Browse Through Our Travel Adventures
Privada Travel is dedicated to providing the best recommendations for your travel adventures. That is why we feature Carol’s Travels, a compilation of firsthand experiences as Carol explores the seven continents.
Latest Adventures Trip:
Italy Self-Guided Bike and Hike
Starting from the Eternal City and culminating with Florence of the South, this incredible trip takes you to experience some of the most stunning beauty that this blessed country has to offer, a kaleidoscope of natural and human-made wonders.
From Matera and its troglodyte settlements – a landscape as close to Holy Land as anything European may come to be – to Alberobello and its conical roofed Trulli, an extraordinary example of a humble shelter turned into a worldwide attraction, from the white-washed houses of Ostuni, the glistening city, to the lighthouse of Punta Palascia, the Easternmost point of Europe, a few kilometers far from the Castle of Otranto; from the narrow streets and run-down charm of the Bari’s old center to the baroque churches and flamboyant palaces of Lecce.
After your flight, a private transfer will take you to Matera: this unique city is widely known to be the spectacular setting for many movies, and it’s surely the preferred location for any picture set in the Holy Land. The reason is clear as soon as you set foot here – the city is composed of two, butterfly wing-shaped troglodyte settlements, a real-life, all-year-round nativity scene that turns even more enchanting in the evening, when lights start to sparkle throughout the city.
Tonight, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Sassi to discover their peculiar history: once (as recently as the 1950s!) known as “the shame of Italy” for the house caves where people would live and sleep with their animals, the Sassi has now turned into a world-famous attraction, filled with boutique hotels and artisanal workshops.
Top your first night with a dinner at Restaurant Oi Mari – the perfect place to taste the best local ingredients with a gourmet touch that does nothing more than make traditional recipes even tastier.
Today’s your first day of biking, and it will be a memorable one. After a short transfer from Gioia del Colle, enjoy a nice and flat ride in the Apulian countryside – olive groves and dry-stone walls, wild fennel, and Trulli all around.
Lunch stop is in Alberobello, well known for its Trulli: once humble shelters, these conical roofed buildings have now made Puglia famous throughout the world. Get to know about the symbols painted on their roofs and the ones displayed in the pinnacles on top of them, and check the local Trullo church and “Trullo Sovrano” - the biggest of the village.
Hop back on the saddle to continue your ride to your beautiful accommodation – Ottolire Resort was once a group of Trulli and is now one of the best resorts that Valle d’Itria has to offer.
Total ride: about 55 miles
Today’s loop ride starts directly from the Masseria. It takes you to Cisternino - Cisternino - a Greek-looking, whitewashed town of narrow roads, blue doors, windows, and breezy piazzas well known for its Bombette (skewered pork wrapped around a piece of cheese).
Lunch in one of the local restaurants - halfway between a butcher's shop and a trattoria, where you can decide which type of meat you'd like, and they will roast and cook it for you on the spot.
Continue your ride to Ostuni, a hilltop town deservingly known as the glistening city for the way its white-washed houses reflect the sunlight, making it sparkle. Take some time to explore the city and maybe grab a Puccia – the local sandwich, to be filled with a plethora of local ingredients – to then ride back to your Masseria for a relaxing evening.
Today you leave your bike at the Masseria and head to the nearby train station of Cisternino for a one-hour ride to Lecce, known as the Venice of the South, for its incredible beauty.
Here Carlo – a local cyclist and food connoisseur – will guide you for a cycling food tour of the city: munch your way through the piazzas, baroque churches, and workshop-filled streets of Lecce, as you taste pasticcio and panzerotti, caffè leccese (with just a drop of almond milk and ice – an exception to the Italian rule of not putting ice into your coffee) and vegan meatballs based on local vegetables.
You then take a private transfer to Otranto, your home, for the next two days.
A gem of a Coastal Town, Otranto is a great place to enjoy the Apulian coastal life: lively and charming, bustling with locals and enchanted visitors, this town has shops and bistros, a Castle (famous for being inspired by Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto) and a Cathedral treasuring one of the most impressive and best-preserved mosaics of Europe, the Tree of Life, which covers the whole floor of the Basilica.
Your hotel also offers a great SPA and a swimming pool – something else to add to the Apulian pleasures of the day.
If you feel particularly active, the glistening sea can also be explored with a kayak or enjoyed on a boat.
Your first day of walking along the Coastal Path of Puglia.
Negotiate an intriguing maze of lanes as you trek through the old town toward the new port. Then pick up a flat, gravel coast path passing idyllic coves and ominous reminders of WWII bunkers. Opt for a short detour inland to a colorful ‘bauxite lake’, then hurry on to choose your favorite of many enticing beach stops bathed by crystal-clear waters.
