Arrive independently in Blenheim, in the Marlborough wine country. Please arrive no later than 1:30 pm. (there is a flight from Auckland which arrives at 1:30 pm). We will meet you at the airport (whenever you arrive before 13:30) and transfer you to Picton harbour for a light lunch and then a boat transfer to beautiful Furneaux lodge. There is time for a swim or a short stroll along the coastal path before dinner on the terrace of the historic homestead building. There are many flights from Auckland and Christchurch to Blenheim. Overnight Furneaux Lodge in luxury waterfront suites. Endeavour Inlet. Airport transfer, overnight, and all meals included.

Today you begin the Queen Charlotte walking track, a relatively easy but long walk amongst the splendid bays and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. The track is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks, and wonderful variety of native bush and birdlife. The terrain is undulating with hills ranging from sea level to 400 m (1,200 ft). Most of the track is wide and all major streams have been bridged. We begin our walk from Ship Cove, where Captain Cook rested and replenished during his three historic voyages to the South Pacific in the 1770s. Upon arrival at Furneaux Lodge, enjoy a cold drink on the terrace, or borrow a sea kayak for a paddle along Endeavour inlet. Walking Distance: 18 km (11 mi), about 4.5 - 5 hours of walking. We start the day with a short boat transfer to access the trailhead. 2nd night at  Furneaux Lodge in luxury waterfront suites. Overnight and all meals included.

Exit the Queen Charlotte track via water taxi back to the mainland. Time for a "flat white" in Picton village before a 2-hour van transfer to Kaikoura. A beautiful 6 km (3.5 mi) walk along the coast allows us to stretch our legs before continuing along this super scenic stretch of coast which features the towering peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura range on one side and the shimmering blue waters of the Pacific on the other. We soon arrive at the Ngaroma Beach House, a simple but comfortable house located 20 m (60 ft) from the shore that was originally built as the farm's “Shearers Quarters.”  We are now on a private farm track, created by two neighbouring "run-holders" to diversify their farm income. We are joined for dinner by Heather and Bruce, the owners of the Ngaroma farm. They are lovely hosts and they share with us some local lore about this isolated farm and their life here. Walking distance: 6 km (3.5 mi) for Kaikoura walk, and as many as you like along the beach. Overnight at the Ngaroma Beach House, a farm cottage with separate rooms but shared WC and shower facilities. Overnight and all meals included.

After a hearty farm-style breakfast we set off on today’s adventure. The “trail” starts along the beach and passes beneath cliffs embedded with 8,000-year-old tree stumps and fossils. You may see seals or dolphins playing in the surf, but chances are you will be too busy beachcombing as the sand reveals lots of natural treasures! Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Circle Shelter nestled amongst coastal bush before climbing up some high terraces for immense views up and down the uninhabited coast. The trail then turns inland and weaves its way through covenanted land that is returning to native bush and forest. Fantails and Bellbirds provide a natural soundtrack as we head for the Medina homestead where we spend the night. We will be joined by farm owners Sally and David who share many colourful stories about their 50+ plus years living a unique lifestyle on this land. We again enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal prepared with T.L.C by Sally and David’s daughter. Walking Distance: 13 km (8 mi). Overnight at Medina homestead featuring a charming 100-year-old all-wood "Shearers Quarters" and “Garden cottage.” Private rooms but shared WC and shower facilities. Overnight and all meals included.

Our day starts with a long but gradual climb up a ridge line through native forest and pine plantations. We emerge above the bush line and are rewarded with a spectacular view over rolling hills to the jagged peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura range. Stop for lunch at a hut perched high above the valley, and in some cases, above the soft, fluffy sea mist that burns away during the morning. A gradual descent brings us back to the Ngaroma beach hut where we rest and enjoy a glass of homemade lemonade before hopping into the van for a scenic two-hour transfer to Christchurch. Overnight in Sumner, Christchurch’s popular beach and surf area. We stay in a small contemporary four-star hotel that is in the heart of Sumner village and a 2-minute walk to the beach. Walking Distance: 11 km (7 mi). Four star hotel. Overnight and all meals included.

