Yoga World Tours

'A Life Changing Experience'

New Zealand - South Island

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere and lies in the South-West of the Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two major Islands (North and South) and a number of lesser islands, the largest of which is called Stewart Island. The country is approximately 1600 km in length and the total land area is 270,000 sq km. The coastline has a length of 15,134 km.New Zealand is a relatively mountainous land with ranges in both the North and South. The Cook Strait, 20 km wide at its narrowest point, separates the two major islands. Biologists can track the natural history of New Zealand's plant and animals back over 80 million years. A thousand years ago, 78% of New Zealand was covered by forest. That was reduced to 53% during Maori times, and since 1840, has been reduced to 25% of the total land area.

New Zealand now has a strong conservation ethic to save and protect its natural heritage.
To resize click on maps.

New Zealand South Island

"Life Yoga Tour"

Saturday 29th March - Sunday 13th April 2008
16 days and 15 nights

US$ 4,500

"Small groups, great guides, superb holidays"
(Included Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

For bookings Yoga Tours New Zealand please click here

Day 1 - 29th March (Sat) : Christchurch

Flights originating from the USA/UK will usually arrive in Auckland or Christchurch in the morning, (participants arriving in Auckland will then transfer to a domestic flight to Christchurch), where you will be met by your tour guides. We will get to know each other over a café lunch before a briefing & bike fitting at our depot. A short drive will take us to the summit of the local hills where we will enjoy a cycle ride along the ridgeline of an extinct volcano with amazing views. Needless to say though, after such a long flight and a bit of biking, you should be ready for an early dinner, and some shut-eye in preparation for the next day. (L,D)

Activity of the day: cycling tour with Yoga Tours New Zealand
Our accommodation - Chateau on the Park,
W: www.chateau-park.co.nz

Day 2 - 30st March (Sun) : Christchurch > Tekapo

We will do our first yoga session at a local Yoga centre this morning followed by a good breakfast. We leave mid-morning and drive south across the Canterbury plains before turning westwards to Fairlie where we stop for lunch and some carbo-loading. Our journey continues over Burke Pass to the turquoise intensity that is Lake Tekapo.
We take a late afternoon walk to the Observatory at Mt John before having dinner at an excellent Japanese restaurant. This evening we have an optional star-gazing tour, with the clean air, clear sky & natural light the local night skies are an amazing sight. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Observatory walk
Our accommodation. - Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort, Lakeside, SH8, Lake Tekapo
W: www.laketekapo.com

Day 3 - 31st March (Mon) : Tekapo > Mt Cook >Lake Ohau

Weather permitting our early morning yoga session will be in the open air, surrounded by views of the mountains & lake.

 

 

 

Followed with a great breakfast, we will cycle along the canal roads before driving into the Mt. Cook National Park. New Zealand's tallest mountain provides a stunning backdrop for our picnic lunch. This afternoon we will do a short walk to view the 16.5 mile long Tasman Glacier. For those who want to get real close, a local boat trip can take you amongst the ice onto the Glacial Lake or there are opportunities for scenic flights. Following a short drive we arrive at the Ohau Lodge for a well deserved soak in a hot tub followed by an excellent dinner at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: cycling and short walk
Our accommodation - Lake Ohau Lodge
W: www.ohau.co.nz

 

 

Day 4 - 1st March (Tue) : Ohau > Queenstown

We start the day with yoga & breakfast at the lodge before we cycle alongside the lake as we leave the Ohau valley. We travel through a well known grape growing region & of-course, we must do a winery tour including some tasting & lunch. Our drive will take us through beautiful countryside as we travel over the Lindis pass, beside Lake Dunstan and through the stunning Kawarau gorge, home of the bungy jump - you are welcome to take the plunge. Tonight we stay in the alpine resort of Queenstown with its very good shopping, dining & nightlife. (B,L)

Activity of the day: cycling, winery tour with Yoga Tours New Zealand
Our accommodation - Garden Court Suites & Apartments,
W: www.gardencourt.co.nz

 

Day 5 - 2nd March (Wed ) : Queenstown > Milford Sound.

