ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

NEW ZEALAND'S AWARD WINNING GUIDED ROUTEBURN
AND GRAND TRAVERSE

2008/9 SEASON

The Routeburn guided walk is a three day, all inclusive, Queenstown to Queenstown alpine trek, through world heritage Fiordland and Mt Aspiring Parks. The Grand Traverse guided walk, combining the Routeburn with the Greenstone Valley walk, is 6 days and 5 nights. If you've never travelled in New Zealand, you'll be pleased to know that the country is safe and with air so clear you can see for miles. In South Island you will see some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the world. In pre-European times the Maori people and Moa Hunters ventured through this country probably to obtain greenstone in the Dart Valley and West Coast. A route through the Southern Alps to a proposed new port on the West Coast was mooted by local government in the 1860s during the Wakatipu gold rush era. This route was not completed until after 1920, due to the interruption of World War 1. Although the proposed port on the West Coast never came to fruition, the Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks became internationally famous as magnificent alpine adventures.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CAN ALSO OFFER THE FOUR NIGHT MILFORD TRACK AND ALSO A NEW WALK, 'THE CLASSIC', WHICH IS A SEVEN NIGHT WALK COMBINING THE MILFORD AND ROUTEBURN.

PRICE

Routeburn:
$ NZ 1050 (£410 sterling) per person (low season 1/11/08 - 30/11/08 & 1/04/09 - 30/04/09)
$ NZ 1190 (£465 sterling) per person (high season 1/12/08 - 31/03/09)

Grand Traverse:
$ NZ1425 (£560 sterling) per person (low season as above)
$ NZ1575 (£620 sterling) per person (high season as above)
There is no single supplement.

N.B these prices include GST, the New Zealand Good and Services Tax, currently 12.5%. Children's prices available 10-15 years inclusive.

INCLUDED

Three days guided walking, 2 nights accommodation in comfortable mountain lodges in rooms for up to 6 people; all meals; pre-tour briefing; rucksack and linen; transfers from Queenstown to trailhead and transfer back to Queenstown at the end of the walk..

NOT INCLUDED

Transportation to/from home; accommodation in Queenstown.

Departure dates 2008 & 2009:

These guided walks operate between the beginning of November and late-April.

Routeburn: departs every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.

Grand Traverse: departs every Monday and Wednesday.

Greenstone Valley Walk departs by arrangement, minimum of 2 persons.

Milford Sound Walk and The Classic: also available. Please ask for details


To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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ITINERARY

 

Day 1: The divide to Lake Mackenzie, 14 km, 5-6 hrs. Your adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown to the divide on the scenic Milford Road (with a stop for tea and cake at Te Anau). From here you climb a well-graded track to Key Summit, where you can sit among the alpine plants and partake in 'The Annual General Meeting of the Mountains'. 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: quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending on to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where refreshments, a hot shower, three-course meal and cosy bed are waiting.

Day 2: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls, 15 km, 5-7 hrs. You leave the ancient forest draped moss and lichen, and enter the alpine world of daisies, buttercups gentians and edelweiss. Here you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman sea at Martins Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle (1277 m), you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you come into more intimate terms with the mountains towering above the upper basins of the Routeburn River. You spend your second night at the Routeburns Falls, a favoured haunt of the comical alpine parrot, the kea.

Day 3: Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Road End, 10 km, 3-4 hrs. Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls, before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your guides will take the scenic route through the meadows and find the deepest green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through columns of red beech trees to the Road End where a comfortable coach waits to take you back to Queenstown. A group photograph is taken en route, and presented to you at the celebration dinner that evening.

