Date(s) November 24th, 2023 - Dec 8th, 2023 December 8th, 2023 - Dec 22nd, 2023 January 19th, 2024 - Feb 2nd, 2024 February 16th, 2024 - Mar 1st, 2024 March 15th, 2024 - Mar 29th, 2024
Number of people
On Day 10, you can join a local operator for a guided heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier. If you would like to join this heli-hike, let us know how many people in your group will be joining the tour.
On Day 13, you can join a Milford Sound kayaking tour. If you would like to participate, let us know how many people in your group will be joining in.
Meet your guides and fellow hikers in Newlson and head out of town to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Take a boat cruise to Awaroa Bay, where you’ll enjoy a picnic on the idyllic beach before starting your hike. Follow the Abel Tasman Coast Track south to Bark Bay, where your tents and gear will be waiting for you. Pitch your tent, enjoy a delicious meal, and fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore. Distance covered: 9 km Hiking time: 3 hours Meals: Lunch and dinner
Depart from Bark bay through contrasting stands of manuka and luxuriant mixed forest, over a low saddle, and across a high and airy suspension bridge above the Falls River. You can take a side trip to the Falls River Cascades or Cleopatra’s Pool, both awesome swim spots. If you’re in the mood, you can also join your guide for a boulder hop among the idyllic pools and waterfalls, before settling at the bright blue inlet of Anchorage. Distance covered: 8.5-12 km Hiking time: 3-5 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Explore Abel Tasman’s coastline by Waka (Maori canoe). Learn about local waka teams and their customs before exploring the coves of the mainland and the wildlife refuge of Adele Island, where you can observe a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals. Paddle into the beautiful Kaiteriteri beach, have a picnic lunch, and restock on supplies before driving to a private campsite near Murchison, overlooking the Buller and Maruia rivers. Distance covered: 15 km Paddling time: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Your first stop on the wild West Coast is Charleston. Take a short hike through lush West Coast bush checking out the dramatic headlands, wild waves, and secluded bays. After a picnic lunch, hike to the spectacular limestone river canyon in Paparoa National Park. Cross a few rivers, collect some firewood, and set up camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang fluviatile cave. Distance covered: 8 km Hiking time: 4 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, head to the West Coast town of Punakaiki to check out the famous Pancake Rocks and seawater blowholes, before retreating down to tonight’s accommodation in Hokitika, a gold-rush town full of cool local jewelry. Enjoy lodge accommodations a short walk from the beach, where you can enjoy some beautiful seaside views. Distance covered: 6 km Hiking time: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Enjoy group breakfast at one of the great cafés in town before leaving for a cycling tour of the awesome West Coast Wilderness Trail between the Arahura River bridge and the historic township of Kumara. After the ride, sit back and take in the landscapes as you drive into the Southern Alps and the quaint mountain village of Arthur’s Pass. Eat and spend the night in a private hut, preparing for tomorrow’s hiking trip into Edwards Valley. Distance covered: 39 km Biking time: 4-5 hours Meals: Lunch and dinner
While not as famous as some of the other National Parks visited on the tour, Arthur’s Pass will amaze you with rugged peaks, wild rivers, and adventurous trails. Follow Edwards River to the Edwards Hut right above the bush line with a great view of the valley. Camp outside or stay in the hut, depending on how many hikers are out there. Fall asleep listening out for the call of the Kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird that is known to inhabit this valley. Distance covered: 9 km Hiking time: 5-6 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Make the most of this alpine valley with an optional hike before packing up and hiking back out to the road. Have lunch along the way. Watch the scenery change dramatically, with the steep forested slopes of the west replaced with wide braided rivers, tussock grassland, mountains flanked with scree, and the surreal limestone formations of Castle Hill. Leave the main highway and follow an inland route to the tiny village of Mt. Somers, where you’ll spend the night. Distance covered: 9 km Hiking time: 5-6 hours Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Spend the morning driving along the western margin of the Canterbury Plains and into the Mackenzie Country, an intermontane basin of huge glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains. Arrive at Aoraki/Mt. Cook village and get ready for a hike to Sealy Tarns, and maybe even Mueller hut. Experience the towering moraine walls, glacial lakes, and the frequent rumbling of distant avalanches, before returning to your accommodation in a private hut. Distance covered: 10 km Hiking time: 6 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After a relaxed breakfast, you get the