Action, Adventure & Adrenaline in Aotearoa
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” Helen Keller
Feel the rush as you escape the four walls of your comfort zone and succumb to the allure of Aotearoa. Descend into a primeval landscape at the famous Waitomo Caves, walk on the crater floor of an active marine volcano, hike in the stunning backcountry alpine landscapes and so much more! With Latitude South, experience the reward of a day where personal boundaries are pushed and new heights are reached in the most majestic country on earth.
Itinerary Highlights
Accommodation: One night at M Social in a Social View Room.
On arrival in Auckland, you will be met and privately transferred to this stylish designer hotel located on the picturesque Waitemata Harbour within walking distance of great dining, entertainment and wonderful shopping. A day to relax and rest before the adventures begin…
Accommodation: 3 nights at the Henley Hotel in a ‘Better Room’
Today you will be collected from your accommodation and privately transferred to the Auckland Airport where you will collect your late model, automatic rental vehicle and journey to your exclusive country retreat.
Your full day adventure has been described by Lonely Planet as one of the best things you can do in New Zealand. If you came here looking for adventure, it doesn’t get much better than this!
The 100m free-hanging abseil into the massive void with gives you a sense of descending into a prehistoric world with surreal mist, giant spagatites and plants clinging to the walls of the cavern, as the roar of the Mangapu river echoes up to welcome you.
Once down, your adventure truly begins… exploring the Mangapu streamway, you will spend the rest of the day walking, wading, swimming and climbing through the cavernous passages of this famous underground system. See giant fossil oysters and whalebones, giant flowstone and the absolutely fantastic glowworm display.
This morning you will make your way to Rotorua for the experience of a lifetime walking on the active crater floor of New Zealand’s and arguably the world’s most accessible active marine volcano “White Island”, offering a breathtaking view of the awesome powers that continue to shape New Zealand in all their spectacular and dramatic glory.
Your helicopter flight takes in the stunning aerial views of lakes, forests, farms and orchards before crossing the Bay of Plenty coastline and heading to White Island. Landing here you will marvel at the beauty of nature in its most untamed state. Walk across the island’s wild, lunar landscape with active geothermal steam vents and bubbling mud pools.
Accommodation: 3 x nights at Shelbourne Villa Bed & Breakfast in a Guest Room
This morning you will make your way back to Rotorua Airport where you will return your rental vehicle and board your flight to Nelson, located at the ‘Top of the South’, upon arrival you will be collected from the airport for your private transfer to your delightful accommodation located in Nelson’s ‘Dress-Circle’.
(Breakfast and lunch included today)
Today you will be collected from your accommodation for your full day privately guide hike into the stunning backcountry of the Nelson Lakes National Park, an enchanting alpine landscape of rugged peaks, forests and stunning glacial lakes and home to the beginning of the awe-inspiring Southern Alps.
(Breakfast and lunch included today)
Today will find you exploring the sublimely beautiful Abel Tasman National Park on your full day guided kayaking trip.
The golden beaches, crystal clear turquoise blue waters and lush green forests provide the picture-perfect setting for your day as you weave your way between islands and explore the secluded coves and granite outcrops, where you may be joined by playful silky seals as you glide through the quiet waters.
(Breakfast included today)
Accommodation: 1 night at Rimu Lodge in a Guest Room
This morning you will be privately transferred to the Nelson Airport where you collect your late model, automatic rental vehicle and make the spectacularly scenic journey to your luxury boutique eco lodge with magnificent views, located on the South Island’s rugged and untamed West Coast in Hokitika.
Your route will take you through Punakaiki, where you will stop to explore a limestone landscape of pancake shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools.
(Breakfast and dinner included today)
Accommodation: 2 nights at Te Waonui Forest Retreat in a Deluxe Room
Your journey south today will yield scenery so stunning it will take your breath away. This is New Zealand at its purest and most untamed – see moody mountain ranges, thick native rainforest and wild rugged shorelines.
Arriving at your exclusive retreat today, encircled by native bush between the mountains and the Tasman Sea, with a World Heritage Glacier just minutes away, it will offer you an experience like no other.
Nestled in lush rainforest, the Glacier Hot Pools is a haven of tranquillity and the perfect way to unwind later today and experience a blissful state of pure relaxation after travelling along Te Tai o Poutini (The West Coast).
(Breakfast included today)
Glacier climbing in New Zealand is considered by many to be the best in the world. Ice climbing at Franz Josef is a day packed with excitement and adventure. Following your scenic helicopter transfer up onto the glacier; a great chance to take in the full panoramic majesty of the glacier and surrounding mountains, you will learn the skills and techniques you need to carefully and comfortably climb the glacier, under the expert tuition of some of New Zealand’s most experienced ice climbers,
Your guide will tailor the day to challenge novices and experts alike. No experience necessary and you will be provided with all the technical equipment you need for your day of ice climbing.
(Breakfast included today)
Accommodation: 3 nights at Maple Lodge Boutique B&B in a Guest Room
As spectacular as your previous day’s drive was and the inclination to assume that it couldn’t possibly get better, then today’s will leave you simply awestruck as you journey through the Haast Pass and Mount Aspiring National Park before emerging to the startling turquoise waters of Lake Hawea and your destination Lake Wanaka.
(Breakfast included today)
A must do Wanaka activity! Climbing alongside Twin Falls, one of Wanaka’s most iconic waterfalls on this via ferrata tour, you will find adventure, beauty, hidden pools and towering waterfalls, surrounded by breathtaking views of mountains and lakes. Climbing higher, you will traverse vertically beside the waterfall, crossing suspension bridges and finishing at the base of a spectacular 60m waterfall.
(Breakfast include today)
Your unique one of a kind wilderness adventure today begins with a scenic flight over the breathtaking Southern Alps, viewing glaciers, rain forests and crystal-clear rivers in the Mount Aspiring National Park. After flying into a beautiful alpine wilderness valley, you will hike from one gorgeous forested river valley to another before being met by jetboat for an exhilarating ride back to ‘civilisation’.
(Breakfast included today)
Continuing on to Queenstown on the alpine high Crown Range Road option, will provide a wonderfully last memorable journey in New Zealand. Although not for the faint of heart, with hairpin bends and a seemingly bottomless gorge, the stunning and spectacular views into the alpine valley below provide a breathtaking experience in itself.
You will make your way to the Queenstown Airport, where you will return your rental vehicle and farewell this extraordinary land and return home.