The Grand Explorer - Fitness
How fit do you need to be for The Grand Explorer?
The Grand Explorer is an activity level 2-4* trip and is designed for you to have maximum flexibility. You can scale your activity level up to a 4, down to a 2, or anywhere in between every day so you can enjoy New Zealand at a pace that's right for you. Walk on well-formed tracks and enjoy a mixture of day walks and activities that showcase the best of New Zealand.
Activity Level 2*. These boots are made for walking...but not too far. You enjoy the outdoors and like to explore, but at a pace that's right for you. You like to take your time so you can enjoy your surroundings, learn from your guides and soak in the experience.
Activity Level 3*. You love staying active on your holiday and know that travel isn't a race, it's just as much about the journey as the destination! Fresh air, experiencing new activities with your guides and ending the day with a delicious meal and great conversation leave you feeling invigorated.
Activity Level 4*. You know sometimes the best views need to be earned and you love a wee bit of a challenge. You're comfortable spending a good portion of the day on your feet exploring on well-formed trails with your guides and moving towards your goal.
"We LOVED it. NZT really picked the highlights of the South Island and packed so much into two weeks. There were so many upgrades and special activities on the Grand Explorer. Also, the flexibility to accommodate the group was really appreciated. There was a variety in ability, but I think everyone felt the trip was designed for them."
Renee and Mike Sidman | USA
You can view a day-by-day breakdown of the activities and hikes below, and if you have any questions at all get in touch, we love to chat!
Day 1: Hike the Kepler Track
After meeting your guides and fellow travellers in Queenstown, you’ll embark on your long-awaited New Zealand adventure. This morning, we'll head to Fiordland National Park for our first Great Walk, The Kepler Track. The Kepler Track is renowned for its vivid green moss, native beech forest, and stunning mountain ranges. We’ll walk the section from Rainbow Reach up to Moturau Hut. Following the Waiau River through beech forest and wetlands until we emerge out onto the spectacular viewpoint at the lakeside Moturau Hut.
Day 2: Hike the Milford Track and cruise Milford Sound
The trail from Sandfly Point to Giant Gate Falls is a flat section of the track which passes through lush native forest with towering mountains in every direction. Our return hike to the falls is a mostly flat 10km (6mi) walk and is a great sample of the 'finest walk in the world'.
This afternoon, we'll see the Eighth Wonder of the World on our nature cruise of Milford Sound.
Day 3: Arrowtown, High Country Lakes, Aoraki/ Mount Cook
Welcome to Arrowtown, our backyard! After a relaxed start this morning, we'll make our way to the gorgeous mountain setting of Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a quaint gold mining town bursting with history. We'll enjoy a hike along the Arrow River Trail, a favourite amongst us locals, and have the chance to explore the Chinese Goldmining Settlement. This afternoon, we’ll journey to the heart of the Southern Alps, Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park, an area of vast snow-covered mountains and glacier-fed lakes.
Day 4: Aoraki/ Mt Cook Hiking, Hooker Valley
Today, you'll have options to scale your activity level up or down to suit your preference, so you can explore Aoraki/ Mt Cook at a pace that's right for you. Whichever hikes you choose to tackle, you'll be rewarded with incredible scenery in this UNESCO World Heritage area, under the watchful gaze of Aoraki/ Mt Cook – New Zealand's highest peak.
The Hooker Valley hike leads you on a well-marked trail up to the Hooker Glacier Lake, complete with floating icebergs and incredible mountain views, including the imposing peak of Mount Cook. The trail is easy underfoot with three swing bridge crossings taking you over glacier-fed rivers and boulders. It's a good 3-4 hour walk with not too much of a climb, stopping for photos and snacks along the way.
For those seeking a little more activity, you'll also have the option of hiking the beautiful Red Tarns track. Offering phenomenal views of Aoraki/ Mt Cook and the surrounding mountains, the Red Tarns Track is one of Aoraki/ Mt Cook's hidden gems. On a calm day, you'll enjoy incredible mirror-like reflections of Aoraki/ Mt Cook that will leave a lasting memory of this magical spot.
