We leave Christchurch and head south to the Mackenzie Country and the historic Grampians Station. As you walk up to “One Man Rock” vast views open up across the entire Mackenzie basin to Mount Cook and the snow-capped peaks of its adjacent rivals. We enjoy the late evening sun (as you know, it’s always sunny in the Mackenzie country!) on the front stoop of one of the original cottages where we are joined for a cold drink by Eve Hope, granddaughter of early New Zealand artist Ester Hope. Eve’s family have owned the station since 1914 and she will share with you some insights into both the joys and challenges of running a 50,000-acre high country station on the dry side of the Mackenzie basin. We stay the night at nearby Tekapo settlement, famous for the ice blue waters of its magnificent glacier fed lake. Our accommodation for the night is a luxury holiday home. Each couple has their own facilities plus use of a large living area and kitchen. Dinner is family style at the dining room table and is catered by Pedro. After dinner it's time to look to the heavens because Tekapo is located in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This 4,300 sq. km (1,660 sq. mi.) area is the southern hemisphere’s sole dark sky reserve and one of only eight in the world.

Logistics: Independent arrival, Christchurch. You can fly in the day before and stay the night or arrive the morning of departure. We can either pick you up from a downtown hotel at 13:00, or from a restaurant near the airport at 13:30. Drive time: 3.5 hours to Grampians station. Additional 30 minutes to Tekapo. Overnight Tekapo house. Walking distance: 4 – 6 km in the afternoon. Overnight, and dinner included. Lunch not included.

After breakfast we head west towards the snowy peaks of the Main Divide. Your hike starts along a 4x4 track that enters Braemar Station. We have been granted access to this spectacular property that overlooks the milky blue waters of Lake Pukaki. An hour and a half into the walk we are joined by owner Julia Mackenzie, who shares with us the fascinating history of the farm as well as the demands of “high country life” on an isolated station. Our morning hike finishes at the Braemar homestead where Julia invites us into her kitchen for a delicious home-cooked lunch. The nearby snow-capped summit of Mount Cook is visible from the kitchen window. The afternoon walk takes you along the edge of the braided Tasman river with magnificent views of Mount Cook and the Mueller glacier. Return to Tekapo to relax and unwind at our comfortable village home. Dinner at the Dark Sky Diner that looks straight out over the blue melt waters of lake Tekapo.

Logistics: Drive time: 20 minutes to the trail head. One-hour return drive. Walking distance: 10 km (6 mi) in the morning and 6 km (4 mi) in the afternoon. Overnight, breakfast, lunch at Braemar station, and dinner included.

Depart Tekapo to head south along the celebrated scenic drive through the Lindis Pass to Wanaka. Along the way we will stop for a 45-minute easy walk along the edge of gorgeous Lake Pukaki, which allows you to really soak in and appreciate just how beautiful it is. How many times have you simply blasted past the lake on your way to Queenstown? Our morning transfer ends at Akarua winery for a sumptuous lunch coupled with some of their award-winning wines. We continue to Wanaka for a gentle 12 km (7.5 mi) walk along the shore of Lake Wanaka whose ever-changing moods never fail to enchant. Kickback with a cold drink on a sunny terrace at the end of the walk and soak in the views. We spend the next two nights at Te Wanaka lodge, a lovely small boutique inn with only 13 rooms. It is located a two-minute walk from the lakeshore and the village’s shops and cafés. Since we will have had a rather swept up winery lunch, tonight is a free night dinner, so you are free to dine when and where you want. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from that offer a variety of regional and international cuisine. 

Logistics: Drive time: 2hrs 40 minutes. Walking distance: 3.5 km (2 mi) in the morning and 12 km (7 mi) in the afternoon. Overnight, breakfast & winery lunch included. Dinner not included.

Once again, we have been granted access to walk over private land, which enables us to enjoy a marvellous hike along the isthmus that separates Lake Wanaka from Lake Hawea. From the west shore of Lake Hawea a broad grassy track eventually narrows to take us up to the summit of Isthmus peak for epic views over both lakes and onto the surrounding mountain peaks. We leave the DOC track and enter Burke’s Station, which enables us to continue to the east side of Lake Wanaka rather than doubling back the way we came. We stay up high, following the ridge line to our scenic picnic spot. Afterwards, we gradually descend to the shore of Lake Wanaka where we are picked up by a private boat transfer and returned to Wanaka. Not many get to do this spectacular traverse between the two lakes. To put the finishing touch on an exceptional day, we dine tonight at the superb “Bistro Gentil” to enjoy a little refined, French-inspired cuisine.

Logistics: Drive time: 20 minutes to trailhead, return with 10-minute boat ride. Walking distances: Isthmus track 16 km. Overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.

Today we drive the incredible Crown Range Road, which tops out at 1,121 m (3,700 ft), to get to the spectacular Shotover Gorge. Enjoy a flat white before heading out on an awesome 5 to 6-hour hike.  The trail gradually climbs along the flank of the Shotover Gorge and then up through open country to Ben Lomond saddle where you are rewarded with breath-taking views out over Lake Wakatipu.  A gradual descent brings you to the Ben Lomond cable car station for a knee-saving ride down to Queenstown. Strong hikers can choose to summit Ben Lomond, which is an extra two-hour effort, but most of us will be happy to enjoy a cold beer on a sunny terrace before taking a short van shuttle to our luxury hotel at Nugget Point. We enjoy dinner in the hotel dining room overlooking the Shotover River.

Logistics: Drive time: 1 hour to trailhead. 10 minute return. Walking distances: 16 km. Overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included.

After breakfast overlooking the Shotover river we have a picturesque 35-minute drive to Skippers Saddle to start another fabulous hike. Today’s A to B route takes us up Mount Dewar for a 360-degree view out over the magnificent scenery.  We enjoy a gradual descent along a broad spur before an optional steep descent down into the dramatic Shotover Gorge. If you don’t feel like the extra 2 km, stop here and enjoy your picnic lunch while overlooking the impossibly blue waters of the river. Afterwards, drop down through golden tussocks to Devils Creek, whose babbling waters accompany us to the end of the hike. Throughout the day big views are to be had as we cruise through open sub-alpine grasslands. Relax back at the hotel before a short ride into Queenstown village for a sunset dinner at Eicharts Grill.

Logistics: Drive time: 35 minutes to trailhead. 40 minutes return. 7-minute shuttle into town for dinner and return. Walking distances: 12 or 14 km. Overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included.

9:00 am transfer to Queenstown airport for your flight home, or perhaps you will pick up a rental car to continue your explorations. Some of you may want to extend your tour with the 2-night/3-day Routeburn Track "Great Walks" hike. If so, let us know and we can make all the arrangements for you, including pick up from the hotel as well as the main booking.

Logistics: Drive time: 25 minutes to airport. Breakfast and transfer to Queenstown airport included.