The ultimate South Island multi-sport adventure—custom-designed for MTS!

With its many glorious rivers, fjords, mountains, lakes, and glaciers, the South Island’s rugged West Coast is an active traveler’s dream. Our itinerary is specifically designed to let you experience the plethora of adventures this region has to offer, but at a pace that lets you fully enjoy your surroundings. Your one-of-a-kind journey begins in Blenheim, on the South Island, where you’ll enjoy a day in the Marlborough wine country. You’ll take a hike at Fox  glacier, explore the remote Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area by jetboat and scenic helicopter flight, hike the famous Queen Charlotte Track, go white-water rafting in Buller Gorge, picnic below the dramatic Rob Roy Glacier, and kayak on unspoiled Okarito Lagoon. But you’ll also have the chance to unwind at exclusive lodges and out-of-the-way hamlets, taste world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and encounter rare fJiordland crested penguins. Experience the singular beauty and true essence of the West Coast, as only our expert, local guide can show it to you.

Activities

moderate hiking, jet boat rides, scenic helicopter rides, whitewater rafting, lagoon kayaking, sea kayaking and glacier hiking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the singular beauty of the West Coast on a one-of-a-kind journey designed by our seasoned local guide
• Go face-to-face with shimmering walls of ice on a half-day hike at Fox Glacier and a day hike in Mt. Aspiring National Park
• Enjoy exhilarating adventures like a rafting trip through the Buller Gorge and kayaking on unspoiled Okarito Lagoon
• Hike for 2 days on the iconic Queen Charlotte Track, with a stay at legendary Furneaux Lodge in Queen Charlotte Sound
• Explore the remote and beautiful Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area by jetboat, wilderness hike and scenic helicopter flight
• Sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Blenheim End Location: Queenstown

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Welcome to Wine Country, Blenheim

  Morning arrival into Blenheim, followed by a visit through a select number of boutique and iconic wineries in the Marlborough wine country. We will then head back to the hotel before heading out for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.

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  Day 2 : The Start of the Queen Charlotte Track

  After breakfast we drive to the small fishing village of Picton then board a boat across Queen Charlotte Sound to Resolution Bay. This is where we start our hike on the Queen Charlotte Track. Spend the night at the remote Furneaux Lodge.

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  Day 3 : Queen Charlotte Track

  This morning we hike to Punga Cove then take a water taxi back to Picton. We then make our way to the town of Nelson, eastern shores of Tasman Bay.

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  Day 4 : Abel Tasman National Park

  Spend the day exploring the spectacular Tonga Island Marine Reserve by sea kayak. Then return to Nelson in the evening.

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  Day 5 : Rafting on the Buller River

  Leaving Nelson we head west to the town of Murchison. Here we experience exhilarating whitewater rafting on the Buller River. Back in our vehicle we follow the river towards the West Coast. Spend the afternoon exploring the rugged coastline of Cape Foulwind.

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  Day 6 : Punakaiki- Pancake Rocks & Blowholes

  Hike among the limestone canyons and lush rainforest of the Inland Pack Track in Paparoa National Park. You'll also check out Punakaiki's famous Pancake Rocks, whose blowholes put on a fascinating natural fountain display during high tide. Spend the afternoon strolling through the spectacular Hokitika River gorge.

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  Day 7 : Explore Okarito Lagoon by Kayak and Foot

  We continue south to the seaside hamlet of Okarito. Spend the morning exploring the Okarito Lagoon by kayak. Then in the afternoon take a beautiful walk through lush rainforest on a trail above the ocean. From Okarito we head into “glacier country” with a short drive to the small town of Franz Josef Glacier.

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  Day 8 : Hike on Fox Glacier

  This morning we take a short helicopter flight into the remarkable Pinnacles area of the Franz Josef Glacier. Here we will take a 3 hour glacier hike. After your glacier hike you are free to relax around town in the cafes, take a soak in the hot pools, and/or join your guide for a local walk from town.

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  Day 9 : Wilderness Adventure into the World Heritage Area, Mt Aspiring National Park

  Spend the day exploring Mt. Aspiring National Park by helicopter, jet boat and foot. End the end in the idyllic town of Wanaka, nestled on the shores of the Lake Wanaka.

