New Zealand, or Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, will redefine your definition of surreal with its stunning glaciers, picturesque fjords, jagged snow-capped mountains, vast plains, rolling hills, subtropical forests, steaming volcanoes, and sweeping coastlines with sandy beaches.
An island nation of just over 4.5 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands. This March, a small handful of Mountain Trek alumni will have the unique opportunity to explore the South Island, which showcases some of the purest, most spectacular natural wonders you’ll ever experience in such a small area.
You owe it to yourself to trek New Zealand. Join us. Learn more below.
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Trip Information
- 7 day all-inclusive luxury hiking vacation.
- Maximum of twelve guests per week.
- Spend three nights at the boutique luxury Sudima Hotel in Christchurch and four nights at the 5-star Sofitel Hotel in Queenstown.
- Experience the South Island of New Zealand, famed for its movie-set-quality scenery, stunning hiking, fresh local food, sheep, wine, and friendly people.
- Trek the Routeburn Track, Rob Roy Glacier Track, Godley Head Walkway, Rakaia Gorge, Peak Hill overlooking Lake Coleridge, Ben Lomond Summit, and Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park.
- Tour Middle Rock Sheep Farm, a family run farm in the stunning high country scenery of the Lake Coleridge area.
- Enjoy a wine tasting and platters at the award-winning Akarua Wines and Kitchen By Artisan.
- Dine at world-class 5th Street Restaurant in Christchurch and award-winning Rata Restaurant in Queenstown.
- Relax after a day of hiking at So Spa, the World’s Best Hotel Spa (rated by Travel + Leisure), or The Onsen in Queenstown, or Moss Spa in Christchurch
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the elevation gains and losses and mileage of treks, this vacation is appropriate for a Mountain Trek fitness level 1, 2 and 3 only. Please email Guest Care if you have any questions about your ability to participate
DATES & AVAILABILITY
March 15 – March 22, 2020 FULL
March 22 – March 29, 2020 FULL
DATES & AVAILABILITY
March 15 – March 22, 2020
— TRIP FULL —
If you’re interested in joining this trip, please join the waitlist below
The Hiking
It’s hard to overstate the surreal beauty of New Zealand. Other than checking off trekking to high-altitude peaks from your bucket list (see our Bhutan Adventure Trek if that’s what you’re after), New Zealand has it all; expansive sandy beaches featuring penguin colonies, mesmerizing aqua rivers and lakes, expansive vistas that seemingly go on forever, snow-capped rugged mountains, active glaciers, and last but not least, lots of sheep!
Each day, Mountain Trek program director, Kirk, and two local guides will lead you on a new hike to some of New Zealand’s most stunning locations. We will operate two hiking groups each day for this Trek.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the elevation gains/losses and mileage of treks, this vacation is appropriate for a Mountain Trek fitness level 1, 2 or 3 only. Please review the Trek Itinerary below for more information.
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New Zealand feels like you took all the best bits of Canada and squished them onto a tiny island like Hawaii. I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the South Island. Evangeline Lilly
The Lodging
The first three nights will be spent at the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch. Just opened June of 2019, this 5-star boutique hotel is ideally located in Christchurch, just 1,650 feet from Hagley Park and less than 0.6 mi from Victoria Street, where life abounds with an array of cafes, restaurants and bars. Sudima features Moss Spa, an oasis providing the highest quality spa treatments and Vice & Virtues, a boutique restaurant serving seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
For the last four nights of the trip, we will rest our heads at the luxurious 5-star Sofitel Hotel in the heart of Queenstown. Inspired by the charms of Paris with the warm hospitality inherent to Queenstown, you will be mesmerized by its tasteful combination of French antique elegance and local avant-garde design. Relax and rejuvenate each day at Sofitel’s So Spa, recently named the World’s Best Hotel Spa by Travel + Leisure. Situated in the heart of Queenstown’s dining and entertainment precinct, Sofitel is the perfect base for us to explore and enjoy all that Queenstown has to offer.
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The Food
Fresh, diverse and delicious, New Zealand cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations. An island nation with a primarily agricultural economy, New Zealand yields produce from land and sea, consisting primarily of; lamb, pork and cervena (venison), salmon, crayfish (lobster), oysters, whitebait (similar to herring), paua (abalone), mussels, scallops, pipis and tuatua (types of New Zealand shellfish), kumara (sweet potato), kiwifruit, and tamarillo (fruit). Once mainly British-based cuisine (meat and potatoes), New Zealand cuisine is rapidly evolving to be more Mediterranean and Pacific Rim in nature.
On this Trek, we will sample the best of what New Zealand has to offer, enjoying a cooking class by local Kiwi’s, Two Raw Sisters, wine tasting and platters at the award-winning Akarua Wines and Kitchen By Artisan, and dinner at the world-class 5th Street Restaurant in Christchurch and the award-winning Rata Restaurant in Queenstown. In between we will immerse and savor local food and culture, most likely enjoying a traditional Māori hangi and pavlova, the national dessert.
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“Driven by the seasons and heavily influenced by local produce and climate variation, New Zealand has perfected the culture of farm-to-table meals and is all but guaranteed to develop a gastronomic reputation that far outweighs its relative size”
Trek Itinerary
(Each day will start with breakfast at the hotel and have free time to relax, rest, or spend time at the spa before dinner)
Day 1—Sunday
Arrival day
Optional yoga class
Welcome dinner
Accomodations: Sudima Hotel
Day 2—Monday
Hike Godley Head Walkway, immediately immersing yourself in spectacular coastal views. View a penguin colony, quirky old baches (small beach cottages), and some of New Zealand’s military history
Gourmet picnic lunch on the trail
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain/loss: ~250m
Distance: ~8 km/5 mi.
