Period 1 Jul 2025
- 30 Jun 2026
Solo Adult with private guide NZD $7,150.00
2 Adults with private guide (per person) NZD $3,950.00
You will need to meet your guide at 4.30 pm the day before your departure for a kit check. If you need to be collected from your Wānaka accommodation, please let us know. At this meeting, we will will check your clothing and equipment and other final details. There will be time for last-minute gear purchases if required.
You have an hour journey to Makarora before you hike starts, followed by a helicopter transfer to start your hike.
There are no additional costs for this trip, however, if the group are required to stay longer due to adverse weather conditions, additional charges will be made to cover costs. Currently the cost is $500 per party per day + $100 per person per day.
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The main aim is for mountaineers to enjoy this experience and be safe doing so. This is as much about the expectations, as well as being realistic about your current abilities. Hikers need to be capable of the following:
You stay at mixture of Department of Conservation mountain huts and pre-placed camp sites. During busy times (typically Christmas/New Year holiday period) in the less remote areas of the hike such as Gillespie Pass, there are camping options available if DOC huts are crowded. Sit back in the door of your private tent while a good wholesome meal is prepared (no freeze dried food here!). Everything is supplied for you so all you need to do is relax and enjoy this alpine paradise.
Please bring all your equipment to the scheduled pre-trip meeting.
Summer weather is usually quite warm however, you will be in a remote alpine location and winter type conditions can happen any time of year in New Zealand. Required clothing can vary somewhat according to the time of year or the current weather.
While parts of your trip are hut based, some huts can’t be reserved and in some cases clients should expect to camp during peak times of the season. You will need to carry your own personal gear as well as some group fresh food. Many people prefer to use their own sleeping bag, pad and backpack. We recommend an inflatable sleeping mat, 50+ litre backpack and 2 season sleeping bag graded to 0° C (and liner). Lighter is OK for mid-summer. On most days there are unavoidable river and stream crossings, so it is likely your boots will get wet and stay wet.
OPTIONAL - Personal preference Items
We put a lot of work into supplying you with wholesome meals with a variety of healthy and tasty ingredients and snacks catering to common preferences.
Where possible, we provide fresh vegetables and real coffee. However, there will always be limitations when cooking in an alpine or wilderness environment. Meals like salads are limited or not possible to provide. Some trips are not recommended for people with very restrictive or complex dietary requirements. If you do have a restrictive eating regime we ask that you disclose this to us at the time of booking and we may ask you to provide us with an advance copy of what you would typically eat on a wilderness trip and the team will shop and cook accordingly.
Guides are hand-picked, qualified to international standards, and there with you from your first day. You’re paired with people that live and breathe guiding.
Weather can be temperamental in our mountains and can impact on trips and planned itineraries and routes. If weather events require the guides to alter the original trip itinerary, we will find another amazing alternative where weather is more favourable. Every effort will be made to ensure the trip can be enjoyed as planned.
If the trip cannot proceed, some costs that were not incurred may be refunded, such as a heli transfer, however other costs that are absorbed in planning and booking will not be refunded, such as guide costs. The guides may refund up to 50% off trips that do not proceed at all, or offer a credit on future trips. Any cancelled trips are assessed individually for refund options.
If the group are required to stay longer due to adverse weather conditions, additional charges will be made to cover costs. Currently the cost is $500 per party per day + $100 per person per day.
Payment:
For bookings made four or more months prior to the departure date, a deposit of NZD$1000 per person 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:
We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance.
