Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Read more about the Active Range
Price (Includes taxes and fees)
from NZD 7599/per adult
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
Bask in your creature comforts and experience best-in-the-world hikes on our 5-day Great Walks of New Zealand hiking tour exploring the highlights and hidden gems of Fiordland. There's no doubt you'll be amazed by the vast landscapes you'll experience in a short amount of time while still enjoying comfortable accommodations and incredible food each evening. Starting and finishing in Queenstown, you'll hike three of New Zealand's Great Walks (Kepler Track, Routeburn Track, and Milford Track), and stay the night on the Fiordland Navigator in Doubtful Sound, enjoying top-notch service every step of the way. If you're short on time but keen to see the best of the South Island, our Great Walks of New Zealand hiking tour is for you.
Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFDay 1
For the first day of your trip, we’ll meet you in Queenstown and head to Lake Manapouri where our journey into Doubtful Sound begins. We’ll board a boat for the cruise across Lake Manapouri, before a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where we’ll board the Fiordland Navigator for our overnight cruise.
Doubtful Sound is a large and remote wilderness area, where you’ll have the opportunity to take a kayak out on the water or hop aboard the tender craft for a guided exploration of the fiord, and in the right season, you may catch a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Tonight, you’ll sleep in a private room with ensuite aboard the Fiordland Navigator.
Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator, Doubtful Sound
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
You’ll wake in the middle of Doubtful Sound and after breakfast we’ll retrace our journey back to Manapouri. From there we’ll tick off the Kepler Track. Interestingly, the Kepler Track differs from the Routeburn and Milford Tracks in that it didn’t actually evolve from a necessary Maori greenstone trail, but was custom-built for hiking. The section we’ll hike today passes over the control gates at the outlet of Lake Te Anau and meanders through ancient beech and podocarp forest.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent
Day 3
After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to Milford Sound where you'll have breathtaking views of New Zealand's most photographed mountain, Mitre Peak.We’ll take a short boat ride across Milford Sound to hike from Sandfly Point to the Giant Gates waterfall, a spectacular section of the famed Milford Track. The forest here is lush and rich with mosses and ferns as we follow the Arthur River past Lake Ada. By hiking from the Milford Sound trailhead, you'll enjoy the majestic backdrop of the surrounding peaks.
Once we return to the Milford wharf, we’ll board a boat for a two-hour nature cruise to the head of this spectacular fiord. Later we'll head back to Te Anau enjoying the stunning native forest and mountain views along the way.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6 miles (10 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 985 feet (300 meters) ascent, 985 feet (300 meters) descent
Cruise: 2 hours
Day 4
This morning we’ll drive to the Divide, where we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track, the third of the Great Walks you’ll experience. We hike through beech forest, subalpine shrub land and picturesque alpine tarns, before reaching Key Summit. Here you’ll be standing at the head of three different valleys (the Hollyford, Eglinton, and Greenstone), with stunning views over the Great Divide, which separates west and east-flowing rivers.
Afterwards, we’ll head back to Te Anau and head for the Department of Conservation birdlife park. The center takes care of injured or aging birds that would struggle to survive in the wild - it’s a great opportunity to see some of our rarest birds up close, so don’t forget your camera!
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1540 feet (470 meters) ascent, 1540 feet (470 meters) descent
Day 5
Today we’ll drive back along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, and take a ride on the gondola to the top of a tree-covered rocky crag, known as Bob’s Peak, to start our alpine hike. We pass through open alpine tussockland to the Ben Lomond saddle and will be rewarded with panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the often snow-covered Southern Alps.
We’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hiking: 4.3 miles (7 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,704 feet (530 meters) ascent, 1,704 feet (530 meters) descent
If you're keen to extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer (Maori culture, pristine beaches, and geothermal areas) check out our 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure (5-day options also available).
This trip is operated by our sister brand Active Adventures
See below for pricing. Looking for a longer South Island trip? Check out our 8-Day Classic South Island Adventure.
Our New Zealand 2024 adventures are filling up, so we are guaranteeing ALL trips to depart. Be in quick and book with confidence to secure your spot, and get set to take off on the adventure of a lifetime.
New Zealand is a nature lover's paradise, with unspoiled scenery everywhere you look. From snow-capped mountains to pristine beaches, deep fjords to ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes to volcanic plateaus, New Zealand really does have it all.
Our expert, local guides will take you hiking, biking, kayaking, and more, so you can experience the stunning backdrop close-up. Combine this with a warm and welcoming people, beautiful Maori culture, and world class wines and cuisine, and you've got an incredible, unique adventure you'll never forget.
Get in touch before our 2024 New Zealand departures completely sell out!
Our Price Promise is designed to give you complete confidence when booking your unforgettable adventure. Here's how it works...
With our Price Promise you don't have to wait for future sales to get the best price.
So go for it - secure your preferred trip and departure date by booking your dream adventure now!
*Terms and conditions apply - see below
*Price Promise is available for bookings made on or after October 16, 2024. If the advertised price of your booked future trip decreases within 60 days of your original booking date, you can contact us to request the lower price be applied to your existing booking. You must contact us no later than 60 days from your original booking date and provide details of the available price/discount you wish to avail. The price of your trip can be changed only once and only if you contact us during the time at which the lower price is advertised/available. Price Promise cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions, or discounts. The company reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time in its sole discretion. Other restrictions may apply.
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4.7
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Read more about the Active Range
Discover your favorite part of the North Island as you hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, bike through redwood forests in Rotorua, snorkel or kayak the Poor Knights Islands, and walk through the otherworldly Waitomo Caves.
4.6
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Read more about the Active Range
Take five days to discover the charms of the North Island. Explore colossal kauri forests, dive or snorkel the Poor Knights Islands, and learn about the Maori culture as you make your way along some of the best coastline of New Zealand.
4.5
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Read more about the Active Range
Explore volcanic landscapes as you hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Soak in hot pools, hike by geysers and boiling mud pools, and explore caves in search of mystical glowworms on this short, action-packed North Island adventure.
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
