Wings Over Wairarapa 2011 
Mountain Landscapes Walking Tour
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This 9 night/10 day discovery trek through the Southern Alps is a must for the slightly more active walker.
Start your trail of hikes with walks on the foothills of the Southern Alps and overnight on edge of Arthur's Pass National Park. Kayak on the quiet lagoons with rare birds and beautiful views of the Southern Alps. Walk amongst the mighty West Coast glaciers with views into the vast glacier cirques.
Take a short flight into a remote valley and experience the thrill of a jet boat ride back to civilisation, the splendor of the glacial landforms in the mighty Fiordland National Park and the serenity of an overnight stay on the Milford Sound beneath Mitre Peak. Walk amidst the ancient beech forests of deepest Fiordland. Explore the remote and hidden lakes nestled within the glaciated landscapes far away from the nearest walker. Finish the trip in Queenstown or return to Christchurch the following day via the McKenzie Basin and the Canterbury Plains.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Share accommodation (6 nights ensuite, 4 nights share facilities),
- 8 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- All transport
- Professional and experienced Guides
- Necessary equipment
- Admissions, flights, boating, kayaking, access and concession fees.
The tour enables participants to explore remote mountain and coastal regions in the company of experienced tour leaders and a small group of travellers with similar interests. Trekking is generally along well formed and graded tracks. Commentary will cover flora, fauna, history and geography based on the guides own fields of expertise. Most meals are included, many are in restaurants, other are prepared by the guides with snacks provided for eating whilst on the walks. A modest level of fitness is required and some preparation is recommended. You only need carry a small day pack with personal items. On some days walks can be missed if you choose. Accommodation is in small hotels, motels and mountain lodges on a twin or multi share basis. More detailed trip and equipment information is provided once your reservations have been made.
DEPARTURES
2008: Nov 3, 27, Dec 15
2009: Jan 15, Feb 8, Mar 2
Pricing | Day by Day | Comments |
Pricing Table
| Mountain Landscapes | |
|---|---|
| 01 Aug 10 - 30 Sep 10 | $3,446.00 |
| 01 Oct 10 - 30 Sep 11 | $3,522.00 |
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations up to 65 days out will lose your deposit, between 10 and 30 days prior to departure incurs a 50% penatly and within 10 days of departure - full 100% cancellation penatly applies.
Clients are urged to take the necessary insurance to guard against the unexpected.
| Options Extras | |
|---|---|
| Single Supplement | $907.00 |
Day 1 - To Arthur's Pass
| L = Lunch D = Dinner Above Christchurch, start the walking with a skyline trek that provides stunning 360 degree vistas across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps, over the Pacific Ocean and over the city. Also explore the volcanic history of the volcanic caldera that is now Lyttelton Harbour. This early hike stretches our legs and sets the scene for the next 10 days. Departing from Christchurch we travel across the plains into the Canterbury foothills. Over the Porter Pass we make a stop at the surreal Castle Hill boulders, our own limestone Stonehenge, with the chance to explore and discover something of the cultural heritage of this unique area. After a further short drive we enter the native Beech Forests of the Craigieburn Range and embark on a 2 hour round trip which explores this scenic area. In the late afternoon we arrive at our lodge accommodation and enjoy a meal together. |
Day 2 - To Franz Josef Glacier
 B = Breakfast L = LunchAfter a hearty breakfast we head into the fringes of the nearby Arthur’s Pass and hike an easy 3 hour round trip on a gently rising mountain spur with its views into the broad river valleys below and defined vegetation patterns. Eventually returning to the coach, we drive on to Arthur’s Pass in time for lunch and a short walk to a nearby waterfall. Back on the coach we cross the pass and descend into the rainforests of the West Coast, travelling on to Franz Josef where we stay for the night. |
Day 3 - West Coast Glacier Region
 B = Breakfast L = LunchOkarito Lagoon is the home of the rare and sacred Kotuku, (NZ white heron), and numerous other bird life. There is no better way to explore this unique area than by sea kayak on an incoming tide. After this delightful excursion we walk the old gold mining coastal track over to the next bay and return via the wild beach on a low tide. En route we divert to the nearby survey point from where we obtain one of the finest views of the Southern Alps. We drive onto nearby Fox Glacier and onto our accommodation for the night. |
Day 4 - To Haast Pass
 B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = DinnerAfter breakfast we make our way to the glacier hike briefing and then depart for a 4-hour walk onto the glacier itself. With guide and ice axe we have the unique experience of walking on 200-meter thick ice next to dripping rainforest. After lunch we have time for a walk around nearby Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections. We travel south down the coast until Haast where stay for the night. |
Day 5 - To Wanaka
| B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner An early morning start begins with a short drive over Haast Pass to Makaroa where we take an awesome scenic flight over the nearby Aspiring National Park before landing at a small mountain airstrip. Crossing the nearby river to a mountain hut we then turn down valley and walk through the beech forests to the Wilkin Valley in time to meet our jet boat for an adrenaline rush as we boat back to our coach and another short drive to nearby Wanaka for the next two nights. |
Day 6 - Mt Aspiring National Park
 B = Breakfast L = LunchWith numerous walks around Wanaka to choose from, the drive up the Matutituki Valley is the start of the hike to an awesome picnic spot beneath Mt Rob Roy. With large walls and icefalls surrounding us it is a spectacular time to reflect. By mid afternoon we return Lake Wanaka and a chance to relax, catch up with postcards or just read a book. |
Day 7 - To Lake Manapouri (Fiordland National Park)
| B = Breakfast L = Lunch From Lake Wanaka we drive over the Crown Range with its spectacular views into the Wakatipu Basin. After a chance to explore historic Arrowtown we travel on to Lake Manapouri and our accommodation. A late afternoon walk on the nearby Kepler track takes us to the shores of the Lake. This return hike provides an insight into the vegetation changes of this rainforest, before we return to our accommodation for the evening. |
Day 8 - Fiordland National Park - Milford Sound
 B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = DinnerWith an early start we drive into the Fiordland National Park with its huge glaciated walls and rainforests. Driving into the Darran Mountains we come to understand some of the forces of nature as we view the devastation wrought by the huge avalanches that fall off the vertical walls in the heart of winter. There are several hikes to consider and this will be determined by conditions on the day. By late afternoon we have descended into Milford Sound and boarded our floating hotel for the night aboard the Milford Mariner, complete with your private cabin and bathroom. |
Day 9 - To Queenstown
 B = Breakfast L = LunchBack on shore we rejoin our vehicle and retrace our steps stopping for hikes missed yesterday. The chance to hike to key Summit is not to be missed (weather permitting) and by lunchtime we are back in Te Anau heading for Queenstown and our final nights celebration. |
Day 10 - Finish Queenstown
 After breakfast you will be free to enjoy the delights of Queenstown for those who choose to stay. Those seeking to return to Christchurch with our vehicle will depart for the 7 hour drive through the MacKenzie Basin back to Christchurch where your trip will end at your nominated hotel. |
Accommodation |
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