Great Walks of New Zealand

We’ll meet you in Queenstown and head to Lake Manapouri where we’ll head to the Department of Conservation birdlife park. The center takes care of injured or aging birds that would struggle to survive in the wild. It’s a great opportunity to see some of the world's rarest birds up close, so don’t forget your camera!

Afterwards, our journey into Doubtful Sound begins. We’ll board a boat for the cruise across Lake Manapouri, before a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. Here, we’ll board the Fiordland Wanderer for our overnight cruise. Take it from us locals, the overnight experience is the best way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Doubtful Sound, a large and remote wilderness area.

Weather-dependent, you’ll have the opportunity to take a kayak out on the water, hop aboard the tender craft (small boat) for a guided exploration of the fiord, or stay and relax on board. You may see dolphins and fur seals, and, in the right season, you may catch a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguin. You'll be treated to a delicious dinner, cheeses, and desserts from the chef. Tonight, you’ll sleep in a private room aboard the Fiordland Wanderer, anchored in a sheltered cove in one of New Zealand's most extraordinary places.
Accommodation: Fiordland Wanderer Boat, Doubtful Sound
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

You’ll wake in the middle of Doubtful Sound and after breakfast we’ll retrace our journey back to Manapouri. From there we’ll tick off the Kepler Track. Interestingly, the Kepler Track differs from the Routeburn and Milford Tracks in that it didn’t actually evolve from a necessary Maori greenstone trail, but was custom-built for hiking. The section we’ll hike today passes over the control gates at the outlet of Lake Te Anau and meanders through ancient beech and podocarp forest.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel and Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to Milford Sound where you'll have breathtaking views of New Zealand's most photographed mountain, Mitre Peak.We’ll take a short boat ride across Milford Sound to hike from Sandfly Point to the Giant Gates waterfall, a spectacular section of the famed Milford Track. The forest here is lush and rich with mosses and ferns as we follow the Arthur River past Lake Ada. By hiking from the Milford Sound trailhead, you'll enjoy the majestic backdrop of the surrounding peaks.

Once we return to the Milford wharf, we’ll board a boat for a two-hour nature cruise to the head of this spectacular fiord. Later we'll head back to Te Anau enjoying the stunning native forest and mountain views along the way.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel and Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (10 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 985 feet (300 meters) ascent, 985 feet (300 meters) descent

Cruise: 2 hours

This morning we’ll make our way back toward Milford Sound, stopping at the Divide, where we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track, the third of the Great Walks you’ll experience. We hike through beech forest, subalpine shrub land and picturesque alpine tarns, before reaching Key Summit. Here you’ll be standing at the head of three different valleys (the Hollyford, Eglinton, and Greenstone), with stunning views over the Great Divide, which separates west and east-flowing rivers.

Afterwards, we’ll head back to Te Anau, stopping to stretch our legs at regular intervals, to explore some of the highlights of this World Heritage Area, including the Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel and Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1540 feet (470 meters) ascent, 1540 feet (470 meters) descent

Today we’ll drive back along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, and take a ride on the gondola to the top of a tree-covered rocky crag, known as Bob’s Peak, to start our alpine hike. We pass through open alpine tussockland to the Ben Lomond saddle and will be rewarded with panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the often snow-covered Southern Alps.

We’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand! 
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hiking: 4.3 miles (7 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,704 feet (530 meters) ascent, 1,704 feet (530 meters) descent

If you're keen to extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer (Maori culture, pristine beaches, and geothermal areas) check out our 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure (5-day options also available).