Marlborough Sounds & Abel Tasman Walk, NZ

For SINGLE WALKERS 40 to 65 Years
Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February 2011 (9 days)

Itinerary

Kaikoura / Nydia Bay / Abel Tasman / Queens Charlotte / rainbow Valley / Hanmer thermal Pools.

In total this is a 9 day trip; 7 day walking itinerary and 1 arrival day pre tour and 1 day post tour in Christchurch at your leisure.

A 7-day trekking tour, fully lodge accommodated.  Hike the beautiful coastal and lakeside trails of the upper South Island and explore the remote and beautiful tussocklands of the South Island highcountry.

Highlights

• 7 days of full and half day hikes amidst some of NZ's best scenery
• Experience scenery of the Marlborough Sounds from the ridgeline track above the Queen Charlotte Sound
• Relax in the unexpected comfort and hospitality of your own private eco lodge in the middle of our two day hike, carrying only day bags
• Sail the beautiful coastal waters of the Abel Tasman National Park after your hike to Torrent Bay
• Enjoy the lake views of Nelson Lakes National Park from the bushline track
• Relax in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs after our backcountry experience through a highcountry station?

CLIMATE:

One of the most important thing travellers need to know about New Zealand's climate is that it's a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses. This means the weather can frequently change with amazing rapidity.The temperature during the South Island summers range from 10-20 degrees, with a pleasant 40-50% humidity. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler and snowfall is not uncommon even in summer. The Alps act as a barrier to the moisture laden winds coming west across the Tasman Sea, therefore creating a wet climate on the west side of the mountains and a dry climate on the east side. The geography also creates a wind pattern which can in summer be very hot, dry and fierce.

Day 1 Saturday  19 February 2011
Upon arrival on the nominated group flight, you wil be transferred to your hotel before a welcome dinner with the group. The welcome dinner will be a New Zealand inspired 3 course meal.

Day 2 Sunday 20 February 2011

You will be picked up from the hotel at approx 8.30am and taken to the depot. After our meet & greet briefing at our Christchurch depot we start our drive to Kaikoura 2.5hrs northwards. The drive is scenic and we time our arrival for lunch and then walk the Kaikoura peninsula walkway. This will take approximately 1-2 hrs before we continue the drive to reach Picton, a further 2 hours away and a final short walk to stretch our legs. Drive to Picton (2hrs) and do short bush walk.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3 Monday 21 February 2011
The nearby Queen Charlotte track is a spectacular ridge top walk above the sound. We acces this via water taxi and a short climb to the track, from where we spend the rest of the day weaving down through native bush and glimpses into the many bays below. From Te Mahia saddle on the Queen Charlotte track we gradually descend on the walkway to Anakiwa for a return drive by coach to Picton and back to our accommodation. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 4 Tuesday 22 February 2011
Our next two day trek starts out of a secluded bay and involves firstly a scenic drive around the head of the sound and then a backcountry road, to arrive at the start of the track. The old logging trail was cut through the native bush and offers a beautiful benched trail that weaves through regenerating native and exotic forests, steadily rising to a saddle where we break for a picnic lunch.  From here we gradually descend into the next Bay and overnight stay at our Lodge. The rest of the afternoon provides an great opportunity to relax on the couches on the porch or to explore the walking tracks and native bush.  (B,L,D)

Day 5 Wednesday 23 February 2011
After a hearty breakfast, we pack and depart our beautiful accommodation, and follow the trail that weaves through virgin bush and beach front. The trail then steadily climbs to a low saddle, and eventually descending to the neighbouring bay and around the shoreline to our waiting coach. Time dependant, we can explore and swim before our mid afternoon departure out to Nelson and onto Motueka and our accommodation for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

 Day 6 Thursday 24 February 2011
Today we drive down to the start of the Abel Tasman track and have a half day hike into the Torrent Bay on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday we have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then meet our return yacht for an exciting sail around the heads and back to our coach. (B,L,D)

 Day 7 Friday 25 February 2011
Leaving Moteuka we have a short 1 hour drive inland into the Nelson Lake National Park and at St Arnaud we have a choice of a shorter 2 hr peninsula hike or a 2 hr climb from the carpark on Mt Bruce. This track climbs steeply to the bushline and the summit of the ridgeline before then returning via the loop track back to the coach and our accommodation. The bush is stunning and Lake Rotoiti a magic location (B,L,D)

Day 8 Saturday 26 February 2011
On board our coach we enter a private station road, heading through the back country into the upper Molesworth valley. We drive over Island pass - the highest road in the country - before descending to Lake Tennyson and Jacks Pass.  A final stretch of our legs gets us onto Mt Isobel with spectacular views down to the thermal pools of Hanmer Springs. By late afternoon we relax in these hot pools before stopping off en route to Christchurch at an historic hotel for a meal and then a final short 70 minute drive back to Christchurch. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Sunday 27 February 2011
Your trip comes to an end. After checking out from the hotel, make your way to the airport for your journey home or next destination.

 WHAT TO PACK:
The weather in New Zealand is often changeable, and depending on the nature of the trip involved, you will need to have suitable clothing for a wide range of conditions.  This is just a recommend list - common sense should always prevail, number one hint - don't over pack! Laundry facilities are readily available on many nights - the maximum that you will go without being able to wash your clothes is four nights, on most itineraries it is less than this.

Personal clothing

• Waterproof rainwear, top essential and pants optional if you are cold blooded - MUST be completely waterproof (not shower-proof) and fit comfortably whilst wearing warm clothing underneath
• Casual evening wear - dinners are a casual event
• Casual day wear, t-shirts and shorts
• Walking trousers / shorts
• Walking t-shirts or shirts, its best to stay away from cotton when trekking since it retains perspiration becoming wet and cold very easily. You are better of with moisture wicking, quick drying materials such as merino, polyester or coolmax
• Trekking socks
• Lightweight woollen jumper or fleece
• Warm jacket - layering up is the best option
• Gloves and warm hat
• Sun hat
• Thermal clothing - merino thermals are great
• Swimsuit and towel - if you'll be staying at mountain huts towels will not be supplied. However each standard accommodation provider will supply towels but it can be handy to have a small one with you for swimming or drying yourself from rain
• Undergarments, socks and sleep wear
• Trekking boots with firm ankle support and good soles which grip well - essential
• Sports or casual shoes and sandals

PERSONAL SUPPLIES:

• Passport; plus make a copy to be kept separately from original
• Airline tickets, insurance information
• Day pack for on the bus and light walks, which can also double as an overnight bag for some trips (such as when staying at farmstays or the Milford Mariner)
• Camelback drinking system - you will be given an Adventure South water bottle but if comfortable with using a Camelback style of system you are welcome to bring it
• Small torch / flashlight
• Personal toilet gear, e.g. towel, lip balm, ear plugs, tissues etc
• Wet wipes (moist tissues/towelettes) - if staying overnight at one of our mountain huts they often don't have shower facilities so having some wet wipes to refresh yourselfwith can be handy
• Shampoo and conditioner, most standard accommodation providers (except mountain huts) will supply small amounts but it can be handy to have some of your own
• Sun cream, sunglasses - on a sunny day the burn rate is 7min, its best to be prepared
• Personal first aid kit and prescriptions or other medications such as aspirin
• Insect repellent - not necessary for all of New Zealand
• If you wear glasses or use contact lenses it can be handy to have a extra set
• Camera / film / extra batteries / charger / extra memory card
• Reading material / journal / field guides
• Electrical adapter for any appliances that you may be bringing (e.g. camera battery charger)
• Plastic Ziploc bags - very useful in storing wet clothing that has not yet dried