ACTIVE ADVENTURE
Southern Alps Escorted Hiking Tour
- Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Location
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Brochure & More Info
- Book with Confidence
- Similar Tours
What's included
- Accommodation based on twin share room
- Baggage charge
- Escorted tour
- Expert local guides
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- International flights from Australia
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Small group tour
- Airport transfers
- Any items or services not specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Medical and emergency insurance
- Personal expenses
Tour overview
You’ll be lucky to find this Southern Alps hike in any guide book, but it’s certainly one of New Zealand’s best treks!
Fly to Christchurch and overnight in a city hotel before it’s time to embark on an amazing mountain tour that’s full of stunning highlights. The trip begins with a drive to the highland region of Lake Tekapo and your first night on the tour will be spent at a private backcountry hut that has superb alpine and lakeside vistas. As the trek continues the breathtaking moments keep coming, with views of picturesque lakes, Hooker Glacier and magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring.
The thrilling trek ends in sensational style with a flight to the remote Siberia Valley and an exhilarating jet boat ride on Wilkin River. With carefully chosen accommodation, all your meals included while trekking, a night in both Christchurch and Queenstown pre and post the trek, plus flights from Australia included, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime adventures that you won’t want to miss!
Special features
- Hike to some of the most secluded ridges in the Southern Alps
- Overnight in a backcountry hut with stunning views of the Mackenzie Basin
- Enjoy panoramic views from Lake Ohau Lodge overlooking the glistening alpine lake
- Admire the majesty of NZ’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook
- Hike to Rocky Mountain to enjoy unspoiled views of Lake Wanaka from above
- Discover the remote and unspoiled Siberia Valley by plane, foot and by jet boat
- Have a night pre-tour in Christchurch and post-tour in Queenstown
- Flights from Australia are included!
- DAY 1
- DAY 2
- DAY 3
- DAY 4
- DAY 5
- DAY 6
- DAY 7
- DAY 8
Fly to New Zealand
On arrival in Christchurch, please make your own way to your hotel for your overnight stay. The remainder of the day is free to explore the main city on New Zealand’s South Island.
Christchurch to Rex Simpson hut
We will collect you from a central city location in Christchurch around 08:00am before we drive south to Fairlie and inland to Lake Tekapo for lunch. We drive along Tekapo's lakeside to Mt Gerald station and then hike 3-4 hours into the Rex Simpson Hut, (a 12 bunk private hut on the station). To greet us are stunning vistas across the lake and into the rolling tussock landscape that surrounds the area. (Up to 3-4 hours walking). As day turns to night we savour the sun setting behind mountain silhouettes and a star-studded sky - one of the clearest and darkest skies in the southern hemisphere and enjoy a hearty meal prepared by your guides. The hut consists of three rooms, sleeping 12 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers and the toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view! The hut is fully equipped with pot belly stove, firewood, gas, and solar lighting. Sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses are at the hut; liners and pillow cases are provided each trip. It provides a comfortable and unique place to call home for the night. Note: Please remember we will be staying in an alpine hut on this first evening, you will not need to take all your luggage with you and we suggest packing a small overnight bag with clothing suitable for staying in an alpine environment. If necessary we can provide small overnight packs and walking poles.
Meals: L,D
Rex Simpson Hut to Lake Tekapo
From the hut we climb onto a broad easy spur which gradually gains height showcasing breathtaking views back down the lake and across to the Southern Alps with the prominent east faces of Mt Cook and Tasman. For the strong trekker, the summit of Beuzenberg Peak at 2070m is a just reward. Back at the hut we pack up and return to our vehicle for the short drive back to Lake Tekapo and our motel accommodation. (Up to 6-8 hours walking).
Meals: B,L,D
Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook Village
Mt Cook beckons as we drive 90 mins to the heart of the National Park. From here a number of hikes are available dependent upon weather conditions and fitness levels from the previous day. Mt Sebastopol and the mountain tarns are a favourite as is the Hooker Valley with its profuse vegetation. (Up to 4-5 hours walking). Nearby Red Tarns with stunning views directly onto Mt Sefton involves the treadmill of the staircase that climbs quickly to this stunning view point. From here we get views directly up the Hooker valley and back down the Tasman Valley. Tonight’s accommodation is within the Mt Cook Village itself with outstanding views of the sun setting on the peaks.
Meals: B,L,D
Mt Cook Village to Lake Ohau
In the morning we have a further walk in the area, usually dictated by what we achieved yesterday. For some the Hooker Valley hike will be a delight, while for others the nearby Sealy Tarns awaits. After a late lunch we drive south and onto Lake Ohau Lodge for the overnight before a short bush walk to explore the beech forest remnants in the area.
Meals: B,L,D
Lake Ohau to Wanaka
Leaving the Mackenzie basin, we cross ‘water-sheds’ and drive over the Lindis Pass through to Wanaka. This afternoon we will enjoy a walk to stretch our legs, while enjoying stunning views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. Our trail winds its way around the east side of Rocky Mountain to the summit offering a superb vista into the Mount Aspiring National Park. We descend via Diamond Lake and then drive to Wanaka for the night.
Meals: B,L,D
Wanaka to Queenstown
From an early start we drive to the nearby village of Makarora and our final hike of the trip. We first fly into the Siberia Valley deep in the heart of the Mount Aspiring National Park. From our landing point we begin our hike through remote Tussock lands, and marvel at the vistas, being surrounded by the snow-capped Southern Alps. Arriving at the banks of the crystal blue Wilkin River we then embark on the final chapter in our adventure, an exhilarating jet boat ride back to Makarora. On landing we drive to Queenstown and deliver you to your accommodation of choice. Overnight Queenstown included.
Meals: B,L
Depart for Australia
After you check out of your hotel this morning, sadly it’s time for your extraordinary adventure to come to a close and make your own way to the airport for your flights home.
More about New Zealand
Travelicious Review
Not only does this trip take you on a trek that few people know about, but you'll be looked after all the way by expert guides. Plus, international flights are included from Australia - or let us know if you only need to book the land arrangements and we can personalise a quote for you.
More about this tour
See the brochure
Click here to view, download or print a copy of this travel brochure.
The brochure includes details of the inclusions and other relevant travel information. Information contained in the brochure is subject to change and at the time of booking you will be provided with an updated copy that includes the current details for your reservation.
Tour departures
This escorted tour departs from Australia on the following dates:
2021 – 26 September, 01 November, 01 December
2022 – 06 February, 19 March
Please ask us for your preferred departure date and we will advise availability.
Tour start time
You will be advised of the flight details and check-in times when your booking is confirmed.
Important to remember...
The day-by-day itinerary is intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that are ultimately for the client's benefit. It is essential that travellers are flexible and open minded in this regard.
Speak to a travel specialist
The My Travel Experience team are travel experts and we're here to help you enjoy the best holiday - from the time you start to plan your trip until the day you return home. We are only a phone call or email away whenever you need us, so please contact us today with any questions.
Email [email protected]. Phone 1300 168 910 (in Australia) or +61 400 226 454 (from overseas or via mobile).
New safety measures, more flexibility and greater peace of mind.
The wellbeing and safety of our passengers and staff is always a priority, especially as we adjust to a new world for travellers. My Travel Experience is committed to ensuring your peace of mind with customer-friendly booking practices and enhanced health and safety standards on our trips.
We work closely with tour operators that have received the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which enables travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
To help you book with confidence, we will assist you if any unexpected situations arise and My Travel Experience also offers clients as much flexibility as possible when making bookings.
Please see our standard Booking Terms & Conditions for additional information.
Leave a Reply