Heading for the unmistakable lighthouse at Punta Palascia, you squeeze confidently through knee-high Mediterranean bushes, knowing you are on the right track! Clear days afford views of the Albanian mountains as you gaze out over the Adriatic Sea from the easternmost point of Italy, just 71 km / 44 mi away from the coast of Albania.
Your overnight stay is as local as it gets – a Masseria, well known for its delicious food.
Challenge: 5 hours, 12.5 km / 8 mi, 270 m ascent, 240 m descent
Stepping out along a shepherd’s trail, you hug the coast and pass typical stone ‘pagliari’, round, flat-topped shepherds’ huts. Today’s walk is short and sweet, allowing you to enjoy your overnight stays: Le Capase is a beautiful seaside resort offering a plethora of ways to enjoy everything this blessed land has to offer.
Just enjoy the pool or a nice massage, or opt for a horse-riding excursion on the beach, a Vespa tour zigzagging through the streets of a nearby Apulian village, a kayak outing, or a chef-led foraging expedition in the countryside surrounding the resort.
Free day at Le Capase Resort
Hiking up a surfaced road out of Santa Cesarea, you connect to an ancient grassy gravel track lined with dry-stone walls. Narrow paths keep inland, traversing fields to reach the ancient Messapian settlement of Castro with its imposing high walls. Spend time inspecting the old town and perhaps pause for lunch, then stroll down to the port for a paddle.
Trundling along the coast on an uneven, rocky trail, you come upon stunning Acquaviva Cove, a hidden inlet and fantastic swimming spot, where a freshwater spring bursts out of the rock at sea level. Refreshed and renewed by rejuvenating seawater, you charge off in ascent through a densely forested valley up to Marittima.
Your overnight stay is quite special – a local palazzo in the heart of the village.
Challenge: 4.5 hours, 11.5 km / 7 mi, 310 m ascent, 245 m descent
Purchase a scrumptious sandwich before you take off on a surfaced road winding among immense olive orchards. Pick up the first of many traditional ‘tratturi’, part of an ancient network of paths used by locals to hike down to the sea or connect to nearby villages and orchards. Every stone seems to have a story, and the landscape tells centuries-old tales of tough peasant life.
With huge sea views as a backdrop, you walk down to Tricase Porto and stop for a perfect ‘caffè in ghiaccio’ (iced coffee) … and perhaps a swim? The last bit on the tarmac ends at Marina Serra, a tiny coastal hamlet with its own ideal swimming spots.
It gets even better: you can now meet Adelaide, the owner of Rifugio Lavaturi where you are spending the night, and learn all the local pasta-making tricks in a private cooking lesson followed by a delicious dinner.
Challenge: 4.5 hours, 13.5 km / 8,5 mi, 310 m ascent, 370 m descent
If you feel particularly active, you can decide to continue your walking tour and walk another 6 miles to the Ciolo, a special viewpoint with one of the best swimming coves the area has to offer;
Otherwise, get a transfer straight to Lecce – you have already got a taste of this Baroque city, but there is much more to be enjoyed and discovered. Lecce is home to some of the best artisans of Puglia, and it’s the perfect place to indulge in a bit of shopping before leaving.
Overnight in the beautiful Santa Chiara Hotel, in the heart of the city, a few steps from the Roman amphitheater dominating the main square.
Today you are taken to Bari, the last city you’ll visit on your unforgettable trip: this city – the capital of Puglia – may not be as flamboyant and conventionally beautiful as Lecce, but it has fascinating stories to tell.
Wander through “Bari Vecchia,” the oldest part of the city, to see old women making and selling orecchiette pasta on the street or frying polenta for a not-so-light but delicious afternoon snack;
Indulge in some people watching as the city comes alive in the main, sea-facing square or around the Swabian castle, inside the Saint Nicholas cathedral, or in the restaurants serving fresh fish and fava beans puree with chicory.
Transfer to Airport
Trips This Month
- Italy Trip
- Alaska
- Idaho Rafting
Archives
Favorite Trip (of the month) Alaska
Experience the best of Kenai Fjords National Park on our Kenai Fjords Adventure.
You'll explore the expansive beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park on our 6-day Kenai Fjords National Park adventure and hiking tour. During the day, you'll get right amongst the beauty of Alaska by foot, kayak, and boat. Hike to Exit Glacier and to a stunning view of Harding Icefield and to the glacial lake at Grewingk Glacier. Kayak the coves of Peterson Bay and raft the Kenai River keeping an eye out for resident wildlife. Take in spectacular views of the Kenai Mountains and sit back and enjoy a well-earned cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. By evening, enjoy seaside accommodations, sampling fresh seafood and the region's finest gourmet fare. Your guides lead the way into hidden landscapes and take care of all the finer details, making this Alaskan adventure one to remember.
Austin Adventures operates in part under a special use permit with the Chugach National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.
