Active Nature Retreat: New Zealand and Fiji Explorer Package
This active nature retreat brings you to some of the most picturesque, remote regions of New Zealand and Fiji, where the natural beauty that surrounds you will rejuvenate body and soul. In New Zealand, explore the Hollyford Track by foot, jetboat, and helicopter; cycle along tranquil Lake Wakatipu; and hike the dramatic Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Finish with a week in beautiful Fiji, where you can relax or explore endless island adventures at your own pace.
This Active Nature Retreat: New Zealand and Fiji Explorer Package was designed for an active couple from Utah who wanted to celebrate a 50th birthday with a bucket list adventure! They loved hiking and nature, so we arranged this ultimate active adventure amid the world’s most breathtaking natural playgrounds.
They began their journey in Queenstown, New Zealand’s scenic adventure capital. From here, they set off on an all-inclusive, 3-day guided hike on the Hollyford Track. Located in Fiordland National Park, the remote and spectacular Hollyford Valley is home to beautiful beech forest and rich New Zealand history. They explored with a fabulous guide who brought the unique plants, landscape, and Maori history to life. Their adventure included plenty of scenic hiking, a thrilling jetboat ride, and stays in comfortable lodges. It finished with a day jetboating and navigating the river in a Funyak.
Next on their Active Nature Retreat, they flew to Rotorua and made their way to the dramatic snow-capped mountains of Tongariro. They spent a day on a guided hike through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the greatest 1-day hikes in the world! They explored scoured volcanic craters scoured volcanic rocks, lava flows frozen in time, mountain springs and brightly colored emerald lakes, lava flows frozen in time, mountain springs, and brightly colored emerald lakes.
After Tongariro, they spent a day taking a scenic road trip to Auckland, where they had an evening free to relax in their beautiful hotel. Then it was on to Namale Resort & Spa Fiji, an exclusive tropical resort set amidst lush foliage and the bright turquoise waters of the Koro Sea. They spent 7 nights in a Honeymoon Bure featuring gorgeous views of the water.
The rest of their Active Nature Retreat was free to spend as they pleased. With their spa lover’s package at Namale, they enjoyed heavenly massages to relax their muscles after all their adventures. They loved kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming in the warm water, and hiking to hidden waterfalls amid the lush tropical trails. It was the perfect place to end their journey, with freedom to explore or relax at their leisure.
After a week in beautiful Fiji, it was time to begin their journey home. They returned with plenty of great photos and stories to share with friends and family!
Accommodation
- 3 Nights Hote St Moritz
- 3 Nights on Hollyford Track Lodges
- 2 Nights Tongariro Lodge
- 1 M Social Auckland
- 7 Nights Namale Resort Fiji
Touring
- 4 Days/3 Nights Hollyford Track
- Funyak Safari
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Transportation
- Private airport transfers
- 3 Days Rental Car
Spa
- Spa Lovers Package – 6 Treatments at Namale
Insider Tip
Corinne, Founder and CEO
While at Namale, make sure to take advantage of the Spa as much as possible. It is the biggest spa I have ever seen with lots of different relaxing pools and views to the ocean.
Namale Resort & Spa
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to New Zealand! Your journey begins in Queenstown—a city known for outdoor adventures and some of the world’s most picturesque scenery. Settle into your beautiful hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure to explore the wonderful restaurants and bars in town.
Hotel St Moritz
Day 2
Begin your adventure by travelling from Queenstown to the lakeside town of Te Anau on our private coach to attend a comprehensive pre-departure briefing. Your knowledgeable guides will talk you through all you need to know before setting off, what to include in your tramping pack and the chance to answer any questions you may have. Mix and mingle over dinner with your fellow walkers before settling into your hotel room for the evening.
Distinction Te Anau
Day 3
On the morning of departure from Te Anau, you will be able to enjoy breakfast at the Distinction Hotel at 7:00am. At 7:45am we will depart Te Anau and make our way by private coach to the majestic Hollyford Valley, where we will officially begin our walk. Once at the start of the track we put on our packs and start our 19.5km journey to Ka Tuku lodge. You will follow the swift, clear waters of the Hollyford River, beneath the gaze of the mighty Southern Alps, including Fiordland National Park’s two highest peaks of Mt Tutoko (2746m) and Mt Madeline (2537m). Retrace the footsteps of original Māori and early pioneer explorers as the track undulates gently through native beech forest and beside impressive, tumbling waterfalls. At the end of the first day of walking you’ll be welcomed at Ka Tuku Lodge by your friendly lodge hosts. Here you’ll enjoy a hot shower, impressive 3 course cuisine and the opportunity to relax with a post dinner drink while reflecting on a great first day of your guided walk experience.
Ka Tuku Lodge
Day 4
As the morning sun shines over the mountains enjoy a delicious breakfast before a short walk to the glistening Lake Alabaster and the optional crossing of one of Fiordland’s longest swing bridges. Today we cover 15km by foot. Your main pack will be transported to Waitai Lodge and we will provide you with a light day pack for your daily essentials. After a short walk to the jetty, you’ll board our jet boat for the next part of your adventure. These powerful and safe machines provide an exciting scenic ride along the Hollyford River and down to Lake McKerrow, where the glassy waters whisk past and the mountains rise dramatically above. Make a short stop in at the ill-fated Jamestown to hear the tales and tragedies of this early settlement. Say farewell to your jetboat driver as you make your way into the awe-inspiring podocarp forest. You’ll pass ancient forests with thousand year old giants such as native Rimu, Totara and Kahikatea. Stop for lunch as the towering lowland forest transforms into a tenacious coastal garden. In the late afternoon we explore the rugged West Coast before heading to Waitai Lodge where a warm welcome awaits you.