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  Day 10 : Rob Roy Glacier, Mount Aspiring National Park

  The Rob Roy Glacier trail we lead us into Mount Aspiring National Park, an amazing world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes.

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  Day 11 : Depart Queenstown

  It's time to say goodbye to the group and guides.

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  Marlborough Vintners Hotel

  Blenheim

  Surrounded by vineyards in the heart of Sauvignon Blanc country, Marlborough Vintners Hotel in Blenheim is your cuisine and wine destination when travelling to Marlborough. This boutique vineyard accommodation and restaurant is set in 6 acres of grounds showcasing the tranquility of the vines.

  Each suite is complete with all the amenities and facilities you would expect such as King size beds, Towelling Robes, a spacious bathroom with handmade natural amenities from a local supplier, DVD player, TV, a great range of complimentary DVD’s for loan, private patio and a small kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities. High speed wireless broadband access is also available.

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  Furneaux Lodge

  Queen Charlotte Sound

  Nestled at the foot of Mount Furneaux in the outer reaches of the Queen Charlotte Sound, and surrounded by 2000 acres of virgin forest, Furneaux Lodge, built in the early 1900's, is set on 3 acres of the flattest and most picturesque scenery in the Marlborough Sounds region.

  The Hikers Cabins are secluded private bunk rooms hidden in among the trees. The Hikers Cabins have shared bathrooms.

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  Mercure Monaco Resort

  Nelson

  The Hotel has 20 boutique rooms and all rooms offer distinctive interior decor, queen size beds, en suite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, Sky TV, telephone, writing desk and high-speed internet. Each room varies in style and size. The spacious lounge lobby is just the place to relax at the end of the day with a fine wine or local lager.

  Hotel rooms each feature elegant furnishings and a superior standard of comfort with views of colourful cottage gardens and Nelson's mountain range or the Waimea Inlet.

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  Westwood Lodge

  Franz Josef

  This is an exceptional part of the world, to be enjoyed more deservingly from the comfort of your outstanding bed and breakfast accommodation at Westwood Lodge, in the heart of Glacier Country.

  Westwood Lodge is architecturally styled to reflect the New Zealand West Coast forest environment with the warmth of natural timber throughout the rooms.

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  Beachfront Hotel

  Hokitika

  The Beachfront Hotel's location on the beachfront and in the centre of Hokitika is unique in West Coast hotel accommodation.

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  Omau Settlers Lodge

  Cape Foulwind

  The studio suites are furnished to the highest standard with crafted rimu finishings, seating area with desk creating an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. With patio doors at either end of the suite you will enjoy stunning scenery of the Tasman Sea or Pauroa mountains and spectacular sunsets.

• Oakridge Resort

  Wanaka

  Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka is a 4 star hotel set in a stunning mountain landscape offering majestic views overlooking the Southern Alps. The resort features heated rock pools, seven hot tubs, gymnasium, sauna, the Sanctuary Day Spa and Restaurant to provide guests with a unique and relaxing experience.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

• Adrian Fogg

  Adrian grew up in New Zealand, where he began guiding river trips in 1986 while still in high school. Becoming a river guide was a natural progression for a kid who spent most of his spare time training for national and international competitions in whitewater slalom and downriver racing. His career guiding rafts and safety kayaking has taken him all around New Zealand, as well as to the US, Nepal, Canada, Chile and Ecuador, on trips ranging from the most challenging class V rivers to remote expedition-style trips. He first guided for MTS in 1997 on the Bio Bio River in Chile. In addition to river guiding, Adrian has worked as a heli-ski guide, a hiking guide, a glacier guide and a ski patroller. Adrian operated his own heli-rafting business, Rivers Wild, from 2000 to 2008. The company specialized in taking guests into New Zealand’s most remote and wild rivers. Adrian feels very fortunate to have shared so many amazing experiences with the people he has guided in wild and beautiful places. His favorite part of his job is seeing the look on guests’ faces when they’re having a wonderful experience, especially in the stunning settings of his native country. He is patiently waiting for his two young sons to grow up so they too can join him on fun adventures. Over the years Adrian has called many places home -- right now they are Queenstown, New Zealand and Truckee, California. He holds an undergraduate degree in Geography and a MBA in Sustainable Business Management.

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