Itinerary for a 12 Day Hiking Trip to South Island in New Zealand in December [closed]

I am currently planning a 12 day trip to the South Island of New Zealand from December 13th - December 24th. I am incredibly excited, but need need some help figuring out the right itinerary.

I will be traveling with a close friend. The two of us are males in our mid-20s, in good shape, and are hoping to take on one or two of the following Great Hikes:

Heaphy Track
Milford Track
Routeburn Track
Kepler Track

We are very flexible in terms of budget - and are very happy to pay a little more in order to save time. Most of our constraints are related to time. In particular, we need to:

Fly into NZ on December 13th
Rest and recover from jetlag for 1-2 days
Fly out of NZ on December 24th

I'm wondering:

Where should we fly in and out of in NZ?
How can we get from these places to the hike?
Can we fit in two of the great hikes?

Pictures about "Itinerary for a 12 Day Hiking Trip to South Island in New Zealand in December [closed]"

Itinerary for a 12 Day Hiking Trip to South Island in New Zealand in December [closed] - Snow Covered Mountain Under Blue Sky

Itinerary for a 12 Day Hiking Trip to South Island in New Zealand in December [closed] - Young stylish man in hat and modern sunglasses standing on hill with hand in pocket against high snowy mountain

Itinerary for a 12 Day Hiking Trip to South Island in New Zealand in December [closed] - Brown Rock Formation Beside Sea

Is December a good month to visit NZ?

The best time to visit New Zealand is during the summer months of December to March. Expect long, bright, sunny days and temperatures between 61\xb0F and 75\xb0F. It's an ideal time to visit the lovely beaches or enjoy the many outdoor activities available, such as hiking and mountain biking.

How many days do you need to see South Island New Zealand?

The short answer is 14 days as a minimum time frame for visiting both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand.

Is it worth visiting New Zealand in winter?

The country experiences mild winters whereas the alpine region witnesses snowfall as well. Winters is a great time to visit New Zealand for nature and adventure enthusiasts as the beauty of the place is enhanced by the snow-clad mountains and accompanied by numerous winter activities.

How much money do I need for 2 weeks in New Zealand?

How much should I budget for a trip to New Zealand? A reasonable budget for two for a week in New Zealand is around NZ$2,350. The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and having a few meals out per week, while preparing some yourself.

12 Day Road Trip around the South Island, New Zealand Itinerary - Self-guided

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: The Geography Bible On YouTube, The Geography Bible On YouTube, ROMAN ODINTSOV, Engin Akyurt