Waitai Lodge
Day 5
After another hearty breakfast you’ll be ready for your final 5km walk, exploring Martins Bay Spit, a famous landmark separating the powerful Tasman Sea from the Hollyford Valley. Here you will view historical sites, where Chief Tutoko and his people guarded entry into the Hollyford Valley, controlling access into and out of highly valued pounamu (greenstone/jade) gathering areas. Your guide will also highlight the plant and wildlife of this unique environment helping you to discover the diversity of this remote area. You will have the opportunity to explore the sand dunes, and wander along the isolated beach at your own pace, with the Tasman Sea as your companion. Returning to Waitai Lodge for lunch, your lodge hosts bid you farewell as you board the helicopter for a scenic flight along the rugged coastline and into the dramatic Milford Sound, where you’ll marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite walls rising from the sea. Once in Milford you’ll be met by our private coach and travel along the impressive Milford Road, up through the famous Homer Tunnel, which was cut through a divide of sheer granite rock. The drive time from Milford Sound to Te Anau is approximately 1 hour 30mins (118km). In Te Anau we will stop at the Explorer Bar to say farewell and collect any luggage stored at the Distinction Hotel. You when travel through to Queenstown.
Hotel St Moritz
Day 6
Your Funyak journey begins with an exhilarating jet boat ride from Glenorchy up the Dart River deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your jet boat ride, you will travel back down stream with our expert guides in our unique Funyaks (inflatable canoes) working your way through pristine waters as they flow from the Southern Alps to Lake Whakatipu. Explore channels and side-streams in this spectacular wilderness location and witness the native flora and fauna of the area. Take a break at the rivers edge to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch while you take in the sounds of the native birds and the serenity of the native beech forest. Finish up your epic adventure by jumping aboard our coach back to Glenorchy. Travel through paradise and pass some of New Zealand’s most renown filming locations, seen in movies such as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and X-Men Origins – Wolverine.
Hotel St Moritz
Day 7
Today, enjoy a private transfer to the airport and a short flight to Rotorua. Pick up your rental car and take the scenic drive, approximately 2.5 hours, along Lake Taupo and into Tongariro National Park. Your hotel is framed by beautiful snow-capped mountains, which you will explore tomorrow. This evening, treat yourself to a massage or a soak in the sauna to soothe the muscles before your next trek.
Tongariro Lodge
Day 8
Today, you will explore the famed Tongariro Alpine Crossing, filled with dramatic scenery formed by volcanic activity. The landscape on Mt Tongariro is peppered with craters that have been active at different periods. The track leads through the perfectly flat moonscape of South Crater; climbs to the edge of Red Crater; skirts around Central Crater; and then leads down past the steaming Te Maari Crater. There are scoured volcanic rocks, lava flows frozen in time, mountain springs and brightly colored emerald lakes. No matter what the weather, this is a hike of a lifetime. Summer offers a majestic landscape with rich colors and varying textures released from within the earth’s crust. Winter is pristine snow with the call of an adventure! Wrap up in warm layers and have your crampons fitted by your guide before heading off with your ice-axe to experience the snow-covered volcanos.
Tongariro Lodge
Day 9
Today, drive through mountain scenery that transforms into rolling green hills as you make your way to Auckland. The glowworm caves of Waitomo and the Hobbiton Movie Set make fantastic stops en route. Once in Auckland, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore.
M Social Auckland
Day 10
It’s time to explore beautiful Fiji! Drop off your rental car at the airport and fly to Fiji, where you’ll enjoy a road transfer to the stunning Namale Resort & Spa. Just because you’re seeking out the most thrilling and off-the-beaten-path experiences in Fiji doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Your home for the next 7 nights is a spacious Honeymoon Bure with warm traditional Fijian design and a private deck surrounded by tropical foliage, with views of the turquoise Koro Sea beyond. Namale’s all-inclusive rates include all meals and drinks, a private dine-out experience, daily laundry, WiFi, access to a beautiful hydrotherapy room, an indoor entertainment area with bowling and basketball, and tons of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Namale Resort & Spa
Day 11 – 16
At Namale, you can do as little or as much as you like. Your spa lover’s package includes two couples’ massages and a special Sunset Bliss couples’ spa experience, so you can completely relax and unwind after all your New Zealand adventures. But there’s much more than the spa and the beach to explore!
Known as the Soft Coral Capital of the World, Fiji’s seas are bursting with world-renowned dive sites, coral reef systems teeming with life, and plenty of opportunities for marine life sightings, from sea turtles and octopus to myriad tropical fish and dolphins. Explore the island trails, lined with thick foliage, papaya and banana trees, ferns, and orchids, and reward your efforts with a cool dip in a freshwater waterfall.
Be sure to spend a day enjoying the iconic Sandbar Picnic and Snorkel experience (additional cost). Venture 20 minutes by boat to a completely remote, deserted sandbar, where you’ll be castaway—but with plenty of champagne! Snorkel and swim in the warm waters, learn to crack a coconut, or simply lounge on the beach with a cool drink in hand.
Countless activities are included in your stay, like kayaking, paddle boarding, wake boarding, hand line fishing, horseback riding, water skiing, volleyball, tennis, golf, and much more! You will never run out of things to do. Whenever you need a break, your private deck is the perfect place to lounge with a cool cocktail and enjoy the warm tropical breeze.
Namale Resort & Spa
Day 17
Today marks the end of your incredible adventures in New Zealand and Fiji. Enjoy a transfer to the airport and begin your journey home, with plenty of great photos and stories to share with friends and family when you return!
About this vacation
Cost Per Person
Does not include the cost of airfare
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