Explorer Footsteps 3 Day Programme
Natures Trails 5 Day Programme

Short walks
3 and 5 day walking holidays, staying in a hotel or hostel each night.

• Explorer Footsteps - 3 days
  Booking Codes:
  WAEF (hostel accommodation)
  WAEF3 (3 star accommodation)

• Natures Trails - 5 days
  Booking Codes:
  WANT (hostel accommodation)
  WANT3 (3 star accommodation)

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Explorer Footsteps 3 Day Programme

Day 1. 9:00am meet at the Ashley Hotel in Greymouth (other accommodation pickups available) with everything listed on the required gear list. We will supply you with a day pack and waterproof raincoat. Remember that we do not provide any meals on these programmes but do carry the makings for a hot drink on the tracks. There are ample places on the way to purchase any meals you may require.

Today we head north up the beautiful Coast Road into the limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. This is the second largest area of Karst country in the Southern Hemisphere. You will walk amongst stacks of Pancakes made entirely of rock! Watch the staggering power of nature as the sea heaves itself up through limestone holes to form rainbows of foam as it spews into huge geysers.

Visiting amazing limestone gorges carved by centuries of water action and even go underground if you dare. We take in a seal colony and in season, visit the nesting site of birds that live in holes under trees. Moss covered rainforest, huge ferns and friendly fantail birds are the backdrop today as we follow the coastal footsteps along Te Ara Pounamu limestone heritage. Accommodation: Greymouth Ashley Hotel or Neptunes Backpackers

Day 2. 9:00am Depart following the inland waterway greenstone traders route into the early settlers gold rush township of Blackball. Once a bustling gold and coal town we learn about the geology of the area and how the earths crusts is bending up to create some amazing landforms found here.

Walk the swingbridge (there is another way round) and try your hand at goldpanning. Or take a heli-hike to the 1860's Croesus goldmine on the mountaintops with its magnificent views and historic walk back down through the rainforest to the Blackball Hilton for a glass of the local brew. (note: helicopter option is an extra cost of $80pp and is weather dependant but is well worth it.) How about lunch at the Hilton , an 1860's gold rush hotel and then it is off to something completely different, The Jungle Boat Cruise. Those before us did not always travel the greenstone pathway on foot. They took the easiest route possible and so are we!

This afternoon you will drift quietly down through the rainforest by jungle boat in the traditions of our earliest Maori travellers. On this journey you stop to learn about the way the Maori people used the rainforest for food, medicine and shelter. You will be taught the art of flax weaving and be able to take home with you a Maori artefact made by yourself! This evening those that wish to will be able to gather together on the beach with a bonfire Barbeque to cook your dinner the Kiwi way as you enjoy the sunset. (Remember to bring your own food, your guide will advise you what is best to bring and where to get it from, Kiwi Style forming a very cheap nutritious meal). Accommodation: Greymouth Ashley Hotel or Neptunes Backpackers

Day 3. 9:00 am depart for a Jade search. Te Ara Pounamu- the greenstone pathway was formed to discover Jade greenstone, a very hard, beautiful and precious stone. This morning we will walk one of the stone beaches to see if 'Te Tai Poutini Pounamu', the greenstone god will make a gift to you. It is said that you do not find Jade but it finds you! You will be hosted for this walk by the Tangata whenua (the people of the land). Today you will enter the world of the local Maori getting an insight into their modern day culture while visiting a Jade carver.

This afternoon we walk onto the head of an ancient lizard, the Tuatara! This living remnant from the dinosaur age is believed in local legend to be represented by a range of low hills which has the power to see into the future! Today we hope that some of this will rub off on us so that we can then go and buy ourselves a winning lottery ticket! Views of the coastline and hinterland are obtained from this vantage point to finish your tour with some great photographic opportunities. 3 day Tour ends. 5 day tour accommodation is in Greymouth and programme continues below.

To book this tour now, please choose either the hostel or 3 star hotel accommodation option:

Natures Trails 5 Day Programme

The 5 day programme starts with the first three days as above and then continues on to

Day 4 An 8:00am departure this morning sees us travelling south for a short walk into the Alpine faultline. Here we walk into a river valley following Te Ara Pounamu towards the mountain passes until we come to an area of steaming hotpools. These are reputed to have brought health benefits to our early travellers and we have the opportunity to take a soak in the pools ourselves today. Imagine relaxing while soaking up the heat of these warm mineral waters with a glass of wine in your hand among some of the world's great scenery!

We travel on to Franz Josef Glacier for a guided walk onto a glacier this afternoon with boots and alpenstocks supplied. After your walk we continue onto Fox Glacier Village where we overnight

Day 5 Today we take a walk into a food basket! Yes an important source of food for the early travellers was fish life in a chain of lakes along the coast. For those that wish to there is an early morning rise at 6:00am to take in Lake Matheson, the mirror Lake. (We can also take a later start for those that want to) .At this early hour conditions are very still producing fabulous photographs of the mountains reflected in the lake. Return for breakfast and then we continue back north to walk a section of the coastal route where penguins are often found.

This afternoon we follow in the footsteps of the early explorers Wilkinson and Whitcombe who with knowledge from local Maori guides were the first Europeans to cross the Alps through what is now known as Whitcombe Pass and then on down the Hokitika River. We are going into the Hokitika Gorge to cross a swing bridge that reveals the powder blue waters loaded with fines from the glaciers. The river has cut a gap through the granite rock to produce an awesome landscape also great for photos. You tour finishes back in Greymouth. (Note that accommodation tonight is not part of your walks programme cost and is at your own extra expense)

Group rates are available if you have over 6 people. Click please send me group walking rates and confirm which walk you are interested in and how many people you will have to get a signaificant saving.

To book this tour now, please choose either the hostel or 3 star hotel accommodation option:

Our personal hikers kit can be hired at a cost of $95 pp.

Cancellations: Walks paid for and cancelled within 30 days of or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.

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