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Kaikoura Wilderness Walks traverse the untamed wilderness of the seaward Kaikoura mountain range through native forest, streams and dramatic alpine terrain.  Overlooked by one of the highest peaks, the legendary “Te Ao Whekere” or “World Of The Gods”, this walk, along with the expert interpretation by our guides, provides an extraordinary insight into the evolution and biodiversity of New Zealand’s world famous landscapes.

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks is known for its dramatic diversity. The walk takes you through stands of manuka and kanuka, untouched beech forests and pristine, ancient totara forest.  There is a huge array of plant life and a variety of wildlife on show, from the birds – rifleman, warbler, tomtit, falcon, pipit, NZ robin, white-eye, fantail, kereru, kingfisher and more – to larger animals such as chamois, Arapawa sheep and red deer.  The area is well known as a habitat of the black-eyed gecko and Kaikoura scree weta, and contains one of only two nesting colonies in the world of the endangered seabird, the Hutton’s shearwater . 

You will need average fitness with good mobility and be able to walk for 5 - 7 hours over mountain tracks each day. The track surface varies from smooth, well-formed paths to uneven terrain with occasional steeper gradients that you would expect of an alpine environment. Your guide will ensure a walking pace suitable to the level of fitness of the group.

Day One: Totara Saddle/Ancient Forest/Shearwater Lodge
Distance: 8.5km (5.3 mile)
Time: 2hrs/morning, 4hrs afternoon

We will arrange to meet you at your accommodation in Kaikoura at 9.00am and transport you via a very scenic route, firstly along the Kaikoura Coast, then up the Puhi Puhi Valley, one of the most spectacular valleys in New Zealand,to the start of the Kaikoura Wilderness Walk. The drive will take approximately 50 minutes. Your luggage will be transported to Shearwater Lodge – your overnight accommodation.  

The first part of the walk is a pleasant mix of bush and forest environments; kanuka, manuka, beech, and fern dominate but specimens of rimu and totara can be seen. This part of the walk takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours and climbs to the vantage point at Totara Saddle, where a picnic lunch is served. Extensive views of the ocean to mountain tops at 2438m(8000ft) can be enjoyed.

After lunch the track begins with a downhill section from Totara Saddle to the stream below, then a steady walk up through beech forest for approximately an hour.  Climbing gently for 2 hours through an ancient totara forest, you will emerge on to alpine meadows covered in mountain daisies (celmesias), before a short climb to another saddle. From here the first view of Shearwater Lodge can be seen in its outstanding alpine setting.
 
The last hour of the walk traverses several streams before reaching Shearwater Lodge where you will be welcomed by the Lodge Host.

Relax for a while, take a rest, and settle into your room.  Simply take in the atmosphere and let the cares of the world become a distant memory. A complimentary glass of wine is on hand to assist the winding down process before dinner is served.

Day Two: Happy Valley Summit/Seaward Saddle
Distance: 8.5km (5.3 mile)
Time: 4hrs/morning, 2hrs afternoon

After a hearty breakfast, leave behind Shearwater Lodge and experience extraordinary alpine valleys and  dramatic vistas. On this section the track traverses Happy Valley and walkers enjoy the alpine vista of spectacularly rugged mountains which rise steeply from each side of the valley. A keen eye should be on the alert for red deer, Arapawa sheep and the elusive, and nimble, chamois.

Leaving the valley we climb up on to a high ridge arriving at Surveyor's Peak Lookout some 1522m (4995ft) above sea level. The panoramic views from here are simply breathtaking and if the skies are clear, you can see as far south as Banks Peninsula and as far north as the eastern coast of the North Island.

Walkers may enjoy a picnic lunch at Surveyor's Peak Lookout or return to Shearwater Lodge for a late lunch. The afternoon then allows time to relax, explore, or just savour the delights of this alpine environment from the comfort of Shearwater Lodge.

Day Three
After breakfast, take a leisurely walk to the beautiful Beverley Falls through the ancient forest. Lunch is served at Shearwater Lodge.

After lunch, it is time for the walk out. A different path is taken to that on the way in and much of this track is downhill following the ridge line before re-entering the beech forest. Once again there are plenty of opportunities to see the birdlife and wild animals on the descent. The end of the track and return to Puhi Peaks Station is reached at approximately 4.30 pm where your luggage and transport back to Kaikoura will be waiting. Arrival time in Kaikoura is approximately 5.30pm.

GST: additional 2.5% being added to all bookings placed on or after the 1st October, 2010.