1
Walking: Ships Cove - Endeavour Inlet
Catch a 8.00am water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove in the Outer-Queen Charlotte Sound and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook's most popular destinations on his many world travels. The track travels from Ship Cove through native virgin bush, over two saddles and down into Resolution Bay and then Endeavour Inlet. Arrive at Furneaux Lodge you can catch a water taxi down the Queen Charlotte Sound to Torea Bay to Portage Resort for the evening. Tonight, dine in the restaurant or Snapper Bar, and rest in the magic surroundings of Keneperu Sound.
Todays Walk
Ship Cove to Resolution Bay - 4.5km (2.7 Miles) 1.5 Hours Walking - Undulating Tracks
Resolution Bay to Endeavour Inlet - 10km (6.2 Miles) 2.5 Hours Walking - Undulating Tracks
Meals: A packed lunch is supplied today. For dinner dine in the restaurant or Snapper Bar, and then rest and relax in the magic surroundings of Keneperu Sound
Accommodation: Portage Resort - 2 Nights (twin share in the Hillside Suites)
2
Leisurely Sea Kayaking in the Kenepuru Sound
A leisurely day’s sea kayaking in the Kenepuru Sound. As you paddle from the Portage foreshore on the Kenepuru Sound, you may visit a mussel farm, paddle past a ship wreck from a bygone era or experience a chance encounter with dolphins. You will have time to stop on a tranquil beach where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, go for a swim or a short bush walk before paddling back to Portage Hotel.
Meals: A packed lunch is supplied today. For dinner dine in the restaurant or Snapper Bar, and then rest and relax in the magic surroundings of Keneperu Sound
3
Mountain Biking (Approximately 4 Hours)
Today you can ride part of the Queen Charlotte Track from your accommodation to Anakiwa. The track is renowned as one of New Zealand's "sweetest" mountain bike rides.
The section from Portage to Mistletoe is for experienced mountain bikers with a steep uphill climb and switchbacks on descents (There are alternative options for this section). As you travel around Mistletoe Bay, the track becomes narrows and undulating. From the headland we descend into a wider more moderate section through magnificent beech forest before our descent into Anakiwa.
Note: It is recommended that you do have a moderate amount of mountain biking experience, preferably on single track, to enjoy this ride. If you lack single track experience, then you may like to ride the Kenepuru road from Portage to Mistletoe Bay. Your guide will talk you through this section and your options whist you are on the trip
After finishing your ride, return by water taxi to Picton.
Your safety
It's important that you understand while your guide will endeavour to maximise your safety, unlike sea kayaking and walking where the chance of injury is minimal, there is a risk you could fall off your mountain bike and injure yourself.
Notes
3 Day Ultimate Sounds Adventure
Your Queen Charlotte Guided Walk includes transfers; 2 nights accommodation in 4 Star Sea View (twin share en-suite lodge); lunches and a professional guide.
2018/19 Departure Dates
Prices for 2018/19 Season (valid 1 October 2018 to 30 April 2019)
$855 per person (including GST), Single Supplement – $260 per person. Rates are based on two people sharing an en-suite room
Departures: Departures are available on any day between November and March each year, dependent on accommodation and equipment availability.
Our package offers:
- all your water transfers
- your guide for the Sea Kayaking Day
- all your equipment
- your accommodation in as detailed above at Portage Resort Hotel
- a delicious packed lunch each day
- your Queen Charlotte Track Land Co-op Pass
How fit do I need to be?
You should be of moderate fitness to enjoy this trip. Each day you will be undertaking about four or five hours’ activity. The pace is gentle and you can go as fast or as slow as you wish.
How much mountain biking experience do I need?
We recommend that you have at least ridden some single tracks before. Just being able to ride a bike will not be sufficient experience to negotiate the track. Your guide will assist you with how to ride this section of the track, but they cannot prevent you from falling off and hurting yourself, therefore you do require some mountain biking experience to enjoy this part of the trip.
We have never kayaked before, can we still do this trip? Yes, many of our guests have never sea kayaked before, but find it really easy to do. You may feel a little tired in your shoulders after a day’s paddling, but we do have plenty of stops along the way and the pace is gentle.
What is the accommodation like?
The twin share en-suite option in the Courtyard Rooms have no sea view. (4 Star Resort)
The twin share en-suite option is in the Hillside Rooms have a sea view. (4 Star Resort)
What meals are provided.
A packed lunch is provided daily.
What cooking facilities are there?
With the twin-share rooms, you need to dine in either the bar or the restaurant for each meal. A packed lunch is included each day as part of the package.
How much are the meals at Portage Resort Hotel?
They range from around $15-20 for a bar meal, and up to $35 for a main meal in the restaurant.
What Jo says about this tour: What a winning combo this 3 day adventure offers my clients. Mountain biking, hiking and kayaking in the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds with high quality accommodation and meals. Great for couples and families with older children who have mountain biking experience.
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