Spanning the length of New Zealand’s South Island, the Southern Alps are a mighty backbone rising high above the ocean and hiding more natural peculiarities than you can imagine. With over 3,000 glaciers, volcanic mountains, constantly snow-capped peaks, glacially-fed lakes, and rolling tussock hills, the highest range in Australasia doesn’t hold back on its endless riches. And by joining this guided, 6-day, hiking and biking adventure in the Southern Alps, you’re about to witness these mountains’ best-ofs! Climb up 2,200 steps of Sealy Tarns, pedal the legendary Alps 2 Ocean trail, or take a breather with a view of New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki—draped in glaciers, creating a sharp contrast against its dark rock. Warning: this trip will expose you to a profusion of visual splendor, so make sure you make enough room in your photo gallery!
Hike and bike the best of the Southern Alps by day, unwind in your cozy lodges by night
An explosion of colors: ice-carved peaks, tussock slopes, purple-hued lupine flowers, and sky-blue lakes
Constant views of New Zealand’s highest mountains, including Aoraki at 12,218 ft
Departing from Christchurch, drive across the Canterbury Plains to your first hike at Mt. Somers. This volcanic mountain and the adjoining range stand out with its rock formations and a deep canyon. Climb through beech forest and high tussock slopes until you reach Woolshed Creek Hut, your lunch stop. Return on the Rhyolite Ridge Track, featuring views deep into the canyon as you climb high above on the slopes of Mt. Sommers. As the day draws to a close, settle in the village of Methven, usually a ski town in the winter and a cool rural Canterbury town the rest of the year. There’s also a restaurant and a bar there.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Ski Time Methven
Get transferred to the edge of Canterbury Plains at first, and then into the Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo. The lake is famous for its turquoise waters and the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, set against the backdrop of zigzag peaks. Once you reach Aoraki/ Mt. Cook, go for a hike up the Hooker Valley, where you get to marvel at views of glaciers looming above on Mt. Sefton and The Footstool, as well as the imposing south face of Aoraki beyond your turnaround at Hooker Lake. The next two nights are spent in a lodge in the village that boasts views of Aoraki.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking: 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Mt. Cook Lodge
Walk up the famous steps (2,200 of them!) to Sealy Tarns, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the views of the Hooker and Mueller glaciers, as well as the ice-carved peaks of Aoraki, Mt. Sefton, and The Footstool. If conditions permit, continue hiking up on to the Sealy Range and along to Mueller Hut. Before descending back down, rest for a while and enjoy panoramic views of the glaciers, ice cliffs, and vertical rock faces of New Zealand’s highest mountains. You also have the option this afternoon to join the Glacier Explorers boat tour on the Tasman Glacier Lake, which is a spectacular experience where you get close to New Zealand’s longest glacier. This is an optional activity, so let us know if you’d like to go!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Mt. Cook Lodge
Continue driving south to nearby Twizel and get fitted for your bikes to cross a section of the impressive Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Pedal along quiet canal roads before crossing the Lake Ohau weir and circling your way around the lake along cycle tracks. There will be plenty of time for breaks, photos, and admiring the mountains set against the glacially-fed Lake Ohau. Leave your bikes at the Ohau Lodge and meet your vehicle before going on an afternoon hike—another great opportunity to soak in the views of mountains, lakes, and rivers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 5 km / 4 miles | 2-3 hours
Cycling: 38 km / 24 miles | 3 hours
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge
Drive over to Lindis Pass in the Central Otago region and onto Wanaka, which is a resort town sitting next to the namesake lake. This is a vast wilderness area filled with beech forests, glaciers, rivers, and lakes. Arriving there in the late morning, you’ll have enough time to relax and enjoy lunch, even take a quick stroll along the lakefront before heading off on the afternoon hike along Sawyer Burn Track. Walking along a well-marked trail, you’ll veer off to the Kidds Bush Nature Walk and zigzag up through the forest to the bushline before sliding across to the Sawyer Burn Hut. From the summit, you’ll have panoramic views of Lake Hāwea and its surrounding mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking: 3 hours
Accommodation: Oakridge Resort
A special hike is saved for the last day—the Rob Roy Track. Start off with a drive up to the Matukituki Valley, where sights of sheep, cattle, and deer farms will follow you along the way. Start your hike from Raspberry Flat and cross a suspension bridge across the Matukituki River before climbing through beech forest alongside the raging boulder-strewn Rob Roy Stream. The track then emerges above the tree line in an alpine meadow with a great view of the Rob Roy Glacier. Have lunch before wandering down the valley to the vehicle. In the afternoon, drive over to the Crown Range and down into Queenstown where the tour ends. This region is known for its spectacular vistas, vineyards, and many adventure activities. Feel free to stay longer, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Hiking: 4 hours
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to join this hiking and biking tour in the Southern Alps, you must be reasonably fit and enthusiastic. Every day you’ll hike around 10 km (6 miles), sometimes on uneven track surfaces and stream crossings. You’ll only bike one day, covering 38 km (24 miles) over the course of three hours. At times, you will have to carry a backpack between 4 to 5 kg (8-10 lbs).
If you’d like to check out our other trips to New Zealand, you can choose between hiking on the North Island or a hiking tour on the South Island. If you’d like to tour the whole country, check out this uncut New Zealand hiking adventure or the ultimate, 24-day New Zealand tour. Looking to cycle your way through the country? Maybe this mountain biking tour in New Zealand is perfect for you.
Just looking for a day trip? Heli-hiking on New Zealand’s Fox Glacier is a unique experience!
New Zealand’s weather is very fickle and cold weather can be experienced at any time of the year, especially in the mountains. That’s why it’s recommended to wear lightweight and breathable fabrics while hiking. Merino or polypropylene underwear is great in cold weather and will keep you warm when it gets wet, unlike cotton. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Here’s a list of clothing we suggest you bring:
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking and biking in the Southern Alps can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 25% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking for booking four (4) or more months in advance of the departure. The remaining amount is paid ninety-five days (95 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
Your tour starts in Christchurch, New Zealand. To get there, it’s best to fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC), which is 10 km (6 miles) away from downtown. To get to Christchurch, you can take a taxi or a bus. Once you and your guide agree on the details of the itinerary, they will suggest the best place to meet.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in New Zealand, please refer to New Zealand’s COVID-19 travel information.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
