Wild nights will be spent in the wilderness, in backcountry huts or camping in locations that may be several hours walk from the nearest road or populated area. On nights in civilization, you may stay in cabins, hotels, lodges or camp by the vehicle at Department of Conservation campsites. Some of these locations may still be relatively remote and in the wilderness but they can be reached by the vehicle. You’ll get to a shower generally every 1-2 days, otherwise there are rivers to swim in and freshwater to wash with.
Check out the itinerary to learn about accommodation day-by-day.
You will camp in a range of campsites, mostly containing long drop (pit) toilets. There will be rivers or lakes nearby for a swim, and sometimes even natural hot pools! If the weather is not great for camping, eg very wet, stormy or very cold conditions, your guide will seek out alternative accommodation.
Huts are equipped with mattresses, running water and an outside toilet. Cooking is done on a portable stove. Huts are only accessible on foot and shared with other hikers. On some of the nights, you will stay in lodges, often conveniently located near the start or end of a hike. They usually have multi-share and sometimes twin/double rooms.
Finally, some nights may be spent in private cribs (summer house) or cabins at a campground. Staying in the cribs is a real authentic New Zealand experience and you may even start to feel like a kiwi!
