Glacier Country Extension
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Trip Highlights
- Fox Glacier eco-adventure
- Arthur's Pass
- Christchurch
Trip Summary
Day 15 – Friday - Makarora to Fox Glacier
Today you will be collected from Makarora and transported along the Haast Pass/Tioripatea Highway winding amongst steep mountains cloaked in lush rainforests and tumbling waterfalls to the tea-stained swamps before reaching Haast and the Tasman Sea. You will then travel north up the coast to your accommodation at Fox Glacier Village which is tucked discreetly into the forest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps. On a clear day the village has breathtaking views of New Zealand’s highest peaks Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Tasman.
Overnight: Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel
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Day 16 – Saturday - Fox Glacier – half day experience (B)
This trip is a great eco-adventure and full of variety and interest. Walkers are kitted out with sturdy leather boots and other equipment, before boarding one of our historic buses for the short drive through the rainforest and into the glacial valley. This valley was carved out by the ice during past ice ages and shows dramatic evidence of the power of the ice.
Your guide leads you on a walk beside the river bed to our secret track which zigzags slowly uphill for forty-five minutes through ferns and regenerating temperate rainforest. From high on the track you enjoy fantastic views of the glacier and its upper and lower icefalls.
From its high point, the track winds down to the edge of the ice. At this point you are outfitted with instep crampons specially designed for these ice conditions, and you follow the ice steps cut by the guides. The route takes you onto the ice amongst crevasses and ice ridges and leads you into the middle of the glacier for spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier.
At least one hour is spent on the ice and, depending on glacial conditions, you will return to the bus using either the same secret track or a different track that follows the edge of the ice.
Your guide will be with you for the duration of the trip and will enjoy passing on fascinating details of the natural history of this landscape.
Note: Access to the ice varies as the glacier changes and alternative routes may sometimes be used
Return to your accommodation.
Overnight: Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel
Day 17 – Sunday - Fox Glacier to Christchurch (B)
Today you will be collected from your accommodation and travel via Arthurs Pass to your hotel in Christchurch.
Overnight: Hotel Ibis Christchurch
Day 18 – Monday - Depart Christchurch (B)
