Walking the track in record time is not the objective. These day tours place a strong emphasis on an interactive, hands-on nature experience. Comprising small groups, or your own special group, these friendly, highly experienced local guides are dedicated to making your day with them in this truly special part of New Zealand, a highlight of your holiday. Note: Privately guided option includes own transport (except jetboat) special lunch & departure times to suit.

Full Day - Famous Routeburn Walk This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mt Aspiring N.P. starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into  the Routeburn Valley. The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the 16 kms of easy walking up this beautiful river valley. Includes a picnic lunch. Departs 8am all year.

 

 

Full Day - The Ultimate Nature Experience
This full day adventure combines 4-9 kms (optional - easy to moderate) total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest in the Mt Aspiring N.P. with the Dart River Jet Safari. Simply the best of nature, mountains, streams and silent beech forests plus bird life, mosses, lichens and ferns. A hearty lunch is served on the best rock in the world over looking a mountain tarn, home to ducks, geese and native trout. Departs 8am Sep - May.

 

 

It’s more than a jetboat ride, this is a rare journey into the untouched wilderness of a World Heritage Listed Area. For Lord of the Rings fans, this is also the setting for Middle Earth. Discover ice-capped mountains and glaciers, cascading waterfalls and crystal clear streams and pools, walk in the ancient native forests of Mt Aspiring National Park. There are two ways to discover the Dart River Valley, each in the company of a skilled guide with a passion for the environment. The journey starts with a 45 minute scenic lakeside drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy. (Transfers are available at additional cost or guests can drive to Glenorchy.)

 

Dart River Safari
Includes 1 1/2 hours wilderness jetboating, with the emphasis on the most scenic upper reaches of the river; 45 minutes exploring the backroad around Paradise, stopping at many Lord of the Rings locations, and a 30-40 minute native forest experience, which can include an easy walk. Duration - 5 1/2 or 6 hours from Queenstown or 3 hours from Glenorchy Ex Queenstown 8am - 2pm (includes time for lunch at own cost) & 12 noon - 5.30pm (Ex Glenorchy)

 

 

Dart River Funyaks
Includes 11⁄4 hrs of thrilling jetboating to the upper reaches of the Dart River and 21⁄4 hours drift downriver. Once the sound of the V8 engines has been removed it is possible to feel totally immersed in the natural beauty of the area, complete with bird song. Your Funyak is an inflatable, very stable Canadian style canoe suitable for most ages and fitness levels. No experience necessary. A suberb wilderness lunch is included. Duration: 8- 9 hours from Queenstown, 5-6 hours from Glenorchy. Ex Queenstown 8am – 5 pm, ex Glenorchy 8.45 am – 3.15 pm. (Ex Glenorchy)

 

Fox or Franz Josef Glacier Snow Landing - From sea level rising to the heart of the magnificent Southern Alps, this flight explores the icefalls on either the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers. Experience the seclusion of a snow landing in this largely inaccessible alpine region. 20 minutes (includes snow landing)

 

 

Fox and Franz Josef Twin - Explore the glacial icefalls of not one but two glaciers – Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Discover up close their neve and unusual ice formations - landing on the snowfields is a highlight and will make for superb photos, snowballs and memories. 30 minutes (includes snow landing)

 

 

Mount Cook Spectacular with landing - The ultimate glacial experience – this flight tours covers it all! Glacial icefalls, crevasses and neves, views from ocean to alps. Cross the Southern Alps spine and circle the peak of magnificent Aoraki/Mount Cook. Get your camera ready for the spectacular snow landing. 40 minutes (includes snow landing)

 

Discover the worlds first and only sea to mountain eco-jet boating adventure safari exploring Te Wahipounamu ...The South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Visit a place rich in maori history and legend, feel the pioneering spirit of days gone by, while enjoying the intense closeness of this vast, virgin landscape, created by climate and time. Experience this truly remote,untouched wilderness with a professional river guide at a laid back, relaxing pace. Pause for photos and an informative commentary on the climb upstream. At the top of the river leave the boat and stretch your legs at the forest’s edge, before departing on the more exhilarating return descent to the Tasman Sea. Departs: From the Waiatoto River Bridge. 10am & 1pm all year. (Also 4pm Oct-Mar). Transfers available from Haast at additional cost.