Hiking time: 3 hrs.
Enjoy a private New Zealand inspired cooking class with Two Raw Sisters
Dinner at 5th Street—a world-class restaurant serving seasonal and fresh food from across the region and country
Accomodations: Sudima Hotel
Day 3—Tuesday
Drive west across the Canterbury Plains to the narrow Rakaia Gorge. Hike the historic Ferryman’s Track overlooking the bright green waters and peaks of the Black Hill Range
Drive through fertile farm lands surrounded by peaks to Lake Coleridge, where many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed. Hike up Peak Hill to dramatic 360º alpine views
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: ~800m
Distance: ~10 km/6 mi.
Hiking time: ~4.5hrs
Late lunch and farm tour at Middle Rock Sheep Farm, a family run farm in the the stunning high country scenery of the Lake Coleridge area
Dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Queenstown
Accomodations: Sudima Hotel
Day 4—Wednesday
Transfer day
Fly from Christchurch to Queenstown, a 1:10 min flight
Explore the quaint town of Arrowtown, enjoying a gentle river walk and time to explore boutiques, cafes, and shops
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain/loss: ~100m
Distance: ~5 km/3 mi.
Hiking time: ~2hrs
Wine tasting and platters of local meats, cheeses, and produce at the award winning Akarua Wines and Kitchen By Artisan
Dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Queenstown
Accomodations: Sofitel Hotel
Day 5—Thursday
Hike to the prominent summit of Ben Lomond with commanding views over Lake Wakatipu. Descend via the Skyline Gondola.
Lunch on the trail.
Hike Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain/loss: 800-1500m (depending on hiking group)
Distance: 7-14 km/4-8 mi.
Hiking time: 3-8hrs
Enjoy Patagonia ice cream and walk along the banks of Lake Wakatipu, then wonder amongst Queenstown’s galleries, boutiques, and shops.
Dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Queenstown
Accomodations: Sofitel Hotel
Day 6—Friday
Drive to Glenorchy to trek on the world famous Routeburn Track
Lunch on the trail
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: ~600m
Distance: ~10 km/6 mi.
Hiking time: ~3hrs
Dinner at the award winning Rata Restaurant
Accomodations: Sofitel Hotel
Day 7—Saturday
Drive up and over the famous Crown Range featuring expansive views and thrilling switchbacks and along the banks of Lake Wanaka featuring “That Tree” and Mt. Aspiring dominating the skyline
Hike the Rocky Mountain trail, winding through a fuchsia forest en route to panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains of the Central Otago region and Aspiring National Park
Drive deeper into the incredible Matukituki Valley and hike the Rob Roy Glacier Track, beginning with waterfalls and a lush understory of ferns and mosses and culminating in spectacular views of sheer rock cliffs and hanging glaciers beneath Mount Rob Roy
Lunch on the trail
Hike Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
Elevation gain/loss: ~800m
Distance: ~14 km/8 mi.
Hiking time: ~5-6hrs
Dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants in Queenstown
Accomodations: Sofitel Hotel
Day 8—Sunday
Departure day
Return flights should originate at Queenstown airport
Kia ora (goodbye)
Travel
Please arrive in Christchurch by 5pm Sunday, March 15th. The hotel, Sudima Hotel, is a 17 minute drive from the airport. Uber or Taxi is the easiest way to get to the city center.
On day 4 we will transfer from Christchurch to Queenstown. Your flights is included.
Your departing flight should be out of Queenstown on Sunday March 22nd. The airport is a 15 min drive from the Sofitel hotel. Taking an Uber or arranging a taxi through the hotel is the easiest way to get to the airport.
Carbon-Neutral Travel
Mountain Trek is proud to announce that this trip is Carbon Neutral! In an effort to fight global warming, your participation in this trip will result in 95 trees being planted through our partnership with One Tree Planted.
Along with methane, nitrous oxide and CFC’s, the emission of carbon dioxide directly increases the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere, causing heat to get trapped and global warming to occur. Carbon dioxide is released by burning fossil fuels and with an estimated fuel demand of more than 5 million barrels per day, the global aviation sector is incredibly energy-intensive and taxing on our environment. The best way to offset carbon emissions is through global reforestation (planting trees!). Be proud that you are traveling carbon-neutral.
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What’s Included:
7 nights accommodation
Breakfast, lunch, and dinners
Flight from Christchurch to Queenstown
Support vehicles along the trails
Entry fees and permits
Hiking poles, foot care, electrolytes
What’s Not Included:
Flights to/from New Zealand—please see travel section above
Spa services—please arrange directly with hotel
Laundry—available at hotels at personal expense
Alcohol beyond what’s served at dinner or during wine tasting—additional beverages are a personal expense
Backpack—please bring your own 26-40 liter hiking backpack
Water bladder—please bring a 3L bladder for hydration
Price
$7,400 USD
a $2,000 USD non-refundable deposit is due upon booking
Booking
Booking now open!
Booking
Booking for this once-in-a-lifetime trip through the awe-inspiring South Island of New Zealand is now full. Please join the waitlist at the top of the page if you wish to be notified if a spot opens.
Request More Information
For questions about the luxury hike through New Zealand please submit the form below, or email us at info@mountaintrek.com or call 1.800.661.5161
An Award-Winning Retreat