Train to Seward, Resurrection River Trail hike
Your Alaska adventure starts early in Anchorage with a four-hour scenic train ride on the famous Alaska Railroad, heading south to historic Seward on the Coastal Classic route. We'll hug the coastline along the Turnagain Arm, then south of Portage the train separates from the highway and enters a truly remote and rugged section of track. Here, you'll head through Placer River Valley and pass by the impressive ice wall of Spencer Glacier and over the 1,063-foot pass of the Kenai Mountains.
Upon arrival in Seward, you'll head out for a hike on the Resurrection River trail, walking through dense spruce and hemlock forest with only occasional views of the river valley and mountains. After exploring the trail, we'll check into our hotel for the next 3 nights. Harbor 360 Hotel is the premier waterfront hotel in the scenic harbor town of Seward with spacious, comfortable guest rooms, and harborside or mountainside views. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner as we toast to a great trip to come!
Harbor 360 Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 4 miles (6.4 kilometers)
After a hearty breakfast for the big day ahead, we'll make our way to the Harding Icefield where we'll hike along the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail. It's a well maintained, moderately strenuous trail providing expansive views of Exit Glacier in its own glacially carved valley. From there, you can opt for a more challenging hike to view the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield.
The trail meanders through alder and cottonwood forest and heather-filled meadows, rising through the forest and ultimately ending up well above the tree line to an awe-inspiring vantage point of the icefield. The peak of the trail is a peephole to ice ages past - a horizon of snow and ice stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional lonely peak, known as a nunatak. We'll head back to Seward after our day's hike and enjoy some time to relax, followed by a dining on local Alaskan cuisine.
Harbor 360 Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: Up to 8 miles (13 kilometers)
Today we'll get to explore Kenai Fjords National Park by boat! We'll board a small ship, meeting the captain and crew, and depart for the wilderness of Kenai Fjords National Park.
The park is inhabited by a variety of terrestrial and marine mammals, including brown and black bears, moose, sea otters, harbor seals, humpback and killer whales.
Checking out tidal glaciers and abundant sea life from the ship’s deck, our naturalist guide will share their expertise on the region as we explore coastal rainforests, tidewater glaciers and remote Alaskan islands. Lunch will be provided on board. Upon arrival back on shore in the afternoon, we'll have time to relax, or you can visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. Then you can explore the local restaurants and enjoy a meal of your choice!
Harbor 360 Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch)
Cruise: 6 hours
Your day begins with an incredible float rafting trip on the Kenai River. We’ll have opportunities to see incredible wildlife with bears, moose, beavers and forest birds (including bald eagles!) frequenting the river banks. and we'll be immersed in the spectacular scenery! After lunch, we’ll transfer to our accommodations for the next two nights in the quaint town of Homer situated in Kachemak Bay. Homer is quintessential Alaska - and we'll enjoy a delicious meal at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Land's End Resort, Homer (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Rafting: 2 hours
This morning, you’ll water taxi to beautiful protected Peterson Bay to go kayaking for the morning! Keep an eye out for the local wildlife as we paddle our way to the trailhead of this afternoon’s hike! We’ll have a delicious sack lunch on the beach before hiking 3 miles up to spectacular Grewingk Glacier.
There are options to walk shorter distances, or simply hang out and soak up the views on the beach. You’ll then water taxi back to Homer to gather for one last dinner with your travel companions, recounting the amazing adventures you had in the land of the midnight sun.
Land's End Resort, Homer (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 3 miles (4.8 km); Elevation +-250 ft (76 meters)
Kayaking: 2 1/2 - 3 hours
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll enjoy a short hike to Bishop's Beach for a wonderful views of the bay and surrounding mountains. To return to Anchorage you can book a short flight back to Anchorage on your own via Ravn Alaska, or hop in the van for a five-hour transfer back to Anchorage. Alternatively, you may want to stay on at Homer for world-class halibut fishing or grizzly bear viewing in nearby Katmai or Lake Clark National Parks – only a short flight away flying with Ravn Alaska!
No Accommodation (Breakfast)
Hiking: 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Trips This Month
- Italy Trip
- Alaska
- Idaho Rafting
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Next Trip
SALMON RIVER CANYONS RAFTING TRIP
Welcome to the Lower Salmon River... and a rafting trip where dreams come true! This is the legendary Salmon River of No Return where beautiful white-sand beaches glisten in the warm sun. Where 70-degree water beckons swimmers of all ages (Check out our family only trips) and whitewater rapids splash and make everyone beam with big grins from ear to ear.
No other rafting river in the United States is like the Lower Salmon River. The river boasts a perfect combination of fun, intermediate rapids, awe-inspiring western scenery, and gigantic white sand beaches with idyllic camping conditions. Daytime temperatures are typically 85 to 95 degrees and this, coupled with the warm river water, makes for a rafting vacation like no other.
