitting the trail hiking back down. Watch out for New Zealands cheeky, green alpine parrot, the Kea, who will come begging for food. They are cute but don't feed them in their natural habitat! This afternoon we'll head to Puzzling World and run around one of the world's largest modern mazes with over a mile of passageways! Kids of all ages really enjoy trying to beat our wily guides through this labyrinth! Everyone will be ready to relax and overnight at the charming, family-style Makarora Homestead or similar. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  GLACIERS, GLOW WORMS AND MOREPORKS
This morning we'll drive down through Haast Pass to the wild West Coast and stop to play on the deserted beach. Keep an eye out for dolphins. Further along we stop for a short walk at Lake Matheson to see an incredible view of the Southern Alps stretching all the way to Mt. Cook in the distance. Drive a couple more hours past two huge glaciers descending from the mountains to the sea where we check in to our accommodations in Franz Josef. After dark grab a flashlight and head out in search of glowworms and listen for the distinctive call of the Morepork, New Zealand's nocturnal native owl. Overnight Franz Josef Lodgings. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  KAYAK AND GLACIER HIKE
Start early this morning for our kayaking trip on Lake Mapourika. This ancient lake was formed during the last ice age and its tranquility provides a great introduction to kayaking. Specialist kayak guides make this equally suitable for beginners or experts alike. After lunch back in Franz Josef, we'll hike up to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier for some breathtaking views. This is one of the steepest and fastest moving glaciers in the world, and is unique in that it descends from its neve at Mt. Cook deep into lush rainforest near sea level. Overnight Franz Josef Lodgings. [BLD]

Option: A less strenuous and outrageously spectacular option today is a helicopter ride toward the highest peaks in the Southern Alps, landing at 4,000 feet to hike on high atop the Franz Josef Glacier. Led by specialist glacier guides, you'll explore up to 2-3 hours on the ice with crampons and ice axes checking out crevasses, seracs and tunnels no previous experience required! Return by helicopter. This heli-hike option is not included is best booked in advance. Add about $280 per person.)

DAY 11 :  BUSHMAN'S CENTER AND BEACH TIME
Today well head further up the coast to the Bushmans Center. Combining the change to introduce the kids to native wildlife with an interactive history of the West Coasts early settlers, the Bushmans Center creates a living museum that entertains and educates all. Proceeding on to Hokitika you can spend a little time checking out the local art galleries and pounamu carving workshops (pounamu is Maori for jade). There's also a fun beach for playing games or making sculptures out of the driftwood and rocks washed up on the beach. In the afternoon we head over the Southern Alps to Flock Hill Station a stunning location for our final two nights together. Overnight Flock Hill Lodge. [BLD]We head further up the coast to the rural outpost of Harihari to hike the Doughboy a distinctively shaped rock on the deserted Westland coast. Proceeding on to Hokitika you can spend a little time checking out the local art galleries and pounamu carving workshops (pounamu is Maori for jade). There's also a fun beach for playing games or making sculptures out of the driftwood and rocks washed up on the beach. In the afternoon we head over the Southern Alps to Flock Hill Station a stunning location for our final two nights together. Overnight Flock Hill Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  CASTLE HILL BASIN SHEEPHERDING AND HIKING
On our last big hike together we follow Cave Stream for a short distance before heading up to the top of Flock Hill. This is a superb viewpoint for the Craigieburn and Torlesse Ranges and the limestone landscape of Castle Hill Basin, where much of the recent film Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was made. After lunch, we head to the small farming community of Springfield, at the foothills of the mountains, where we'll check out a working New Zealand high-country sheep farm. We'll watch highly trained huntaway dogs rounding up stock and see a live sheep shearing demonstration. Kids will have the chance to join in and give sheep shearing a go themselves! Overnight Flock Hill Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 13 :  DEPART FOR HOME
We head back to Christchurch arriving mid-day in time to catch afternoon or evening departures back home. Your family will be refreshed and invigorated from the exercise, great food, rest and fun times you'll have had with new friends in New Zealand! [BL]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kurt Kutay 1(800)345-4453