option to join a local operator for a guided heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier. Alternatively, join the guide for a hike up the steep slopes of Sebastopol to the Red Tarns for more stunning views. By mid-afternoon, reunite with the group and continue south through the Mackenzie Country and over Lindis Pass into the Central Otago region. Spend the night near the shores of the glacial Lake Hawea, ringed by the mountains, and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant. Distance covered: 4 km Hiking time: 2 hours Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Drive to the Wanaka township where you’ll grab a coffee and wander around. Then, head on up the Matukituki Valley to the road end. Shoulder your pack and enjoy stunning Matterhorn-esque views as you hike across grassed flats to Aspiring Hut. There’s another optional steep, yet rewarding climb here. Alternatively, stay and chill at the hut. Distance covered: 14 km Hiking time: 6 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Start your return hike early, enjoying pretty views and easy walking along the floor of this wide glacially formed valley. Back in Wanaka, recharge with a lakeside picnic and a dive into the lake. Drive over the remarkable Crown Range and take in the views, before arriving at the Knobs Flat campsite. Relax and make the most of the available hot showers. Distance covered: 9 km Hiking time: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Drive to the heart of Fiordland National Park and enjoy Milford, one of the world’s great day cruises. Enter Milford Sound and enjoy stunning views of cascading waterfalls and the iconic Mitre Peak. You could even spot a dolphin. A kayaking option is also available. Before returning to Knobs Flat take a hike up to Key Summit, the final section of the famous Routeburn Track. This informative nature walk transitions from forest to alpine vegetation and prolific birdlife, with spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and the Darran Mountains. Distance covered: 7 km Hiking time: 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, take a short hike to check out a beautiful waterfall near our campsite, where you may want to soak up one last little bit of Fiordland by jumping under a bracing shower. Make your final drive to Queenstown in the early afternoon. Afterward, celebrate the great adventures you’ve had for the past two weeks with your new friends. Distance covered: 2 km Hiking time: 45 minutes Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Your guide departs early for Christchurch, marking the end of the tour. If you’re staying in Queenstown, keep in mind that it’s known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, so there are a ton of superb hiking and cycling tracks in the area!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Optional activities:
Both the 10-day and the 15-day tour don’t require any hiking experience, but you still need to be reasonably fit, agile, and enthusiastic. You’ll be walking for an average of 4-5 hours a day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days, while carrying packs weighing up to 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs). The most you’ll hike is around 6 miles (10 km).
During the 15-day tour, you’ll also overcome altitude gains of up to 800 m (2,620 ft), covering some uneven terrain and river crossings. Finally, some tracks can be slippery or rough and there will be some off-track hiking and river crossings. There are options along both trips when you can choose more energetic or more restful days.
If you’d like to witness both the North and the South Island, check out this guided hiking adventure in New Zealand or New Zealand uncut adventure. For those more interested in the North Island, this is a hiking tour of New Zealand’s North Island.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
For the 15-day option, your guide offers hiking gear rentals. If you need a hiking backpack, sleeping bag or liner, fleece, thermal clothes, raincoats, or walking poles, contact us and we’ll help set you up.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in New Zealand’s South Island 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. The remaining amount is paid 95 days prior to departure. For bookings within four (4) months of the departure, full payment is required.
Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
The beginning of both tours is in Nelson. To get there, most people fly into Christchurch International Airport or Auckland Airport, located on the South Island. From there, you can either drive or fly into Nelson. There’s also a possibility of flying from Christchurch to Nelson.
For the 10-day Southern Slice tour, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group in the Rutherford Hotel, Nelson at 4 pm on Day 1 of your tour.
For the 15-day Ultimate South tour, you will meet your guide at a predetermined location in Nelson, which will usually be at the airport or the i-Site Visitor Information Centre.
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, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in New Zealand, please refer to the official New Zealand travel website.
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!