GRAND TRAVERSE
COMBINING THE
GREENSTONE WALK & ROUTEBURN WALK

The Grand Traverse guided walk is a six day all inclusive, Queenstown to Queenstown alpine trek, through world heritage Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Parks

Day 1: Greenstone Car Park to Steele Creek, 18 km, 5-7 hrs. Your morning coach trip from Queenstown follows the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu to the hamlet of Glenorchy, before a 15 minute boat ride delivers you to the mouth of the fabled Greenstone River. Here you don your pack and follow the Greenstone track into the stately red beech forest. In time you will return to the river, rushing through rock gorges in one spot, before idling in the silent pools at the next bend. Robins and tomtits accompany you through the forest, and the views of Mt Christina reward you as you stroll up the final river flats to Steele Creek lodge.

Day 2: Steele Creek to Lake McKellar, 14 km, 4-5 hrs. After a hearty breakfast you walk through a sea of red tussock on the river flats. Ancient bog pines and sweet scented cottonwoods cling to sheer mountainsides, which come alive with falling water on rainy days. You may sight fallow deer at the forest edge and see trout in the river. As you approach Lake McKellar the luxuriant forest envelopes you.

Day 3: Exploration & Rest at Lake McKellar. Your chance to explore the area on foot, row on the lake or just relax and read a novel. There is a activity for everyone. Take a stroll to the waterfall, or hike to the lookout for a view down the river flats and your first glimpse of the Routeburn. If you are ready for a challenge you can climb higher to the untracked tops and marvel at Fiordland's mountain scenery.

Day 4: Lake McKellar to Lake Mackenzie, 16 km, 5-6 hrs. Today you cross the main divide via the Greenstone Saddle (77 m) stealing glimpses of mountains and lakes through lush forest. A diversion to Key Summit allows you to investigate the unique flora growing among alpine bogs or contemplate the surrounding peaks. After lunch at Lake Howden you join the Routeburn track as it climbs to the magnificent Earland Falls, where you look over the glaciated Darran Mountains. After descending through a fairytale forest you arrive at Lake Mackenzie. Relax by the lake serene and still in its cradle of statuesque peaks, or gather around the antique pianola for a sing-a-long.

Day 5: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls, 15 km, 5-7 hrs. You leave the enchanted forest and climb high above Lake Mackenzie into the Alpine world overlooking the Hollyford Valley. Let your eye follow the icy peaks of the Darran Mountains until they drop into the distant Tasman Sea, and enjoy the flowers in one of the world's greatest natural gardens as you trek to the Harris Saddle (1277 m) where you cross the main divide again. Conical Hill (1515 m) with it's endless vistas waits on the adventurous, while below the more intimate surrounds of the upper Routeburn basins lead to the Routeburn Falls.

Day 6: Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Road End, 10 km, 4-5 hrs. After the last look at the alpine environment above the Falls you drop down to the grassy flats at the foot of Mt Somnus. The track follows the river as it tumbles through a deep gorge, before emerging into a forested terrace. After crossing a final swing bridge, the coach will take you back to Queenstown, stopping at Glenorchy for a group photograph, which will be presented to you at the celebration dinner party.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Guides & Safety:

Your guides are probably the New Zealanders you will get to know the best. They are experienced outdoor enthusiasts, well versed in the natural and human history of the areas you trek through, and they pride themselves on providing a safe, efficient and friendly service. All guides are trained in first aid and are in portable radio contact with each other, the lodges and our Queenstown base at all times. Your safety is of paramount importance to us, and the guides' decisions must be adhered to.

Food & Lodging:

When you arrive at our clean private lodges at the end of your day's walk, you will be greeted by one of our lodge managers who will have afternoon teas waiting. After your hot shower you can make use of our hand laundry facilities and efficient drying room, before relaxing by the fire or joining your fellow trekkers in a board game of sing along accompanied by the pianola or guitar. Your guides will provide you with a sumptuous three-course meal, catered to your dietary needs, with house wine. Feel free to carry your own refreshments if you want a nightcap before sinking into your soft bunk bed. Warm duvets and pillows are provided, but if they are not enough to take the edge off a cool night, you can warm your bed with a hot water bottle. Gas-lighting contributes to the wilderness feel, while flush toilets in the lodges and at the lunch stops add a little extra comfort. Each morning your guides cook a hearty breakfast and lay out the ingredients for you to prepare your own cut lunch for the day.

