Over 3 days enjoy a fully guided day walk with Trips & Tramps on the world-famous Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Tracks. Discover diverse and spectacular scenery, from native forests, lakes, and rivers, to mountain views, vast fiords and lush valleys this package offers the very best of hiking in Fiordland.
Day 1. Kepler Track Guided Heli-Hike
Experience a guided heli-hike on the Kepler Track. Begin with a spectacular flight by helicopter from Te Anau Township, over the hidden lakes to arrive at Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track. The walk begins in the alpine area and then descends through a magnificent beech forest. The effects of different altitudes and weather conditions experienced in Fiordland are clear to see, as the trees and undergrowth quickly change, creating a varied backdrop. The approach to Lake Te Anau is evident as the track meanders through native New Zealand ferns. The hike is finished at the sandy beach of Brod Bay, the pick-up point for the water taxi back to Te Anau township.
Inclusions – Fully guided day walk from Te Anau, helicopter, water taxi, accommodation pick up and drop off, and lunch.
Day 2. Milford Track 1/2 Day Guided Walk
Experience a guided walk to Giant Gate Waterfall on the world-famous Milford Track. Departing from Milford Sound begins with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point. Then meander alongside the cascading Arthur River through lush rainforest to Giant Gate. An expansive swing bridge spanning the river provides perfect photo opportunities. A forest of ancient trees, vibrant ferns and mosses, and diverse bird life – unequalled anywhere.
On the conclusion of the walk complete the Milford Sound experience with an afternoon Scenic Boat Cruise 1 hour 40 minutes in length. With purpose-built observation lounges and large decks, clients will have excellent viewing opportunities including the geological drama of sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls, glaciers and rainforests.
Inclusions – fully guided ½ day walk, return water taxi Milford Deep Water basin to Sandfly Point. Afternoon Scenic Boat Cruise, and lunch. Plus return transport from Te Anau.
We recommend you bring a change of clothes, including shoes to change into after the walk, in case we encounter a wet day.
Day 3. Routeburn Track Guided Walk
Enjoy a guided walk to Key Summit on the renowned Routeburn Track. This spectacular walk ascends through lush, temperate rainforest and onto a unique alpine herb field. On the summit, hikers experience panoramic views of mountains, alpine lakes, and deep, glacial carved bush-clad valleys. Walking in a small group, the Trips & Tramps guide provides an excellent opportunity to learn about this stunning natural environment.
Inclusions – fully guided day walk from Te Anau accommodation pick up and drop off, and lunch.
OPERATOR CANCELLATIONS
CUSTOMER CANCELLATIONS
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We can lend you heavy-duty rain gear, and walking poles if required, please advise if you require these prior to the walks.
Please read through page 5 of the PDF fact sheet for the detailed gear check list.
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This trip uses the township of Te Anau as the base. With a wide range of shops, accommodation providers and plenty of dining options, it is the perfect place to step into Fiordland National Park.
Most people find it easiest to fly into Queenstown. From there it is a 2-hour drive via State Highway 94 to reach Te Anau. From Queenstown, you can rent a vehicle or catch the Tracknet bus. Tracknet has 3 departures daily, see www.tracknet.net for more details.
It is also possible to access Te Anau via Invercargill or Dunedin, however, you would need a car to get to Te Anau from these places. Once you are in Te Anau we will pick you up each day from your accommodation (if it is within the town boundaries, or on the Milford Highway), this includes private residences. Sorry, we do not pick up from outside the township.
Accommodation is not included in this tour. We recommend a minimum of 3 nights’ accommodation in Te Anau, but 4 nights is optimal. Te Anau has plenty of accommodation to suit every style and budget.
Fiordland is in a wilderness environment, and adverse weather conditions can increase the walk difficulty, so you need to be prepared.
The weather in Fiordland in general, can be unpredictable and change dramatically, very quickly; the proximity of towering mountains and the ocean makes for conditions and temperatures that can vary markedly during any day, plus we can get a lot of rain at times. Summer months average around 20°C but in the alpine areas, it can still get very cold, with the combination of wind and rain. It is not unusual to experience 4 seasons in one day!
The Great Walks are mostly well-formed tracks, and the steeper places are either negotiated by steps or zigzags. The trip is suitable for most ages (8+ years) and for those who have the physical ability to walk 3-6 hours, including up and down hills. The Kepler Heli-hike is the hardest day, due to the mostly downhill walking, which can affect knees. Your guide will manage each day to ensure the best possible experience, factoring in the landscape, weather, and group’s fitness levels.
If you have a good level of fitness, including hill training, you will find each day highly rewarding. We recommend you are capable of walking for 4 hours on varied terrain to get the most out of this package. Although the tracks are well-formed, they can be rough and rocky underfoot in some places.
Yes! To prepare yourself, we recommend structuring a training programme at least 6 weeks beforehand. This will ensure your walk with us is comfortable and enjoyable.
Start simple and around town – brisk walks of approx. 1 hour. Wear a backpack weighing about 4 kgs to get used to this.
One month out increase your walks to 3 hours – more as you get fitter – and try bush tracks or uneven terrain to develop balance and the different muscle groups needed. Hills and stair work will greatly improve fitness.
Remember hydration and nutrition even in training – drink plenty of water and eat snack foods such as muesli bars, banana chips and chocolate. If you do this in your training walks, your body will become used to processing food whilst on the move!