We welcome you to experience one of our self-guided group walking holidays, developed for solo Adventurous Women ® â„¢ travellers who have the confidence to hike without the services of a guide or tour escort, but would really like to share their experience with like-minded women.
The Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Track, at the top of the South Island, is fast becoming the place of choice for visitors looking for wilderness and adventure - yet with all the comforts!
Adventurous Women ® â„¢ are offering 12 lucky ladies the opportunity to join together and support one another while experiencing one of New Zealand's most sought after walks.
● Known as the finest and most diverse coastal track in New Zealand
● Panoramic ocean views & magnificent native forest
● Encounters with the likes of weka, fantail, bell bird, wood pigeon and even seals
● Pack Free - No Heavy Backpacks!
● Superior & Luxury Accommodation with stunning views
Today the excitement begins .... you'll all be arriving into Picton from a variety of destinations at different times throughout the day. Make your way to our our accommodation, report to Reception for check-in and let them know that you're travelling as part of our Adventurous Women â„¢ Group. We have allocated the rooms and you'll therefore meet your room buddy for tonight at some stage during the day depending upon their arrival time.
There is plenty to do in Picton and the surrounding area so if you arrive early in the day, take a stroll to the visitors centre to see what's on offer.
The group will meet at 4.00pm in the foyer and after intro's, our partners in Picton will conduct a comprehensive briefing about the walking part of your adventure. Afterwards walk together to a nearby restaurant and enjoy your first meal together.
Meals: None included
Accommodation: Luxury Waterfront Apartments
This morning you'll be picked up from our accommodation in Picton to join the water taxi to Ship Cove where your walk begins. This scenic and historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s as well as being a site of significance for local Maori. Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage.
This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes at the historic Furneaux Lodge.
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Furneaux Lodge
Today’s coastal walk takes you from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove through mostly regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other New Zealand native birds. From Furneaux Lodge, the track continues through native bush and over a small swing bridge to the head of Endeavour Inlet. Pause there to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay where pristine native beech forest awaits before working your way towards Camp Bay and, five minutes on from there, your accommodation for the evening at Punga Cove.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Punga Cove Chalets
A challenging but rewarding day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle. Truly grand views abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. Stare in awe at the sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds from the iconic Eatwell’s Lookout. At different times you can see both the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds as you walk. This is a truly spectacular section of the track.
Those who feel like a day’s rest today can opt for a boat ride around the bays’ of the Queen Charlotte Sound. At day's end walk from Torea Saddle down to the Portage Hotel. NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage Hotel today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Portage Resort
Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax. We can arrange guided sea kayaking tours for those interested (subject to minimum numbers and weather conditions). Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Portage Resort
Farewell Portage Hotel and ascend to the ridgeline once again, enjoying stunning views back towards Picton as well as into the turquoise waters of the Kenepuru Sound. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale after four days of walking. Take time for a photo stop at the picturesque Davies Bay – you won’t want the journey to end. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton, arriving back around late afternoon .......Aaah, time to grab a glass of wine or cuppa, perch yourself on the balcony overlooking the water and reflect on the last few days, before enjoying your final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Luxury Waterfront Apartments
After a relaxed start to the morning, it's time to say goodbye to your Adventurous Women â„¢ friends, as this fabulous journey comes to an end.
Meals: None included
2 nights luxury waterfront apartment accommodation in Picton
4 nights superior, sea view twin share or double accommodation while on track, with own private ensuite (Endeavour Suite at Furneaux Lodge, Fern/Frond at Punga Cove & Tui at Portage Resort)
Pre-Trek Training Guide
Water transport to and from track
Queen Charlotte Track Pass
Luggage transfers
Picton transfers to and from water taxi
Information pack including track guide
Comprehensive pre-walk briefing, logistical support while on track
Adventurous Women® Peak Cap & Luggage Tag
Free 12 Month Adventure Club Membership valued at $59.95 (existing club members who book, receive an additional 12 months for free)
AW Group Coordination - Get to know your travel buddies prior to departure through our 'private' online community (or face to face depending upon location of traveller)
4 Lunches
4 Breakfasts
Meals not stated in the itinerary
Drinks & Snacks
Flights - Travel to/from Picton
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
A single supplement will apply if single occupancy is required in any of the accommodation
2 Nights Accommodation in Picton - Twin Share in 2 or 3 bedroom Luxury Apartment (Unless Single Supplement Requested):
The group will stay in a mix of luxurious, fully self-contained apartments located right on Picton's waterfront. Each apartments offers a huge balcony from which you can soak up the stunning views of the marina and Marlborough Sounds.
