Tui Multi Activity Trip, South Island

Unique Multi Activity Trip in South Island!

The Tui is our shortest South Island trip. It's an action-packed, adventure-oriented itinerary that works well if you are looking for an incredible adventure vacation but don't have a lot of time to see our country, or as part of a longer trip to New Zealand. You can fly from home on a Friday evening, sleep on the plane, and then be back at work by Monday, 10 days later.

We always offer plenty of choices for activities, but remember it's your vacation so nothing is compulsory! Anyone in reasonable shape can do the activities we offer. You'll see some great parts of New Zealand, but we won't pretend you're going to see it all.

The Tui trip is about quality not quantity!

1-800-661-9073 (from USA/Canada), 0808 234 7780 (f

Itinerary / Highlights

Sunday - Arrive, hike in Arthurs Pass
The Tui trip starts in Christchurch, the main city and airport of the South Island. You'll need to be in Christchurch by around 9am. We'll meet you there and head to the Southern Alps for a hike in Arthur's Pass to Devils Punchbowl where we'll see an awesome 430 foot (131 metre) waterfall. We then head down the coast to the beautiful seaside village of Okarito, one of the best kept secrets of the West Coast that's all but untouched due to its location 10 miles down a one-way road from an obscure highway turnoff. There are no shops, no restaurants, no traffic and a population of only 31 people. Because of the action-packed nature of the Tui, we get much of the driving out of the way on the first day of the trip. As an option, you can miss out most of the first day's driving by meeting us this afternoon in the West Coast town of Hokitika, a short 30-minute flight from Christchurch, and we'll pick you up on the way through.
ACCOMMODATION: Okarito Beach House, Okarito & off-the-beaten-path, isolated and comfortable (L,D)

Monday - Hike at Franz Josef Glacier
Just south of Okarito there are two formidable glaciers descending from the mountains to the sea. In terms of scenery, this place is off the charts, and we'll spend most of the day hiking at Franz Josef Glacier. We'll hike up through the rainforest to either Alex Knob or Roberts Point, both of which give great views of the terminal face, lower reaches and lateral moraines of Franz Josef Glacier. We only do these hikes in good weather, as the rocks get very slippery in the rain. If it's raining, we'll do a shorter walk to a view of the terminal face of Fox Glacier and a hike around Lake Matheson.

Heli-hike option (add US$299 + tax)
A less strenuous, but outrageously scenic option today is to heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier itself. After being fitted with crampons, ice axes and so on, you'll board a modern turbine helicopter and fly towards the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, landing on the glacier at 4,000 feet (1300m) above sea level. Led by specialist glacier guides, you'll hike through the grand ice formations of the glacier, checking out its crevasses, seracs and tunnels & no previous experience required! The constant movement of the glacier means every day is different, so your guides will cut steps in the ice and make sure you make the most of the conditions. At the end of your hike on the ice, you'll take another helicopter ride out of the mountains and back to civilisation.

The heli-hike is extremely popular, so we offer advance reservations with the helicopter operators and guiding company. At the time of booking, or up until one month before your trip, you can reserve a space on the heli-hike and we'll make sure a spot is held for you. Or you can leave your decision until you're actually on your trip, and we'll get you a spot if it's available.

Heli-hikers generally return a little earlier, so we'll rendezvous at a local café, and head south. From Franz Josef, we head down the coast to Haast, an isolated West Coast hamlet, where we'll enjoy some local fare & venison pie!
ACCOMMODATION: World Heritage Heartland Hotel, Haast (B,L,D)

Andrew: As a young guide, I used to run up Alex Knob to keep in shape, and it's my favorite 'keep-fit' spot in the country. The thick forest, occasional tantalizing glimpses of the glacier, and the unbelievable vista from the top mean this is one of my most memorable hikes & not an easy hike, necessarily, but definitely one for the top shelf.

Tuesday - Start Mt. Aspiring National Park options

This morning we'll drive to Makarora on the eastern side of Mt. Aspiring National Park. At the time of booking, you have the choice of one of two different overnight options & a backpacking trip in Mt. Aspiring National Park, or an overnight stay in the small farming village of Makarora. After lunch, we head off for our various activities:

Tuesday to Wednesday - Mt Aspiring National Park options continued
Makarora Adventure Option in Mt Aspiring National Park

Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Siberia Valley, jetboat Wilkin River
If you prefer comfortable accommodation with modern amenities instead of a mountain hut for the night, then this is the option for you! You'll head out for a mind-blowing scenic flight into Mt. Aspiring National Park for a bird's eye view of the lower Southern Alps, landing in the remote Siberia Valley. From here you'll hike downstream along the Wilkin River, through beautiful silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) forests to a jet boat rendezvous. Then it's a thrilling ride back to Makarora for dinner and perhaps a well-earned drink at the Makarora pub.
ACCOMMODATION: Makarora Wilderness Resort, Makarora (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Relaxed start or short hike
This morning we'll hike the Mt Shrimpton track. It's a steep hike with a 2500 foot (750 metre) elevation gain, but the views from above the tree-line are well worth the effort. Alternatively you can have a relaxing morning, sleep in and spend your time soaking up the mountain views from your accommodation. We'll return mid morning, just in time to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch.
Siberia Valley Wilderness Option in Mt Aspiring National Park

Tuesday (continued) - Scenic flight, hike Lake Crucible
If you like the idea of staying in one of New Zealand's most isolated mountain huts, then this option is for you! We'll start with a dramatic scenic flight alongside the snowy Southern Alps to the Siberia Valley airstrip. You can hike up the trail to Lake Crucible for great views of this glacial valley while dinner is whipped up back at the hut. Tonight you'll be served a candle-lit dinner in one of the most glorious places in the world. This is also one of the few backcountry huts where you can chat with a resident hut ranger from New Zealand's Department of Conservation. Rangers are often keen for a yarn around the camp fire, and can offer further insight into the flora and fauna of Mt. Aspiring National Park. This is the only night on the Tui where your accommodation is basic, but it's a true kiwi experience and a lot of fun. You don't have to carry a very heavy pack & our guides are pretty tough and they'll carry the lion's share of the load. You'll be carrying a backpack, sleeping bag, a few spare clothes and some food & no need for any more than that, although we'll provide tents and so on if you'd prefer to camp out under the stars.
ACCOMMODATION: Siberia Hut, Mt. Aspiring National Park & incredible! (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Hike Siberia Valley, jet boat
After an early start, we spend the morning hiking to The Forks, at the head of the Wilkin River, where we will be met by a jet boat for an exhilarating ride back to Makarora to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch.

Wednesday (continued) - Finish Mt. Aspiring National Park options, cycle Hawea trail
After regrouping in Makarora, we'll have a picnic lunch before taking a beautiful drive through spectacular glacier-carved valleys to the town of Hawea. Here you'll be fitted with a 21-speed front-suspension Specialized mountain bike for a scenic bike ride along a part of the Te Araroa track to Wanaka. This gently undulating section of the track follows the crystal clear Hawea and Clutha Rivers through the rugged Central Otago landscape for 10 miles (17km) to the charming mountain town of Wanaka. From there, it's a short drive over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown (B,L)

Thursday - Hike Ben Lomond or free day in Queenstown
Today you have two options & a full day hike or a free day to yourself & it's up to you! For those keen for a challenging alpine hike, we'll head up Ben Lomond Track after you've had breakfast. Ben Lomond, one of Queenstown's prominent peaks, was named by the early Scottish settlers in the area who were reminded of the highlands of their home country. We hike up through forested slopes that give way to alpine tussock-land leading us to the summit of Ben Lomond. From this vantage point you'll find yourself immersed in amazing views over Queenstown Bay and Lake Wakatipu, which are themselves dwarfed by the surrounding mountains such as Mt. Aspiring. As an alternative, you can have a free day with no activities scheduled, although we'll certainly help with suggestions if you like. Queenstown, where ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND is based, is a great place to spend a couple of days. You'll find all the comforts of civilisation: massage therapists, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, window-shopping and adrenaline pumping activities! You'll also find some incredible optional activities here such as biking, hang gliding, hiking, white-water rafting, jet boating, skydiving, horse trekking, fishing and wine tours & it's all here! Your guides can help you during the trip to book any of these optional activities. Queenstown is not a big place & the population is about 8000 & but there's plenty to do! Or, you can do nothing and just soak up the atmosphere.
ACCOMMODATION: Queenstown apartments, Queenstown

Friday - Hike Routeburn Track
This morning we head down to Te Anau for lunch, before continuing on to The Divide where we'll hike part of the Routeburn Track. Located in the heart of Fiordland, our largest and arguably most spectacular national park, this hike gives us unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, from mountains to sea, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina. Then it's a short drive through the Homer Tunnel, emerging at the top of a spectacular alpine road winding its way down to Milford Sound. The lush rainforest carpeting the lower slopes of the mountains gives way to the massively steep, glacier-carved slopes and waterfalls of the Darren Range. Milford Sound, rated the 8th Natural Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling, is breathtaking. Sheer rock walls plunge thousands of feet to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascade into the deep blue water. It's basic accommodation tonight, but it's the only place in town to stay and the location alone makes up for it!
ACCOMMODATION: Milford Lodge, Milford Sound (B,L,D)