This morning we walk along Christchurch's spectacular crater rim walkway. True to its name, it follows the rim of the ancient and now extinct volcanic crater which gave birth to Banks Peninsula, an area of 1,150 square km (440 sq.mi.). We start with a short van ride to Lyttelton and leave the historic port on foot to climb 400 m (1,200 ft) for fabulous views of Christchurch city to the north and Whakaraupo Bay and Banks Peninsula to the south. Fantastic panoramas abound as we walk through open country to eventually descend the historic bridle path which in pioneer days connected Christchurch settlement with Lyttleton harbour. Lunch today is at Eruption Brewery, Lyttelton’s excellent craft brewery which also serves up tasty food on their rooftop terrace. After lunch, you have the choice of a gorgeous walk along the wild bluffs of Godley Head, or to return to Sumner and hit the beach.  2nd overnight at four star hotel in Sumner. Walking Distance: 12 km (8 mi) in the morning & 6 km (4 mi) in the afternoon. Hotel and all meals included.

This morning you have some free time to explore central Christchurch. We have developed a self-guided “urban hike” which hits the highlights of the city. You can enjoy the magnificent botanical gardens, peruse many of the excellent galleries, or chill out in one of Christchurch’s many cafés. After a lunch of your choice (not included) we leave Christchurch and head south to the "Mackenzie country," a unique environment of harsh winters, hot summers, and mountainous terrain which produces the finest Merino wool in the world. We arrive around 4 pm at the historic Grampians Station where we have permission to do a walk into the foothills around the farm. You are rewarded with incredible views of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, and the snow-capped peaks of its adjacent rivals. We descend down to the shearers’ quarters to enjoy the sunset view and a cold drink with owner Eve Hope who will give you some insights into the challenges of running a 50,000 acre Merino sheep station. We stay tonight at nearby Tekapo settlement, a small community situated on the edge of a glacial lake where the Southern Alps provide a dramatic backdrop.

Tonight our accommodation is in a very comfortable five-bedroom and bathroom holiday home. Dinner is family style at the dining room table. After dinner it's time to look to the heavens because Tekapo is located in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This 4,300 sq.km (1,660 sq.mi.) area is the southern hemisphere’s sole dark sky reserve and one of only eight in the world. Light pollution is strictly controlled to provide a unique and unforgettable star-gazing experience. Overnight Tekapo house. Walking distance: 8 km (5 mi) in the morning and 4 km (3 mi) in the afternoon. Drive time 3.5 hours. Overnight, breakfast, and dinner included. Lunch not included.

After breakfast head west towards the “Main Divide,” the imposing wall of mountains that runs north-south along the western edge of the South Island. We stop at a farm gate and start our walk along a 4x4 track that enters Braemar station. Permission has been granted to access this spectacular property that overlooks the emerald waters of Lake Pukaki. An hour and a half into the walk we are joined by owner Julia Mackenzie who tells us the fascinating history of the farm as well as the joys and challenges of “high country life.” Our hike finishes at the Braemar homestead where Julia invites us into her kitchen for a delicious home-cooked lunch. The nearby snow-capped peak of Mount Cook is visible from the kitchen window. The afternoon walk takes us along the edge of the braided Tasman river with magnificent views of Mount Cook and the Mueller glacier. Return to Tekapo for a second night at our comfortable home in the village.. Walking distance: 10 km (6 mi) in the morning and 6 km (4 mi) in the afternoon. Overnight and all meals included.

Say goodbye to the Mackenzie country as we head south along the celebrated scenic drive through the Lindis Pass to Queenstown. During the drive we will stop for a 45-minute easy walk along the edge of stunning Lake Pukaki. We stop for a delicious lunch near Arrowtown at Akarua winery. This afternoon you will experience an exhilarating jet-boat ride through the canyons of the Shotover River before checking into our four-star hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy a late afternoon walk along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to take in the views onto "The Remarkables," the aptly named mountain range that lines the eastern shore of the lake. Queenstown has been blessed with splendid natural beauty but it also features some of the best restaurants in New Zealand. Tonight is a free-night so you can dine where you please. There is much to choose from, including Michelin-starred chef Josh Emmet's "Rata" restaurant. Drive time: 3.5 – 4 hours. Overnight in Queenstown at four-star hotel. Hotel, breakfast, and lunch included. Dinner not included.

