Guided walking & holiday
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wellington to Picton
Our meeting place this morning is Wellington International
Airport. It is likely that all guests will fly from
Australia to New Zealand on the same flight as Dave
(we recommend you do, for ease of co-ordination). However,
if you have arrived in New Zealand a few days prior,
you will need to meet Dave and the other members of
our group at the check in area for Soundsair - the inter-island
airline that will take us on our scenic flight to Picton,
at the northern tip of the South Island. We will advise
you of a specific meeting time closer to departure.
On arrival in Picton, we transfer to our comfortable
hotel. Picton is a small place, situated around a picturesque
harbour and you can easily explore the town on foot.
We have arranged a pre-trek briefing with local walking
guides who will provide us with an insight to the walk
and what we can expect on the track.
Day 2 - Wednesday, March 11
Commence our walk on the Queen Charlotte Track (15KM)
Our trip begins with a short boat transfer across the
Sound to be dropped off at Ship Cove where we commence
walking on the Queen Charlotte Track.
Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the
Marlborough Sounds. Captain James Cook was known to
have moored HMS Endeavour here and used local timbers
to make repairs to the ship. The area is surrounded
by lush local forest and the walk to the top of the
ridge provides spectacular views. As we make our way
down into Endeavour Inlet, we spy Furneaux Lodge, our
first night's accommodation. Dinner can be taken in
the restaurant and there is a fine selection of local
wines on offer - just the ticket after stretching our
legs on day one of the track. Approximate walking time
today is 5 hours. (B,L)
Day 3 - Thursday, March 12
Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove Resort (11.7KM)
After a leisurely breakfast at Furneaux Lodge we take
a walk up to the waterfall and see the magnificent stands
of old growth forest. We rejoin the track as it winds
its way around the coastline to the other side of Endeavour
Inlet. Prolific birdsong dominates the day today and
we walk through several areas of regenerating bushland
mixed with virgin forest. Walking time is approximately
4 hours today. This evening we stay at Punga Cove Resort
in twin share chalets.
Day 4 - Friday, March 13
Punga Cove Resort to Portage Hotel (23.6KM)
Today we walk from Punga Cove to the Portage Resort
Hotel along the ridge between Keneperu and Queen Charlotte
Sound. Spectacular views dominated the day and we negotiate
the very undulating ridge between the two sounds. This
section is considered the most difficult on the track
and walkers do need to have a good level of fitness
to enjoy this day. There is the option to take water
transport from Punga Cove to the Portage Resort Hotel
for those who require a rest!
Approximate walking time is 7.5 hours. Upon your arrival
at the Portage Resort Hotel, we can rest and relax in
the spa and enjoy the view overlooking the Keneperu
Sound. We will be staying in twin share suites. (B,L)
Day 5 - Saturday, March 14
Rest Day at Portage Hotel
Today you can sleep in, rest, relax and enjoy the leisure
activities around Portage Resort Hotel. If you feel
like a little more activity you may like to go fishing,
play golf on the local rural golf course (a unique experience!),
or go sea kayaking for the day with a local guide. (B)
Day 6 - Sunday, March 15
Portage Resort Hotel return to Picton (20.7KM)
Our final day on the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you
will ascend to a ridgeline track which provides superb
views of the Sounds as we walk along. After Mistletoe
Bay, the track sidles along the hill and drops down
into Davies Bay before the last half hour through mature
beech forest ending at Anakiwa. Here we are met by our
water taxi and we return to Picton. Approximate walking
time is 6-7 hours. No doubt we will enjoy dinner at
one of the local restaurants and celebrate the completion
of our walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. (B,L)
Day 7 - Monday, March 16
Picton to Punakaiki
This morning we pick up our vehicle and drive to the
rugged west coast of the South Island. The scenery changes
as we head south-west down Highway Route 65, adjacent
to the Wairau River. We stop along the way at St Arnaud
for a coffee break. This is a quaint sub-alpine village
and the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. Our
journey continues on to the west coast. We spend the
night at Punakaiki and visit the famous Pancake Rocks.
(B).
Day 8 - Tuesday March 17
Punakaiki to Fox Glacier
We drive to Fox Glacier via Hokitika and take a half
day walk in the Fox area. (B)
Day 9 - Wednesday, March 18
Fox Glacier
Full day walk at Fox Glacier (B)
Day 10 - Thursday, March 19
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
This morning we retrace our steps for a while and take
a leisurely drive to Greymouth . Around 1 pm, we make
our way to the Greymouth train station and board the
TranzAlpine.
The trip from Greymouth over the Southern Alps to Christchurch
has justifiably been called one of the greatest train
journeys in the world. It tracks its way though a sequence
of spectacular landscapes. Heading east we pass through
the Otira, Taramakau and Grey River valleys. At one
point, we enter an 8km long tunnel through the mountains
before emerging near Arthur's Pass. From the snow capped
peaks we descend through valleys of forested beech,
offering jaw dropping views of the Waimakariri and Bealey
Valleys. Descending further still, via a series of viaducts,
we emerge on the flat, alluvial Canterbury Plains and
head east for Christchurch. Arriving in the early evening
we transfer to our centrally located hotel in this charming
city, the biggest on New Zealand's South Island. It's
the final night of our tour program and there are many
fine restaurants to consider for a farewell evening
meal. Overnight Christchurch. (B)
Day 11 - Friday, March 20
International Departures
Our fabulous tour of New Zealand ends this morning
after breakfast. Dave can assist you with organising
a transfer via inexpensive local taxi to Christchurch
International Airport - a short distance from the city
centre. If you would like to extend your stay in New
Zealand, do so by all means. Perhaps head further south
to Fiordland, Dunedin or rugged Stewart Island. If you've
not scratched your 'walking itch' on the Queen Charlotte
Track, perhaps the Milford, Hollyford or Routeburn Tracks
beckon. Active Traqvel can help you with all of this.
Trip Price and Inclusions:
Program commences in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday
March 10.
The Trip Price (see below) includes:
- All accommodation on a twin-share basis in 3 to 4
star properties.
- Breakfasts throughout, lunches during the walk. Dinners
and other meals at guests' expense.
- One domestic flight from Wellington to Picton with
Soundsair
- Queen Charlotte Track fees
- Comprehensive track notes, maps and information kit
- Pre-trek briefing provided by local walking experts
- Comfortable private transport from Picton to Fox Glacier
and then Greymouth
- TranzAlpine train trip from Greymouth to Christchurch
- Services of Dave Best as program host
Note - there is a departure tax payable upon leaving
New Zealand of $NZ25.00.
A short walk in New Zealand
Dates and costs
2-12 March 2009
$2720 per person twin share, $3320 single, commencing
in Wellington and finishing in Christchurch, New Zealand
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