Ultimate South Island Hikes - 14 Days
New ZealandSouth Island

Ultimate South Island Hikes - 14 Days

14 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Ultimate South Island Hikes - 14 Days

from $8,995 / person

Overview

New Zealand's South Island is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. This 14-day walk takes in the very best of them, from stunning fiords and majestic mountains to lush native forests and iconic trails, including the renowned Milford Track. The region's unique wildlife, found nowhere else on the planet, adds another dimension to an already extraordinary experience.

Expert guides accompany the group throughout, with comfortable accommodation ensuring every day on the trail is matched by an equally rewarding evening.

Highlights

  • Stay in and explore Mt Cook (Aoraki) National Park
  • Enjoy a taxi boat ride on Lake Wanaka to access remote trails
  • Hike the shores of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park
  • Marvel at the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
  • Mt Robert Circuit with panoramic vistas over Nelson Lakes
  • Experience part of the famed Routeburn Track and Kepler Track
  • Delve into the serene beauty of Milford Sound on the Milford Track

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Christchurch

Welcome to Christchurch, the gateway to your journey through the South Island of New Zealand. Upon arrival enjoy a transfer to your accommodation where you can begin to immerse yourself in the enchanting surroundings of the Garden City. At your awaiting hotel you will be greeted by your Guide, who will provide a warm welcome and share essential information about your upcoming adventure over a delightful welcome dinner that sets the tone for the adventures to come.

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Christchurch

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (6 nights), 3.5-Star Hotel (2 nights), 3-star Hotel (2 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 9 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Boat Ride
  • Luggage Transfers
  • Water Taxi

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

12

Days on the trail

1-11 km

Daily distance range

130-650 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

A mix of three and four-star hotels and lodges carries you through this walk, all well located and offering spacious rooms with modern amenities. Each property has been chosen with the walking guest in mind, providing a comfortable and welcoming retreat after a day in some of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes.

What You'll Eat

Across this walk, thirteen breakfasts, eleven lunches and nine two-course dinners are included, drawing on the local flavours of the regions you pass through. Meals provide a natural moment to unwind and share the day's experiences with fellow walkers. On select days, dinner is left open for you to explore independently, with good local dining options available along the route.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Christchurch and finishes in Queenstown, both on New Zealand's South Island. Christchurch Airport (CHC) is well connected with international flights from major cities worldwide, as well as frequent domestic connections. Those already in New Zealand can reach Christchurch by bus or train. A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes a matter of minutes.

The walk ends in Queenstown, with a drop-off at any town centre hotel or the airport at approximately 11.00am on the final day. Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has international connections as well as frequent domestic flights to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch for onward travel.

November brings the mountain lilies into bloom, with snow still dusting the surrounding peaks and the landscape at its most dramatic. October offers a quieter atmosphere on the trails, with fewer fellow walkers and long daylight hours. Mountain weather across the South Island is famously unpredictable; pack full waterproofs and warm layers whatever the forecast says.

Distances are low, but the terrain is mountainous and undulating, with some steep climbs across the spectacular alpine walks. The Routeburn is the rockiest underfoot and deserves particular attention. Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and grip are essential.

Distance and elevation demands are both modest, though some hill training is highly beneficial preparation. Squats, lunges, and balance exercises will prove valuable on the mountainous terrain.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

South Island reviews

0.0
0 reviews
5 Star
0
4 Star
0
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 14-day journey through New Zealand's South Island, starting in Christchurch and finishing in Queenstown. The route takes in Hanmer Springs, Nelson Lakes National Park, the West Coast, Arthur's Pass, Aoraki Mt Cook, Wanaka, and Fiordland.

You'll stay in a mix of 3-4 star hotels and lodges throughout, each chosen for its location and surroundings. Standouts include a beachfront hotel beside the Pancake Rocks on the West Coast, a mountain lodge at the foot of Aoraki Mt Cook, and lakeside apartments in Wanaka.

Most days include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A handful of days include breakfast and lunch only, and the final day is breakfast before departure. Check your specific itinerary for the full meal breakdown.

The trip covers a strong mix of day walks, including sections of the Routeburn Track, Kepler Track, and Milford Track in Fiordland, the Hooker Valley Track at Aoraki Mt Cook, the Mt Robert Circuit in Nelson Lakes, and the Punakaiki-Pororari Loop on the West Coast.

This is a pack-free walking holiday. Your main luggage is transported between accommodations and you carry only a light daypack on the trails each day.

Flights and airport transfers are not included in the package. The trip concludes in Queenstown — you'll need to arrange your onward travel from there.

A scenic heli-flight over the Aoraki Mt Cook glaciers is available at additional cost. An optional visit to the Te Anau glowworm caves is also available during the Fiordland section of the trip.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Daily walks range from 7 to 11km with some days involving significant elevation gain. Preparation on hilly or uneven terrain is advised before departure.

Pack for all conditions — you'll move through coastal, alpine, and rainforest environments across the two weeks. Essentials include broken-in hiking footwear, a waterproof jacket, warm layers, sun protection, and a light daypack.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy should cover injury, cancellation, loss of luggage, and medical evacuation.

Want to Know More?

The South Island experience

Wonder
Walk through fiords, mountains, and glacial lakes across some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth
Experience the unique sense of scale and silence that only the South Island's wilderness can offer
The South Island is one of the world's great walking destinations, and this journey covers its finest sections
Wellness
Walking pace creates genuine encounters with landscapes that driving or flying through cannot provide
The sense of space and emptiness across the South Island's interior is rare and deeply restorative in the modern world
The extraordinary silence of Fiordland, broken only by waterfalls and birdcalls, is one of the walk's great gifts
Nature
New Zealand's native beech forests, alpine meadows, and turquoise glacial lakes define each day
Wildlife encounters include fur seals, kea, wekas, and the extraordinary dawn chorus of native birds
New Zealand's extraordinary biodiversity, shaped by 80 million years of isolation, is present on every trail