 

 

 

 

After an early start with our yoga session, we follow the shores of Lakes Wakitipu & Te Anau onto the Milford Sound road in the Fiordland National Park. We will picnic in the rainforest & do some short walks as we journey across the divide & through the rough hewn Homer Tunnel down to sea level at Milford Sound. Here we join our vessel for the overnight cruise. After sailing out to the Tasman Ocean the luxurious ketch anchors in a quiet bay. Enjoy an evening kayak or nature cruise before settling down to a delicious meal in the ships dining room. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: short walks, boat trip, kayaking
Our accommodation - Real Journeys - Mariner, Te Anau
W: www.realjourneys.co.nz

Day 6 - 3rd March (Thu) : Milford Sound > Queenstown

Yoga this morning on the deck surrounded by mountains & waterfalls cascading into the sea. During our morning cruise we might have a chance to spy one of the very shy and rare endemic Fiordland Crested Penguins, the local Dusky Dolphins or New Zealand Fur Seals. Just before berthing, we will visit the underwater observatory situated in Harrison's Cove. The observatory allows people to view the unique underwater environment of the sound, without having to go diving! We will drive to Mavora lakes and enjoy a well deserved picnic lunch overlooking stunning views of the lake, before cycling on a quiet back road to Walter Peak Station. At this working sheep ranch we will enjoy afternoon tea prior to catching a ride on a historic restored steamboat back to Queenstown. (B,L)

Activity of the day: boat trip, underwater observatory, cycling, sheep ranche, steamboat trip
Our accommodation - Garden Court Suites & Apartments
W: www.gardencourt.co.nz

Day 7 - 4th March (Fri) : Queenstown > Wanaka

Today is a free day, after a sleep in & a late yoga session you have time to explore Queenstown. Renowned for the range and scope of its adventure activities it is dubbed the "adventure capital" of New Zealand and you have many activities to choose from including Rafting, Para-Sailing, Bungy-Jumping, Jet-Boating, River Surfing, Scenic Flights & many more. For those who wish to take it easy Queenstown is also known for its shopping and relaxing cafes & restaurants.

We meet up late afternoon for the beautiful one hour drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka, another alpine village that will be our home for the next two nights. (B)

Activity of the day: adventure trip of choice
Our accommodation - Te Wanaka Lodge,
W: www.tewanaka.co.nz

Day 8 - 5th March (Sat) : Wanaka

Another day, another beautiful alpine village and another great breakfast prepared by your hosts at the luxurious Te Wanaka Lodge. Today is all about food as we have hired out the local yacht club with its gorgeous lakeside outlook. After a late morning yoga session by the lake our yoga instructor Deborah, will spend the day taking you on a Macrobiotic cooking course. We will prepare our own lunch & dinner today using local foods purchased from the market and to add to the relaxed feel of the day we will have massage therapists available to tend to those well trained muscles. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: Macrobiotic cooking course, market tour, massage
Our accommodation - Te Wanaka Lodge
W: www.tewanaka.co.nz

Day 9 - 6st April (Sun) : Wanaka > Fox Glacier

After our yoga session by the lake, today's journey will take us via the West Coast to Fox Glacier. After a visit to a local waterfall we journey out to the remote Waiatoto River where we take a jet-boat ride deep into the heart of the Mt. Aspiring National Park. Our yoga holidays continues alongside the Tasman sea where we will walk at Ships Creek hoping to see the resident pod of the rare Hectors Dolphins. At Fox Glacier we will walk at sunset around Lake Matheson with its mirror reflections of New Zealand's highest mountains, and for the daring a helicopter ride to land on the Glacier is a must. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: waterfall, jet boat, short walks,
Our accommodation - Te Weheka, W: www.tewanaka.co.nz

 

Day 10 - 7th April (Mon) : Fox Glacier > Punakaiki.

An easy yoga session is planned for this morning to stretch our muscles before our hike to the base of the Glacier. Surrounded by lush rain forest Fox Glacier terminal face is close to sea level and is one of the few Glaciers in the world that is currently advancing. On our journey north, we pause at the Bushman's Centre, a place to learn about early life on the coast and to wander through the museum which contains an eclectic collection of bush memorabilia, along with a fascinating video on how the New Zealand deer industry was started. In Hokitika we have time to admire, and perhaps purchase some of the greenstone carvings made at the jade factory. We continue along a spectacular coastline rated as one of the top five touring routes in the world to our seaside accommodation for the night at the Punakaiki Rock Villas. At dusk we will walk to the famous Pancake Rock Blowholes and watch the sun sinking in the Tasman sea. (B,D)

Activity of the day: glacier hike, Bushman center, jade factory, Pancake blow holes walk
Our accommodation - Punakaiki Rocks Hotel Villas, W: www.punakaiki-resort.co.nz

Day 11 - 8th April (Tue) : Punakaiki > Nelson
Yoga by the Tasman Sea this morning, before we continue along the beautiful coastline and then turning inland through the scenic Buller Gorge. We follow the bush-clad river, along the way walking on the worlds longest swing bridge before arriving in Nelson early afternoon. There is time to visit a winery and the World of Wearable Arts museum before exploring this interesting town well known as an arts centre. Dinner is on your own tonight with a variety of local restaurants to choose from. (B,L)

