Hike up the rocky slopes of the Ohau Range and look down on turquoise glacial lakes. Gaze in awe at the contorted forms of glaciers and the snow capped peaks of Mount Cook. Explore the remarkable volcanic topography of Mount Somers with its waterfalls and narrow canyons. This is one of New Zealand's most beautiful, varied and interesting hiking vacations. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: You'll start your New Zealand hiking vacation by heading south to Te Anau (optional pick-up point by prior arrangement) and Fiordland National Park. Hike with daypacks to Key Summit, part of the famous Routeburn track. Enjoy spectacular views of the Darran mountains. Return to vehicle and camp in the Hollyford valley. Introduction night. Total hiking time: 3 hours. Day 2: Up early for a morning kayak in Milford Sound with cascading waterfalls and views of Mitre Peak (1722m). Fiordland crested penguins and New Zealand fur seals often play near our kayaks. Drive back through the Homer Tunnel and south to Lake Monowai. Camp. Total hiking time: 4 hours. Day 3: Drive up to Borland Saddle. Start two day hike above the bushline onto the Hunter Range with great views into Fiordland National Park. Traverse along Hunter Range, then descend to Green Lake. Stay in mountain hut or camp. Total hiking time: 7 hours. Day 4: Hike through beech forest and across tussock basins to Borland Road. Drive to Curio Bay in the Catlins via Invercargill. Stay in a crib (NZ summer house). Evening walk along this beautiful beach. Total hiking time: 4 hours. Day 5: Hector's dolphins are often seen in the bay. Explore a fossilised forest (180 million years old). Head to Cannibal Bay and visit New Zealand sea lion and yellow-eyed penguin colonies. Camp near the beach and enjoy a hangi meal. Total hiking time: 3 hours. Day 6: Drive up the Clutha Valley through to Alexandra. Enjoy a rest in a cafe or winery, or take an optional cycling tour around the historic Otago Rail Trail. Dine in a local restaurant. Optional cycling/walking. Day 7: Drive through the high country to Lake Ohau with time to swim. Pack and begin two day hike through beech forest in Freehold Creek to a sub alpine camp just below the bushline. Total hiking time: 3 hours. Day 8: With day-packs, hike up into a mountain basin filled with tarns (small alpine lakes) onto Ohau Range (1915m). Superb views of the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie Basin. Return to campsite, pack-up, and hike back to vehicle. Drive onto farm house for the night. Total hiking time: 7 hours. Day 9: Hike to Sealy Tarns and possibly Mueller Hut in Mount Cook National Park for a view of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers, Mount Sefton Ice Fall, and New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3754m) - "The Cloud Piercer". Return and camp on the shores of Lake Pukaki. Total hiking time: 5 hours. Day 10: Drive through Mackenzie Basin, past Lake Tekapo, to south Canterbury and to Mount Somers for a two day hike. Rock-hop up the Woolshed River Canyon in an historic mining area to a tramper's hut. Total hiking time: 4 hours. Day 11: Explore water caves, and Tri-Falls Stream before returning to vehicle via the coal-mine route. Hikers in this area often see the rare New Zealand falcon. Clean vehicle and gear. Drive across Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Total hiking time: 4 hours. Notes:
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