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In the traditions of our early explorers by Jungle Boat you will follow the route of Te Ara Pounamu-the greenstone pathway. This is part of the trail used by ancient Maori greenstone jade traders on their way to the West Coast jade fields. This gentle float trip through some of the worlds most hauntingly beautiful scenery teaches you about how we preserve the delicate balance between one of natures oldest ecosystems and today's modern use of this environment. Here you can experience absolute silence which may be broken by the occassional bird call. Touch this silence while drifting by the prehistoric world of huge podocarp rainforest trees, the home of this diverse range of birds. The dark waters are tinged with tannin from the rainforest giving you an eerie feeling of timelessness. Enjoy a cup of manuka bush tea, glass of wine or fruit juice as you learn about the life and legends of the native Maori People who live in this area. As you float silently by this prehistoric world we will meet some of the astounding bird life that has made this their home for many centuries. Being part of this seldom visited forestland waterway imparts the visitor with a sense of rejuvenation and timelessness along with an understanding of the short time that mankind has been a part of this planet. One Day Glaciers Discovery: Departing from Greymouth at 7:30am we drive the spectacular West Coast Heritage Highway through a land of contrasts with its changing views of coastline, rainforest, mirror lakes and mountains. Arrival at the Glaciers is around 10:00am. We stop for morning tea and a browse around the glacier village before heading off on a guided walk to the Glacier terminal face. On our guided walk you will learn about the amazing forces of nature at work here as you watch how the ice has carved out hanging valleys and formed kettle lakes. You can view the glacier from a distance after walking about ten minutes or continue on for another 35 minutes to walk right up to the glacier ice! This massive creaking, groaning river of ice is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. We return to the village early afternoon where there is time to do some of the many additional activities that can be done at the glaciers. These are at your own additional expense and can include a helicopter flights with snowlanding, or a walk up on the glacier with its shimmering blue ice caves. Ask your guide to arrange any of these for you. Notes:
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