Te Waipounamu · Aotearoa New Zealand

Te Rākaihautū
Pilgrimage

Returning to the Natural State

Programme proposé · Dates, durée, taille du groupe, itinéraire, prix, prestations et disponibilité restent provisoires. Une demande ne réserve aucune place.

Le récit du programme est en anglais ; la navigation et les indications de contact sont disponibles dans la langue choisie.

Snow-covered mountains reflected in still water beneath a clear blue sky.
Photography: Te Wairua Experiences

An intimate journey through ancestral landscapes, Māori worldview, Earth Mirrors and contemplative practice.

Proposed April 2027 · 15-day programme

Programme proposé · Dates, durée, taille du groupe, itinéraire, prix, prestations et disponibilité restent provisoires. Une demande ne réserve aucune place.

The Five Elements Journey

All five elements.
Present throughout.

  1. Whenua — Earth

    Days 1–3

    Arrival, grounding, whakapapa and relationship with the land.

  2. Wai — Water

    Days 4–6

    Connection, openness, reflection and the living presence of water.

  3. Ahi — Fire

    Days 7–8

    Transformation, intention and inner clarity.

  4. Hau — Air

    Days 9–12

    Breath, awareness, spaciousness and contemplative practice.

  5. Wā — Space and Time

    Days 13–15

    Integration, ancestral connection and returning home.

An elevated panorama across a blue lake, mountain ranges and a lakeside settlement.

Room to be here.

Where the itinerary allows: morning meditation or gentle yoga; introduction to the day’s theme; direct experience of the landscape; time for silence and personal reflection; evening integration or shared discussion.

The programme remains flexible around travel, weather and group needs.

Programme proposé · Dates, durée, taille du groupe, itinéraire, prix, prestations et disponibilité restent provisoires. Une demande ne réserve aucune place.

The Journey

Fifteen days,
unfolding.

Open a chapter to explore the daily programme.

Days 1–2

Christchurch & Kura Tāwhiti

Day 1 — Christchurch | Arrival and Welcome

Arrival in Aotearoa, transfer to accommodation and time to rest after international travel. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner and introduction to the pilgrimage.

Proposed overnight: Drifter Christchurch

Day 2 — Kura Tāwhiti / Castle Hill → Kaikōura

Travel to Kura Tāwhiti for an opening whakatau, subject to appropriate mana whenua arrangements. Introduction to Earth Mirrors, the Five Elements and our relationship with whenua. Opening meditation and shared intentions. Packed lunch included. Continue to Kaikōura for dinner.

Proposed overnight: Sudima Kaikōura

Day 3

Kaikōura & encounters with the ocean

Day 3 — Kaikōura | Encounters with the Ocean

Dolphin swimming and whale watching, subject to weather and operator availability. Contemplation of wai, the ocean and interconnectedness of life. Evening reflection and dinner.

Proposed overnight: Sudima Kaikōura

Days 4–6

Akaroa sanctuary & Earth Mirrors

Day 4 — Kaikōura → Akaroa | Entering the Sanctuary

Travel south to secluded retreat accommodation near Akaroa. Gentle yoga, meditation and time to settle into the landscape. Shared dinner.

Proposed overnight: Private Akaroa sanctuary

Day 5 — Akaroa | Walking with the Land

Coastal walking meditation at an appropriate location such as Hinewai Reserve or Pōhatu/Flea Bay, subject to access and permissions. Exploration of whenua, wai and attentive presence. Afternoon rest, reflection and dinner.

Proposed overnight: Private Akaroa sanctuary

Day 6 — Akaroa | Earth Mirrors Retreat

Full retreat day devoted to Earth Mirrors and the Five Elements: meditation, yoga, contemplative inquiry and personal reflection. Space to deepen the connection between the natural world and our own experience.

Proposed overnight: Private Akaroa sanctuary

Days 7–8

Lake Tekapo & Lake Ōhau

Day 7 — Akaroa → Lake Tekapo → Lake Ōhau

Journey through the landscapes of the Mackenzie Basin. Contemplative stop at Lake Tekapo. Continue to Lake Ōhau for evening meditation and dinner.

Proposed overnight: Lake Ōhau Lodge

Day 8 — Lake Ōhau | Earth Mirrors and Integration

Full day of yoga, meditation and Earth Mirrors teachings beside the lake. Focus on Ahi — Fire: transformation, intention and clarity. Time for silence, walking and individual reflection.

Proposed overnight: Lake Ōhau Lodge

Days 9–10

Queenstown, Dzogchen & Vajra Dance

Day 9 — Lake Ōhau → Queenstown

Travel to Queenstown and settle into the retreat environment. Introduction to the Dzogchen component and evening contemplative practice.

Proposed overnight: Queenstown Buddhist retreat accommodation

Day 10 — Queenstown | Dzogchen and Vajra Dance

Dedicated contemplative day incorporating Dzogchen teachings and practice, yoga and Vajra Dance, subject to appropriate teaching authorisation and venue arrangements. Reflection on Hau — Air, awareness and spaciousness.

Proposed overnight: Queenstown Buddhist retreat accommodation

Days 11–12

Routeburn Track & personal integration

Day 11 — Routeburn Track | Walking Meditation

Gentle 6–8 km return walk on the Routeburn Track, subject to conditions and participants’ abilities. Walking meditation and direct engagement with the natural environment. Packed lunch included. Return to Queenstown for dinner.

Proposed overnight: Queenstown hotel

Day 12 — Queenstown | Free Day and Personal Integration

Full day for rest, personal exploration or optional activities. Guests may explore Queenstown independently. Optional evening reflection; dinner included.

Proposed overnight: Queenstown hotel

Day 13

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi & Te Anau

Day 13 — Queenstown → Milford Sound → Te Anau

Early departure for Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Scenic cruise through the fiord, subject to weather and availability. Contemplation of Wā — Space and Time. Continue to accommodation near Te Anau for dinner and rest.

Proposed overnight: Fiordland Lodge or equivalent

Days 14–15

Closing integration & departure

Day 14 — Te Anau → Queenstown | Closing the Circle

Relaxed return journey to Queenstown. Afternoon Earth Mirrors integration session reflecting on the pilgrimage and everyday life. Special farewell dinner at NEST or a comparable restaurant.

Proposed overnight: Kamana Lakehouse or equivalent

Day 15 — Queenstown | Poroporoaki and Departure

Breakfast followed by closing poroporoaki. Final reflections, gratitude and farewell. Departure from Queenstown for onward international travel.

Proposed overnight: —

A mountain range above a deep-blue lake, with wooded shoreline in the foreground.

Programme proposé · Dates, durée, taille du groupe, itinéraire, prix, prestations et disponibilité restent provisoires. Une demande ne réserve aucune place.

Making room for the journey

Practical details

Proposed inclusions

  • 14 nights, twin-share accommodation.
  • 14 breakfasts, 14 dinners and two packed lunches.
  • Private group transport throughout the journey.
  • Dolphin swimming, whale watching, Milford Sound cruise, Routeburn walking excursion and the scheduled contemplative programme, subject to confirmation.
  • Earth Mirrors, Five Elements meditation, yoga and appropriately arranged Dzogchen and Vajra Dance sessions, subject to teaching authorisation and venue arrangements.

Not included

International flights, remaining lunches, personal expenses and optional activities.

Before you commit

Manifestation d’intérêt / Engageons la conversation

Engageons la conversation

Une demande ouvre une conversation, sans réservation. Elle ne confirme ni dates, ni disponibilité, ni prix et n’implique aucun paiement ou abonnement marketing.

Manifestation d’intérêt / Engageons la conversation

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