Meet at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho, and be introduced to the Team Leader for your Salmon River rafting trip. There is a short, hour-long orientation at around 7:00 pm PST where any questions will be answered and you will receive waterproof bags for your personal items.
Let's get on the Lower Salmon River! At 7:30am you'll meet with your Salmon river rafting team leader and take a bus ride up to the launch close to Whitebird, Idaho. Bus ride is two hours. We'll make a quick stop on the way for a tour of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and receive a short talk about the native tribes who made their homes on Salmon River. Their rich heritage has been preserved in the Nez Perce Reservation near the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers. We'll get to the launch point mid-morning. The summers in this area are hot and dry; highs in the daytime can reach 90 degrees and nights can get down to the 60's.
Before we launch, ROW staff will give you a thorough rundown of all safety procedures while the gear is being loaded. Some main points will be the proper way to paddle and ride, how to swim safely in rapids and several other tips. After this you will choose between paddle or oar driven rafts and inflatable kayaks, and we all hop aboard.
The Lower Salmon River is a “pool and drop” style trip, which means that there will be a long stretch of calm river punctuated by periodic rapids. At first we'll have some great beginner rapids that will be a fun way to learn how to maneuver.
At lunchtime, we'll stop and have a quick orientation on how to lessen our impact on nature and on the river while the crew prepares lunch. ROW follows the ethical standards of “Leave No Trace,” and you'll learn the proper place to dispose of trash, how to use the bathroom and where you'll be able to wash. This will be followed by deli sandwiches in the beautiful open air.
At roughly 4:00pm we'll finish our first Salmon River rafting day and set up camp where you can hike, swim, fish, read or just relax.
At 6:00 we serve hors d'oeuvres and then dinner is at 7:30pm. We'll light a campfire and enjoy the evening with each other. We might have a little lesson in astronomy or share stories of the wild!
Tea and coffee is available at 7:00am followed by a hearty breakfast at 7:30am. We'll clean up, pack the gear and set out for today's adventure at 9:30am. There will be gorgeous scenery, sunlight and exciting rapids on this day of the Salmon River rafting trip. We'll have a quick stop at a historic Native American rock art location made by the predecessors of the Nez Perce, who were once the largest tribe in the Northwest. They populated millions of acres and built settlements along the Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon Rivers.
These rivers fed the Native Americans with fish and provided spiritual inspiration for the tribe. In the cooler months they made their homes in “pit houses” that we'll be able to view on a short hike. Looking at these sites one can only imagine what their lives must have been like so many centuries ago.
Next, we'll pass into Green Canyon in the Lower Salmon which is home of the famous Demon's Drop and Wright Way rapids that will have you shouting with excitement. At lunch we'll stop at a large beach where you can swim and play some games. Then we'll pile back into the boats for an afternoon of mostly peaceful water and a few small Salmon river rapids. With luck we'll even see some eagles soaring high overhead. At night we'll make camp, have dinner and then gather around the campfire or do some stargazing!
On this thrill-packed whitewater rafting day on the Salmon River we'll make our way through Snowhole Canyon and Cougar Canyon. We'll hit some larger rapids like Snowhole, Bodacious Bounce, China, the Gobbler, Bunghole and Lorna's Lulu which are sure to give you some great stories to take back home.
An interesting bit of history about the Salmon River Canyons is the tale of the Chinese who came to mine gold in 1864. The discovery of gold happened in 1861 and soon the area was full of Chinese miners setting up camps. By 1870 Idaho's population was 25% Chinese. Through the use of manual labor and archaic hydraulic systems they moved hundreds of tons of rock and earth looking for gold. They built rock houses that still stand as a monument to the camps and the endurance of the miners.
As we get to camp the guides will have games for either kids or adults and we'll be able to play horseshoes, rig a volleyball net or just hike the nearby hills for breathtaking views of the Salmon River. Evenings are long and night won't fall until 9:30pm in the summer. You'll fall asleep to the comforting crackling of the campfire and the fresh summer breeze blowing across your face.
We'll have some more fun with Lower Salmon whitewater rapids and the gorgeous scenery and we might even see some river otters frolicking in the shallows. Adventurous explorers will have a chance to swim through a rapid as we go through Cottonwood Creek. We may take a hike to the Reeves' homestead near Wapshilla Creek for another intriguing history lesson about a Nez Perce named Jackson Sundown. He got married to Cecilia Wapshella while he worked in the Reeve's ranch and also won the Pendleton Round-Up, a famous rodeo, in 1916 when he was 53 years old.
By this time we'll be in tune with the rhythm of the river and home will seem millions of miles away.
