In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park has an
incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from eastern beech
clad hills and tussock valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west. The
highest mountains have glaciers and surrounding them are tussock basins,
flowering herbs and alpine grasses.
Drive up and back to Arthur’s Pass in a luxury vehicle. Your journey will take
you west across the rich agricultural belt of the Canterbury Plains with
chances to stop along the way to experience some of Canterbury's hidden
treasures.
Journey across the wide expanses of the Canterbury Plains into high country
surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. After leaving the Canterbury Plains, the
landscape dramatically changes into sub-alpine we head towards the spectacular
Southern Alps. View the Waimakariri River and its unique braided riverbed
system. Enter Arthur’s Pass National Park where short walks can be made to
experience forests, rivers and mountain vistas. Follow the old stage coach
route and travel down the spectacular Otira Gorge, testament to the road
builders of the 1860's and the route taken by the Māori in their quest for
greenstone.
Travel through an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a
vista of mountains to both the east and west. This area was the setting for
the filming of C.J Lewis’ story – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. View
the incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn, rain smoothed outcrops
of limestone.
The return journey leaves the high country via Porters Pass and crosses the
Canterbury Plains to Christchurch where your guide will drop you off at your
accommodation and bid you farewell.
Canterbury Trails
USD 0