Alpine Recreation - Wilderness Walking Tours
WILDERNESS WALKING: See, hear and touch the real New Zealand, by spending more time in the natural environment, than sitting in a vehicle!
A typical Hiking Tour takes 2 to 4 weeks and takes in the tremendous diversity of New Zealand's landscapes: primeval forests, wild coastlines, magnificent mountains, spectacular fiords and glaciers.
Hiking is mainly on established trails, with each walk lasting between 2 and 6 hours. Accommodations are very comfortable, a mix of hotels, motels and homestays.
Groups are small and are accompanied by guides who are thoroughly acquainted with the flora, fauna, geology and culture of New Zealand. These hiking tours are ideal for those who seek an active, educational holiday or adventure.
Minimum group size 6, maximum group size 18 participants.
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| Group Sizes |
6 to 18 people
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| Durations |
14 to 28 days
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Included
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| Targeted Activities |
Hiking, Mountaineering |
| Our Certificatons |
Alpine Recreation Canterbury Ltd was founded in 1981 by Company Directors Anne & Gottlieb Braun-Elwert. In 1991 and 1994 Alpine Recreation was a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards. After 24 years of operation Alpine Recreation continues to stay at the forefront of mountain guiding in New Zealand.
Gottlieb Braun Elwert, a former nuclear physicist, is a UIAGM qualified mountain and ski guide, with 44 years of mountaineering and 34 years of professional guiding experience. He is a member of the German and the New Zealand Mountain Guides Associations. |
Group Types |
Private |
Groups |
Kids/Youth |
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Elderly |
Workshops/Seminars |
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Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
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Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
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| Day 1 |
Arrive Auckland airport early morning. You will be transferred to your hotel in central Auckland. After a rest at the hotel and a brief tour of the city seeing some of the historic colonial-era buildings we visit one of New Zealand's natural wonders: Rangitoto Island. This is a volcanic island of relatively recent origin. Although it has no topsoil it supports a thriving forest of Pohutakawa and Rata trees. Return to hotel.
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| Day 2 |
Drive to Rotorua. Visit Waiotapu thermal area. Overnight at lodge in Rotorua.
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| Day 3 |
Enjoy a tranquil morning walk through native forest along the shores of Lake Okataina. Lunchtime Maori Concert in the Whakawerawera thermal area: bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers, fumaroles. Fly to Christchurch. Stay in hotel.
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| Day 4 |
All day in Christchurch, Port Hills, Museum, Arts Centre, Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park, etc.
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| Day 5 |
Travel inland from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass National Park. At Castle Hill we admire weird limestone rocks, sculptured by nature. At Arthur’s Pass there are a variety of walks to choose from: sub-alpine vegetation, beech forest, waterfalls, snow-covered peaks. Walking possibilities range from 1/2 hour to 2 hours. Cross the Main Divide via a steep alpine pass to the western side of the Southern Alps and continue to Paparoa National Park. Hotel at Punakaiki.
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| Day 6 |
Short beach and river walks and to visit bizarre pancake rocks and blowholes. View the only New Zealand and the earth's southernmost palm, the Nikau Palm.
Hotel at Punakaiki.
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| Day 7 |
Travel south along the West Coast to Franz Josef Glacier. En route view greenstone craftsmen and woodturning with native timbers in Hokitika. In Whataroa, a small West Coast township, we visit the breeding colony of the White Heron, Kotuku, travel by jet boat. Continue to Franz Josef. View glacier terminal from Sentinal Rock, overlooking the glacier valley and the glacier (15 minutes from road side). One of the very few glaciers on earth that is actively advancing. Hotel.
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| Day 8 |
Drive a short distance to Okarito Lagoon for forest and beach walks with spectacular viewing point of coastline and Southern Alps. 4 hour round trip. Alternatively short walk on the beach (as far as comfortable) and climb to viewing platform (45 minutes each way). Return to Franz Josef. Scenic flight option (weather dependent, between NZ$ 145 and NZ$ 285 depending on length of flight and type of aircraft, fixed wing or helicopter). Same hotel at Franz Josef.
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| Day 9 |
At Fox Glacier you walk around photogenic Lake Matheson, reflecting the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, Mts. Cook and Tasman. Walk to the Fox Glacier terminal and up through the rainforest to viewing place, right next to the towering ice pinnacles of the Fox Glacier. You may also visit Gillespies beach and the adventurous may want to have a go at canoeing the Gillespies Lagoon in Canadian canoes. Continue on to Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge set in midst of South Westland World Heritage Area.
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| Day 10 |
Choice of walks through rainforest to wild beaches. New Zealand fur seals, and rare Fiordland crested penguin (September until end of November only). View rare Hector's Dolphin from coastline. Canadian canoeing on Lake Moeraki available. Evening stroll possible to view glowworms and native bats. Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge.
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| Day 11 |
Coastal walk through rare Kahikatea forest and coastal landscape south of Lake Moeraki. Boarded walks, 45 minutes each. Travel via Haast Pass and Queenstown to Te Anau, visiting World Heritage Visitor Centre en route. View Te Anau wildlife enclosure with New Zealand's endangered Takahe. This is a long driving day, 5 1/2 hours driving. Farm Stay Te Anau.
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| Day 12 |
Drive to Milford. En route to Milford Sound enjoy some of Fiordland National Park's unique features by walking to Key Summit, a spectacular viewpoint on the Routeburn Track (3 hours return hiking / climbing on well formed track). Alternatively walkway to Marian Creek waterfalls in the Hollyford Valley (45 minutes return) and Lake Gunn Nature Walk. The more adventurous may walk up the Gertrude Valley (rough track) and view the abundance of alpine flowers amongst towering rock faces (3 hours return). Overnight cruise on the world famous Milford Sound on board the “Mariner”. Dolphins and seals are often sighted.
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| Day 13 |
Before returning to the wharf you visit the underwater observatory in Milford Sound. Drive to Te Anau. We walk the southern end of the Kepler Trek (2 hours on level ground). Ancient beech forest, rare NZ Yellowhead. Travel to Queenstown. 2 1/4 hours driving. Hotel Queenstown.
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| Day 14 |
Morning is available to try some of Queenstown's many optional activities, eg. jet boat ride, bungy jump, rafting or simply browse the shops. Travel via historic Arrowtown to Mount Cook via Lindis Pass. 3 hours driving. Overnight at the Hermitage overlooking the south face of Mount Cook, the centrepiece of yet another World Heritage site.
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| Meals |
All Inclusive
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| Local Transport |
Included
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| Insurance |
Not Included
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| Additional |
Sightseeing and boat trips according to itinerary, including Whale Watch, entry fees, National Park fees, transport in small air-conditioned bus, all meals, accommodation in motels, hotels, bed & breakfast or farm stay, one or two nights in mountain hut, tour guide and driver, 12.5% Goods and Services Tax. |
| Nearby Attractions |
Optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps.
Optional Canadian canoeing near Fox Glacier.
Optional sea kayaking Te Anau.
Optional bungy jumping, rafting and jet boat ride, Queenstown. |
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Basics & Backgrounds
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