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10 Day Eastern Epic Safari

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Hike through the alpine mountains, hiking the rugged slopes, ancient beech forests and tussocky basins. Combine three multi-day hikes with kayaking, whale watching and natural hot springs. Circle the north and east of the South Island, visiting classic mountain huts, viewing wildlife and reaching awe-inspiring summits.


This hike is an average of 8-9 hours of physical activity per day, altitude gains of 900m to 1000m (2950 to 3300ft) with exposure to heights. Hiking experience is necessary and you must have a good level of fitness.

Meals: Everybody is involved with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, curries, pasta, stir-fries, hangi… Vegetarian meals are no problem. When you are on overnight hikes the group will usually eat pasta and rice meals. There is always a lot of hiking food – chocolate, peanuts, raisins, biscuits. The vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans and billies.

Accommodation: These hiking safaris use a rage of accommodation: camping, backcountry huts, cribs (summer houses), hostels and cabins. You will generally camp if the weather is fine, so you get to enjoy the outdoors more. In less pleasant weather your guide will arrange accommodation for the group.

Day 1 - Tour begins in Christchurch

We all meet in Christchurch for a briefing by your guide before driving north to the wild and rock Kaikoura coast. After a picnic lunch we pack up for an overnight hike and walk to Mount Fyffe Hut in the Seaward Kaikoura Range. These spectacular mountains rise steeply from sea level providing a stunning backdrop. We spend the evening getting to know on another while enjoying the panoramic views. 10km/6 hours hiking

Day 2 - Kaikoura

We're up early to climb to the summit of Mount Fyffe (1765 metres) and watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. Superb views of the Kaikoura Peninsula below and the coastline stretching northwards. Descend through a rocky arid alpine environment returning to Mount Fyffe Hut, then follow a track down the ridge line to the car park. We head to the coast, to an area rich in marine wildlife due to the upwelling of nutrients from deep underwater canyons. Sperm whales live here feeding on the giant squid that enhabit the Hikurangi Trench. Kaikoura was an important food gathering area for the Maori - the name means 'meal of crayfish'. A whale watching boat trip (additional fee's) provides a thrilling opportunity to see these giants of the sea, as well as dolphins and seals. Drive north up the coast to our campsite at Marfells Beach. 10km/4 hours hiking

Day 3 - Nelson Lakes National Park

Today we start a three day hike into Nelson Lakes National Park hiking the shores of Lake Rotoiti through beautiful beech forest, the forest floor carpeted with bright green mosses. We continue up the Travers Valley before branching off up Hukere Stream. We slowly make our way higher up the valley towards Mount Angelus. We camp in a clearing beside the stream, with magnificent views across the high mountains all around us. 16km/5 hours hiking

Day 4 - Nelson Lakes National Park

Start the day with a steep but extremely rewarding climb following the cascading Hukere Stream up into the Angelus Basin, there will be time to relax and have a cup of tea on reaching the hut. In the afternoon scramble up to the top of Mount Angelus, 2077 metres (optional). Because this is such as special place lots of time is allowed for just sitting back and enjoying the jaw-dropping scenery. Tonight we either stay in the hut or camp by the lake. 9km/5 hours hiking

Day 5 - Nelson Lakes National Park

After a nice breakfast we pack up and follow a rocky alpine ridge back out to the vehicle. Incredible views down to Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Traverse tussock slopes and shattered rock, while looking out for alpine flora such as the bizarre vegetable sheep. On reaching the vehicle there is time for a swim and some lunch before driving through to Marahau, to a peaceful campsite at the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. 12km/4 hours hiking

Day 6 - Abel Tasman National Park

Enjoy a whole day sea kayaking (additional fee's, optional); a great way to explore this golden paradise with wonderful sandy beaches, islands and sea caves of the park. There is time to swim and lay back in the sun. If the conditions are right it may be possible to join the kayaks together and sail home on the gentle sea breeze. For those not kayaking, there is the opportunity to go for a walk on the coastal track and make the most of the excellent water taxi service. In the late afternoon we drive to Tapawera and stay in a "classic kiwi camping ground" - there is even a hot tub to revive those aching muscles! 10km/4 hours hiking

Day 7 - Kahurangi National Park

Pack up for a three-day hike into New Zealand's second largest national park - Kahurangi. After a steep climb through beech forest we descent into Ghost Valley, passing the remains of an historic slab-construction prospectors hut. The track follows Blue Creek up through hardy Dracophyllum forest in the alpine shrub zone to Granity Pass where you'll either stay in a mountain hut or set up camp nearby. 8km/6 hours hiking

Day 8 - Kahurangi National Park

Explore the glaciated karst landscape of Mount Owen where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed! The geology here is fascinating - the massif is limestone metamorphosed into marble and is riddled with caves, the longest being Bulmer with 36 kilometres of passages. Cross gentle tussock slopes to the sculptured marble maze of Mount Owen where careful route finding takes us to the summit (1875 metres). You will be rewarded with panoramic views across the mountains of Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes. We return back to our hut/camp site, and enjoy another night in this incredible place. 10km/6 hours hiking

Day 9 - Kahurangi National Park

This morning we descend leisurely through beech forest back to the vehicle. There is enough time for those who want a refreshing swim in the river before we drive through to Murchison. We spend our last night in this small picturesque rural land, famed for its white water kayaking and rafting. 8km/5 hours hiking

Day 10 - Tour Ends in Christchurch

After a relaxing morning at the cottage and a quick vehicle and gear clean up, we drive over the scenic Lewis Pass and back to Christchurch. Stop on the way for a short hike and a soak in the Maruia hot pools. Driving on, we return to Christchurch between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. 4km/2 hours hiking