 |
 |
|
    |
||
Trek Notes - New ZealandThe Ultimate Hike
The Ultimate HikeThe Milford Track has long been known for it's splendour and beauty, and the Routeburn Track has become one of the world's most renowned walking tracks. Now you have the chance to experience the very best of both tracks, the Ultimate Hike. Set in the stunning surroundings of two national parks and Te Wahipounamu, Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Park. Enjoy close encounters with the native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Weka; Fantail; Tui; Parakeet; Bellbird; even Kiwi have been spotted on the Milford Track. Experience Fiordland National Park at its most spectacular: deep lakes; silent fiords; luxuriant forest and sheer canyons carved out of imposing granite define this landscape. Then Mount Aspiring National Park with it's mountainous peaks, alpine basins, inquisitive native birdlife, emerald bush, turqoise rivers and million dollar views around every corner. The Ultimate Hike is an 8 day / 7 night Queenstown to Queenstown all-inclusive guided walk through the heart of Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. The package includes all transport, accommodation, meals (except in Te Anau where accommodation is on a bed only basis), snacks, backpacks and rain jackets. Track accommodation is in our luxury lodges and you will be led by our expert guides. The Ultimate Hike is the best way to experience New Zealand's enchanting forest and inspiring peaks and the advent of guided walking has made these areas accessible to a great number of people who otherwise may have missed out. It is important to remember, however, that the Milford and Routeburn Tracks are remote wilderness areas. While our lodges have been been designed for your comfort, we are still without a number of modern amenities such as telephones, faxes and email. Mobile phones do not work on the track so save yourself the extra weight. We have radio contact in case of emergency but otherwise you will cut off from the rest of the world for a few days. All our lodges have toilets, as do our lunch shelters. You will need to attend a pre departure briefing, which will be held in our Queenstown office the afternoon before departure at 4.00 pm (Check in time 3.45 pm). Itinerary Day 2 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 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 3 Day 4 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 we catch our 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 magnifience of Milford Sound spreads before you. Day 5 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 ready waiting coach and climb your way out from Milford Sound and on to Te Anau where you will spend the night before starting the Routeburn Track tomorrow. Day 6 Our walk starts at the Divide, we climb a well-graded track through Siver Beech forest to the Key Summit turnoff. From here we leave the forest for the alpine environment of Key Summit, where we have the first of those breathtaking Routeburn views with a panorama of the Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglington Valleys. We 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 tommorrow. Pass through the natural clearing of the Orchard before descending into the Mackenzie basin. Lake MacKenzie is 5 minutes further on from the lodge, slow down and take it all in on your first night on the Routeburn Track. Day 7 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 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 Moutains 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 where 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 onto 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 8 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 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. Tonight a celebration dinner is held in a local restaurant, a great night to finish off a magnificent experience. Accommodation All lodges have drying rooms, flush toilets and hot showers complete with soap, shampoo and conditioner. The lodge kitchen treats you with a three course dinner and cooked breakfast. On the Milford Track take your pick from multi share accommodation: bedrooms with bunk beds sleeping 4 to 6 people per room; or our new private bedrooms with one queen or 2 single beds and private bathrooms. On the Routeburn Track accommodation is in bedrooms with bunk beds sleeping 4 to 6 people per room
|
||
|