Trip Highlights
Sea kayak a marine reserve along the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, raft the granite gorges of the Buller River, and soak in the geothermal hot pools at Maruia Springs.
Fly by helicopter into the remote Siberia Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park, hike beneath snowcapped peaks, and ride a jet boat out of the wilderness.
Spend two nights at the 5-star Legacy Te Waonui in Franz Josef, with a free day for optional glacier heli-hikes, scenic flights over the Southern Alps, or a sunrise hike at Lake Matheson.
Cruise Milford Sound beneath towering granite walls and waterfalls, and hike sections of the famous Kepler and Routeburn Tracks in Fiordland National Park.
This Continuing Medical Education (CME) course in Wilderness and Travel Medicine combines adventure, comfortable hotels, and some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth on an 11-day journey through New Zealand’s South Island, from sunny Nelson to Queenstown.
Begin in Nelson and sea kayak the marine reserve and golden sand beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, watching for fur seals, dolphins, and little blue penguins. Raft the Buller River through granite gorges, soak in the geothermal pools at Maruia Springs, then travel the wild West Coast to hike among the limestone formations and Pancake Rocks of Paparoa National Park and the rainforest above Okarito, with views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Adventure highlights include a free day at Franz Josef Glacier with optional heli-hikes and scenic flights, a helicopter flight into the remote Siberia Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park followed by a jet boat ride out of the wilderness, alpine hiking around Wanaka, and hikes on the Kepler and Routeburn Tracks in Fiordland National Park.
The journey concludes with a cruise on Milford Sound and a farewell dinner in Te Anau before transferring to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Wilderness Medicine CME seminars are typically held in the afternoons or evenings before dinner.
Itinerary Snapshot
The Best of the South Island, Nelson to Queenstown
DAY 1-2: Nelson & Abel Tasman Arrive in sunny Nelson for an orientation meeting and welcome dinner. The next day, take a boat into Abel Tasman National Park to sea kayak a marine reserve along golden sand beaches, with a good chance of seeing fur seals.
DAY 3: Buller River & Maruia Springs Raft the Class III-IV Buller River through granite gorges topped with beech forest, then unwind in the outdoor geothermal hot pools at Maruia Springs.
DAY 4-5: West Coast Hike among dramatic limestone formations in Paparoa National Park and see the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, overnight in seaside Hokitika, then hike through rainforest at Okarito for views of the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mt. Cook before arriving in Franz Josef.
DAY 6: Franz Josef Glacier A free day at the 5-star Legacy Te Waonui. Choose from optional glacier heli-hikes or scenic helicopter flights (additional cost), a sunrise hike at Lake Matheson, local trails, or the hot pools.
DAY 7: Mt. Aspiring National Park Cross Haast Pass and fly by helicopter into the remote Siberia Valley. Hike below snowcapped peaks to the Wilkin River, then jet boat out of the wilderness and continue to lakeside Wanaka.
DAY 8: Wanaka Hike in the Southern Alps to the Rob Roy Glacier or Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain, depending on weather and group size, with free time to explore Wanaka.
DAY 9: Kepler Track & Te Anau Drive over the Crown Range to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland, and hike the Kepler Track through beech forest to the shores of Lake Manapouri. Optional Te Anau glowworm caves.
DAY 10: Milford Sound & Routeburn Track Cruise Milford Sound beneath vertical granite walls and waterfalls, then hike the Routeburn Track to Key Summit for panoramic views before a farewell dinner in Te Anau.
DAY 11: Queenstown Transfer to Queenstown to connect with flights home, or extend your stay in the adventure capital of the world.
Dates & Pricing
Our trips typically sell out, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot. Prices are based on double occupancy.
Trips include: Expert adventure guides, all lodging, daily activities and excursions, most meals, and arrival and departure day airport transfers.
Trips do not include: Flights, optional activities in Franz Josef, NZeTA and tourism levy, travel insurance, and gratuities.
March 2 - 12, 2028
$9,300 per person
$789 Optional CME Cost
(16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™)
Available - Filling Quickly
Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?
Speak to an expert at Bio Bio Expeditions - the award winning outfitter of this trip
1-800-246-7238
A few of the publications Bio Bio Expeditions has been featured in:
COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries
- Environmental Heat Illness
- Traveler's Diarrhea, Giardia & Other Waterborne Wilderness Infections
- Surviving the Unexpected Night Out
- Lightning Injuries
- Improvised Medical and Trauma Care
- Management of Fractures and Dislocations
- Preparing for Foreign Travel
- Backcountry Medical Kits
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Patient Assessment in Wilderness Settings
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Marine Hazards & Envenomations
- Snake Envenomation
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
"This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians."
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of
16 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This trip is planned, outfitted and conducted by Bio Bio Expeditions, or subcontractors arranged by Bio Bio Expeditions. Please note that Wilderness and Travel Medicine, LLC is responsible for the CME Educational content only. Wilderness and Travel Medicine reserves the right to change or substitute the faculty for any CME course without advance or prior notice to participants.
For more information or to register for this trip please call
Bio Bio Expeditions at 1-800-246-7238
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Jan 16 - 23, 2027
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Jan 25 - Feb 1, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Big Sky Ski Resort, MT
Feb 20 - 24, 2027
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Feb 4 - 11, 2027
Apr 19 - 29, 2027
April 25 - May 9, 2027
May 2 - 11, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Santa Fe, NM
June 2 - 6, 2027
June 11 - 19, 2027
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 13 - 18, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Big Sky Resort, MT
July 24 - 28, 2027
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8, 2027
Aug 29 - Sept 8, 2027
Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2027
Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting
Sept 1-6, 2027
Sept 7 - 15, 2027
Deluxe Peru: Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Sept 19 - 26, 2027
Sept 21 - Oct 5, 2027
Oct 31 - Nov 10, 2027
Oct 10 - 23, 2027
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 17 - 22, 2027
Jan 29 - Feb 5, 2028
March 12 - 19, 2028
Apr 17 - 27, 2028
April 23 - May 7, 2028
June 8 - 16, 2028
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 11 - 16, 2028
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 26 - Aug 3, 2028
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2028
Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting
Sept 1-6, 2028
Sept 14 - 22, 2028
Sept 28 - Oct 8, 2028
Oct 1 - 15, 2028
Oct 8 - 21, 2028
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 15 - 20, 2028
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Jan 16 - 23, 2027
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Jan 25 - Feb 1, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Big Sky Ski Resort, MT
Feb 20 - 24, 2027
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Feb 4 - 11, 2027
Apr 19 - 29, 2027
April 25 - May 9, 2027
May 2 - 11, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Santa Fe, NM
June 2 - 6, 2027
June 11 - 19, 2027
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 13 - 18, 2027
National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Big Sky Resort, MT
July 24 - 28, 2027
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8, 2027
Aug 29 - Sept 8, 2027
Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2027
Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting
Sept 1-6, 2027
Sept 7 - 15, 2027
Deluxe Peru: Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Sept 19 - 26, 2027
Sept 21 - Oct 5, 2027
Oct 31 - Nov 10, 2027
Oct 10 - 23, 2027
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 17 - 22, 2027
Jan 29 - Feb 5, 2028
March 12 - 19, 2028
Apr 17 - 27, 2028
April 23 - May 7, 2028
June 8 - 16, 2028
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 11 - 16, 2028
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 26 - Aug 3, 2028
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2028
Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting
Sept 1-6, 2028
Sept 14 - 22, 2028
Sept 28 - Oct 8, 2028
Oct 1 - 15, 2028
Oct 8 - 21, 2028
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 15 - 20, 2028