After a filling lunch we'll get to Blue Canyon of the Salmon River, so named because of the dark bluish igneous rock covering the striking landscape. The river gets narrower at this point and turns into one long stretch of wild rapids. We'll tear through Eye of the Needle, Checkerboard, Sluice Box, and Devils Slide, ending your Salmon rafting trip in a wild finale of excitement. We'll camp where the Salmon merges with Snake River at another gorgeous sandy beach. Natural beaches like this are only seen on undammed rivers where sediment can freely travel down the river and finally come to rest to forming comfy white-sand beaches. Dammed rivers slowly lose their beaches because the sediment that would normally replenish them is trapped behind the walls of the dam.
If we didn't make it this far yesterday, we'll see the confluence of the Snake and Salmon Rivers. There is a powerful energy here where the mighty Salmon, the “River of No Return,” joins with the Snake at the bottom of Hell's Canyon. After we get onto the Snake we'll be pushed by twice as much water. The Snake River flows as the boundary between states, so on the right side will be Idaho, and the left side will be Oregon followed by Washington. The river is bigger, so the rapids are grander and the calms are more serene.
We'll have a tasty final lunch on a beach and after several more miles of awe-inspiring river, we'll finally get to the stopping point of our river journey just below the confluence of the Snake and Grande Ronde Rivers. It'll be about 3:00 pm.
It’s a quick 45-minute ride back to the town of Lewiston, Idaho. Depart the next morning to head home, or continue on to your next adventure.
Your car will be waiting if you made the drive to Lewiston. If you came by plane the hotel can shuttle you to the Lewiston airport.
Trips This Month
- Italy Trip
- Alaska
- Idaho Rafting
Archives
New Zealand Ultimate South Island Adventure with Active Adventures
We'll take you on an unforgettable journey exploring our mountains in Mount Cook National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park, walking the West Coast rainforest and coastlines, getting up close to glaciers in Franz Josef, cycling incredibly scenic trails such as the Alps to Ocean trail, hiking sections of our Great Walks, and even cruising on Milford Sound. You'll experience our unique culture and wildlife along the way. Each night, we'll stay in carefully hand-picked accommodations in some of New Zealand's most stunning settings. We've been fine-tuning this perennial favorite since 1996, and it's simply an incredible trip. You'll explore the most beautiful, famous, and little-known places in the South Island with legendary hospitality and unsurpassed attention to detail on our 14-day Ultimate South Island Adventure tour. Be prepared to leave a piece of your heart in New Zealand.
Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Saturday evening, arriving in Auckland early Monday morning. You’ll lose a day crossing the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! It’s a short flight from Auckland to Christchurch on the South Island, where we’ll meet you. You’ll start your trip by traveling up the coast, stopping off at Gore Bay for a picnic lunch, and exploring the rugged coast with its fresh air. You'll continue onto the seaside town of Kaikoura, passing weathered limestone cliffs, where we can walk to view fur seals basking on the rocks and playing in the eddies from a lookout point. This stretch of rugged coastline was uplifted in the Kaikoura earthquake - it’s amazing to see this brand-new land! Today is a relaxed introduction to New Zealand. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably find jetlag is no big deal. It’s a 12 to 13-hour direct overnight flight from the West Coast of the USA to Auckland, so you’ll appreciate the gentle start to your New Zealand adventure.
Sudima Kaikoura, Kaikoura (Lunch, Dinner) Hiking: 0.5-1 hour
From Kaikoura, we’ll travel along a spectacular coastline for a couple of hours to Blenheim, a town in the Marlborough wine region. We’ll visit Forrest Estate Winery to sample some of their fantastic wines and have a picnic lunch before we head off for our various activities.
ACTIVE OPTION: Hike Rotoiti Circuit: Saint Arnaud to Lakehead Hut
Your hike begins in the charming village of Saint Arnaud, on the edge of Nelson Lakes National Park. This is a serious wilderness country, with incredible views and marvelous solitude. The park straddles the upper Southern Alps, an area composed of beech forests, big lakes, and even bigger mountains. You’ll hike the relatively gentle trail through the forest alongside Lake Rotoiti to Lakehead Hut and Jetty. From here, we’ll board a water taxi to take us back to St Arnaud, where you’ll stay for the next couple of nights.
St. Arnaud lodgings, St Arnaud (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 20 meters (65 feet)
CHALLENGING OPTION: Hike Angelus Circuit: Saint Arnaud to Lakehead Hut
The Nelson Lakes Angelus Circuit hiking option begins in the charming village of Saint Arnaud, on the edge of Nelson Lakes National Park. This is a serious wilderness country, with incredible views and marvelous solitude. The park straddles the upper Southern Alps, an area composed of beech forests, big lakes, and even bigger mountains. You’ll hike the relatively gentle trail through the forest alongside Lake Rotoiti to Lakehead Hut, a small mountain cabin at the head of the lake, and our home for the night. Our guides are pretty tough, and they’ll carry the lion’s share of the load. All you’ll be carrying is a backpack with your sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and a share of our food. To protect this beautiful and fragile environment, we always keep our group sizes small and our exact route flexible.
