10-day natural and wild exploration tour in the North and South Islands of New Zealand

 

Core of the trip:

① In-depth experience of localization in Auckland. Abandon conventional scenic spots, integrate into the local life perspective, and go deep into the pristine rainforest and magnificent coastline of Waitakere Mountains.

② Measure the Hook Valley in Mount Cook National Park with your footsteps, and experience the best section of the world-class trail-Lutburn Trail.

③ Electric bicycles roam Gibbston Valley, visit three wineries with unique styles and taste fine wines, and treasure the beauty of the valley with grapes and wine together.

④ Take a small cross-country plane to the isolated Aspalin Valley. After exploring on foot, transfer to a speedboat and gallop out along the glacier stream.

⑤ Visit the secret island of Mouwaho by speedboat, meet the naive rare bird Wicca Crake, and learn about the conservation miracle from wild extinction to population recovery.

⑥ Challenge the cliff to fly Lada, walk between the waterfall mist and the cliff, and experience the shock of adrenaline surging.

⑦ Stay in top hotels such as Park Hyatt and Rosewood, combined with characteristic boutique hotels. Equipped with experienced, warm and friendly professional guides.

Daily itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Auckland

Fly to Auckland, the “capital of sails”, and a special car will pick you up at the hotel, adjust the time difference, and reserve energy for the next adventure.

Meals: Self-care

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Auckland

 

Day 2 Auckland Nature and Humanities Exploration

Dive deeper into the Waitakere Mountains area west of Auckland today. First, visit the Alataki Visitor Center, which is not only an excellent viewing platform overlooking the rolling valley, but also displays exquisite wood carvings telling the story of Maori culture. Then step into the nearby forest trail and look for the trace of Kauri, the national tree of New Zealand. Head to the famous Black Sand Beach in the afternoon and take a stroll along the Coastal Cliff Trail overlooking the vast South Pacific Ocean and feel the unique rhythm of the waves crashing against the black sand and gravel.

Return to downtown Auckland in the evening. Dinner will be introduced by the guide to a creative restaurant next to the pier, jointly hosted by three close friends, and taste modern New Zealand cuisine full of ingenuity.

 

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Auckland

Day 3 Fly to Christchurch and visit Lake Tikapu

In the morning, take a domestic flight to Christchurch, the garden city of South Island (reference flight: 11:00-12:25). After picking up the airport by car, drive for about 3 hours to Tikapu Lake, which is known as the “Blue Milk Lake”. The lake has a unique dreamy creamy blue color due to its rich glacial rock dust, and is surrounded by the majestic mountain scenery of the Southern Alps. In the evening, go to the observation deck on the top of the lakeside mountain and wait for a magnificent sunset. At night, as an international dark night reserve, it is an excellent place to observe the bright starry sky in the southern hemisphere.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Prestige Suites Tikapu Lake

Day 4 Trek to Mount Cook National Park

After breakfast, drive along the picturesque Lake Pukaki Shore Highway for about 1.5 hours to Mount Cook National Park. Today, we will hike the classic Hook Trail (about 10 kilometers, 3-4 hours on foot), cross the Hook Valley, pass through three suspension bridges, enjoy glaciers, icebergs and towering snow peaks along the way, and finally arrive at the end Glacier Lake, looking up at the majestic appearance of Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. Return to Tikapu Lake in due course in the afternoon.

Recommended experience at your own expense

○ Glacier sightseeing helicopter flight (including a snow-capped mountain landing, about 50 minutes) 3,900 yuan/adult; 2700 yuan/child

○ Helicopter hiking to and from Tasman Glacier (total time is about 3 hours, glacier hiking is about 2 hours) 4,200 yuan/person

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Prestige Suites Tikapu Lake

Day 5: Travel to Wanaka to visit the island reserve

The morning drive is about 2.5 hours to the scenic lakeside town of Wanaka. In the afternoon, take a speedboat to break through the blue lake water and go to the isolated island in the center of the lake-Mouwaho Island Nature Reserve. Take a short stroll on the island, and you will have the opportunity to meet the most famous resident of the island-the flightless Wicca Crake. This bird is curious, not afraid of people, and naive. They became extinct in the wild in New Zealand in 1920, and today the population restoration project here is a successful example of wildlife conservation.

The dinner guide will recommend an innovative restaurant with stylish decorations and young chefs. You may taste the characteristic thin-mouthed petrel meat, as well as fresh oysters and catches from the Marburg waters.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel Wanaka (Deluxe Suite)

Day 6 Cliff Flying Lada Challenge and Craft Experience

Awaken your adventurous spirit today! Under the guidance of professional coaches, after mastering the basic skills, I began to climb Felada along the vertical cliff. On the way, you will cross four thrilling suspension bridges and pass by the cascading waterfalls at close range (intermediate difficulty). If you are physically strong, you can pay to upgrade to a difficult route, climb all the way to the top of the mountain along the steel nails beside the waterfall, and finally return triumphantly by helicopter.

Difficulty selection reference

Intermediate: You have the physical strength to hike in the mountain for 4 hours continuously, and you can participate with normal arm strength.

Advanced: You need to have the physical strength of continuous mountain hiking for 7 hours, and it is recommended to carry out certain arm strength training.

After the challenge, take it easy. Head to Wanaka Local Fine Brewing for a unique selection of craft beers. New Zealand craft beer is world-famous for its vivid citrus aroma and rich tropical fruit flavor in its hops. In the past three decades, it has built a reputation to match that of the United States.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel Wanaka (Deluxe Suite)

Day 7 Asparin Valley Adventure and Winery Tasting

Experience a true wilderness crossing today. Take a small off-road plane to land in the isolated Aspalin Valley, which is inaccessible to vehicles. Then take a 3-hour hike along gurgling streams and open meadows, surrounded by towering mountain peaks, accompanied only by birdsong and wind. Finally, transfer to a speedboat and speed out along a rushing stream formed by glacial meltwater to end this unique adventure.

In the afternoon, visit a family-owned farm winery that has been passed down for four generations, or a fashionable and modern winery built by retired doctors, and taste the high-quality wines produced locally.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel Wanaka (Deluxe Suite)

 

Day 8 Greenorchy and Lutburn Trail Hike

Drive about 2 hours to one of the locations of The Lord of the Rings-the small town of Greenorch. Then, hike the essence section of “Lutburn Trail”, which is known as one of the top trails in New Zealand (about 10 kilometers, 4 hours on foot). Travel through an ancient forest with a history of 130 million years and be in a fantastic world of giant ferns, moss, lichens and beech trees. The end of the trail has a wide view overlooking a magnificent panoramic view. After the walk, drive to Queenstown for about 1 hour.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Rosewood Matakauri

Day 9 Gibbston Valley Winery Cycling Tour

In the morning, you can enjoy the lake and mountains leisurely at Rosewood Hotel. In the afternoon, follow the guide on an e-bike and easily visit three distinctive wineries in the Gibbston Valley along the scenic Kawarau River. This is one of New Zealand’s most prestigious wine regions, and Pinot Noir is the absolute protagonist. Surrounded by vineyards, taste fine wines and feel the terroir charm of the Central Otago region.

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: Rosewood Matakauri

Day 10 Return from Queenstown

According to your flight time, a special car will be transferred to Queenstown Airport to end this fulfilling and wonderful journey to explore the South Island of New Zealand in depth. If you have plenty of time, we can also customize your travel itinerary extending to the rest of New Zealand.

 

Dining: Hotel breakfast

Accommodation: On the return flight