Pounamu Itinerary – This New Zealand Ecotour blends adventure travel and ecotourism

Monday - Arrive, swim with Dusky Dolphins near Kaikoura

Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Saturday evening and arrive in Auckland early Monday morning. You’ll lose a day crossing the dateline, but don’t worry – you’ll get it back on the way home! You’ll take a short flight to Christchurch in the South Island and arrive by around 10am to start your trip. This is where you’ll meet Steve Skelton – your ACTIVE trip leader and the prime mover in establishing the Pounamu – and your co-guide. You’ll then heading north in a comfortable, specially adapted biodiesel bus to the stunning Kaikoura Peninsula. Kaikoura is well known for its amazing sea life and for the local council’s initiatives towards sustainability. You’ll head out in the afternoon to swim with the local, and very playful, Dusky Dolphins. There are often one to two hundred dolphins swimming together in a pod, and our people often say how much they enjoyed being in the dolphin’s natural environment with mask and snorkel on to watch them jump and perform their memorable “aquabatics”! When we get back to shore we’ll head to our sustainable accommodation by the beach and get ready to go out to Hislop’s Organic Café for a delicious locally sourced organic dinner.

ACCOMMODATION: The Fairways, Kaikoura (L,D)

Tuesday - Visit Seal Colony and Maori Settlement, kayak

After a tasty organic breakfast, we’ll take a brisk walk to the seal colony at the head of the Kaikoura peninsula, where we’ll see the seals congregating by the shore, waddling in and out of the sea. Then we’ll visit an ancient Maori settlement, Nga Niha Pa, before we continue north to New Zealand’s famous wine country. We’ll visit Yealand Estate, which bills itself as the world’s most sustainable winery. We’ll learn a bit about what they do and of course taste their delicious wines. Many of our people buy a few bottles of wine for the trip – and, as usual, we have options for you if wine isn’t your thing. We’ll have lunch at the Estate – organic, of course – before driving the short distance to the Marlborough Sounds for an afternoon of kayaking. Your specialist kayak guides will kit you out with everything you need to paddle on Queen Charlotte Sound, and if you’ve never paddled a kayak before, that’s OK. Beginners and seasoned vets welcome! You might see little blue penguins or a pod of dolphins as you paddle – without an engine in sight! – to Lochmara Lodge. Lochmara is one of our favourite spots in New Zealand. It has no roads at all – it’s only accessible by water – and we reckon it’s splendidly isolated, nestled in the lush regenerating native bush.

ACCOMMODATION: Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and Arts Centre, Marlborough Sounds (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Explore Marlborough Sounds, hike Queen Charlotte Track

You’re on holiday, so there’s no need to push yourself! Lochmara Lodge and its surrounding environment is so stunning, we’ll stay here for two nights. If you’re interested, you can check Lochmara’s wildlife recovery program, which nurses injured birds and animals back to health. There’s also an endangered native bird and amphibian breeding program, native forest regeneration project and an art centre with resident artists. The Lochmara staff form a solid community that enjoy sharing this beautiful place with their guests – or you can explore the surrounding area. If you’re keen on a big hike we’ll head to the beautiful fisherman’s village of Anakiwa and walk the Queens Charlotte Track back to Lochmara Lodge in time for dinner. Alternatively if sea kayaking is your thing, then you can opt for a full day’s guided sea kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound (for an additional US$100 + tax).

ACCOMMODATION: Lochmara Lodge, Marlborough Sounds (B,L,D)

Thursday - Nelson, Pupu Springs and hike Abel Tasman National Park

We’ll bid farewell to Lochmara today and drive to Nelson where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Founders Organic Brewery or explore the seaside while your guides stock up on supplies at the local green grocer. Once we’re restocked with local and organic produce we’ll drive through a maze of vineyards and orchards to the alternative community of Golden Bay. In Golden Bay we’ll visit Pupu Springs. Sacred to the Maori, the Springs hold water that has been assayed as literally the clearest water in the world! We’ll then take a short hike through the rainforest to the Wainui Falls. It’s then time to leave civilization behind and head into the most remote part of Abel Tasman National Park. This part of the Abel Tasman has no water taxis and hardly any people around, so it’s perfect for enjoying the peaceful white sandy beaches and lush rainforest. We’ll hike three miles along the track to the Whariwharangi Hut, where we’ll get to know some locals on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

