How fit do I have to be?

The description of each tramp includes specific reference to fitness levels. In general the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trip!

We grade fitness requirements into three broad categories loosely named:

"I walk to the coffee machine every day".

"I get into the hills once a month". This is a medium fitness level where if you are not actually getting into the hills you are going to the gym regularly or maybe running a bit you will find this walk exciting, enjoyable and interesting. At the end of the day you will find yourself pleasantly tired and looking forward to a relaxing evening.

"My friends think I'm a mountain goat".

How much does a trip cost?

Tramping trips start from day walks, at $40.00 for a lazy Brook afternoon.

At the other end of the scale our three day Mount Owen tramp costs $150 per person per day.

What's included in your prices?

• All guide fees.
• Transport to and from the area of the trip.
• Department of Conservation (DoC) hut fees, if we overnight in one.
• DoC concessions (tourism permits).
• Gate keys and permits if required (if we go onto private land).
• Use of equipment supplied by Live-Life Experiences.

What's not included?

• Food as you will buy and take what you need locally. We will make suggestions. And we can cook and eat communally or individually.
• Hired equipment you may need for tramping trips which Live-Life Experiences does not provide. E.g. Backpacks, sleeping bags, etc.

Prices are per person, per day. There is a minimum number of people required for each trip, this varies from trip to trip. We try not to exceed 8 people per trip.

Prices quoted everywhere on this website are in New Zealand dollars and include local taxes. Click here for a pop-up currency converter.

Where do you go?

Tramping

Live-Life Experiences has DoC concessions to guide on most of the tracks and routes in the Top of New Zealand's South Island.

These include:

• Nelson Lakes National Park.
• Mt. Richmond State Forest Park.
• Kahurangi National Park.
• Also many other lesser known Forest Parks and private land in the Top of the South area.

Rock climbing

Live-Life Experiences has DoC concessions to climb at Paynes Ford and has private access to several other rock climbing crags.

Abseiling

Live-Life Experiences abseils from a variety of locations around Nelson. Some locations are close to the city; some a little further out.

Caving

Live-Life Experiences only uses caves with easy access (very little walking). We have several caves that we can choose from, each with their own personalities and character; each offering a different type of fun.

Canyoning

Live-Life Experiences has developed a trip hidden in the distant Merino Mountains. It is truly an awesome place and one that very few locals know about!
There is only one place suitable in the whole Top of the South area and Live-Life Experiences has found it!

What can you offer me?

Live-Life Experiences has many trips to choose from:

We have found that these trips listed below are the most popular, we call these trips our "Gold Star Trips"!

Rock climbing:

HARD ROCK AND CAFE Trip. Affectionately called the "HRC" trip.

Itinerary is like this:

• Pick up
• Beginners/intermediate rock climbing.
• Abseiling.
• Lunch at cafe or a picnic on the beach.
• More rock climbing.
• Cafe break.
• May be some easy rock climbing or did I here someone say "let's call into a winery on the way home?"

Tramping:

SURPRISINGLY, SPECTACULAR, SUMMIT, SCENERY. Trip. Affectionately called the "4S" trip.

Itinerary is like this:

• Pick up.
• Walking through historic workings.
• Old relics of the machinery left behind.
• Visit the rebuilt stamper (quartz crusher).
• View the resurging crystal water bubbling up.
• Up on to the ridge and then on to the open tussock lands.
• Glimpse for the first time the karst limestone landscape.
• Down into Ghost Valley.
• Visit Taplins miners' historic hut from years ago.
• Follow the dry, but sometimes raging stream to the hut.
• Enjoy good food and wine.
• Next day in to the "Hay paddock" pass the Sentinel Hill.
• Tarns and open tops.
• We now enter the Lord of the Rings territory.
• Huge twisted rock formations deform themselves around you.
• Caves and chasms open up below your feet.
• The summit is flat limestone with 180 degree views.

Abseiling:

ONE ROPE, ONE LIFE, JUST DO IT! Affectionately called "DOUBLE O'JAY" trip.

• Pick up.
• 1st abseil practise.
• Cafe break.
• 2nd abseil practise different location.
• Lunch.
• High towers abseiling.

Other options are also available on this trip. For example:
Scenic route option, cave option, strange cafe option, quaint antiques option.

No matter which you choose, these all make for a great day out!

Canyoning:

THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF NATURE! Affectionately called "BP" trip.

• Pick up.
• Abseil practise.
• Walk along a clear blue/green flowing stream.
• Follow a little used track for an hour to find the country tower above you.
• Fix rope to first abseil anchor and ........

Discover water sculptured limestone holes, bowls, spires and cliffs. The fact that you're abseiling through this area is only part of the thrill. The canyon gets so tight that it’s almost shoulder distance apart but yet it’s so deep.

You stay mostly dry.
Short walk back to the car.

Caving:

THE BRIGHT LIGHT EXPERIENCE! Affectionately called "LITE X" trip

• Pick up.
• Abseil practise.
• Enter the monster mouth.
• Travelling through large passages we find a stream way, but hey, we are on a floor above the water.
• Large caverns with formations protruding; a small abseil perhaps............or go the other way,
  winding through hallways discovering adventure as we go. What’s down this passage?
  Look there is daylight up there!

Did you like that, then there is another if you wish or maybe a cafe stop with a little wine tasting after.....?

How experienced are our guides?

• The people who guide you are experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
• They have been teaching, climbing, tramping and caving for many years.
• Your guides know all the pitfalls, dangers and risks that these activities pose.
• Knowing the risks and managing them has been the key to our 100% safety history.
• Your guides are well versed in back-up techniques.
• Much work has been done over the years developing safe and efficient systems.
• Along with the safety aspects Live-Life Experiences' guides not only love what they do, but enjoy sharing this enjoyment with appreciative visitors too.

Do you have trips for beginners?

In a word - Yes!

Live-Life Experiences has a large variety of trips available at all levels of skill and fitness.

Some examples

Rock climbing........HRC trip.... excellent choice (also very good for intermediate climbers).

Abseiling.................Double O'Jay trip, excellent choice.

Tramping.................Bushline over night trip Nelson Lakes offers amazing views awesome feelings of "being" with the hills and country.

Caving....................."LITE X" trip is tailored to the experience of the group.

What about food?

Over night tramps

Your guides are experienced outdoor cooks with many year's experience of cooking on camp stoves and billies. We do understand that some people like to supply and cook for themselves and this is OK with us.

Special diets will be catered for, please let us know in advance.

We will talk about food and what to take. We have some good suggestions.

Details will be available on booking.

Day trips

We will arrange food requirements on booking trips. We have some delightful options.

What about gear and equipment?

Rock climbing - All basic equipment supplied but if you have other gear you're welcome to bring it! (chalk bag, etc.).

Abseiling - All equipment supplied.

Caving - All gear and equipment supplied.

Tramping - Cooking gear and party first aid are supplied but you are required to bring all other gear (ref to equipment list on booking).

Live-Life Experiences are happy to arrange hire equipment if required.

Canyoning - All equipment supplied.

Additional information and advice on clothing, tents, etc., will be supplied when you book your trip with us.

What are Live-Life Experiences' goals?

We have a MISSION STATEMENT ...... well several really!

To give people an exciting and memorable life experience.

To give people the opportunity to push themselves that little bit further in a safe environment.

Having some fun above all!

We look forward to taking you
on a Live-Life Experience!