Grab life with both hands with this in-depth, all-Days-covered action and adventure wilderness experience. Start at the set departure Days (in red on the itinerary/map) or contact us to start and finish at any Day you'd prefer.
Choose to join in Auckland and head north to enjoy the Bay of Islands first, or head south first and hold on to the prospect of the warm waters of the far north until the end of your Ultimate Explorer. Departures north take 27 days; all others are 28-day trips (enjoy an extra night in Auckland at your own expense).
You get to see - Stunning Bay of Islands, popular Coromandel, thermal mud pools, cruise the Marlborough Sounds, infamous Mount Cook, breathtaking Milford Sound, adrenalin rush of Queenstown, chilling Glaciers, picturesque Abel Tasman National Park, natural beauty of Kaikoura, the spectacular Milford Sounds, real Lord of the Rings country, the lush vineywards and hilly pastures of Picton and Marlborough, cultural and historical treasure, dramatic glaciers and that’s just a taster...there’s guaranteed to be much, much more.
You get to try - more cycle rides, hikes, dolphin swimming, sailing, sea kayaking, sandboarding, Tongariro Crossing, whale watching, skydiving, rafting, cruising the Milford Sound, Routeburn Track, bungy jumping, paragliding, glacier hiking, and if you have the energy - much, much more.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Auckland 10am. Escape the city, heading for the golden beaches and warm waters of the Bay of Islands. Visit the Treaty House. Mangrove walk leading to the Haruru Waterfalls. Cycle scenic route. Star-gazing at our camp.
(L), (D)
Day 2: Delicious pancake breakfast. Spend the day in the Bay of Islands with clear waters, ranging in hue from turquoise to deep blue. Relax at the beach or surf on our free boogie boards. Catch that gigantic fish! Opua Forest walks. Cycle scenic loop to Russell visiting Kauri Grove on the way. Optional trips to Cape Reinga, sail the Bay of Islands, Dolphin Swimming or dive the Rainbow Warrior. At night time an optional Maori Concert. A second night at the same campsite. (B), (L), (D)
Day 3: A day full of happenings. Cycle head start. Sand dunes of Opononi invite us for some excellent fun. Optional Sand Boarding is the name of the game or enjoy a walk. Cycle or bus to Waipoua Forest to explore the giant Kauri trees. Travel Hibiscus Coast to our camp at the famous Waiwera hot pools. (B), (L), (D)
Day 4: Return to the "City of Sails". Depart Auckland at 10am. The beautiful Coromandel Peninsula awaits us. Cycle scenic route following Pohutukawa-lined shores with magnificent views of the peninsula. A relaxing afternoon at Cathedral Cove beach or dig pools where thermal waters spring from the sands of fascinating Hot Water Beach. Camp at the Coromandel for the night. Please note for Beach It and Reverse Traverse the tour finishes in Auckland and includes breakfast only. (B), (L), (D)
Day 5: Cycle off ahead. On to steaming Rotorua with its thermal wonders. Town visit and Polynesian Pools. Cycle to lake side camp nestled below the dormant Mt. Tarawera. (B), (D)
Day 6: A relaxed start at our lake-side camp walk, cycle the route ahead, optional flight over this volcanic region. We visit Wai-O-Tapu, mud pools & geysers. We drive on to the Huka Falls & Taupo for time in town. Optional Skydiving. Majestic Mts Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu dominate the skyline as we journey along the shores of one of the largest crater lakes in the world. To Turangi and our camp. (B), (L), (D)
Day 7: Optional early start to NZ's most popular day hike, the "Tongariro Crossing". Alternatively visit the Volcanic Centre museum or cycle around the mountain. Pick up the hikers at the end of the track and drive on to our camp on the Kapiti Coast. (B), (L), (D)
Day 8: For those who are heading south we travel by ferry (cost included) or if you are heading north rejoin us at 1pm (see Day 26). We arrive in Wellington by 11am. The capital offers café culture, good bars and Te Papa Museum, which is worth a visit. We do not provide accommodation but will help you make a booking in the place of your choice. (B)
Day 9: Depart Picton 10am. Pacific Coast to Kaikoura, cycle stunning coastal route. Close encounters with fur seals and a myriad of sea birds on the Peninsula Walk. Optional Whale Watch. Camp at a beach camp on the Kaikoura coast. (L), (D)
Day 10: Optional Dolphin Swim or Seal Swim if you prefer! Cycle or walk along coast. Explore Christchurch, the "Garden City". Depart Christchurch 4pm. Backcountry road to Rangitata River camp, nested below the Southern Alps. Scenic cycle ride into camp. Excellent walks. (B), (D)
