The stunning scenery of New Zealand's South Island is the backdrop for this Walk through the landscape that inspired Peter Jackson's film trilogy 'The Lord of the Rings'. Beginning our journey in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, we retrace the steps of Captain Cook, who landed in these Sounds in 1770. We witness basking seals at Kaikoura, close to the Southern Alps and sample fresh seafood from this quaint sea town. At Christchurch, we explore the Summit walkway on the Cashmere Hills, overlooking this beautiful city and meander along the pretty Flowers track set high above the seaside town of Sumner. There is also time to visit Christchurch's cultural precinct which contains art galleries, museum and an artist's market.
On the West Coast, we explore lush rainforests, river tracks through primeval landscapes and admire the strange, magical pancake rock formations at Punakaiki. The majesty and beauty of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers heralds the end of our stay on the West Coast and we travel east to Wanaka to experience tranquil lakeside walks and also hike to the top of Mount Iron for unsurpassed views of Aspiring National Park. As our journey draws to a close, we visit Arrowtown, an old gold-mining town, walking the shady, river track. Then, we experience the dramatic landscape of Queenstown, surrounded by towering mountain ranges, taking in the Sunshine Valley walk, which follows the lake's shore.Our final destination takes us to the wonderful beech forest walk which is the Routeburn Track. Here, we sample a part of the walk and picnic in pristine surroundings,where forest, mountains and babbling rivers are our companions.
