Experience Overview
Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s best nature with this 4-day, short but super sweet walking trip. Base yourself in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the famed Milford Sound – and explore at your own pace. Take on some of the South Island’s most gorgeous hiking trails and wander atop mountain peaks, through lush rainforests and by shimmering lakes like Lake Manapouri and Lake Ada. Witness the majesty of Milford Sound – on foot and boat – and look out for fur seals, bottleneck dolphins and numerous cascading waterfalls. Brave high swing bridges with beech forest views, listen to the birdsong of tuis, bellbirds and kereru and breathe in some of the freshest air in the world.
Highlights
- Walk through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful South Island landscapes and enjoy all the included highlights alongside lots of free time, to rest, relax and explore at your own pace.
- Enjoy the natural scenery from an e-bike and feel the wind in your hair as you cycle towards the gorgeous Lake Manapouri.
- Explore the famed Milford Sound – nicknamed the world’s eighth wonder – by foot and ship. Hike to the cascades of Giant Gate Falls and then enjoy a small boat cruise on the sound. Look out for seals and dolphins!
- Take the option to discover the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves by boat and learn all about these fascinating bioluminescent creatures and their ecosystem from a local guide.
- Hike to towering summits like Key Summit or Greenstone Valley through surrounding beech forest, rainforest, expansive lakes and rolling hillsides – Middle Earth is calling.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Forest & Bird. Donations help them give nature a voice - protecting wildlife and wild places in Aotearoa New Zealand by advocating for conservation on the ground and at a government level. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2275
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle,Boat
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: PHXF
Starts: Queenstown to Te Anau, New Zealand
Finishes: Te Anau to Queenstown, New Zealand
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (3), Lunch (3),Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1853 (CAD 463 /day)
Itinerary
Kia ora! Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand. If you arrive in Queenstown with some time to spare, there is no shortage of activities available – from cycling and hiking to dining and sightseeing. Today, your trip starts with a pick-up from Steamer's Wharf at 8 am. Take a private transfer to Te Anau, the centre of your 4-day walking trip and the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. After dropping off your bags and checking in to your accommodation, take a scenic drive on Milford Road, stopping for a few short walks and photo opportunities. Your first walk of the trip is on the Routeburn Track. You’ll walk to Key Summit or Greenstone Valley for the next few hours, depending on the group’s fitness level and desires. After, return to the accommodation and enjoy a free evening to relax – or join your fellow trekkers for an optional dinner out.
Included Activities:
- Routeburn Track Hike
After brekkie, you’ll jump on an e-bike this morning and take a scenic bike ride to Queens Reach Boat Ramp (approximately 2 hours). From here, you’ll take a jet boat to Lake Manapouri – formed 20,000 years ago in the most recent ice age and now known as New Zealand’s loveliest lake. Take in the sweeping scenery full of glittering blues and greens, then head out on today’s walk on the Kepler Track. Along the way, appreciate the unique mountainous landscape akin to the wonders of Middle Earth and follow the terraces of the Waiau River through red and mountain beech forests. Cross the river on a swing bridge and stop for a packed lunch at Rainbow Reach. Depending on the time and weather we may stop in at Te Punanga O Manu Te Anau Bird Sanctuary to catch a glimpse at some of New Zealand's rare and endangered birds such as the takahe. In the early evening, make your way back to the accommodation.
Included Activities:
- Scenic E-bike ride
- Kepler Track hike
- Jet boating
Get up bright and early this morning and prepare to explore one of the most popular spots in all New Zealand – Milford Sound, known locally as Piopiotahi. After breakfast, take a private transfer on the Milford Road to the Milford Track described as "the finest walk in the world". You’ll head to Giant Gate Falls from Sandfly Point on a guided hike. Pass through rainforest landscapes, taking in all the sights and smells of the track. You’ll pass countless fern species and hear the singsong of New Zealand tuis, bellbirds and kereru. Stop for a packed lunch when you reach the falls, which flow into Lake Ada, destined for the Tasman Sea. This gorgeous sight can be best appreciated on the swing bridge in front of the cascade. After your trek, head to the base of Mitre Peak for a 2-hour boat cruise on Milford Sound – and see why this location was dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world' by Rudyard Kipling. Look out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and bask in the silence of the fiord as you sail past misting cascades, icy peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Depart the fiord in the late afternoon and return to your accommodation, where your evening is free.
Included Activities:
- Milford Track hike
- Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise
Optional Activities:
- Te Anau- Ata Whenua Film, Fiordland National Park (12 NZD)
After breakfast this morning, you have the option to head to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. After a scenic boat ride on Lake Te Anau, you’ll sail beneath the bioluminescent worms and learn about this fascinating ecosystem from your local guide. If you’d rather, maybe just explore Te Anau on foot or walk around the lake. You can also catch a water taxi across the lake and take a scenic walk back to town from there (which takes about 3 hours). After, you’ll return to Queenstown via a private transfer, where your trip ends.
Optional Activities:
- Te Anau - Glow Worm Cave with Cruise & Guide (135 NZD)
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jana - Traveled, February 2024
I really enjoyed the trip, the group and the tour guide. A great chance to hike a bit on the popular tracks in Fiordland Nationalpark.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/13/2024
Alannah - Traveled, February 2024
Awesome trip, Milford Sounds in the rain was a highlight, Waterfalls galore. Walking the day trips on the 3 great walks was a good taster to go back and do the hikes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/13/2024
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