Best of the Best Southern Hemisphere: Backpacking New Zealand and South America

In this Backpackers' World's Best of the Best, this multi-media presentation samples backpacking in New Zealand and South America during a Round-the-World trip.

To begin, the New Zealand (NZ) experience of 80 days covers the breadth of the backpacker's Kiwi paradise on the North and South Islands. The highlight of these adventure are five (of the nine) Great Walks (as categorized by NZ Conservation & Park authorities). The program includes the four-day Milford Sound "fjord-land" backpack, the five-day Heaphy track "from Beechwood forest to Tasman Sea", the five-day "running with the tides" of the Abel-Tasman,  five days of "whirlpools and rapids " in a canoe on the Whanganui River, and the four-day "Lord of the Rings" tour of the northern Tongariro volcano circuit. A variety of mountain huts and access methods are used. An abundance of planning details will be provided.

Next stop! The most southerly point of the South American continent and the Chilean Island of Navarino. Plans are initially delayed several days due to early-season snowstorms, however during the 5-day backpacking circuit, this seldom-visited itinerary transplants the backpackers into a world of granite fangs, impenetrable scrub-pine and countless bejewelled lakes, alternately stroked by the Antarctic sun and gale-force winds. The party of three are alone for the majority of this wilderness camping in the remotest part of southern Chile.

Destination Huayhuash Range (home of Joe Simpson's Touching the Void), another backpacker's Best takes us with nine burros, two mule-drivers, a cook and a guide for ten days in the high country. The circuit remains above 13,000ft for nine of the ten days. Breathtaking and supremely scenic! 

Additionally, a previous eight-day backpacking circuit of Torres del Paine, Chile and five-days around Mount Fitzroy, Argentina are additionally offered for planning information.

Presented by  Tom and Karen Hodgman