2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Discover the fantastic trails, remote lodges, rare wildlife, and “secret spots” of the South Island. PHOTO: MORITZ WOLF

New Zealand: Off the Beaten Path REMOTE PARKS AND RARE WILDLIFE OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

What an adventure—fantastic day hikes on some of New Zealand’s famed “Great Walks” (the Routeburn, Rakiura, Te Araroa, and Hollyford tracks), a helicopter flight across Milford Sound to a remote lodge in the untamed Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, wine tasting in Central Otago vineyards, a jet

HIGHLIGHTS • Incredible day hikes on the famed Routeburn, Rakiura, Te Araroa, and Hollyford trails • New Zealand’s unique wildlife, from yellow- eyed penguins to Hooker’s sea lions • Relaxed rural settings, stargazing under a brilliant sky, delightful picnics • Distinguished New Zealand wines, delicious Kiwi cuisine DETAILS • 10-day trip begins and ends in Queenstown • 9 nights vineyard cottages, B&B lodges, and our exclusive lodge in Fiordland N.P. • All meals included except 1 dinner

“What a trip! We got to experience so many things on the South Island that we would have never seen on our own.” Jennifer M. Santa Rosa CA

boat ride up beautiful Lake McKerrow, and ultra-remote Stewart Island, famous for its pristine forests and the best place to spot kiwis (the feathered kind). Unique wildlife encounters abound, our lodges

JON IMHOFF

jumping was invented), and taste wines in Central Otago, home to noted pinot noirs. Heading to the remote Catlins Coast, we hike along the Catlin River, and from our lodge, take a night walk to see native glow worms—a surreal experience. We’ll look for rare Hector’s dolphins as we hike the beach at Porpoise Bay, then fly to far-flung Stewart Island. Here we take our second “Great Walks” trail, the Rakiura Track, and at twilight, search for kiwi, New Zealand’s signature bird. Days 7-10 South Coast / Milford Sound / Hollyford Track Back on the mainland, we hike part of the Te Araroa Trail, then take a breathtaking helicopter flight along the coast to rugged Martins Bay in Milford Sound. We’ll look for Fiordland crested penguins and New Zealand fur seals on our coastal hike, and a jet-boat ride on Lake McKerrow brings us to our hike on the famous Hollyford Track, flanked by the mighty Southern Alps. Depart on Day 10 via Queenstown.

DATES Nov 24-Dec 3, 2019 Jan 20-29, 2020 Feb 17-26 Mar 2-11 Nov 5-14

have South Island character, and we savor superb local wines and farm-to-table meals.

Jan 1-10, 2021 Jan 31-Feb 9 Mar 4-13

Days 1-2 Mt. Crichton Loop / Routeburn Track From Queenstown, our first hike brings us through manuka and beech forests and past tumbling waterfalls on the Mt. Crichton Loop. In the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, we hike a beautiful section of the Routeburn Track, crossing swing-bridges over the roaring, jade-green waters of the Routeburn River. Days 3-6 Central Otago / The Catlins Coast / Stewart Island / Rakiura Track / Kiwi-Spotting We hike along Lake Wakatipu, visit the Kawarau Suspension Bridge (where the sport of bungee-

TRIP COST FALL 2019 / SPRING 2020 $6295 (9-12 members) $6695 (4-8 members) Single supplement: $995

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 Moderate hiking, 3-6 hours a day

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR PACIFIC TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/PACIFIC 111