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Explorer Footsteps 3 Day Programme
offered by supplier M14372 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 3
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 10
people
Destination(s):
New Zealand
Specialty Categories:
Walking Tours
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 691 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 691 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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Day 1. 9:00am meet at the Ashley Hotel in Greymouth (other accommodation pickups available) with everything listed on the required gear list. We will supply you with a day pack and waterproof raincoat. Remember that we do not provide any meals on these programmes but do carry the makings for a hot drink on the tracks. There are ample places on the way to purchase any meals you may require.
Today we head north up the beautiful Coast Road into the limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. This is the second largest area of Karst country in the Southern Hemisphere. You will walk amongst stacks of Pancakes made entirely of rock! Watch the staggering power of nature as the sea heaves itself up through limestone holes to form rainbows of foam as it spews into huge geysers.
Visiting amazing limestone gorges carved by centuries of water action and even go underground if you dare. We take in a seal colony and in season, visit the nesting site of birds that live in holes under trees. Moss covered rainforest, huge ferns and friendly fantail birds are the backdrop today as we follow the coastal footsteps along Te Ara Pounamu limestone heritage. Accommodation: Greymouth Ashley Hotel or Neptunes Backpackers
Day 2. 9:00am Depart following the inland waterway greenstone traders route into the early settlers gold rush township of Blackball. Once a bustling gold and coal town we learn about the geology of the area and how the earths crusts is bending up to create some amazing landforms found here.
Walk the swingbridge (there is another way round) and try your hand at goldpanning. Or take a heli-hike to the 1860's Croesus goldmine on the mountaintops with its magnificent views and historic walk back down through the rainforest to the Blackball Hilton for a glass of the local brew. (note: helicopter option is an extra cost of $80pp and is weather dependant but is well worth it.) How about lunch at the Hilton, an 1860's gold rush hotel and then it is off to something completely different, The Jungle Boat Cruise. Those before us did not always travel the greenstone pathway on foot. They took the easiest route possible and so are we!
This afternoon you will drift quietly down through the rainforest by jungle boat in the traditions of our earliest Maori travellers. On this journey you stop to learn about the way the Maori people used the rainforest for food, medicine and shelter. You will be taught the art of flax weaving and be able to take home with you a Maori artefact made by yourself! This evening those that wish to will be able to gather together on the beach with a bonfire Barbeque to cook your dinner the Kiwi way as you enjoy the sunset. (Remember to bring your own food, your guide will advise you what is best to bring and where to get it from, Kiwi Style forming a very cheap nutritious meal). Accommodation: Greymouth Ashley Hotel or Neptunes Backpackers
Day 3. 9:00 am depart for a Jade search. Te Ara Pounamu- the greenstone pathway was formed to discover Jade greenstone, a very hard, beautiful and precious stone. This morning we will walk one of the stone beaches to see if 'Te Tai Poutini Pounamu', the greenstone god will make a gift to you. It is said that you do not find Jade but it finds you! You will be hosted for this walk by the Tangata whenua (the people of the land). Today you will enter the world of the local Maori getting an insight into their modern day culture while visiting a Jade carver.
This afternoon we walk onto the head of an ancient lizard, the Tuatara! This living remnant from the dinosaur age is believed in local legend to be represented by a range of low hills which has the power to see into the future! Today we hope that some of this will rub off on us so that we can then go and buy ourselves a winning lottery ticket! Views of the coastline and hinterland are obtained from this vantage point to finish your tour with some great photographic opportunities. 3 day Tour ends. 5 day tour accommodation is in Greymouth and programme continues below.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Walking Tours
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