Wild at heart

wild at heart
Our Wild at Heart tour features walking and hiking in New Zealand’s wild places by day and enjoying boutique lodgings at night. Off-the-beaten track locations immerse you in some of the country’s most exquisite, unspoiled scenery. Activities include a full-day hike on the world famous Routeburn or Milford tracks. This may well be our new favourite trip.

Day 1: South Island Touchdown Step off the plane in Christchurch, the South Island’s garden city, and into the care of your Black Sheep guide. Freshen up at your central city hotel, then head out and explore: stroll amongst the Botanical Gardens, visit the Canterbury museum, or enjoy a coffee in the square as you marvel at the post-quake ingenuity and artwork that has bloomed here. At dinner, socialize with your fellow travellers and discuss your upcoming journey. (D)

Day 2: Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass This morning, the renowned Tranz Alpine train takes you into the scenic Southern Alps, delivering you to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass. Short hikes allow us to explore the flora, fauna and dramatic scenery here before we travel to our wilderness lodge for a two-night stay amidst the mountain grandeur. The lodge, sited on its own 6,000-acre high-country sheep station and nature reserve, is a wonderful base from which to explore the area’s unique features. (B/L/D)

Day 3: High Country Exploration Our lodge, surrounded by native beech forest and tussock grassland, lies between the Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Craigieburn Forest Park. Guided activities and a network of mountain, forest, river, and farm walks make for a wonderful day of immersion in high-country ecology and wildlife. After dinner this evening, enjoy the mountain views, gaze at the stars in the southern night sky, and browse through the books in the lodge’s well-stocked library. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Arthur’s Pass to Punakaiki This morning, we continue our journey over the Southern Alps to the wild and woolly West Coast. Winding our way along the dramatic shoreline, we shortly reach our seaside eco-lodge on the edge of the Paparoa National Park. Based here for the next two nights, we have the afternoon to explore the area’s features, including the intriguing Pancake Rocks. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Punakaiki This part of the South Island is known for its limestone landscape and is honeycombed with intricate cave systems. The morning gives us the opportunity to explore one of these systems in a choice of two ways. Those feeling adventurous can join a cave rafting trip . Armed with wetsuit and inner tube, explore a natural cave system as you make your way to an underground river. Float on your tube beneath an extraordinary constellation of glowworms, exiting the cave and riding over gentle rapids back to the start. Alternatively, take the rubber-free option of a scenic caving walk to view the delicate, unspoiled formations of the cave’s dry chambers . If you prefer to remain aboveground, consider a hike from your lodge up a stunning limestone gorge or just relax at the resort listening to the waves outside your door. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Punakaiki to the Glaciers This morning, it’s a spectacular drive down to New Zealand’s glacier region. Arriving in the charming settlement of Fox, we combine the thrill of a helicopter flight with a hike on Fox Glacier. The flight over three icefalls takes us to a remote and exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier. Once outfitted with crampons, we explore ice arches and pinnacles on foot, following ice steps cut by our guide . This evening, we settle into our comfortable alpine hotel, revelling in our exhilarating day. (B)

Day 7: Glacier Country Exploration The day is spent exploring the region. We start with a gentle, early morning kayak on nearby Lake Mapourika . Surrounded by pristine native bush, it’s the largest lake in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. We slide our kayaks into a small estuary which winds through the Okarito forest. A wide range of birds visit the lake including crested grebe, herons, kingfisher, kereru, tui, bellbird and tomtit, to name but a few. Upon our return, you can hike or hire a bike for a self-guided ride on an easy trail through old-growth rainforest. (B/D)

Day 8: The Glaciers to Wanaka This morning, we walk around a nearby kettle lake, created by retreating glaciers long ago, but now rimmed by lush forest. From here, it’s a stunning drive through the Haast Pass on our way to Wanaka. Dense rainforests give way to the stark mountains of the Mt. Aspiring National Park as we enter the Otago region, New Zealand’s outback and home to its high country sheep stations, the source of prized merino wool. This afternoon, we settle into our boutique lodge just outside Wanaka township. (B/L)

Day 9: Wanaka This beautiful resort town is often thought of as the quieter sibling to all-out Queenstown. Wanaka has some magical wilderness adventure activities on offer, along with great cycling tracks and softer pursuits for the wine, food, or nature enthusiast. Due to the wide range of activities available, we have left the day free for you to pick and choose as you wish, at an additional cost, or enjoy the facilities of the lodge. Your Black Sheep Travel Shepherd will provide recommendations for this day based on your interests. (B)

Day 10: Wanaka to Doubtful Sound This morning, pack an overnight bag for an excursion to spectacular Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. The scenic journey to this dramatic fiord includes a cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach crossing over the alpine route of Wilmot Pass. At the fiord, you’ll board your vessel for the unique experience of an overnight stay. Very few see Fiordland in this way and it allows you maximum time to absorb its overwhelming beauty. Cruise toward the mouth of the fiord, passing alongside thundering waterfalls and fur seals basking on the rocks, before returning to drop anchor at a sheltered mooring. Explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat before relaxing in the unforgettable solitude of this magnificent setting. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Doubtful Sound to Te Anau This morning, you’ll wake to a hearty breakfast as a rare witness to a Fiordland dawn. There is time for further cruising before returning to Deep Cove and retracing your steps back to Manapouri. A short coach transfer takes you to the lakeside town of Te Anau. From there, you’ll be taken to our lodge nestled on the edge of the largest lake in the South Island for a relaxing afternoon. (B/D)

Day 12: Fiordland Hiking Hiking options are plentiful here and today we have included a choice of day hikes on the region’s famous Great Walks tracks . Choose between a guided walk to Key Summit on the renowned Routeburn Track, wild at heart
deep within Fiordland National Park, or take a boat trip across Lake Te Anau for a guided hike on the first leg of the famed Milford Track. Alternatively, there is the option of upgrading to a heli-hike on the Kepler Track, another Great Walk. Your Black Sheep Travel Shepherd has more details. Settle back into your Te Anau luxury lodge this evening. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Te Anau to Queenstown Today, we travel through rolling countryside to charming, historic Arrowtown. Before the gold rush of adventure tourism, this was a true gold rush region 140 years ago, reminiscent of America’s Wild West. Here, we have lunch and a wander before continuing to Queenstown. Those that are interested in an optional cycling activity (at additional cost) can ride through the beautiful Arrow River gorge, following the original gold miners’ trail that crosses the famous Kawarau bungy bridge, and onto Gibbston Valley winery. Back in Queenstown, enjoy a relaxed evening in the luxury of your Queenstown lodge. (B/L)

Day 14: Queenstown Queenstown is New Zealand’s adrenalin center. Because there are so many things to do in Queenstown to cater to your diverse interests, we have left the day free for you to choose whatever optional activities you desire, be they hiking, jet boating, golf, wine tasting, shopping, or whatever you wish based on your mood and interests. Your Travel Shepherd can make suggestions, advise pricing, and make any advanced bookings required. We re-gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the friendships we’ve made and the memories shared. (B/D) Day 15: Homeward Bound On our final morning, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have time to relax, make final purchases, or perhaps even squeeze in one last adventure before travelling home or to your next destination. We’re confident you’ll leave New Zealand with memories and images of an amazing time on our little patch of the planet. (B) n