Activity of the day: swing bridge walk, winery, museum.
Our accommodation - deLorenzo's Studio Apartments
W: www.delorenzos.co.nz

Day 12 - 9th April (Wed) : Nelson > Punga Cove

An empowering yoga session this morning will get those arm muscles pumped up for a day on the ocean, as this morning we go sea-kayaking in the lovely Marlborough Sounds. We paddle to an isolated bay for a picnic lunch before returning to our transport for the journey along the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive. In Picton by mid-afternoon we board our water taxi for the cruise to Punga Cove Resort in the outer sounds, our home for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: kayaking, boat cruise with Yoga Tours New Zealand
Our accommodation: - Punga Cove Resort,
W: www.pungacove.co.nz

Day 13 - 10th April (Thu) : Punga Cove

With a relaxing morning start our yoga session will be a bit later than normal. We will then hike on the Queen Charlotte walkway followed by one of our famous picnic lunches. Our return journey will be by water taxi, taking us back to the resort where we can relax by the waterside and snooze into the evening delights. For dinner tonight you can choose from the extensive menu with the local seafood being a specialty.(B,L)

Activity of the day: Yoga Tours New Zealand Hike
Our accommodation - Punga Cove Resort,
W: www.pungacove.co.nz

 

Day 14 - 11th April (Fri) : Punga Cove > Kaikoura

As we get to the final days of our tour, this is one of our last yoga sessions. By this time you will have deepened your exercise so much that will be surprised at your flexibility. After check out, the water taxi whisks us back to Picton. A short drive to a nearby winery ensures there is ample opportunity to sample some of Marlborough's finest wines. We will have lunch at the famous St. Clair Winery, meet the eccentric owner and learn about the history of the St. Clair's wines. Unfortunately for your guides, they just get to watch your enthusiastic imbibing, but at least this ensures they can soberly navigate you down the coast to the seaside fishing town of Kaikoura. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: winery
Our accommodation. - The Old Convent,
W: www.theoldconvent.co.nz

Day 15 - 12th April (Sat) : Kaikoura

This is a day not to forget as Kaikoura is renowned as a marine wildlife centre. You will have the choice to either swim with dolphins and seals or go on a Whale Watching or Pelagic Bird (Albatross) tour. It's best to view the whales in the early morning so our penultimate yoga session will be held mid-morning today & your yoga tour guide will lead you on a local Peninsula Hike this afternoon. This evening will be our last night together, we will dine at our lodge - a chance to try the local cuisine, tell stories, swap addresses and generally relax in the after glow of a satisfying yoga trip. (B,L,D)

Activity of the day: marine wildlife tour of choice, hike
Our accommodation - The Old Convent
W: www.theoldconvent.co.nz

Day 16 - 13th April (Sun) : Kaikoura > Christchurch (Tour ends in Christchurch mid afternoon.)
Our final early morning yoga session is also time to say goodbye to our yoga instructor, Deborah, as she will go back to the North Island, we hope to see her and yourselves on our tour next year to explore the North Island.
It's 5 hours back to Christchurch as we detour on the way to Hamner Springs for a final soak in the natural thermal pools. We will deliver you to your local accommodation or the international airport by mid afternoon. Just time enough to check the passport, tickets and say a final goodbye to new found friends, before heading for the check in counter and the final wave goodbye to Yoga Tours New Zealand! (B)

Activity of the day: Thermal pools

Note - This yoga tour is designed that you can start & finish with airport pick-ups & drop-offs on days 1 & 16. However if your time allows, to acclimatize and for relaxed travel connections we recommend arriving a day early - staying on an extra night in Christchurch is also a good option. We are happy to help with pre & post tour accommodation bookings.

Cost: US$ 4,500

Included at Yoga Tours New Zealand
- 16 days, 15 nights accommodation
- 10 dinners, 13 lunches, 15 breakfasts
- All transport
- Yoga lessons
- Cycling tours
- Thermal pools
- Marine wildlife tour of choice
- All Hikes and walks as mentioned
- Wineries
- Kayaking
- Boat cruises
- Swing bridge walk
- Museums
- Bushman center
- Jade factory,
- Macrobiotic cooking course
- Massage
- Queenstown adventure trip of choice
- Observatories walks
- Sheep ranch

Not Included
- 5 dinners, 2 lunches
- extra daily activities not listed
will be optional at an additional fee
- scenic flights
- tips & gratuities
- cancellation & travel insurance
(we strongly recommend insurance)

For bookings Yoga Tours New Zealand please click here

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