Best of Routeburn, Kepler and Milford Track Details

Tour Details

Start

2.00pm, Distinction Luxmore, Te Anau

Finish

10:00am, Distinction Luxmore, Te Anau

DEPARTURE DATES

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 February, 2026
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 March, 2026
2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 April, 2026

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
Adult NZD $2,022.50
Adult with Single Supplement (compulsory for solo hikers) NZD $2,545.00

Days

5 days

Fitness grade

Grade: B
(Reasonable fitness required, carrying day packs)

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Child rates available, contact us for more information.

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Transport

You will be collected from your Te Anau hotel each morning and transported to your hikes using quality modern vehicles, fitted out for touring requirements.

Additional Costs

Dinner is not included, however, there are plenty of fantastic eateries and restaurants in Te Anau.

Grading & Fitness

Grade: B

The Great Walks follow mostly well-formed tracks with steps or zigzags on steeper sections. This trip is suitable for most ages (8+) who can comfortably walk 3 to 6 hours, including hills. The Kepler Heli-hike is the most challenging day, mainly due to sustained downhill sections that can affect knees. Your guide will plan each day with the landscape, weather, and group fitness in mind to ensure the best experience. A good level of fitness, including hill training, is recommended. You will get the most out of this trip if you can walk for 4 hours on varied, sometimes rough or rocky terrain. While we can accommodate most medical conditions, it is important to let your guide know about these in advance, as existing aches and pains can be aggravated.*

* This trip is not recommended for guests with neurological conditions affecting stability, mobility, or decision making; recent knee injuries or surgery; or moderate to severe joint or heart conditions. It may also not be ideal for those who prefer a faster or more demanding pace, or who would rather hike independently than in a group. We’re always happy to tailor these Great Walks on a private basis to meet most needs. If any of these apply to you, please contact us to discuss booking a private trip.

Accommodation

The Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau will be your home base each night of your stay. The accommodation offers free unlimited WIFI and two on-site restaurants and is nestled in the heart of Te Anau, an easy walk from anywhere in the town!

Hotel upgrade available: Upgrade your accommodation and base yourself in a Lakeview Room* at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas. Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges, this 4 star hotel offer an elegant option for your time on the hiking package.
*Though we attempt to provide a Lakeview room, on occasion this may not always be available so we will provide a Run of House room, and waitlist for the Lakeview room. Limited availability, on request only.

What to Take

Essential items:

Base layer – wool/merino or polypropylene thermal long sleeve top and bottoms
First layer T-shirt – wool or quick drying fabric (not cotton).
Outer layer – Warmer, thicker layer, made of wool or fleece.
Rain jacket – Wind and waterproof jacket (we can lend you one if you need something heavy duty). This is an essential piece of equipment in Fiordland and should be carried every day no matter the weather forecast.
Boots (or sturdy walking shoes with good grip) – ankle support is recommended, and they should be well ‘broken-in’.
Trousers/tights or shorts – quick drying and light weight is best. Not cotton or denim.
Socks – wool or thermal blend.
Hat – wool/fleece and brimmed hat for sun protection.
Day pack – about 25 litres is good. Please ensure you have space for the lunch provided.

Items to have in your pack everyday:

Gloves – wool or fleece.
Waterproof trousers (we can lend these).
Walking poles (we can lend these).
Water bottle – make sure it is full before you leave each day. At least 1 litre is recommended.
Sunscreen
Insect repellent (just keep this in your pack and use only if required). We prefer you use non-deet product to protect clothing and gear.
Personal medication
Camera or phone for photos.

Other things to bring

On the Milford Track day, we recommend you take a spare set of clothes and shoes for the cruise which you can leave in the vehicle during the walk.
We provide a hearty lunch each day (excluding water), which is generally sufficient to keep you going, but bring additional hiking snacks if you like too.
Casual clothing for your evenings.

Food

Your breakfast is included each morning and served at your hotel before the day’s activities. We’ll provide a hearty packed lunch each day (excluding water), which is generally enough to keep you going on the trail, but you’re welcome to bring extra hiking snacks if you’d like. Dinner is at your own cost and plans each evening, giving you the flexibility to choose where and what you'd like to eat, from local restaurants to casual cafes, so you can enjoy the area's dining options at your own pace.

