SNOWDON - AMURI ALPINE TOUR
- Flora and Fauna
5 Day Tour to North Canterbury high country,
South Island, NZ
Join Canterbury alpine flora enthusiasts, Suzanne Pickford and wildlife photographer, Will Parsons on another fun and informative eco adventure to South Island's Mt Hutt and Amuri skifields. You will also be exploring surrounding alpine areas such as the tussock lands of Snowdon and the scree slopes of Island Saddle in the Clarence Valley. No prior knowledge is required, it is about sharing and learning and having some fun along the way.
Each year we head into the mountains of the South Island to take advantage of dizzying high altitude views and the alpine flora that blooms in early summer. This year we are excited to be staying at the Amuri ski lodge near St James Station in North Canterbury. We have also found wonderful high country farm accommodation at Middle Rock Station, Snowdon, south of Hanmer Springs.
Suzanne Pickford, who led our tour group to the Arthurs Pass last season, will be sharing her considerable local knowledge, perhaps dipping her net into a mountain creek to show us the native fish! Will is on hand to guide any short walks and share stories of the area's early European history.
The sites we are visiting are easy access, so no great deal of agility and fitness is required. Just some patience for those that may want to be more adventurous. Bring your camera as there will be unsurpassed views over the plains and valleys of Canterbury.
Tour Price:
$3,500 per person includes all catering
Group size:
8 plus plus 2 guides
Tour Duration:
4 nights, 5 days
Transport:
2 SUV 4wd vehicles. Toyota Fortuna and Landcruiser
Accommodation:
2 nights twin share, Middle Hurst Station quarters
2 nights at bunk rooms at Amuri ski lodge
Both are exclusive occupancy
You will need a sleeping bag for the last 2 nights
Tour Features
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Find and learn about New Zealand alpine flora and fauna with the guidance of a local botanist
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Get tips on wildlife and macro photography from Will
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Enjoy the companionship of like minded people in nature, have fun and make new friends
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Guided walks at ecological sites of unique flora and fauna such as mountain riversides, screes and tussocklands
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Exclusive use of the Amuri ski lodge perched on the St James Range, with alpine flora such as the South Island edelweiss (Leucogenes grandiceps) within strolling distance
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Stay in private farm quarters at Middle Rock Station, Snowdon. Your hosts are high country farmers Lyn and Bruce Nell
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A chance to see and photograph birds such as crested grebe, kārearea (nz falcon) and black fronted terns
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Easy walks by Lake Tennyson, Lyndon and Coleridge
Tour Inclusions
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Fully escorted tour with two experienced guides
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Lodge style accommodation (sleeping bags are required for the last two nights)
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All catering, byo wine and beer
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Plant lists of the areas visited
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Passes for visits to ski areas, and other access fees
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Binoculars, reference books and hiking poles (please let us know in advance if you require a pole)
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Travel with peace of mind, we do our very best to reduce our impact on climate change by donating to the establishment of native forest at Puhi Peaks conservation reserve in Kaikoura, the only nesting site of the Huttons shearwater.
Questions?
Ring 0800 708 844
Click the photo above for a slide show
Plant lists
For the alpine plant enthusiast here are some plant lists for the areas we are visiting:
Visit the garden of Suzanne Pickford Read about Suzanne and her garden here