2010 Price: From $3,399+tax
(Oct - April)
Hotels, Unique B&Bs & Rustic Lodging (Land package only)
Rates may increase Dec 20-Jan 5 based on availability
2010 Dates: Departs Auckland every Monday.
The Rimu takes you to the most beautiful places in New Zealand and is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors and like a challenge. All arrangements are pre planned so you can enjoy exploring and joining adventure activities throughout the country.
Day 1 : Chirstchurch to Kaikoura
After your international flight to Auckland, you’ll immediately take a short flight to Christchurch in the South Island arriving around 10am. Next you will travel up the coast to the seaside town of Kaikoura where you can snorkel within a couple of feet of friendly New Zealand fur seals. Today is a relaxed introduction to New Zealand giving you the chance to recover from your flight and adjust to the time difference.
Day 2 : Visit vineyard, Start multi-day options
From Kaikoura you will travel north for a couple of hours to Blenheim, in the Marlborough wine region, and visit Forrest Estate Winery to sample some of their fantastic wines and enjoy a picnic on the vineyard lawn. Today you have the choice of one of three 3-day/2-night options – a backpacking trip in Nelson Lakes National Park, a sea-kayaking trip in the Marlborough Sounds, or a biking trip on the Queen Charlotte Track.
Day 2 to Day 4 : Multi-day options continued
Hiking Option in Nelson Lakes National Park,
Sea Kayaking Option in the Marlborough Sounds, or
Biking Option on the Queen Charlotte Track.
Day 4 : Finish multi-day option
After regrouping in Saint Arnaud you will head to the West Coast – 500 miles of gorgeous coastline with a population of only 40,000 people along its entire length. You will stop for dinner at the tiny seaside settlement of Charleston to pick up the quintessential Kiwi dinner – fish and chips!
Day 5 : Hike in Punakaiki Rainforest
You will spend most of the day in Punakaiki hiking among the limestone canyons and lush rainforest of the Inland Pack Track. While in Punakaiki you’ll also head to the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Continue south via the scenic coastal road to Hokitika you will be able to check out local art galleries and pounamu carving workshops before carrying on to Okarito Lagoon.
Day 6 : Kayak Okarito Lagoon
You have a lot of options today. You can spend a relaxing day in this sleepy but beautiful beach town to recharge your batteries, or get out for some scenic hiking and kayaking. You can sea kayak on the lagoon with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains for a few hours, then hike through lush coastal forest to Three Mile Lagoon, and walk back along deserted beach next to crashing waves.
Day 7 : Hike at Franz Josef Glacier
Just south of Okarito there are two formidable glaciers descending from the mountains to the sea. In terms of scenery, this place is off the charts, and you will spend most of the day hiking at Franz Josef Glacier. You’ll hike up through the rainforest to either Alex Knob or Roberts Point, both of which give great views of the terminal face, lower reaches and lateral moraines of Franz Josef Glacier. Optional Heli-hike available.
Day 8 : Mt. Aspiring National Park to Queenstown
This morning you will head inland to Lake Wanaka for a hike overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains, then stop in Wanaka township for lunch. After finishing your delicious lunch you will return to Queenstown to spend the remainder of day however you wish. You’ll find incredible optional activities here, including hang gliding, bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and winery tours.
Day 9 : Free day in Queenstown
It’s all up to you today – enjoy!
Day 10 : Hike Routeburn Track, Cycle Hollyford Valley
This morning you’ll head down to Te Anau for lunch, before continuing on to The Divide where you will hike part of the Routeburn Track. This hike gives you unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, from mountains to sea, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina. Upon returning to the trailhead, you’ll be fitted with a 21-speed front-suspension Specialized mountain bike for a spectacular ride through the Hollyford Valley.
Day 11 : Sea kayak Milford Sound, Cycle to Lake Manapouri
It’s an early start today. You will take a stunning drive into Milford Sound, the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. Sheer rock walls plunge thousands of feet to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascade into the deep blue water. You will explore the wonder in a sea kayak causing minimum disruption to the seals and dolphins, which are very friendly and often eager to visit. After your morning’s paddle, you’ll have lunch before continuing on to Lake Te Anau.
Day 12 : Explore high-country sheep farm
After a leisurely morning you will head back up the road to Queenstown before driving up to Lake Pukaki, near Mt. Cook, where you’ll stay at an exclusive 60,000 acre high-country sheep farm, called Braemar Station. While here, you’ll stay in the shearers’ quarters. It’s not a 5-star hotel but many clients have testified this as one of their favorite places on the whole trip!
Day 13 : Hike Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
This morning it’s an hour or so to Mt. Cook village, at the head of Lake Pukaki. Mt. Cook, known as Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by the local Maori, is the highest mountain in New Zealand and you will have a stunning and little-known day hike (weather permitting) to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier – directly opposite Mt. Cook. Then it’s back to the shearers’ quarters for the last night of the Rimu. You’ll enjoy a traditional Kiwi BBQ and a cold drink as you sit outside and watch the sun set over Mt. Cook.
Day 14 : Depart for home
This is the last day of your two-week trip around the South Island. After breakfast you will drive for three-hours to Christchurch, and arrive in the afternoon in time for the flights back to Auckland then continuing on to your next destination.
Included:
- Personal meet & greet on arrival into Christchurch
- 13 nights accommodation in nominated hotels, B&B’s and lodges
- Hike Routeburn Track, Punakaiki, Franz Josef Glacier and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Wilderness Backpacking in Nelson Lakes National Park, Sea Kayaking or Biking Marlborough Sounds
- Cycle Hollyford Valley and Manapouri
- Sea Kayak Okarito Lagoon and Milford Sound
- Hike West Coast Beaches and Rainforests
- Explore the lakeside village of Queenstown
- Snorkel with Seals
Not Included:
- Flights to/from and within New Zealand
- Taxes of 12.5%
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, internet access, laundry etc.
*Note: We can run the Rimu in two different directions around the South Island and can also run the Rimu starting and ending in Queenstown. Whichever direction you take, you’ll do all activities mentioned, just in a different order.