Lakehead Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 20 meters (65 feet)
ACTIVE OPTION: Hike Rotoiti Circuit: Coldwater Hut to Saint Arnaud
After breakfast, you’ll return by water taxi to the top end of the lake, and this time you’ll arrive at Coldwater Hut and jetty – just across the river from Lakehead Hut. From here, you'll follow the trail as it gently winds its way around Lake Rotoiti to Whisky Creek, and the beautiful Whisky Falls. Feel free to fill up your water bottles from Whisky Creek, but it IS only water, honest! After a picnic lunch on the lakeshore, you’ll continue to West Bay and loop back to St Arnaud for the evening.
St Arnaud lodgings, St. Arnaud (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), 4-5 hours, elevation +/- 90 meters (295 feet)
CHALLENGING OPTION: Hike Angelus Circuit: Lakehead Hut to Angelus Hut
Today is an unforgettable day – the scenery gets better with each step! You'll follow the Travers River through beech forest, before heading up the Hukere Stream towards the ridgeline. This is a challenging hike, with an elevation gain of 1000 meters (3280 feet), but it’s absolutely worth it. The Angelus Circuit has exceptional scenic diversity, so it provides a great reward for the efforts you put in. There’s no rush, and your guides will be there to encourage you the whole way. It’s a tremendous feeling at the top when you reach Angelus Hut, nestled beside a gorgeous alpine lake. Many people tell us this hidden gem was the highlight of their New Zealand adventure, and a lot of Kiwis prefer the Angelus Circuit to better-known tracks.
Angelus Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), 6-8 hours, elevation + 1,050 meters (3,445 feet)
ACTIVE OPTION: Hike Rotoiti Circuit: Hike Roberts Ridge
After breakfast, don your hiking boots and set out for this morning's walk. You'll explore the beautiful peninsula track, stretching out into Lake Rotoiti, before making your way to the Pinchgut Track. This trail gives access to Mt. Robert, and Robert's Ridge, where the rest of the group will be approaching from the Angelus Circuit. You'll wind our way up the trail through the native beech trees and manuka scrub to meet the group. Once we’re back together, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, before carrying on to the West Coast. After regrouping in Saint Arnaud, we’ll head across the Southern Alps to the West Coast – a dramatic and rugged coastline stretching 600 kilometers (372 miles), with a population of only 40,000 people. You’ll mingle with the ‘coasters’ tonight in the seaside village of Punakaiki, exchanging tales of our adventures over dinner.
The Ocean View Resort, Punakaiki (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: Up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), elevation up to 400 meters (1,312 feet)
CHALLENGING OPTION: Hike Angelus Circuit: Angelus Hut to Lake Rotoiti
Wake up on top of the world! After breakfast, you’ll hike out along the barren Robert Ridge with dramatic views of Tasman Bay and the mountainous Kahurangi National Park in the distance. You’ll descend below the tree line again into native beech forest, completing our hike on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Here, you’ll meet up with the Rotoiti Circuit explorers and share stories of our adventures, before carrying on to the West Coast. After regrouping in Saint Arnaud, we’ll head across the Southern Alps to the West Coast – a dramatic and rugged coastline stretching 600 kilometers (372 miles), with a population of only 40,000 people. You’ll mingle with the ‘coasters’ tonight in the seaside village of Punakaiki, exchanging tales of our adventures over dinner.
The Ocean View Resort, Punakaiki (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), 4-6 hours, elevation + 70 meters (230 feet) / - 840 meters (2,755 feet)
Spend the morning hiking the Inland Pack Track through temperate rainforest and limestone canyons, following in the footsteps of gold miners who established this trail over a century ago. While we’re in Punakaiki, you’ll also check out the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – aptly named limestone formations that have been sculpted through the relentless pounding of the Tasman Sea. Traveling along the scenic coastline, we’ll stretch our legs in Hokitika and check out local art galleries and pounamu-carving workshops (pounamu is Maori for jade), before carrying on to the township of Franz Josef, where we’ll stay for the next couple of nights. Nestled in the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, Franz Josef is the heart of New Zealand’s glacier country.
Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 6 kilometers (4 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 130 meters (425 feet)
This morning we’ll take a short journey over to Okarito, a little-known beach community on the coast. You'll take to the water in sea kayaks and glide along a picturesque lagoon, set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host of other interesting birds. Later we’ll head back to Franz Josef, where you’ll have the option to take another walk or relax in the hot tub, before enjoying a traditional Kiwi roast dinner.
Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles), 1-2 hours, elevation +/- 120 meters (394 feet)
Kayaking: 2-4 hours
With some 140 glaciers making their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is fittingly known as glacier country. Few sights equal the spectacle of two of these giant frozen rivers (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) imperceptibly grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level. We’ll spend most of the day near Franz Josef Glacier, hiking up through the forest to get incredible views of the ice. Wet weather can inhibit these hikes, so we may opt to hike around Lake Matheson and to the Blue Pools near Haast Pass instead. From Franz Josef, we’ll travel down the coast through lush forest and then inland to Makarora, a small village bordering Mt. Aspiring National Park, with incredible views of the snow-capped mountains.
Wonderland Lodge, Makarora (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: Alex Knob Hike: Up to 8 kilometers (5 miles), 5-6 hours, elevation +/- 1,100 meters (3,610 feet)
Optional Activities: Optional Heli-hike (extra fee applies): An outrageously scenic alternative to this afternoon’s hike is to heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier itself. After being fitted with crampons, ice axes, and so on, you’ll board a modern turbine helicopter and fly towards the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, landing on the glacier at 1300 meters (4265 feet) above sea level. Led by specialist glacier guides, you’ll hike through the grand ice formations of the glacier, checking out its crevasses, seracs, and tunnels – no previous experience is required! The constant movement of the glacier means every day is different, so your guides will cut steps in the ice and make sure you make the most of the conditions. At the end of your hike on the ice, you’ll take another helicopter ride out of the mountains and back to civilization. The heli-hike is extremely popular and must be reserved at the time of booking only. Please note also there is a weight limit of 115kg (250 pounds).
The landscape this morning changes rapidly from dense beech forest to semi-arid mountainous terrain. You’ll hike the Rocky Mountain track today, a spectacular circuit through an area carved out by Ice Age glaciers, with native forest and shrubland. Enjoy lunch after your hike in Wanaka before a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, our base for the next couple of days.
Heritage Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast, Lunch)
Hiking: 7 kilometers (4.5 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 375 meters (1,230 feet)
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!), and all the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, sidewalk cafés, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here, including horse trekking, a gondola, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving, as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere or lounge about reading a book. Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today.
Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
This morning we’ll make our way around Lake Wakatipu, leaving behind the towering Remarkables, and head west to the small town of Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. This afternoon we’ll take a hike on the famous Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks - we follow the track through mountain beech forest and along the Wainu River. It’s an awesome hike with spectacular views! Tonight we’ll stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau, enjoying the scenery and the delicious local fare.
Matai Lodge, Te Anau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 9.5 kilometers (6 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/-50 meters (165 feet)
It’s an early start this morning as we set off for our largest and perhaps the most spectacular national park, Fiordland. We’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel and emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound. Rudyard Kipling rated this fiord as the eighth natural wonder of the world, and it is truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into the deep inky water. We’ll jump on board the first boat cruise of the day, where we’ll have the water to ourselves, as we gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. We may be lucky enough to encounter the friendly fur seals and dolphins that are sometimes in the area. After the cruise, we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch before heading out to explore more of Fiordland’s wilderness on foot. We’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track for unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina, before making our way back to Te Anau for the night.
Matai Lodge, Te Anau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 3.4 kilometers (2 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 380 meters (1,246 feet)
After an early breakfast, we’ll head back through Queenstown and head North, driving through the tussock country of Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki, where you’ll hop on a bike and ride a portion of the Alps to Ocean Trail, following the well-groomed trail around the alpine lake with views across to the magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook, passing a range of native plants including Kowhai (with brilliant yellow flowers, popular with endemic Tui birds), flax and tussocks. The trail then cuts through farmland across the Mackenzie Country basin, and we’ll make our way back to Twizel. We’ll bike straight to our accommodation for our last two nights, with stunning views stretching across the Southern Alps. We’re in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with light pollution strictly controlled in the area, so it’s the ideal spot to stargaze!
We use a variety of accommodations for stays in this region (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Biking: 24 kilometers (15 miles), 2 hours
Mt. Cook, named Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by South Island Maori, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Directly opposite the mountain, we'll set off on a stunning day hike to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier. It’s a challenging hike, but you’ll remember the view of the glacier and the surrounding peaks forever! The weather conditions are very important in this area, as it’s a true alpine climate notorious for sudden weather shifts. If we aren’t able to do the Mueller Glacier hike, or you’d like to take it a little easier, there’s an impressive hike up to a glacial lake (complete with icebergs!) at the base of the Hooker Glacier. Then you'll head back to your accommodation for the last night of your adventure, where we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner together and watch the sunset over the Southern Alps.