ACCOMMODATION: Whariwharangi Hut, Abel Tasman Coast Track (B,D)

Friday - Abel Tasman Track, yoga overlooking Golden Bay

The Abel Tasman is famous for its birdlife, and indeed you’ll awake to a dawn chorus of native birds before coffee is served – to your bunk, no less! – followed by an upscale version of the traditional Kiwi tramper’s breakfast. We’ll take time to enjoy the quintessential white sandy beaches the park is known for, views of balanced rock formations and the seal colony at Separation Point before arriving back in civilization (well, civilization on a very, very small scale) at Totaranui. Here we’ll unload our gear and head to the San Souci Inn, which is a series of mud brick structures built from sustainably harvested woods that support a green roof of native vegetation. The lodge uses solar hot water heating and has a number of low-impact ecological innovations. In the afternoon we’ll head up the hill to the Anahata Yoga Retreat to stretch out our bodies and relax our minds. It’s a great chance to chill out in a beautiful location among regenerating native bush overlooking Golden Bay.

ACCOMMODATION: San Souci Inn, Pohara Beach (B,L,D)

Saturday - Hiking Lake Rotoiti, arrive on the West Coast

We’ll drive back over Takaka Hill to Motueka, where we’ll have a quick coffee stop and top up with biodiesel. Then we’re off down south. On the way we’ll stop at a small organic farm to pick up some seasonal treats. We’ll have lunch at the breathtaking Lake Rotoiti, start point for the hikers on our signature Rimu tour, which reflects the snow-capped mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park perfectly on a calm day. We’ll talk with a DOC (Department of Conservation) officer about the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project and its subsequent ‘mainland island’ predator-free zone before hiking through the forest. After an unforgettable hike with fantails and bell birds at our side, we’ll carry on south, following the Buller River out of Lake Rotoiti all the way to the West Coast, where ferns and palms blend into a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and a dramatic rocky coastline. We’ll arrive at the unique Birds Ferry Lodge and meet our hosts Alison and Andre. Andre will talk with us about the sustainable landscape initiatives in place and Alison will show off her organic veggie garden, if you’re interested, as she goes out to gather the ingredients to create one of her legendary meals! If you are still up for more after dinner, we may sneak out to the beach and watch the little blue penguins return to their burrows after a long day of fishing.

ACCOMMODATION: Birds Ferry Lodge, near Punakaiki (B,L,D)

Sunday - Pancake Rocks, Rainforest hike, and tree planting at Okarito

Today you’ll really experience the diversity of the New Zealand environment. We’ll travel down the coast, stopping on the way at spectacular viewpoints, caves and beaches, ending up at Punakaiki. After checking out the Pancake Rocks we’ll hike into the dense rainforest of Paparoa National Park, with its towering limestone walls, canyons, and beautiful streams. After the rainforest we’ll head to the funky, arty town of Hokitika, famous for its pounamu (also known as greenstone or jade), which make great gifts. As we make our way further down the coast into glacier country, you may catch a glimpse of Mount Cook (Aoraki) on the horizon. This is where we pull off the beaten track again and visit the small town (population 32!) of Okarito. We’ll make certain we have a positive impact on New Zealand here as we take part in ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND and DOC’s carbon offset native bush regeneration project. It’s not compulsory of course, but if you want to you can get down and dirty with a spade and a bunch of native seedlings, and you can plant as many native trees as you’d like. We’ll do the maths on the carbon offsetting for you! We’ll then spoil ourselves and check into New Zealand’s most sustainable accommodation, Te Waonui Forest Retreat. Te Waonui was built using recycled materials and with great care not to disturb the surrounding rain forest. You’ll sleep well tonight wrapped in organic cotton sheets listening to the eerie sound of New Zealand’s nocturnal birds.

ACCOMMODATION: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef (B,L,D)

Monday - Hike to Franz Josef Glacier, canoe Lake Moeraki

We’ll go straight from the lodge on foot today on a magnificent hike straight to the terminal face of Franz Joseph Glacier. One minute you’ll be in a thick rainforest, the next you’ll be next to a giant wall of blue ice. After an active morning, we’ll relax as we drive through the wilderness along one of the most scenic roads in the world. Surrounded by ancient Gondwanaland trees this forest is unique and tranquil. We’ll make our way to Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, our home for the night. In the afternoon we’ll take to canoes with a naturalist guide who will share knowledge of the area with you if you’re interested, or you can just enjoy the peace and quiet. As you canoe through the forest from river to sea, keep your eye out for the elusive, rather odd-looking Fiordland Crested Penguin. You may be able to spot them as they return to their burrows after a long day fishing in the Tasman Sea.

