New Zealand - Winter Wonderland

Adaptive Outdoor Adventure

Ultimate South Island Adaptive Winter Adventure

12 days

Join us on the trip of a lifetime exploring the wild, rugged & magnificent adventure capital of the world, Te Wai Pounamu, South Island, New Zealand. Backcountry Hut/ Helicopters/ Glacier Landing/ Adaptive Skiing/ Fiordland/ Skydiving and more.

This trip is accessible to all abilities. Our trips are private trips tailored to you and your travelling companions.

Minimum 2 persons

Activity level

Makingtrax is New Zealand's Adaptive Adventure Specialists, meaning we are adventurous and so are our trips. We pride ourselves on working with the best adventure outfitters in the country. All our activities, although adventurous, are not difficult. All activities are available to all ability levels. Company director Jezza is C5 tetraplegic and has tried and tested every one of our activities...so no excuses get

busy living and join us on this adventure of a lifetime.

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What is included?

● All guiding services: guide, driver and activities

● All transport: accessible van with driver, airport transfers

● All Accommodation: accessible, kitchen facilities mostly. Backcountry hut help required, accessible camping toilet included.

● All activities: trans alpine express, overnight wilderness hut & helicopter shuttle, glacier landing via helicopter & ski-chair, skiing, Milford Sound cruise, horse trekking, skydiving 13.000ft

● Meals: on river trip & kiwi host night only

● Cooker & Cooler for roadie meals

● Warm sleeping bags & fat air/feather bed mat for wilderness hut (protection from pressure).

● All adaptions for activities: ski-chair, paragliding buggy, skydiving leg harness

Not included

● Flights: to and from Christchurch, NZ

● Meals: we don't cover your food, yet your guide can help prepare meals and will deliver you to and retrieve you from restaurants, cafés & supermarkets. (host night meals included)

Extra

Makingtrax can adapt any trip to your needs and likes. Extra costs occurred

See Makingtrax ultimate trip

Itinerary

Day 1

The first thing you'll see once you've arrived in Christchurch is our smiley faces, ready to scoop you up and deliver you to your awesome accommodation. Settle in and enjoy Sumner, a seaside suburb of Christchurch. This place has beach, boardwalk, cafés, funky restaurants and bars. It's the perfect spot to shake off your jet lag and prepare yourself for the next 12 days of action.

Day 2

An early start to get transferred to the Trans Alpine express, rated as one of the top ten rail journeys on the planet. Enjoy the luxury and spectacular views as you journey across the alps in the winter wonderland to the West Coast.

The Wild West Coast invites you as this afternoon you are shuttled via helicopter to you wilderness hut. With epic views over the Southern Alps, watch the sunset over the ocean. Warmth form the fire, cooking on gas, tonight you get the true Kiwi experience.

Day 3

Awaken to paradise. A spectacular spot to start our day....enjoy the serenity before our helicopter arrives to shuttle you back to Hokitika. Fingers crossed today is clear and calm as we drive the West Coast highway, with mountains on the left, ocean on the right and native forest galore. Soon after lunch, we arrive at Franz Josef Township where our next adventure awaits. Here we meet the awesome crew that will fly us into glacier wonderland. Yup two helicopters in one day....this is the West Coast; helicopters are mandatory to access our piece of paradise. This scenic flight takes us onto the snowfields where Makingtrax ski-chair gets you up close and personal.

This evening we stay in Franz Josef.

Day 4

A big day today as we are driving over the gates of Haast to Wanaka. Although a big journey, the flora and fauna changes dramatically throughout, making this drive fly past. You'll be there before you know it. Welcome to Wanaka, the ski capital of New Zealand.

Day 5

An early start as today you’re going to be carving up the slopes. Whatever your ability expert to beginner, the adaptive ski programme has it all. Today we spend up Cardrona ski area. All equipment and lessons for any ability, the incredible team at the adaptive ski school will give you an experience of a lifetime.

Fingers crossed there’s not too much snow as we drive over the Crown range to the spectacular Queenstown

Day 6

Queenstown is made for adventure, with its stunning mountainous backdrop. It’s your choice of adventure, canyon swings, gondola & luge, paragliding & more. Just to note, these ultimate adventures are for all, as the whole team enjoys all the experiences we have to offer.

For the rest of the day, feel free to roam the streets of Queenstown, check the surrounding areas or relax by the lake. Your wish is our command. This evening we stay in the beautiful area of Queenstown.

Day 7

Enjoy the last of Queenstown, this morning, as in the afternoon we hit the road towards the direction of Te Anau, the gateway of Fiordland.

Day 8

No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting the famous Milford Sounds.

Today we set off early to enter the national park, driving one of the top 10 journeys on earth. Hanging valleys, wild bush, spectacular landscape and our beautiful mountain parrot will keep you entertained before we reach Milford Sound. Here we jump aboard the accessible cruise with breath-taking views, waterfalls, fur seals and the majestic Mitre Peak. Sadly we can't stay the night in the national park, so back to Te Anau to the comfort of our private cottage.

Day 9

Our northern journey starts today as we change our compass bearing and head to the high country, home of Merino sheep and Icebreaker. Stopping where ever you like. This drive takes you through, sunburnt land and remarkable mountain ranges.

Our accommodation is nestled amongst the mountains & high-country sheep stations, tonight the stars shine on you.

Day 10

Aoraki, Kiwi Land's highest mountain awaits your visit this morning as we journey north. The backbone of the Southern Alps and the turquoise lakes pass you by, with a stop at the Mt Cook salmon farm to select your dinner (if you're a fish fan). But the day is just beginning...the horses are waiting for you. No better place to enjoy a horse trek, Lake Tekapo. Our team will tailor this to your abilities; nothing's an issue with the magic horse team. A big day of adventure needs the perfect evening and tonight you are hosted by a true kiwi, she will prepare your salmon with pleasure as you enjoy the sun setting over the mountains.

Day 11

It's our last day....so let's finish on a high. 13.000 feet high to be precise... Skydiving!

Makingtrax has a leg harness that makes this available to all abilities, The harness keeps your legs together in free fall and lifts your legs after your canopy is deployed, sliding in on your tandem master’s butt, not yours. Whilst you are still buzzing, it's back to where we started, Sumner! You now can relax, absorb the last 12 days and get merry, as it’s your last night in the magical land.

Last day

Wake up invigorated knowing your guide is going to collect you to take you to the airport, when required, leaving you time to find your new favourite cafe and reflect on your journey of self-discovery, what you have achieved and memories you have gained for a lifetime. Today your new journey begins as an adventurer...unstoppable!

Extra days

Depending on your travel time and preferences we can add a down day in Sumner, Christchurch, before or after your trip to bet your jetlag or relax before your return. Extra costs occurred.