On Track Accommodation - Twin Share Superior rooms (Unless Single Supplement Requested):
Furneaux Lodge - comprises the original historic homestead, now home to the restaurant and bar, and ensuite units all set in delightfully picturesque grounds. Furneaux Lodge has an excellent restaurant for dinner and breakfasts. This package stays in upmarket studio suites with private ensuite and views out to the bay.
Punga Cove Chalets - Nestled amidst the native bush, Punga Cove’s well-appointed individual chalets have views to the bay beyond and are a welcome respite after a day’s walk. The restaurant where you dine for dinner and breakfast has an impressive view from its position high on a promontory over Endeavour Inlet. Your accommodation is the Fern or Frond chalets each with a private balcony and ensuite.
Portage Resort - The Portage Hotel is nestled at the narrowest point between Queen Charlotte & Kenepuru Sounds with a wonderful view into Kenepuru Sound. This well-established accommodation place has a reputation for a fine restaurant and features natural timber chalets. This package stays in the Tui ensuite rooms.
- Pre departure trip notes will be supplied one month prior to departure, however our suggested gear list is below to help you plan/prepare:
- Parka or raincoat
- Warm jacket
- Warm/thermal top (polypropylene)
- T-shirt
- Warm pants
- Shorts
- Woollen/polypropylene socks
- Strong shoes or lightweight boots
- Sun hat / Sunglasses / Sunscreen / Insect Repellent
- Warm/ Insulated hat
- Day pack (available to hire)
- Drink bottle (at least 1 litre)
- Blister patches/moleskin/lambs’ wool
- Change of clothes to wear at the lodge(s) – smart casual is fine.
- Toiletries / Any required medication
- Nightwear
- Additional/spare supplies relating to specific dietary needs
- Swimsuit & towel & sandals for beach wear - Optional
- A walking stick/hiking poles - Optional
EARLY BIRD OFFER VALID FOR BOOKINGS RECEIVED BY 31ST AUGUST, 2019 - $200.00 COMBO TOUR DISCOUNT - Flying all the way to NZ and want to do more? Then why not check out our Abel Tasman Track Walking Holiday! If you book on both at the same time, you receive $100.00 discount off each tour!! NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER
The No Princess Policy for our Self Guided Group Packages is really just about considering the needs of others when travelling as part of a group. It's about being inclusive, patient, kind, tolerant and respectful of others... After-all, you've chosen to take part in a 'group' travel experience.
Also, unless you're travelling with a friend and wish to room with them the whole time, we mix things up whereby at each different place of accommodation, we room you with a different lady from the group. We find this is a perfect way to bond the group while alleviating any potential annoyances that may occur if sharing with the same person the whole time.
Our Self Guided Group Packages are designed to provide you with the best of both worlds - walk with a buddy, walk alone .... walk at your own pace, and then of an evening, get to know your new room mate, before joining with the rest of the ladies to share experiences of the day over a glass of wine (or soft) and a meal.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions
60 days plus prior to trip departure - Loss of Deposit
59 - 30 days prior to trip departure - 50% Of The Tour Cost
29 - 15 days prior to trip departure - 75% Of The Tour Cost
Within 14 days of the trip departure - 100% Of The Tour Cost
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
Update 19th September 2019 - ** Due to PayPal changing their policy to now retain fees even when we issue a refund we will be forced to pass this along. This means both partial and full refunds will be less the full fee charged by PayPal
