...this was a trip that I'd always wanted to make, and it more than exceeded all my expectations: starting with excellent, knowledgeable and ever smiling & warm guides (I do see why they say 'legendary Kiwi hospitality' on their trip page), to the well planned & executed itinerary, the amazing food (the trip page never mentioned that the guides were excellent chefs!) and the incredible landscapes, hikes and kayaking experience - this trip had it all ! I did the Northbound trip itinerary, so we did Blenheim / Kaikoura before heading out on the Nelson Lakes backpacking section. Special mention here to the guides - Dan & Sally, who did their very best to prepare us for the backpacking section by going over specifics of equipment lists & so on. I'd never been backpacking before, and their willingness to spend time with us individually to go over our backpacks and what we were putting into it - this was super helpful. Both Dan & Sally were most knowledgeable, worked extra hard to ensure all of us were ever comfortable, kept the group smiling and in good cheer at all times even on the physically strenuous days (which I thoroughly enjoyed!), and I'd definitely go with them again if I had a choice.

For me, the highlight of the trip has to be Days 2 & 3 of the Nelson Lakes experience: the hike from Lakehead Hut all the way up to Angelus Hut - to me, this is the best hike I've done in my life - both for the views and the sense of accomplishment that you feel when you get all the way up there with your backpack :-) The walk (or tough hike, rather) along Robert's Ridge the next day - this rivaled our Day 2 hike for the sheer beauty and magnificence of the landscape that unfolds on either side of the mountain - breathtaking! I found my moments of peace and stillness on these hikes, and for me - this was the highlight of the trip (the Braemar Station stop towards the end & Milford Sound are a close second, I guess). Here, I'd like to specially commend the guides for quickly identifying the hiking ability/ level of each person in the group, each person's interest & inclination (walk quickly vs walk more gradually, taking in the landscape), and working very much within these parameters. Dan & Sally guided the hikes so that nobody really felt rushed (or slowed down) by the others - this is a fine art in itself, and it made a huge difference - really appreciate the guides for this. Thanks to this, I was able to find moments of solitude and peace.

The Queenstown stop-over forms a very pleasant interlude, given the physical nature of the itinerary. I do not really have a trip lowlight, so speak. I feel like Makarora & Manapouri are beautiful stop-overs too, and Active Adventures should play these spots up a bit more in their itinerary :-) Some of the drives are a bit long, but huge credit to Dan and the way the day is planned out - somehow, he figured out a way to not have us in the van for longer than 1.5 - 2 hrs at a time - there were interesting stop-overs in scenic towns and spots in-between.

Overall an incredible experience - I've seen and experienced much on this trip, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Special shout-out again to Dan & Sally - incredibly tough and hard working: I can safely say I also took away valuable life lessons from them, too.

| January 1970