After the months of planning and preparation the wait is finally over! You will need to check in at the International Airport 2 hours prior to your flight. On arrival in Christchurch you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your centrally located accommodation. Your guide will run through a full trip briefing and team introduction and then we'll take a hike up on the Port Hills for some jaw dropping views over the snowy Southern Alps and into the vivid blue Lyttelton harbour. Walk: approx 1.5-2 hours

Meals:  D

Today we will cycle a section of one of New Zealand's most famous cycleways, the Alps to Ocean cycle. We leave Christchurch after an early breakfast and drive across the vast Canterbury Plains into Mackenzie Country. Here we are greeted by New Zealand's highest mountains and large glacial lakes. We will visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd and set off on our bikes following alongside the Tekapo Canal. On passing a large salmon farm and hydro dam we have a panoramic view of Lake Pukaki and our first glimpse of the mighty Aoraki/Mt Cook. We load up the bikes and drive into Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park where will stay for the next 2 nights. Cycling Distance: Tekapo to Lake Pukaki - 35km

Meals:  B,L,D

The backdrop of a snow covered Aoraki/Mt Cook (NZ’s highest peak) against turquoise waters is a sight you’ll never forget. After breakfast, we head to the World Heritage area, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and enjoy one of a number of walks determined by the weather and snow conditions. Walks could include a hike up to the Red Tarns or along the amazing glacial Hooker Valley to admire the alpine environment. Here we learn about the striking glacial geomorphology in the region and witness the very landforms carved by recent glaciation. In less favourable weather we can walk lower level walks to Kea Point and visit the interesting Department of Conservation (DOC) visitor centre where we will learn about early the history of the Mount Cook region and its flora and fauna, DOC's conservation projects and NZ's famous climber Edmund Hilary himself. We enjoy a second night under the huge peaks of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Hike: 2-5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we take a short walk to see the vast Tasman glacier, some 22km in length, making it NZ's longest glacier. We meander up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on a large moraine wall. There are good views of the lower Haupapa/Tasman Glacier and lake, with icebergs, and the mountains at the head of the valley. We then drive to Wanaka travelling over the Lindis Pass and get back on our bikes to tackle the Deans Bank Track. The flowing single track weaves its way through typical Otago landscape featuring matagouri and tussock with great views of the Clutha River and Southern Alps. A selection of banks, berms and tight corners appeal to intermediate mountain bikers, with easier riding options around rocks and other technical obstacles. If there is time we can ride into Wanaka along the outlet track. We arrive at our accommodation in the early evening, where we will spend the next 2 nights. Hike: Tasman Glacier Lookout - 1 hour Cycle Distance: Deans Bank Track 11km - 1-2 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a full day to explore this adventure paradise. The days activities will be weather dependent and can include a number of options depending on weather conditions and group ability. We can ride the swooping Glendu Bay Track on terraces above Lake Wanaka to Glendu Bay. This can be followed by a hike to the top of Roy's Peak, at 1578m it gives stunning panoramic views across Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks including Mount Aspiring/Tititea. In less favourable weather we can ride along the Lake Hawea Track following the river and do a short walk up Mt Iron, an impressive, glacier-carved, 548m rocky knoll. At the summit we have equally impressive views over Wanaka and Hawea, the Cardrona and upper Clutha valleys and all the surrounding peaks.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we pack up and head to Mt Pisa Snow Farm where we are kitted out with our skis and snow gear. We’ll receive instruction about how to nordic (cross-country) ski from our experienced guides and we’ll have plenty of time in the morning to practice our technique. This afternoon we set out on a traverse to a remote backcountry hut, we’ll experience the stunning alpine environment as we gradually climb and descend the rolling hills of the Pisa Range. If the snow conditions are poor, we can take snow shoes instead. We will spend the next 2 night at the cosy Musterers Hut, full of old-world charm and with a roaring log fire. We watch the sun set behind the alps and enjoy spectacularly clear displays of our Southern Hemisphere stars.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a day of snow activities. This morning we will put our ski or snow shoeing lessons from yesterday to test before our guides teach us avalanche rescue techniques using snow probes and we dig snow pits to understand snow packs. We even have the chance to work up a sweat and build our own snow caves. In the evening we spend a second night at Musterers Hut, we can enjoy a hot drink beside the log burner as we help prepare a tasty dinner.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we leave our hut behind and ski or trek back to base. We then travel down to Cardrona and over the Crown Range. We visit the famous bungy bridge to watch the bungy jumpers plunge towards the deep blue Kawarau River. Here we get set up on our bikes and then head out along the Arrow River trail to the historic gold mining village or Arrowtown. We learn about the history of a Chinese gold mining settlement before following the Queenstown trails to Queenstown along cycle paths following the shore of Lake Wakatipu. We overnight in Queenstown. Cycle Distance: Up to 50km

Meals:  B,L,D

Our last day of activity sees us on an exhilarating jet boat ride of the narrow Kawarau and Shotover Rivers complete with 360 degree spins, making a fitting finale to our week's adventuring. When we return to the pier, we visit the Underwater Observatory to get up close and personal with rainbow trout and other lake life. We have some free time to explore Queenstown before we head to the airport for our afternoon flight back to Melbourne.

Meals:  B