We use a variety of accommodations for stays in this region (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: Mueller Ridge Hike: 7.2 kilometers (4.4 miles), 5-6 hours, elevation +/- 975 meters (3,200 feet)
Hiking: Hooker Glacier Hike: 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 100 meters (328 feet)
After breakfast, you’ll head to Christchurch, arriving in time for afternoon flights. We hope you'll leave refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand! If you're keen to extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer (Maori culture, pristine beaches, and geothermal areas), check out our 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure (5-day options also available).
No Accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch)
Yellowstone Family Adventure with Austin Adventures
Discover the wilds of Yellowstone and Paradise Valley from the helm of a raft and on the back of a horse. Enjoy wildlife and wildflowers with your kids as they use their Junior Ranger skills to identify elk, bison, and bears. Share giggles over the belches and burps of Mud Volcano and savor the grandeur of the world’s first National Park before relaxing in a soothing natural hot spring. With a variety of heart-pumping activities each day, every member of the family will have their fill of adventure on this Yellowstone family vacation. Join us to explore our own beloved backyard and weekend playground – Yellowstone National Park.
Your trip begins with a pickup in Bozeman and shuttles to Big Sky, Montana where you'll start your adventure with a zip line tour across the Gallatin River. After lunch, it's time to explore Yellowstone! Upon arrival at the Upper Geyser Basin, we’ll hike in a back way, traversing through a less crowded area of bubbling hot springs to the main attraction – Old Faithful. After checking into your home for the night, enjoy dinner at the historic Old Faithful Inn where you’ll have a chance to watch Old Faithful erupt under the stars. Designated as a national historic monument, Old Faithful Inn was built in 1903-1904 with local logs and stone. With its long history, stunning stone fireplace, and proximity to its namesake, it’s easy to see why this rustic lodge is the most requested lodging in Yellowstone National Park.
Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Snow Lodge (Lunch, Dinner) Hiking: 2-3 miles (3-5 kilometers)
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start the day with a hike through the Upper Geyser Basin to Observation Point. From here, we’ll have amazing panorama views of the geysers below. We’ll enjoy a tasty guide-prepared picnic lunch before embarking on another extraordinary hike.
This hike takes us along the northern shore of Lake Yellowstone. You'll stroll through flower-dotted meadows and lodgepole pine forests until you reach Yellowstone’s largest lake with its wide-open views of the Absaroka Mountain Range. After, we’ll make our way to the north, where your rustic accommodations allow for the opportunity to step back from technology and embrace lodging in the country’s oldest national park.
Canyon Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Hiking: 4-6 miles (6-9 kilometers)
This morning we’ll check out the Yellowstone River’s Upper Falls, where the water flows powerfully over the brink. From there, we can appreciate the waterfall’s power and spend time here. We’ll set off on a hike on the Wapiti Trail - this hike will bring us to the rim of the 10,000-year-old, 1,000-foot-deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. As we carefully make our way along the canyon wall, at every bend, the pinks, yellows, reds, and oranges of the rock appear all the more bright as you walk to the grand finale of Artist Point, the most spectacular views of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. We’ll enjoy lunch here before making our way down Uncle Tom’s trail.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or Canyon Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Hiking: 4-6 miles (6-9 kilometers)
Wake early to catch the sunrise and prime wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley. Enjoy some time this morning to explore the white, orange, and yellow travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs before lunch at Arch Park. Set off on an exciting whitewater rafting adventure on the
Yellowstone River. Dinner is on your own tonight in Gardiner.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins (Breakfast, Lunch) Rafting: 2 hours
Hiking: 2 miles (3 kilometers)
Today we'll have a leisurely morning with breakfast at the hotel followed by a Yellowstone Hot Spring Soak. Relax under incredible views while soaking in the steaming waters of the hot plunge, or take an invigorating dip in the cold plunge. Or choose to bask in the soothing 102-degree F average of the main pool. After a picnic lunch, we’ll drive through Paradise Valley to the Flying Diamond Ranch. The Flying Diamond Ranch is a fifth generation family-owned and operated commercial cattle ranch located in eastern Colorado. Here we’ll saddle up for an unforgettable horseback ride into the Absaroka Mountains alongside the fifth-generation ranchers. Afterward, we’ll head to the historic Chico Hot Springs Resort. This resort is located in the heart of Paradise Valley, nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Absaroka Mountain Range. Here we can soak in the rejuvenating mineral waters before gathering in the resort’s dining room for a celebratory gourmet dinner in one of Montana’s finest restaurants.
Chico Hot Springs Resort (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Horseback Riding: 2 hours
After a sleep-in and leisurely morning at the resort, we’ll take a stroll through the gardens, or you can opt for a scenic hike to Trout Pond before heading back to either the hotel or the airport. This is the end of your trip, and we’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us!
No Accommodation (Breakfast) Hiking: 3 miles (5 kilometers)
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