Art-lovers rejoice! Nelson, the starting city on this tour, is in the sunniest region in New Zealand - the north-west side of the South Island - and is known for its thriving art and music scene. Make your way here by hopping on a quick flight (1hr 25min) from Auckland International Airport by 4pm to check into the hotel and join us for a welcome presentation.

Enjoy dinner and drinks while we review the week's upcoming adventures and introduce you to your Event Director and fellow travelers!

We're setting the bar high with the first run of the week as we take you on a scenic section of the famous coastal track of Abel Tasman National Park, the country's smallest but most visited National Park, known for its golden beaches and granite cliffs.

After logging a few miles with the turquoise and blue gradients of the sea as our backdrop and enjoying a lunch in the park to refuel, we'll embark on a guided waka paddling adventure to get a closer look at the water, wildlife, and nearby sea caves. This activity will split us into two groups. While one group paddles, the others can enjoy a scenic water taxi ride or beach walk.

We'll end the day with a group dinner in the town of St Arnaud on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, one of South Island's best kept secrets. This popular spot with locals sits at the edge of the Nelson Lakes National Park and is an idyllic destination for hiking and both summer and winter sports.

Today, we're taking you from a seaside track to a lakeside track with an easy run in Nelson Lakes National Park along the Brunner (Moana) Peninsula of Lake Rotoiti. After the run, we'll have lunch in Murchison before you choose your own afternoon adventure - you can either experience the Buller River by way of a human-powered white water raft or Chevy-powered V8 River Shark Jet boat. Whatever your speed, you'll be sure to enjoy the native forest and lush greenery along the way. After we dry off, we'll head to Westport for a group dinner and some shut-eye.

A short drive from Westport, today's run will take place along the Cape Foulwind Walkway where you'll savor every inch of the panoramic coastal views. Also along the pathway, you'll see the fur seal breeding colony and the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse.

After the run, we'll drive to Punakaiki for lunch and to explore the limestone landscape of the "pancake rocks" and blowholes. The rest of the afternoon/evening is yours with free time to relax at our hotel for the night or explore Hokitika - a town with a history of jade hunting and gold mining.

You'll do dinner on your own tonight, giving you a chance to explore town and discover something great!

We'll start the day with a run near Lake Brunner - a beautiful lake with a backdrop of mountains and ancient forest - before heading to a scenic byway in the Southern Alps called Arthur's Pass that connects the east and west coasts of New Zealand. Here, we'll explore the Rocks of Castle Hill, a mecca for rock climbers and skiers, before heading to the town of Methven for a group dinner. The town of Methven is a vibrant ski town in the winter and home to summertime hiking through the Canterbury Plains.

We'll spend the night at our hotel in nearby Christchurch - the South Islands largest town, known for both cutting-edge and historic architecture and plenty of cuisine options.

With a window seat for every passenger, today's adventure is sure to be a core memory. After an early wake up call, we'll board the Grand Traverse "flight of a lifetime" and spend nearly an hour exploring New Zealand's highest mountains and largest glaciers with a bird's eye view.

Today's run is designed for us by our very own Adventure Racing Course Guide and will take place on a large, private farm (station) near Lake Tekapo. What happens next is up to you because the afternoon is yours to explore! Lake Tekapo, known as the bluest lake in New Zealand, has beautiful lupins that grow around the lake and lucky for us, the ideal time to see them in full bloom is during our trip! 

This lake is also one of New Zealand's only Dark Sky Reserves and, after a group dinner, we'll observe through telescopes and then settle into the hot springs for a two-hour guided stargazing experience that combines astronomy and storytelling.

Today, we'll take a beautiful drive to Mount Cook Village where we'll run part of the famous Alps to Ocean trail. If weather permits, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch while appreciating Mount Cook.

We'll end the day in Queenstown where you can enjoy dinner in the company of your new friends or on your own - the choice is yours.

Queenstown is a hub of adventure so instead of picking just one thing for all of us to do, we left this day open for you to decide how you'd like to cap off your New Zealand trip! From wine tasting and hiking to bungee jumping and parasailing, there is something for everyone in this town. If you need suggestions, check out our blog for Queenstown activities!

We'll all meet back up in the evening to embark on a cruise across Lake Wakatipu and spend the evening celebrating our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.