ACTIVE DOWNUNDER

The Milford Track Guided Walk is a 5 day / 4 nights, Queenstown to Queenstown package.  Traverse the heart of Fiordland National Park on the finest walk in the world from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound.   This 55 km (33mile) trek is New Zealand's most famous. Ideal for reasonably fit people who can walk carrying a pack for 6-8 hrs per day. Set in Fiordland National Park, the area features dramatic glacier cut fjords, deep U shaped valleys, spectacular waterfalls, beech-podocarp forests, extensive temperate rainforest and endangered species of plants, birds and animals.

Traversing the heart of New Zealand's wild fiord country, the Milford Track has long been described as "the finest walk in the world".  Since Quintin Mackinnon pioneered the route in 1888, everyone from hardened trekkers to novices sporting their first pair of boots has taken up the challenge of the Milford Track.  The Fiordland National Park is the cornerstone of the Te Wahipounamu Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. Enjoy close encounters with the native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Weka; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; even Kiwi have been spotted!  Walkers on the track to Milford Sound encounter Fiordland at its most spectacular: deep lakes; silent fiords; luxuriant forest and sheer canyons carved out of imposing granite define this landscape. On fine days there is a postcard shot around every corner, but only when it rains and torrents of water cascade down the mountainsides have you truly experienced the magic of the Milford Track.

Day One:  Queenstown or Te Anau to Glade House
1.6km (1 mile) 20 minutes walking

Depart Queenstown to Te Anau by coach. Lunch in Te Anau.  A coach will then take you to Te Anau Downs where you board the launch to the head of Lake Te Anau, the beginning of the Milford Track. It's a short easy walk to Glade House, 1.6km.  Settle in and enjoy the environment.  (Includes lunch & dinner)

Day Two:  Glade House to Pompolona
16km (10 miles) 5-7 hours walking

After crossing the emerald green Clinton River you walk up the valley to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter.  The beech forest gets more luxuriant the farther you go, until it releases you on to the Prairie.  From this meadow you can capture the true nature of the ice carved Clinton Canyon.  It is a short climb to Pompolona Lodge from here.  (Includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Day Three:  Pompolona to Quintin via Mackinnon Pass
15km (9 miles) 6-8 hours walking

This is the most demanding day, especially in inclement weather.  The track leads to Lake Mintaro at the head of the Clinton Valley, before climbing the Mackinnon Pass in a series of zigzags.  Take your time.  At the top you will be rewarded with spectacular views and lunch in Pass Hut.  After the rocky decent into the Arthur Valley you will welcome a hot cup of tea at Quintin Lodge. This should be enough to refresh you for the 90 minute round trip to the Sutherland Falls, the world’s fifth highest waterfall.  (Includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Day Four:  Quintin to Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point
21km (13 miles) 6-8 hours walking

This is your final day on the track.  You walk down the Arthur Valley to Boatshed; on past Mackay Falls and Bell Rock, which was turned out of the river during a particularly violent flood and on to the lunch spot at Giant’s Gate waterfall.  The final stretch of track follows tranquil Lake Ada to Sandfly Point.  From here it is a short launch trip to the renowned Mitre Peak Lodge, the only accommodation at Milford Sound offering superb views of Mitre Peak, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.  Here you will enjoy a celebratory dinner while relaxing with the knowledge that the hard part is now behind you while the magnificence of Milford Sound is right in front of you.  (Includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Day Five:  Mitre Peak Lodge to Te Anau and Queenstown
No walking

Wake to views of Milford Sound and after breakfast board one of the Real Journeys boats for a cruise on Milford Sound.  Watch for the dolphins and fur seals and pray for rain (no-one believes us, but the waterfalls are absolutely incredible!).  Following the cruise you start your spectacular journey through the heart of Fiordland National Park to the Homer Tunnel and on to Te Anau and Queenstown via Queenstown Airport, arriving at approximately 4.00pm.  (Includes breakfast & lunch)

A group photo and certificate of achievement will be presented at a celebration dinner held at a restaurant in Queenstown at 6.30pm on the final day.  Celebration dinner is included in this package.  There is an option available to fly from Milford Sound back to Queenstown by helicopter (weather permitting).  Further details will be provided at the pre-hike briefing and whilst on the track. 

All lodges:

• Have hot showers, towels with soap, shampoo & conditioner provided and flush toilets.  Accommodation is in either private rooms with queen-sized or twin beds with own ensuite or in multi-share bunkroom style sleeping, 4-6 people per room;
• Single supplement rquired for private room.  We do not place singles travelling separately in the same private room;
• All beds have pillows and duvets or comforters. There is generated electricity in the lodges; generators are turned off at 10.00pm each evening;
• Three-course dinners, cooked breakfasts & picnic lunches are provided on track;
• New Zealand wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase at each of the lodges.  These purchases are to be paid for at Mitre Peak Lodge by cash or credit card;
• Lodges have hand washing facilities, washing powder and drying rooms.

Equipment provided and carried:

• Excellent backpacks and PVC raincoats can be provided free of charge, you may bring your own. These items are essential.
• Each day you will carry a sheet which we provide (you may bring your own silk sheet), picnic lunch and personal clothing.  Packs generally weigh 5-7kg (10-14lbs). We supply each walker with a plastic pack liner but clothes should be put in plastic bags for added rain protection.

Weather:
The weather can be very unpredictable. Snow is possible in summer. Thermal underwear and a fleece jacket are essential. Your clients can bring these items from home or purchase them from our shop.

Guides & Safety:
All guides are trained in first aid and are in radio contact with each other, the lodges and our Queenstown base at all times.
There is a maximum of 50 clients per departure. No minimum.  You are required to attend a pre-trip briefing in Queenstown the day prior to departure.