Ultimate Hikes The Milford Track Guided Hike New
Zealand
The Ultimate Hikes Milford Track
Guided Walk is a 5 day / 4 night Queenstown
to Queenstown all-inclusive guided walk through the heart of Fiordland
National Park to Milford Sound. The package includes all transport,
accommodation, meals, snacks, backpacks and rain jackets. Accommodation
is in our luxury lodges and you will be led by Ultimate Hikes expert
guides
Traversing the heart of New Zealand's
wild fiord country, the Milford Track has long been described as "the
finest walk in the world". Since Quintin Mackinnon pioneered the route
in 1888, everyone from hardened trekkers to novices sporting their
first pair of boots have taken up the challenge of the Milford Track.
The Fiordland National Park is the
cornerstone of the Te Wahipounamu Southwest New Zealand World Heritage
Area. Walkers on the track to Milford Sound enjoy close encounters
with the native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Weka; Fantail; Parakeet;
Bellbird; even Kiwi have been spotted! They also experience Fiordland
at it's most spectacular: deep lakes; silent fiords; luxuriant forest
and sheer canyons carved out of imposing granite define this landscape.
On fine days there is a postcard shot around every corner but only
when it rains and torrents of water cascade down the mountainsides
have you truly experienced the magic of the Milford Track.
Fitness: The walk is neither
easy nor difficult. They are a challenge which people of all ages
and abilities will relish. To enjoy your walk you need to be able
to carry a medium sized backpack containing your personal belongings
weighing 5-7kg (10-14lbs) for 6-8 hours over 15-21kms (9-13 miles)
of mountain tracks each day.
A pre-departure briefing
is held at The Ultimate Hikes Queenstown office on the afternoon prior
to the commencement of your walk, check in at 4.45pm for a 5pm start
Departures: 5 Days, 4 nights, departs daily
1 November to 18 April
Itinerary
Day One:
Queenstown/Te Anau to Glade House
Distance: 1.6km / 1 mile
Time: 20 minutes walking
Your adventure begins at Ultimate
Hikes Queenstown office at 9.00am where you catch a coach to
Te Anau,
arriving in time for a light lunch and a group photo. After lunch
you will be driven to Te Anau Downs boat harbour, where a launch waits
to take you up to the spectacular northern end of Lake Te Anau. From
the wharf it is a short walk to historic Glade House, the first lodge,
for a hot shower, filling meal and comfortable bed.
Day Two:
Glade House to Pompolona Lodge
Distance: 16km / 10 miles
Time: 5-7 hours walking
Leave Glade House and cross the
emerald green Clinton River by swingbridge. You make your way up the
Clinton Valley, being sure to stop and take it all in as you walk
to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter. Your Ultimate Hikes guides will
point out Mackinnon's original hut site, a detour known as the wetland
walk, 'the big tree' and other points of interest.
After lunch the Beech forest gets
more luxuriant the further you go and the valley walls climb steeper
and higher. On sunny days follow your Ultimate Hikes guides
into the swimming hole, cool but very refreshing!
From here it's onto the Prairie,
an open meadow where you can capture the true nature of the ice carved
Clinton Canyon. Named the Valley of the Perpendicular by the early
pioneers and it is easy to see why as the rock walls tower up to 4000
feet above you. It is a short climb to Pompolona Lodge from here for
your second night on the Milford Track.
Day Three:
Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge
Distance: 15km / 9 miles
Time: 6-8 hours walking
Today is the day people find the
most challenging, but also the most rewarding. After an early start
the track leads toward the head of the Clinton Valley. As you begin
your climb the 3 leaps of St Quintin Falls can be seen and Mt Balloon
rears into view, onto the Practice Hill and Lake Mintaro. From here
you climb a series of zig zags, the views on the way up will astound
you as the valley floor drops away beneath your feet.
Once you reach the top all the effort
will be worthwhile. Your Ultimate Hikes guide will be waiting with
hot and cold drinks at Mackinnon's memorial cairn. Look out from 12
second drop to the Arthur Valley beneath you. After lunch in Pass
Hut the track takes you down a long downhill section to Quintin Lodge.
On the rocky descent you will pass towering rock cliffs, glacial streams,
moss covered forest, a cascading waterfall section and have your first
view of Sutherland Falls.
After a hot cup of tea at Quintin
Lodge leave your backpack behind for the 1.5 hour round trip to the
mighty Sutherland Falls , fifth highest on the planet at 1904 feet
/ 540 metres. Take your jacket and dare to walk right in behind the
falls, a once in a lifetime experience!
Day Four:
Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge
Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 6-8 hours walking
Your final day on the Milford Track.
Follow the Arthur River as it makes it's way to Milford Sound.
Walk through deep luxuriant beech forest, a final view of Sutherland
Falls, glimpses of Diamond Creek and Danger Mountain can be seen before
arriving at Boatshed for morning tea.
From here cross the river by swingbridge
and carry on to MacKay Falls and Bell Rock. Linger here and
savour this unearthly beauty. Follow the track and as you near the
30 mile peg you may hear the steady roar of Giant's Gate Falls, your
lunch spot.
The final stretch of the track follows
tranquil Lake Ada to Sandfly Point where the Maori goddess Te
Hine-nui-te-po released the sandfly to stop men lingering too long
in the beauty of Fiordland. From here you catch the launch to Milford
Sound and Mitre Peak Lodge, where you will enjoy a celebratory
dinner. Relax with the knowledge that the hard part is now behind
you while the magnificence of Milford Sound spreads before you.
Day Five:
Milford Sound to Queenstown/Te Anau
Distance: None (No walking)
After breakfast embark on your
Milford Sound cruise.
Out on the Fiord, you realise the grandeur of the surrounding mountains,
the centerpiece being Mitre Peak, rising vertically over one mile
from the water line.
The Fiord is a marine reserve and
a haven for many marine animals. Look for Southern Fur Seals basking
on the rocks. Bottlenose and Dusky Dolphins are sometimes found swimming
in pods, the latter often performing leaps and flips. In early summer
the fiord is also home to the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, which
come into the fiord to mate and raise their young.
Milford’s reputation as being one of the wettest places on earth is
not unfounded. But don’t be fooled into thinking you have to see it
in fine weather, as Rudyard Kipling described it as the eighth wonder
of the world, in rain!
On returning to the wharf, board
your coach and climb your way out from Milford Sound and on to Queenstown
via Te Anau (arriving at approx 4.15pm), completing your journey of
the "finest walk in the world." Please note that this arrival time
does not connect with flights from Queenstown.
Ultimate Hikes are the company that
operate this guided hike
See also
a one day guided walk
on the Milford Track
Holidays
& Short Breaks
Queenstown
Skiing Holidays & Short Breaks
Queenstown
Autumn Holidays & Short Breaks
Otago Rail Trail cycle
short breaks New Zealand
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