Guides

Your safety is always our priority. Your guides are trained in first aid plus emergency procedures and will carry a first aid kit and emergency equipment. Communication outside Te Anau and on our walks is limited. The guides do have communication available to them in the unlikely case of an emergency. In some cases, you may have more than one guide on a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a briefing for this trip?

Before the Kepler Heli-hike begins on the first day, we will have a briefing to give you an opportunity to meet everyone and ask any
questions. We will cover in detail the itinerary for each day and any extra information you may need to know. If you need to borrow
any of our equipment, we will get that sorted as well.

What will the weather be like?

Fiordland is in a wilderness environment, and adverse weather conditions can increase the walk difficulty, so you need to be prepared. The weather in Fiordland in general, can be unpredictable and change dramatically, very quickly; the proximity of towering mountains and the ocean makes for conditions and temperatures that can vary markedly during any day, plus we can get a lot of rain at times. Summer months average around 20°C but in the alpine areas it can still get very cold, with the combination of wind and rain. It is not unusual to experience 4 seasons in the one day!
It is important to be prepared for the worst conditions, even if they do not occur, so always carry the appropriate clothing. The safety of all walkers is our priority. In rare situations your guide may need to adapt the day's walk, any decision to do this is a professional decision made by the guide, please respect their decision as it is based on experience and with your safety and comfort in mind.

Walks may be arranged in a different order due to weather or operational considerations.

How can prepare for my trip?

To prepare yourself, we recommend structuring a training programme at least 6 weeks beforehand. This will ensure your walk with us is comfortable and enjoyable. Start simple and around town – brisk walks of approx. 1 hour. Wear a backpack weighing about 4 kgs to get used to this. One month out increase your walks to 3 hours – more as you get fitter – and try bush tracks or uneven terrain to develop balance and the different muscle groups needed. Hills and stair work will greatly improve fitness. Remember hydration and nutrition even in training – drink plenty of water and eat snack foods such as muesli bars, banana chips and chocolate. If you do this in your training walks, your body will become used to processing food whilst on the move!

How do I get to Te Anau?

Most people find it easiest to fly into Queenstown. From there, it is a 2-hour drive via State Highway 94 to reach Te Anau. You can rent a vehicle or catch the bus from Queenstown, the local company Tracknet (www.tracknet.net) offer three services to Te Anau daily.

What can I do in the evenings?

You'll have the evenings to yourself, your guide will drop you at your hotel after each day's hike and you'll be free to explore, go to a movie at the local small theatre, find a meal in Te Anau, or have a meal at your hotel and an early night. The choice is yours!

Booking Conditions

When booking please indicate if you would like to participate in the Kepler Heli-hiking upgrade.
Walks may be arranged in a different order due to weather or operational considerations.
Prices and itineraries are subject to change.

The guide reserves the right to modify the trip itinerary, or to exclude any guest from participation (including future tours), if they believe a person’s health, preparedness, conduct, or gear poses a risk to themselves or others, or if tour conditions require a change.
The operator may cancel, postpone, or alter tours due to weather conditions, safety considerations, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, a partial refund may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In participating in the activity, the customer confirms:
They are physically fit to participate, have disclosed any relevant medical information, and meet the minimum fitness levels required.
They consent to receive medical treatment in the case of injury, accident, or illness during the activity and to indemnify the Operator against any claims, costs or expenses in respect of the evacuation and or treatment.
They will bring suitable clothing, footwear and equipment for the tour as outlined.
They will follow the directions of the guides and any third-party operators, and will participate in good faith.
Caregivers will supervise their children at all times and ensure they follow the directions of staff and third-
party operators.

Payment:
For bookings made four or more months prior to the departure date, a 25% deposit is required, with the remainder due 95 days before your trip. For bookings made within four months of the departure date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations:

7 days or more prior to departure date: Full refund
7 days or less: 100% of the tour price forfeited.

The tour price is all-inclusive. There will be no partial refunds or credits for unused services within a tour. Any unpaid, forfeited amount may be pursued as a debt.

Best of Routeburn, Kepler and Milford Track