Hump Ridge Nov 25 -Nov 29, 2021 5 Days 4 nights The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track offers an amazing wilderness walking experience. Located in the south-west corner of New Zealand’s South Island the track runs through 52 km of pristine and unspoiled wilderness. In the company of experienced guides you’ll walk through a diverse range of World Heritage landscapes from sub- alpine wilderness to sea-level views including coastal terraces in the Waitutu Forest, described as “probably the most important forest in the world” by Dr David Bellamy. On top of the Hump Ridge itself you will get panoramic views of Stewart Island, Lake Poteriteri, Lake Hauroko and mountain ranges found deep in Fiordland National Park. A helicopter will transfer your luggage ahead on day 1 and also provide you with a spectacular transfer across Te Waewae Bay offering an opportunity to spot the rare Hectors dolphins. At the end of each day, relax with a glass of wine in the superb backcountry lodges and enjoy a hot shower and delicious three-course meals. DETAILS • Cost: $2695 (3 nights twin share on track, 1 night single accommodation in Queenstown) • Meeting Location: Queenstown Airport New Zealand • Maximum numbers: 11 clients Diamonds in The Rough Adventures Coach-Michele • Difficulty: Suitable for fit and capable trekkers capable of carrying a day pack of up to 8 kgs for up to 8 hrs, with sustained uphill for 4 hrs • Requirements: Good level of fitness, good general health • Length: 5 days, 4 nights INCLUDED: • Diamonds in the Rough Adventures Coach (Michele Michel)-priceless! • Transfers to and from Queenstown to Tuatapere • Pre-departure B&B accommodation and dinner • Transport from Tuatapere to begin your walk • A short helicopter flight to take you across Te Waewae Bay • Heli-pack your pack up the hill to Okaka on Day 1. Note: On day 2 and 3 you have to carry your own day pack • Twin Share accommodation on track and a hot shower with all linen supplied. • Fully catered with cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and three course dinners. • Snacks and fresh fruit also provided. • Local guides from the Southland region • Small groups (maximum 12), with guided walkers having exclusive use of the lodges during their walk • All safety equipment and Parks Permits • Post trek single accommodation in Queenstown- including breakfast NOT INCLUDED • Travel Insurance • Return flights to Queenstown- details will be provide of suitable flights once trip is confirmed • Alcoholic beverages Are you joining us? A deposit of $450 is required to DITRA acct to secure your spot, reference payment with your name and ‘Hump Ridge’. The Balance will be due 60 days before departure BSB 012270 Acct No 311709762 For further information contact: Michele Michel 0423 190 010 [email protected] ITINERARY Flight details- Don’t book until trip is confirmed…. I am looking at Qantas flights Departing Sydney at 09.30 arriving at Queenstown 14.30. Departing Queenstown at 15.20 arriving at Sydney 16.35 Day 1: Nov 25 Transfer to Tuatapere The Hump Ridge Track shuttle will pick you from the airport in Queenstown and will take you to the track office where you will meet your guide for a tour briefing around 5:30pm. You will then be taken to the B&B accommodation for the night and enjoy a tasty meal. Day 2: Nov 26 Tuatapere to Okaka Lodge (12km 5-6 hrs) After breakfast you will be collected from your accommodation and driven to the trailhead at Rarakau, a drive of approx 30 minutes. A scenic helicopter ride over Te Waewae Bay delivers you to the start of your walk. You will climb up to the top of the Hump Ridge, experiencing the beautiful bush first hand as it changes dramatically with elevation as you head up the ridge to the Stag Point where the trees part and you are welcomed by the beautiful bay once more - this time from a different perspective. Not far to the top of the ridge now and on a nice day you can see many of the neighbouring islands off the South Coast and of course the Fiordland mountains and lakes nearby. When you arrive at Okaka, the lodge 'on top of the world' all you will have to do is unwind as you admire the views, settle into your room and take a hot shower. You will feel at home with the lodge managers' home cooking and hospitality. Day 3: Nov 27 Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge (20 km 7-9 hrs) After breakfast you wander down the Hump Ridge, with 360 degree views of Te Waewae bay, the South Coast, Waitutu terraces and mountains behind them. While you are walking over the mighty wooden viaducts on the way to Port Craig Village, consider the men who built them almost a century ago. Our guide will share many stories from the days when Port Craig was a bustling sawmill town in the 1920's. If you are interested in the history and relics that surround Port Craig, choose to take the interpretive trail or just meander down to the beach and spy the resident Hector's dolphins who live at the old wharf poles in the surf. Awaiting you at the lodge, the friendly lodge manager will welcome you to your room and you can put your feet up and once again enjoy their hospitality while taking in your new coastal backdrop. Day 4: Nov 28 Port Craig Lodge to Tuatapere (20 km 5-7 hr) To complete the track, you will first walk out under native bush canopy, then along some beautiful golden beaches - one named Blowholes because of the ring of rocks the waves blow up though as they come to shore - a spectacular finish to a fantastic trip. Walk back along the section you flew over on day one and enjoy it once again but at beach level. At the end of the walk you will transfer from the car park at Rarakau to Tuatapere where you will meet your transfer back to Queenstown- arriving at around 6pm. After we check into the hotel- we will go out for a post trek celebratory dinner. Day 5: Nov 29 Queenstown- home After a relaxing breakfast- there may be some time to have a wonder around the city, depending when your flight leaves DITRA Terms and Conditions WHERE DITRA IS THE OPERATOR To confirm a place on a DITRA Diamond Dream you may be required to pay a non-refundable deposit. If a trip is cancelled by DITRA, a full refund will be given. For Diamond Dreams adventures, the balance of payments must be received at least 60 days before the departure date unless advised otherwise by DITRA. If you cancel a DITRA led Diamond Dream adventure: • more than 30 days from departure, we will retain the deposit or 20% of trip cost, whichever is lower. • Less than 30 days prior to the departure date, we will retain 100% paid by you in connection with your booking. If you are prevented from attending an adventure as a result of serious illness or injury (medical certificate will be required), the death of an immediate family member, or other reason beyond your control which we consider significant, we will agree to your booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip, they accept liability for full payment and you give us sufficient written notice prior to the change. DITRA strongly recommends travel insurance is taken out at the time of booking to cover cancellations for unforeseen reasons. Each Diamond Adventure has a minimum number of bookings required to proceed. DITRA reserves the right to cancel a trip due to insufficient numbers Final payment for all trips will be due on a date specified by DITRA or the Third Party operator. If a trip is over-subscribed, preference will be given to current training members, then existing DITRA members. PHOTOGRAPHY – Right to use photographic material When you participate in DITRA activities we, or others may take photographs or film material of clients. By becoming a member, you are giving us permission to use this material, without any compensation to you or express written permission from you. If you give us any photographic material, you agree to allow us free and unlimited licence to use this material WHERE A THIRD PARTY IS THE OPERATOR – the Third Party’s Terms and Conditions will prevail. In this case if the trip cannot run due to Covid restrictions it will be postponed to an alternative date. .