Your Fitness:

To enjoy your trek you need to be able to walk 4-7 hours over 10-18 km of mountain track each day whilst carrying a medium sized backpack with your personal belongings, plus a sheet and towel we provide. To maximise your enjoyment we encourage you to set your own pace while walking the track. The track surfaces vary from smooth well-formed paths to rough terrain broken up by rocks and tree roots and we recommend you wear hiking boots, which provide firm ankle support. If you are not a regular walker, we suggest you begin a daily walk regime 6-8 weeks before your departure. Some practice carrying a pack or hill/staircase walking during this time will make you even better prepared for your trek. If you are over 70 years a doctor's certificate of physical fitness is required (for insurance purposes). We suggest you take out comprehensive travel insurance. This is a normal precaution and does not reflect any likelihood of accident, injury or loss during your guided walk.

The Briefing:

We invite you to attend the essential, but informal, briefing in the afternoon prior to departure on you guided walk. Here we can answer any of your questions, provide you with bed linen and a towel, and lend you a backpack or rain jacket if you require them. This is a chance to tell us if you have any special dietary or medical needs and purchase any extra outdoor clothing. You will also meet you travelling companions. Grand Traverse and Greenstone walkers meet at 3.00pm, and Routeburn walkers meet at 2.0pm.

JOINING INFORMATION:

These walks begin and end in Queenstown. You should book your own accommodation for the nights before and after your trek. Your final documents will include your tour voucher giving details of exactly where and when to rendezvous with your tour leader.

 

DIFFICULTY OF WALK

Moderate. You need to be able to walk in mountain terrain for up to 7 hours, carrying backpack.

GROUP SIZE

Single people are welcome. Provided that there are at least 2 people booked, this guided holiday will go ahead. No children under 10.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Wonderful scenery at almost every corner of mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Clear, fresh air and stream water you can drink. Marvellous for taking photos. Excellent knowledgeable guides. Congenial company. Most of the work is done for you whilst you can walk at the pace that suits you - the guides let you choose your pace.

WEATHER

Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office

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ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation en route is in very comfortable mountain lodges. They offer small bedrooms for up to 6 people hot showers drying rooms flush lavatories dining room/sitting room. Hot water bottles available. Good dinners (with wine) and full breakfasts.

You are recommended to book your own accommodation in Queenstown the night before the trip and the night of your return. We can help with this if required.

GETTING THERE

AIR Queenstown has an airport a short way outside the town. There are regular flights from Christchurch and other major New Zealand cities.

TRAIN There is no train station in Queenstown (although a perfect way to get to Queenstown would be to take the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth and then hire a car).

BY ROAD If at all possible, you are recommended to drive to Queenstown, preferably taking the SH6 from Greymouth and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers region. This is one of the most spectacular drives on earth and this can be said without fear of exaggeration. Furthermore, driving in New Zealand is anyway a real pleasure as there is almost no traffic in the rural areas of South Island. There are hire car facilities at Greymouth and at Queenstown (and of course at Christchurch - the route from Christchurch via Mount Cook is also very beautiful).

WHAT TO TAKE:

Basic clothing to deal with warmth and cold. Sun cream and hat. Alpine walking stick (all can be bought in Queenstown).

WHEN TO GO

Dates as above

BOOKING CONDITIONS

A deposit is required to confirm each reservation and the balance must be paid not less than 60 days prior to the departure of your trek. The operators reserve the right to alter, amend or cancel any trip should weather or any other circumstance necessitate this.

CANCELLATIONS

All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellation fees are charged on the following basis per person: Outside 90 days prior to departure, the equivalent to $ 100NZ. 90-60 days, $ 200NZ 60-21 days, 50% of full fare within 21 days, 100% of full fare.

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks  at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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