Hut hoppers, shape your legs !

Day 1 : Christchurch

Exhausted or not, depending where do you arrive from... We have a good plan for you if you are not too excited to drive right away, I mean on the left, to your accommodation. Take our shuttle and get over gently from your jetlag. 

Day 2 : Christchurch – Mount Cook Region (290km – 3h40)

Drive west to Mount Cook. You have the choice between having a quick look at Bank peninsula and then take SH1 or drive along the lovely Inland scenic road to Geraldine.

Tip: Add 2 nights to experience Tekapo Trek.

Day 3 : Mount Cook Region

About trekking, walking, tramping and hiking in Aoraki Mount Cook there is something for everyone - from easy half hour walks along formed paths, to alpine hikes that can last days and take you into the vast wilderness of the Southern Alps.  For the particularly hardy adventurer there is even mountain climbing on Aoraki Mount Cook - NZ's tallest mountain and the same peak that Sir Edmund Hillary "practiced" on before his successful ascent of Everest.

Day 4 : Mount Cook Region – Queenstown (200km – 2h30)

You are now arriving in the heart of the topic. Allow time for a pre-trip briefing Routeburn Track and also to buy your food for the next 2 days.

Days 5-6-7 : Queenstown – Routeburn Track - Queenstown

The Routeburn Track extends from the head of Lake Wakatipu to State Highway 94, the Te Anau – Milford Road. It takes three days and two nights to complete the track, usually staying at Lake Mackenzie and Routeburn Falls Huts.

Tip: Add one more night to experience one of the Greatest Walk, Milford Track.

Day 8 : Queenstown – Glaciers (350km – 4h20)

To help your muscles cool down, nothing better than a long drive sat in your car. Through Haast Pass drive north to the West Coast and enjoy new sceneries.

Day 9 : Glaciers

Glacier Country is made up of the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier communities. The villages are about 25 minutes drive apart and both offer visitors their own unique West Coast flavour.  A full day to organize a guided walk on the glaciers, have a scenic flight over the ice area or take a walk in the rainforest.

Day 10 : Glaciers – Nelson Lake National Park (400km – 5h)

It is your biggest drive of the trip but it is worth it. Have a break in Punakaiki to stretch your legs.

Day 11 : Nelson Lake National Park

After a long drive you deserve a full day walk in Nelson Lakes National Park, what about Mount Robert Circuit a 5 hours loop to start with.

Day 12 : Nelson Lake National Park – Abel Tasman National Park (150km – 1h50)

Not much to drive further north, coastal walks and beaches are waiting for you.

Days 13-14 : Abel Tasman National Park

Depending on the fern accommodation option, boat transfers with day walks or multi days guided walk with 2 overnights in the park.

Day 15 : Abel Tasman National Park – Kaikoura (290km - 3h40)

At the end of your track, here you are on the road again from a coast to another, Kaikoura, the capital of sea mammals watching is your next step.

Day 16 : Kaikoura – Christchurch (190km – 2h25)

Depending on your flight schedule, have a whale or dolphin watching before driving south to Christchurch and drop off your car at the airport.