Walk New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Track

This is a hiking trip, you should come prepared as the fitter you are, the more enjoyable all the hikes will be.

This trip involves plenty of hiking over varied terrain, good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

START & END TIME
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8:30am on Day 1 at Cougar Line at Picton Marina on the corner of London Quay & Wellington Street under the 3 purple flags. It is very important you will be at the meeting point on time as the group will take a ferry to Meretoto at 9:30am. Please note, departures from May to September will run on Winter ferry timetable, therefore the welcome meeting will start at 8am with a ferry departure at 9am. You are expected to arrive back in Picton on Day 4 in the mid-afternoon.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).

If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, ESSENTIAL ITEMS
- Refillable water bottle (minimum of 1 litre)
- Waterproof raincoat
- Sturdy footwear for tramping (this is what hiking is called in New Zealand!)
- Shorts for walking
- T-shirts for fine weather
- Fleece jacket or microfleece top
- Warm, protective clothing
- Thermal underwear (for cooler months)
- Warm hat - fleece or woolen (for cooler months)
- Gloves (for cooler months)
- Woolen or thermal socks
- Sunscreen and sun protection
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit
- Torch & Batteries
- Swimsuit
- Plasters for blisters
- Waterproof pack liner
- Snacks, CLOTHING & CLIMATE
New Zealand has relaxed attitudes to standards of dress, however there are a few practical considerations. New Zealand has a temperate climate but be prepared for colder temperatures, wet weather and a very strong sun, no matter the time of year. It is wise to bring layers for colder spells, and a sunhat and sunglasses are a must. New Zealand also receives quite a bit of rainfall throughout the year, and weather forecasts change frequently and rapidly. As you will spend a lot of time outside exploring it is essential that you bring wet weather gear, especially when you plan on doing some hiking., WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination and if it is you can simply refill with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

The walking on this trip is over easy to moderate terrain and distances covered can vary from 5 to 20 km (please check day descriptions for details). Some of the walks are circular but some can be out-and-back walks. Be prepared for daily ascents and descents, sometimes with short, steep sections. Terrain can be rocky with loose gravel, or with roots, which may become slippery when wet. This tour is ideal for nature lovers and the leaders set an even pace, providing time to take photos and to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

Picton Marina - Cougar Line, Corner London Quay & Wellington Street Under the 3 Purple Flags, Picton, NEW ZEALAND

Alternate Joining Point

Pickup will be at 9am at Cougar Line at Picton Marina on the corner of London Quay & Wellington Street under the 3 purple flags.

Picton Marina - Cougar Line, Corner London Quay & Wellington Street Under the 3 Purple Flags, Picton, NEW ZEALAND

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 3

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

New Zealand is renowned for its fresh air and clean waters. Fresh food, including dairy (amazing cheese and milk), produce, seafood and meat - especially lamb. From high end restaurants and gastro pubs and cafe's to local restaurants and suburban dairies there is plenty of choice for all budgets. Wine is also done extremely well in NZ and not just sav blanc, but excellent pinot's and cool climate red's.

Vegetarians and Vegans are well catered for in New Zealand and most restaurants and cafe's will have a good selection of vegetarian meals. Gluten and Lactose free diets are also well catered for. 

Tap water is safe and delicious in cities and towns. Further out of town its best to check with your guide if in doubt. Please bring a reusable bottle and drink tap water where you can. You'll use less plastic, saving both the environment and money.

New Zealand has strict laws regarding arriving with fruit and veg into the country. Please pay attention to signs when arriving internationally.

Please budget approximately $15 per lunch, and $20 - $40 for each dinner, perhaps a little more if you intend to also enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your meal.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +64 9 520 5593

Accommodation on this trip is on twin share basis, and single travellers are paired with someone of the same gender. Please note that due to limited accommodation options in some of the destinations on this trip the group will stay in twin room accommodation with shared facilities.