Day 11: Optional White Water rafting on the Rangitata river. Morning cycle or walk. Travel through Geraldine and Mackenzie Basin with great views of the Main Divide. Walk or Cycle to Lake Tekapo. Cycle scenic hydro canals. Lake Pukaki camp with stunning views of Mt. Cook. Time for a swim in the lake. (B), (L), (D)
Day 12: Morning Cycle Day spent enjoying Mt. Cook National Park. Hooker Valley walk and glacier. Cycle down the Waitaki River Valley, and cycle coastal route to beach camp near Oamaru. (B), (L), (D)
Day 13: Morning coastal walk or cycle. Bizzare Moeraki Boulders. Picturesque Scottish Dunedin.explore the town! Optional entry to Yellow-Eyed Penguin Reserve and Royal Albatross Colony on the rugged Otago Peninsula. Cycle scenic route into camp. Travel into the spectacular natural beauty of the Catlins for the night. (B), (D)
Day 14: Through southern pastures. Scenic route, lunch in Manapouri. cycle or walk to Te Anau. Cycle the shores of Lake Te Anau to a wilderness camp in Fiordland National Park (B), (L), (D)
Day 15: One of the world's most scenic routes into Milford Sound! Cycle magnificent descent from Homer Tunnel (3000ft)! Highly recommended optional Boat Cruise to experience the grandeur of the fiord. The Routeburn, Caples, Greenstone Track walkers depart at The Divide. Return to camp by the stunning Lake Te Anau. The drive into Milford is dependent on weather conditions. (B), (L), (D)
Day 16: Explore Te Anau. Walk, fish or cycle in the area. Optional overnight hike on the Keppler Track with panoramic views from Mt Luxmore. Same lakeside camp in Te Anau. (B), (L), (D)
Day 17: Journey to Queenstown, cycle shores of Lake Wakatipu. Camp overlooking the lake and town. Track walkers re-join group. A big night out. Excellent restaurants, bars and live music. (B), (L)
Day 18: Queenstown optional adrenalin activities. Bungy, Fly-by-wire, Jet Boat, Rafting, Horse Trekking, Maori Concert, Parapenting, Gondola ride and many more. Cycle and walk in alpine areas. Depart Queenstown at 3pm. Camp beside a tranquil lake with hikes, cycling and swimming. (B), (D)
Day 19: A relaxed morning at the camp. Lake Wanaka and Haast Pass. with optional Jet Boating on the Wilkin River. Cycle steep downhill, through rain forest, cycle past waterfalls and pools to the wild West Coast. Camp at Okuru, a world heritage area, bird life, lagoon and beach walks. (B), (L), (D)
Day 20: Drive to Fox Glacier for optional Guided Walk or Heli Hike on the glacier. Cycle to Okarito beach camp. White Heron Sanctuary, spectacular walks and breathtaking views of the Southern Alps. (B), (L), (D)
Day 21: Morning at Okarito with a stunning early morning walk to watch the sunrise. Cycle the route ahead. Hokitika, visit a Greenstone Factory. Stunning coastal walk and cycle. Beach camp two nights at Punakaiki, home of the famous Pancake Rocks. Paparoa National Park. (L), (D)
Day 22: Traditional Flying Kiwi pancake breakfast. Explore the outstanding sub-tropical flora and admire limestone formations of the Pororari River Canyon. Cycle rides glow worm caves, beach. Optional Rafting and Horse Trekking. (B), (L), (D)
Day 23: Travel through the Buller Gorge for some cycling and good scenery to the Abel Tasman region. Cycle backroute through Kaiteriteri. Stay two nights at Old MacDonald's Farm, Marahau, with the Abel Tasman N.P. on our doorstep. (B), (D)
Day 24: Free day for exploring the area. Walk, cycle, optional Sail, Sea Kayak or boat and walk, to the golden beaches. Swim in crystal clear waters. Night out at a cool café. (B), (L)
Day 25: Time in Nelson. Optional Sky-diving. Pelorus River. Cycle along Queen Charlotte Drive. Travel through the Marlborough wine region. Picton by 6pm. (B)
Day 26: We depart Wellington at 1pm, then on to Taranaki for takeaways. Camp the night at Onaero Bay, a lovely bush surrounded estuary.
Day 27: Waitomo, a limestone wonderland created by erosion over millions of years. Optional Blackwater Rafting, Glow Worm Caves, walks. Arrive in Auckland by 6pm. (B), (L)
Please note: You can join the Ultimate Explorer tour at any Day along the route.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Trip cost - $1795.
- Camp fees $12/night - $288.
- Food fund $20/night - $480.
*Optional Hires:
- Cycle hire - $360.
- Private cycle handling - $150.
- Tent share (including mattress) - $90.
- Tent single (including mattress) - $145.
- Sleeping bag - $48.
- Backpack/mattress - $40.
Food: Tasty and healthy meals 3 times a day most days (check itinerary). Snacks and hot and cold drinks.
Included: all travel, side trips to remote areas & walking tracks, sports equipment on board, food & drinks, camp fees, amazing memories and plenty more.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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