Outdoor NZ Hiking New Zealand Routeburn Track
Routeburn Track |
From NZD $1065 per person
Day 1: Queenstown/The Divide to Lake MacKenzieQueenstown/The Divide to Lake MacKenzie Your adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown to the Divide on the scenic Milford Road. We stop for morning tea in Te Anau before continuing on to the Divide where our walk starts. We climb a well-graded track through Silver 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 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, a good place to take it all in on your first night. Day 2: Lake MacKenzie to Routeburn FallsDistance: 15km / 9.4 miles 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 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 upyour 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 3: Routeburn Falls to Routeburn RdDistance: 10km / 6.1 miles Your last day is the least strenuous, a nice way to wind down and take time to enjoy the environmnent. 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 its 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 way to finish off a magnificent experience. TRACK STARTS ON: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays over the months of November - April. PRICE PER PERSON (INCLUDES 12.5% GST) From NZD $1065 pp 
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