Walk New Zealand's Fiordland National Park

Walk New Zealand's Fiordland National Park

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4 Days From

$1885

Walk New Zealand's Fiordland National Park

4 Days Starting and ending in Queenstown

Visiting: Queenstown to Te Anau, Te Anau, Te Anau to Queenstown

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PHXF

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1885

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour 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 tui, bellbird 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 directly support 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.

  • 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.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Queenstown To Te Anau

Location: Queenstown to Te Anau

Meals Included: lunch

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

Day 2: Te Anau

Location: Te Anau

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

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

Day 3: Te Anau

Location: Te Anau

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

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

Day 4: Te Anau To Queenstown

Location: Te Anau to Queenstown

Meals Included: breaksfast

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

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (3 nights)

  • Routeburn Track Hike

  • Scenic E-bike ride

  • Kepler Track hike

  • Jet boating

  • Milford Track hike

  • Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise

  • Meals

    3 breakfasts, 3 lunches

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

Private vehicle , Boat

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is on twin share basis, and single travellers are paired with someone of the same gender.

Important Information

START & END TIMEYour adventure begins with a pick-up from Queenstown, Steamer's Wharf at 8am. Your trip concludes on day 4 at 5pm at Steamer's Wharf, Queenstown.SINGLE SUPPLEMENTA single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

Private vehicle , Boat

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility and fitness. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

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Prices last published on 22-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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