Saturday - Sea kayak Milford Sound, explore Fiordland National Park

It's an early start today. Most people see Milford Sound from the deck of a cruise ship, but we've got a better way & gliding along in a sea kayak, getting up close and personal with the sound while causing minimum disruption to the seals and dolphins, that are very friendly and often eager to visit. This is an awesome trip, run by specialist kayak outfitters, and it's equally suitable for beginners or experts. After your morning's paddle, we'll have lunch before continuing on to Lake Manapouri. Along the way we'll spend more time exploring the Fiordland wilderness, checking out some of its more interesting residents like the kea (nestor notabilis) New Zealand's notoriously cheeky alpine parrot and the Kotukutuku (fuchsia excorticate) the world's largest fuchsia.
ACCOMMODATION: Lake Manapouri Inn, Manapouri (B,L,D)

Sunday - Depart for home

Well, it's almost time to go home. We'll leave after breakfast for the two-hour drive to Queenstown, and arrive by late morning in time for the flights back to Christchurch or Auckland. This will have been a very exhilarating week, and you'll be buzzing with excitement but feeling relaxed and refreshed as well! See the itinerary for the Kauri trip if you want to take a few more days to see the North Island.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

ACCOMMODATION: We´ve chosen interesting and comfortable accommodations for all of our trips. Some places are quite civilised, but many of the other locations we visit are off-the-beaten-track and don´t have many accommodation options but they are really, really spectacular. We think you´ll love the places we stay! We prefer to stay in comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single room upgrades are available on request. As there´s such a variety of accommodation on our trips, some places will have ensuite bathrooms and some will have shared bathrooms so we may ask you to share a bathroom with other group members on occasion.

FITNESS: You must have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on our trips. You don´t have to be young and extremely fit (although if you are, you won´t be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some exercise. Age and experience are not important, but our trips are not passive scenic tours of New Zealand. For example, a person in their 50s who hikes every couple of weeks will be happier than a 22-year-old couch potato. If you´re concerned about your fitness level, have a chat with us so we can help you choose between our trips.
Our focus is on getting you out of the vehicle, out of stress-mode, and into the scenery.

EXPERIENCE: You don´t need any outdoor experience at all to enjoy our trips. All our trips allow you to make the most of New Zealand´s incredible environment. Our experienced guides are highly trained and will look after you!
You don´t have to carry a heavy pack on hikes and you don´t have to have been kayaking or rafting to enjoy taking to the water. You don´t even need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy some of the rides we have available. In fact we have so many options available that you don´t need to ride at all if you´d rather hike, fish, or just laze around!
All we ask is that you be energetic, in reasonable shape and we guarantee you´ll have an incredible time. The challenges are there though, if you´re looking for them. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government licenses and permits.

FLEXIBILITY : Because of the off-the-beaten-path and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodation, we sometimes need to change a night stop. When we do this the daily activities don´t change and we use accommodation of a similar level. We try to make as few changes as possible, but we ask that you know we retain the flexibility to make sure your trip is as good as it can be.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Oct 10 10 - Oct 17 10
Oct 17 10 - Oct 24 10
Oct 24 10 - Oct 31 10
Oct 31 10 - Nov 7 10
Nov 7 10 - Nov 14 10
Nov 14 10 - Nov 21 10
Nov 21 10 - Nov 28 10
Dec 5 10 - Dec 12 10
Dec 19 10 - Dec 26 10
Dec 26 10 - Jan 2 11
Jan 2 11 - Jan 9 11
Jan 9 11 - Jan 16 11
Jan 16 11 - Jan 23 11
Jan 23 11 - Jan 30 11
Jan 30 11 - Feb 6 11
Feb 6 11 - Feb 13 11
Feb 13 11 - Feb 20 11
Feb 27 11 - Mar 6 11
Mar 13 11 - Mar 20 11
Mar 27 11 - Apr 3 11
Apr 10 11 - Apr 17 11
Apr 24 11 - May 1 11
Oct 9 11 - Oct 16 11
Oct 16 11 - Oct 23 11
Oct 23 11 - Oct 30 11
Nov 6 11 - Nov 13 11
Nov 13 11 - Nov 20 11
Nov 20 11 - Nov 27 11

1-800-661-9073 (from USA/Canada), 0808 234 7780 (f