A wonderful tour through a wonderful country with wonderful people in the group and, last but not least, a wonderful guide! Danke schon, for everything. You've never lost your good mood, even if some people sometimes ask too much about trees! Andreas, Germany

Thanks for this wonderful safari on this great country! Denise, Portugal

Our guide Kath has unending enthusiasm and knows tonnes about New Zealand nature, history and people. Kareen, Canada

Length 4.5 days

Price NZ$920

Price includes kitty (food & accommodation).

Grade D - medium, 2 multi-day hikes
Extras optional - TranzAlpine train (NZ$180)
Start - Nelson Visitor Centre, Corner Halifax & Trafalgar Streets @ 8:00am
Finish - Greymouth 12:30pm (approx.)

2012-2013 dates available on request.

Keen for more?

Link this trip with:

Volcanoes and Rainforest
Do this trip BEFORE the Coast and Canyons and you have two days to travel by ferry and bus from Wellington to Nelson.

I wasn't sure what to expect having just arrived in New Zealand but it was the best decision I have made. Experience New Zealand the New Zealand way. Sandra, UK

Coast and Canyons

Adventure travel on the wild West Coast of the South Island. Explore beech forests, mountains and extraordinary limestone formations. Wade through crystal clear rivers and feast on home grown organic produce. Time spent on this savage coast will be one of the highlights of your trip to New Zealand.

Highlights

• Beech forests, limestone sinkholes, and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park
• Wading across rivers and exploring glowworm caves in Paparoa National Park
• Intriguing layer rock formations of Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes
• One of the world's top train journeys from Greymouth to Christchurch through Arthur's Pass National Park (optional extra)

Day 1

Drive to Flora Saddle and start 2-day hike through beech forest to tussock-covered tablelands of Kahurangi National Park. Stay overnight in a natural rock shelter. 4 hours hiking.

Day 2

Trek over Gordon's Pyramid (1489m), past limestone karst landscape of sinkholes and caves. Summit Mount Arthur (1795m) for panoramic views of the Nelson region. 7 hours hiking.

Day 3

Visit a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals, then head south to Paparoa National Park and begin 2-day hike up ‘Rivendell’ canyon. 4 hours hiking.

Day 4

Tramp up a side canyon to see glowworms, stopping along the way for a refreshing swim. Explore caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Afternoon stroll to sea caves used as shelter by early Maori. 6 hours hiking.

Day 5

Visit Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Drive south to Greymouth. Take the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch (optional extra) through the lush forests of Arthur's Pass National Park. 2 hours hiking.

Notes

• The trip price includes all accommodation.
• Unless specified in 'Additional costs' below the trip price includes all meals and sufficient snacks. We cater for the big appetites generated while doing activities such as hiking and kayaking. We don't supply alcohol or thrills such as icecreams or espressos so you could bring a little cash to spend on your fix.

Additional costs

• The prices for optional activities are listed in the trip summary box on the top right of the page, and in the trip dossier. Optional activities include the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch.
• Optional activities must be paid for during the trip except for the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch which is paid for when booking.