ACCOMMODATION: Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Hike to waterfalls, bike the Te Araroa Track to Wanaka

Today we’ll be heading straight through the mountains and across the Great Divide, taking a few short hikes to waterfalls along the Haast highway. Then when we get into the Southern Lakes District we’ll fit you up with a 21-speed front-suspension Specialized mountain bike for a human-powered scenic ride along the Te Araroa track to Wanaka. This gently undulating track – which will eventually span the entire length of New Zealand - 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. We’ll ride our bikes straight through town and along the shores of Lake Wanaka to eco-friendly cottages by the lake where we’ll spend our next couple of nights.

ACCOMMODATION: The Homestead, Wanaka (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Hike to Mt. Aspiring's Rob Roy Glacier, Rippon Vineyard

Today we’ll journey up the Matukituki Valley into Mt Aspiring National Park and hike to the base of the Rob Roy Glacier. We’ll probably meet the cheeky Kea parrot along the way, the world’s only alpine parrot, and we’ll watch giant cornices crumble from the face of the glacier and down its enormous cliffs while enjoying our organic picnic lunch in the open air. We’ll return to Wanaka in time to wander down by the lake into town or to the biodynamic Rippon Vineyard.

ACCOMMODATION: The Homestead, Wanaka (B,L,D)

Thursday - Hike Routeburn Track in Fiordland, Milford Sound

Today is a busy, fun and breathtaking day, so we’ll get going early doors to make the most of it all. We’ll drive over the Crown Range and into the Wakatipu basin to the quiet lakeside town of Kingston to stretch our legs. Then it’s on to Te Anau and down to a place known as ‘the Divide’ to hike part of the Routeburn Track. The Routeburn is located in the heart of Fiordland, New Zealand’s largest and arguably most spectacular national park – although the competition is stiff! – and we’ll hike the best part of the track. We’ll enjoy unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley and the Tasman Sea at its end, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina. After the hike, we’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel, emerging at the top of a spectacular alpine road that winds its way down to Milford Sound. As we descend, check out the steep granite walls of the Darren Range, the plunging waterfalls and rainforest carpeted lower slopes of the mountains. Eventually you’ll see the tannin-tinted waters of the sound itself. Milford Sound probably needs no introduction – it’s a must-see for anyone coming to New Zealand. Tonight we’ll stay in fairly rustic accommodation, but the location makes up for it! Milford Lodge has a community feel, is powered completely by hydro electricity and has a sophisticated waste management system. Take a walk outside and experience the true sound of silence before getting an early night.

ACCOMMODATION: Milford Lodge, Milford Sound (B,L,D)

Friday - Kayak Milford Sound, Queenstown

We’ll be up early today to make the most of the morning calm. Most people see Milford Sound from the deck of a big cruise ship, but we’ve got a better way – gliding along in sea kayaks, causing very little disruption to the area and getting close to the rock walls where you may see seals on the rocks, or the dolphins may come and visit if they are around. This is an awesome tour, run by specialist kayak outfitters, and it’s equally suitable for beginners or experts. After your paddle, we’ll have a well earned lunch before visiting the Chasm to witness the power of nature as water cuts through granite stone creating a gorge 100 meters deep and 2 meters wide. Then we’ll head back through the Homer Tunnel and take the spectacular drive to Queenstown where we’ll check into our sustainably designed apartments. Tonight will be our final dinner together at a great local organic restaurant. Time to reflect on a wonderful trip!

ACCOMMODATION: Alta Apartments, Queenstown (B,L,D)

Saturday - Explore Arrowtown, depart for home.

Queenstown is an inspiring place, but its often neglected neighbour Arrowtown has just as much to offer without the hustle and bustle. We’ll take you across the Wakatipu basin to Arrowtown where we’ll go for a great morning hike up Sawpit Gully, exploring relics of the gold mining era and filming locations from Lord of the Rings. After lunch we’ll get you back to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world where we can help you book just about any adventure you can dream of. Of course if your trip to New Zealand finishes today, we can get you to the airport and bid you farewell before you enjoy a spectacular flight to Christchurch or Auckland to link to international flights. Make sure you ask for a window seat! (B)