Day 5: Hike Mount John, explore Mackenzie Country & Christchurch
This morning we’ll make the steady climb up Mount John though forest and tussock to the observatory at the top. As we walk, we’ll look out over 360-degree views across the impressive Mackenzie Basin flats and surrounding mountains and lakes. For those looking for a more relaxed option today, you can catch a ride with your guide to the top of Mt John and explore the Mt John Summit Loop. Either way, you'll be able to experience the dramatic views over glacially-fed Lake Tekapo.
Day 6: Dolphin swim or watch in Kaikoura
Today, we head to Kaikoura for a boat trip out to the Kaikoura Peninsula where we'll watch or swim with the dusky dolphins in their natural environment.
Day 7: Hike the Honeydew track and water taxi to Awaroa
This morning, we'll hike the Honeydew track. The trail hugs the shores of Lake Rotoiti and delivers unparalleled views of Nelson Lakes National Park.
This afternoon, we'll follow the coastline northwest, through the Marlborough Sounds to the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. We’ll board a water taxi from Kaiteriteri to our exclusive accommodation for the night, Awaroa Lodge.
Day 8: Hike Awaroa to Bark Bay
Your walk today follows the coastal track through cool, native forest and reaches golden sand beaches, perfect for swimming. You can choose how much you'd like to walk today.
Day 9: Kayak in Abel Tasman National Park
Today, we will take a boat cruise into Torrent Bay, then kayak to explore some of the most idyllic parts of the Abel Tasman coastline. The kayaking is suitable for beginners and experts alike. We’ll be joined by specialist guides who’ll share their knowledge of the Abel Tasman and teach you all the paddling skills you need to enjoy this activity. If kayaking isn’t for you, that’s no problem at all, you’ll be able to explore the world famous, golden sandy beaches of Abel Tasman National Park by foot instead.
Day 10: Hike in Paparoa National Park and explore Pancake Rocks
We begin the day with a short walk on the stunning Lewis Pass Nature walk. We then head to Paparoa National Park. With towering limestone cliffs, lush rainforest, the crashing ocean... you've entered what feels like Jurassic Park! We have a stunning hike today in the Paparoa National Park on the Paparoa Track, one of our Great Walks! We'll then make a stop for a walk at the iconic Pancake Rocks, a unique limestone rock formation on our rugged and beautiful West Coast.
Day 11: Walk Hokitika Gorge and Point Elizabeth Walkway
We’ll take a walk along a stunning, well surfaced, coastal walkway. The Point Elizabeth Walkway is a bush track with unparalleled views of Mount Cook and the Paparoa Mountain Range. This afternoon, we will also walk along the stunning glacial fed Hokitika Gorge.
Day 12: Glaciers and Southern Alps
This morning, we'll walk the Lake Matheson Track where you'll enjoy stunning views of Aoraki/ Mt Cook and our towering Southern Alps. Renowned for its still, glassy waters, you'll enjoy spectacular mirror-like reflections across Lake Matheson as we make our way through native forest, learning about the fascinating glacial history of the area. Later in the day, we will stroll along the Monro Beach track and if we’re lucky, we will catch a sighting of the rarest species of penguin in the world, the tawaki/ Fiordland crested penguin.
Day 13: Fly, Hike and Jetboat Siberia Wilderness
Today, we are heading out on an adventure you will remember forever, into a remote backcountry valley with out-of-this-world scenery. The day begins with a scenic flight into Siberia Valley to a stunning lunch spot before we start our wild country hike. We'll be walking on a clearly marked trail through open tussock land and ancient rainforest over undulating terrain. The walk is around 7kms long (4.3 miles) and will take up to 3 hours - we'll take our time to enjoy the scenery arriving at the rendezvous point in time to be picked up by our trusty jet boat driver for an exhilarating end to a wonderful day.
Day 14: Mou Waho Island
We'll take a boat ride across the picturesque Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island. The hike to the viewpoint on Mou Waho starts with a short climb (200m/650 feet). There’s a lot to see and learn, so we'll take our time exploring with our local eco-guide. The return distance is around 5km (3 miles). We are on the island for around 2.5 hours in total.
