Ultimate Hikes The Routeburn Track Guided Hike
New Zealand
Ultimate Hikes Routeburn Track
Guided Walk is a 3 day / 2 night Queenstown to Queenstown
all-inclusive guided walk traversing sections of the Fiordland and
Mount Aspiring National Parks. The package includes all transport,
accommodation, meals, snacks, celebration dinner, backpacks and
rain jackets. Accommodation is in luxury lodges and you will be
led by expert Ultimate Hikes guides.
The Routeburn Track traverses
wild and scenic mountain country between the Hollyford and Dart
Valleys at the base of New Zealand's Southern Alps.
The Routeburn Track passes
through two national parks, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and is
part of Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage
Area. The area is a haven for native birdlife and the variety of
landscapes will astound you: mountainous peaks; sheer rock faces;
alpine basins; pristine lakes; cascading waterfalls; luxuriant
forest; turquoise rivers and million dollar views around every
corner.
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 3.45pm for a
4pm start
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.
Departures: 3 Days, 2
nights, departs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. 1
November to 30 April
Itinerary
Day One:
Queenstown/The Divide to Lake Mackenzie
Distance:
14km / 8.7 miles
Time:
5-6 hours walking
Your Ultimate Hikes guided
Routeburn Track adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown
to the Divide on the scenic Milford Road.
You will
stop for morning tea in
Te Anau before continuing on to the Divide
where your Ultimate Hikes are the company that operate this guided
hike guided walk starts. You climb a well-graded track through
Silver Beech forest to the Key Summit turnoff. From here
you leave
the forest for the alpine environment of Key Summit, where you
will have
the first of those breathtaking Routeburn views with a panorama of
the Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglington Valleys.
You then descend to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink
and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush Silver
Beech forest to the base of Earland Falls. Continue traversing
around the mountainside with the glimpses of the Hollyford Valley
just a teaser for what is to come tomorrow. Pass through the
natural clearing of the Orchard before descending into the
Mackenzie basin. Lake MacKenzie is 5 minutes further on from the
lodge, a good place take it all in on your first night away from
it all.
Day Two:
Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls
Distance: 15km / 9.4 miles
Time: 5-7 hours walking
Today is divided into three distinct sections: the climb out of
the Mackenzie Basin to Ocean Peak Corner, the traverse across the
Hollyford Face to the Harris Saddle and the descent to Routeburn
Falls.
From the lodge you
skirt Lake Mackenzie and follow the track into the forest. As the
track starts to climb you leave the trees and enter the alpine
world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. From the the
first daisies in November to the last gentians in April the track
winds through one of the greatest natural gardens on earth.
The traverse along the Hollyford
Face is for many people the most spectacular scenery of the whole
track. With the Darran Mountains in front of you and the Hollyford
Valley far below, you are in big country. After lunch at the
Harris Saddle the views get even better if you climb Conical Hill
with a 360 degree panorama, it seems like you are on top of the
world.
Return to the
shelter, pick up your pack and begin your descent into the
Routeburn Valley. After walking around Lake Harris you come into
more intimate terms with the mountains towering above the
upper reaches of the Routeburn River. Just before your arrival at
the lodge you are greeted by the Routeburn Falls and stunning
views of the lower valley.
Day Three:
Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Road
Distance: 10km / 6.1 miles
Time: 3-4 hours walking
Your last day is the least strenuous, a nice way to wind down and
take time to enjoy the environment.
The descent from Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Flats
takes you through a rich mixed Beech forest as you slowly lose
altitude and reach the valley floor. Morning tea is at Routeburn
Flats Hut, set in natural grasslands surrounded by mountains
rising straight up from the flat valley floor.
Below the flats the Routeburn River enters its
gorge, surging among boulders in frothing white torrents at one
turn and resting in the clear jade pools at the next before
finally disappearing underground at the Sump. Lunch is right by
the river at Forge Flat, you may even be inspired to take a
plunge; your guides will encourage you with this!
From here it's a gentle downhill stroll to the end
of the track, but not before you pass through the Red Beech
section with it's huge gnarled ancient forest giants. A coach
will be waiting at the road end to take you back to Queenstown
stopping at Glenorchy for a group photo.
Ultimate Hikes are the company that operate this
guided hike
See also a one day guided walk on
the Routeburn Track
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