 

The “Grand Traverse of Mount Cook and the Glaciers” is a unique flight that encompasses two World Heritage National Parks - Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland/Tai Poutini. This two hundred kilometre traverse offers the most comprehensive viewing of New Zealand’s most beautiful and spectacular alpine scenery. The highlights include; turquoise-blue glacial lakes and braided river systems of the Mackenzie Basin, the Murchison and Tasman glaciers, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and our two highest peaks Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. This magnificent scenery is enhanced with personal and informative commentary from your pilot. Regular departures from Lake Tekapo, and Franz Josef. Approx 50 mins flying time - allow 1 hour. Note: As all flights are weather dependent, the Grand Traverse is interchangeable between Franz Josef and Lake Tekapo.

 

Discover up close the magnificent phenomenon of the West Coast glaciers. Combine an awesome scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with a unique guided walk among the ice caves, pinnacles and seracs of this pristine alpine environment. The experienced and professional helicopter pilots‚ informative commentary will showcase the exciting landscape for the adventure ahead. You’ll see the extraordinary  colours of the ice-flow from above, then up close, on an unforgettable 2 hour guided hike amongst the glacier ice formations. This walking adventure is suitable for people of average fitness, minimum age 10 yrs. (Tip: this trip is very popular so we encourage you to book ahead to avoid disappointment) Departs: Oct-Apr 9.30am, 12 Noon & 2.30pm; May to Sep 11am & 1.30pm. Duration - 3 Hours.

 

Fox Glacier is the largest of the mighty West Coast Glaciers, it is unique in that it ends in temperate rainforest, 250m above sea level. Like all glaciers it advances and retreats and is currently advancing again. A visit to Fox Glacier is an unforgettable experience. All necessary equipment is provided including ground transport, boots, socks, crampons, raincoat, alpenstock and highly trained guides. Reporting time is 15 mins prior to departures.

 

Fox Glacier Helihike
An awesome combination of helicopter flight and 2.5 hours exploring a remote part of the glacier with lots of pristine ice formations and caves.
Duration 3 hours. Departs 9 am & 12 noon all year plus 3 pm Oct to April. (Tip: these trips are very popular so we urge you to book early) Price from $295 Adult $277 Child

 

Walk to the Glacier Terminal
2 hour, easy, interpretive walk to the front of the glacier. Departs 5 pm Nov to April, other departures by arrangement. Price from $41 Adult $23 Child

 

Half Day Fox Glacier Walk
Very popular, requires moderate fitness for uphill climbing. Duration 3.5 – 4 hours. Departs 9.15 am and 1.45 pm.

 

All Day Glacier Walk
Excellent option for the more adventurous with good fitness levels. Duration 6 - 7 hours. Walkers must take their own lunch. Departs 9.30 am. Price from $112 p.p.

Wet or fine, all tours run on demand between 8.30am and 5pm daily. No licence or experience is required and all wet weather gear is available to hire. Free transfers from town for those without transport. On site café for breakfast & lunch.

 

Taniwha (Dragon) Blackwater Cave Rafting & Glow-worms –
The perfect combination of adventure, mystery, romance and intrigue! ANZCRO highly recommended. Highlights include floating on an inner tube through a galaxy world of glowworms on subterranean lakes, sliding down underground waterfalls or taking a cuddle through the love tunnel! Discover awesome limestone formations and test your courage on the 100 ft natural rock hydroslide. This trip is cleverly designed so that you can choose just how challenging you want it to be. The sense of achievement is a natural ‘high’. Finish with a relaxing spa, a drink & a muffin while watching photos of your trip on screen. Average fitness
and agility required. Departs 8am & 2pm (1.15pm Apr-Oct). Note: morning trips finish in time to catch the afternoon Tranz-Alpine train if required. Duration 5 hours. Includes all equipment, wetsuits, boots & gloves etc to keep you toasty warm.
 
(W1) $145 p.p.
Add an adrenaline Abseil Cave entry to your trip (W1ab) $251 p.p.