Today is chock-o-block with stunning scenery. This morning we take a high-wing propeller aircraft flight from Queenstown over the magnificent mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and fiords of Fiordland National Park. We land at the head of Milford Sound to board a launch to cruise the full length of the fjord to the base of Mitre peak, whose 1,683 m (5,551 ft) spire rises straight from the sea. Return to Queenstown by scenic flight over the world-famous Milford Track and Sutherland Falls. The excursion lasts 4 hours so we’ll be back in Queenstown in time for lunch followed by some free time, so you can choose to chill out by the lake, enjoy a spa treatment, or try a parachute jump, or a bungee jump, or white-water rafting! Your Customwalks guide will happily accompany you on a serene walk that skirts the turquoise waters of Lake Wakatipu and features the craggy peaks of the Remarkables range. Queenstown is not only famous for its scenery and adventure sports, but also for the excellent wines that come from the “Central Otago” wine-growing region. Before dinner you can visit an ingenious wine bar where you can sample some of the highest-rated Pinots on the planet. Tonight is another “free night” dinner in Queenstown. 2nd Overnight Queenstown in four-star hotel. Hotel, breakfast and lunch included. Dinner not included.

We have an early departure from Queenstown to access the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's GREAT WALKS.  The track passes through two national parks, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. You will be walking amongst mountainous peaks, sheer rock faces, alpine basins, pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls, luxuriant forest, and aquamarine rivers. The track is equipped with several huts and shelters but you will be staying both nights in luxury lodges where you can enjoy a hot shower, clean towels, crisp linen and a three-course meal, not to mention a cold beer at the end of the day. We will be joining other like-minded hikers on this route, and you will have an additional four guides to look after you on the trail. Today's hike starts with a climb up a wide path to Key Summit for a huge vista. Here you can sit among the alpine flora and gaze down upon three valleys from which water flows to three different coasts. You then descend to the Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch before gradually climbing through a lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls. You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice-capped Darran Mountains before descending to the lodge at Lake Mackenzie. Morning bus transfer: 3 hours.  Walking Distance 15 km (9 mi). Overnight Lake Mackenzie. Hotel and all meals included.

Wake up this morning to a chorus of native birds then enjoy a hearty breakfast before seting out for one of the most scenic alpine walks in the world. You leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen and enter the world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss as you gain altitude. At the top of the pass, revel in a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martin's Bay. On a clear day you can see the white froth from the rollers breaking on the coast. Lunch is at Harris Saddle hut, where flush toilets are available (this is sophisticated hiking!) in addition to the awesome panorama. A gradual descent takes you into the upper basins of the Routeburn Valley with towering mountains above you. We sleep tonight at the beautifully located Routeburn Falls Lodge. Chances are you will get a visit from a Kia, the world's only Alpine Parrot, and surely the cheekiest too. Walking Distance: 15 km (9 mi). Overnight Routeburn Falls. Hotel and all meals included.

A leisurely and easy hike this morning leads us along the banks of an emerald green stream. The track continues to shadow the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through the beech forest to the Road End at Routeburn flats where the bus takes us to Glenorchy pub for a welcome drink before the 45-minute drive to Queenstown. We get back to Queenstown around mid-afternoon so you have time to relax and pack, or explore more of  Queenstown village before dinner at Eckhardt’s Grill, one of Queenstown’s premier restaurants. Walking Distance: 10 km (6 mi). Overnight, and all meals included.

The tour has ended. Sorry! Many people choose to pick up a rental car in Queenstown to continue their explorations of the South Island, others spend an extra night in Queenstown, while others fly out today. There are regular flights from Queenstown to Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, and Melbourne. Your guide will help you make arrangements to get to the airport

On the last three days we walk the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks,” and as such the government has invested in upgrading the trail to make it safe and well maintained. This allows people without mountaineering and bush skills to experience the beauty of this high alpine area. The government maintains four huts along the route for backpackers, and has also given concessions for two luxury lodges to be built along the track. This means you don’t have to carry food and bedding for three days of hiking. It also means you get a comfortable bed, clean linen and towels, a hot shower, and a three-course meal at the end of the day, even in this remote alpine setting.

Please note that there are rooms with en suite WC and shower available, which are the rooms that we book, but if you want to save a little money you can stay in a four-person room with shower and WC facilities around the corner. The en suite rooms sell out quickly, and are allotted on a "first come, first served" basis.

You have to carry with you your clothes for three days of hiking, and a picnic lunch which is provided each morning. Your daypack will thus be slightly heavier than what you are used to since you’ll have to carry a change of clothes and some flip flops or light shoes for post-hike relaxing and evening wear. The evening scene is very, very casual. During the Routeburn portion of the tour we will be joining other like-minded hikers on this route, and we will have an additional four guides to look after us on the trail.