Meet with your guide at 7:30 a.m at the office - 58 McDougall St, Wanaka - and travel 45 minutes to the small village of Makarora. Here you board a small fixed wing aircraft or helicopter and fly into the heart of Mount Aspiring Park.
A leisurely 2-hour walk brings you to the Top Forks Hut. Dropping overnight gear, the rest of the day is spent walking to Lake Lucidius or if the group is strong - Lake Castilia, a high alpine lake surrounded by cliffs and hanging glaciers. The trail climbs gradually as it weaves through native beech forest until breaking out above the tree line. The hiking gets rougher just before the lake with a short boulder scramble rewarded with a spectacular view of the valley and lake, the bold may like to go for a swim.
Alternatively, if the weather is good, there is an option to set up a camp at Lake Diana (about a third of the way to Lake Castilia).
Head down river to the Kerin Forks Hut at the confluence of the Siberia and Upper Wilkin Rivers. This is a gentle downhill grade for 6-7 hours along the north bank of the great Wilkin River. The track is varied with lots of up and down with numerous river crossings. The track is surrounded by lush native bush.
A steep track leads to the Siberia Valley, which is surrounded by high mountains. The early surveyors had a sense of humour when they named the two largest and beautiful ones Mt Awful and Mt Dreadful. You camp at a fantastic spot called Gillespie Stream, a high alpine meadow.
Today you reach the high point of the trip, Gillespie Pass. This is a real accomplishment and you will be rewarded with one of the great views of the Southern Alps. The trail climbs steeply from camp for 2 hours before you reach the top of the pass, then steeply winds its way down (a long way down) to the Young Valley. You camp in a high open valley surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls or walk another 45min to Young Hut.
The trail continues its steep descent into the rainforest. You follow the Young River which gradually flattens out and becomes a tranquil route through native forest for the final three hours. A final river crossing and you are met by the vehicle to take you back to Wanaka.