Routeburn Track Packages

The Routeburn Track is second to the Milford Track by fame alone, it is an amazing walk and was featured in the National Geographic as one of the top 11 hikes in the world and is visited by 7500 trampers each summer. Unlike the Milford Track which is booked out sometimes months in advance, the Routeburn Track is a great alternative with better availability and often preferred by locals for the diversity of scenery. It is an easy to medium walk where you experience moss draped forests, energetic streams and busy waterfalls.

Kiwi Discovery are specialists for the Routeburn Track and offer complete packages or just Routeburn Track transport.

Routeburn Track Package Includes

• All track transport to the Routeburn Track (The Routeburn Shelter and at the Divide).
• Pre walk briefing at 3pm.
• All Routeburn Track hut bookings and fees.
• Queenstown accommodation for one night before and after the hike.
• Track map and information.
• Souvenir track book (rrp $NZ30).
• Booking services of our Queenstown office for optional Queenstown and Fiordland sightseeing & activities.
• NZ Mountain Safety Council approved pack liner.

Itinerary

The track can be walked from either direction however below describes the route from East to West. There is also the option to extend by one more night to include a cruise at Milford Sound - see below

Day 1 - Queenstown

Arrive in Queenstown (hotel accommodation included), free time to explore or book your post hike activities. Pre track briefing held at Kiwi Discovery, 37 Camp Street at 3pm.

Day 2 - Routeburn Track

Pick up at hotel accommodation, travel by bus to the head of Lake Wakatipu through Glenorchy and past Paradise to the Routeburn Shelter for the start of the Routeburn Track. Entering the Mount Aspiring National Park, you have a gentle walk through beech forest and along the Routeburn valley, a short steady climb takes you past waterfalls and up to the first night at the Routeburn Falls Hut. Situated by the Routeburn waterfall overlooking the valley below, it's a stunning location for your first night on the track. Approximately 2½ to 4 hours walk.

Day 3 - Routeburn Track

Today you head up over the Harris Saddle where there is an optional side track to the summit of Conical Hill with expansive views across the Hollyford valley and out to the Tasman sea on a clear day. The descent down to Mackenzie hut traverses the Hollyford Valley mountain through alpine vegetation and then down into a 'magical forest' covered in moss and lichen. It's not hard to see why Fiordland was used to film Lord of the Rings. Mackenzie Hut is situated by a lake in a hanging valley, truely photogenic whatever the weather. Approximately 4½ to 6 hours walk.

Day 4 - Routeburn Track/Queenstown

The track starts out to reveal lush forest and waterfalls before opening out to look down the Hollyford valley and beyond. Earland Falls (174m) is a great place to pause and take in the atmosphere before walking onto Howden Hut, approximately 3 - hours walk.

Here you can choose the Milford Sound option (below) or head on out to the Divide for the end of your Routeburn track adventure; approximately 1 to 1½ hours walk. There is a side trip up Key Summit (1 to 1½ hours) if you have time before arriving at the Divide to catch the 4.20pm coach back to Queenstown. (This option is the 4 day/4 night package in the table below).

Milford Sound Option

Day 4 - Routeburn Track

As above except accommodation is booked at Howden Hut for your 3^rd night on the track. This option gives you more time to take in the views or enjoy a leisurely morning at Lake Mackenzie, or relax around Howden Hut with ample time the next morning to catch a bus to Milford Sound. Approximately 3 hours walk.

Day 5 - Routeburn Track/Queenstown.

It's a short walk to the Divide with ample time to take the side trip up Key Summit before catching the lunchtime coach to Milford Sound. Approximately 3 hours walk including the side track. It's a short distance to Milford Sound where you board a cruise to take in the sights of the world famous Milford Sound. Complementary tea and coffee and a licensed bar are on board the purpose built vessel and a picnic lunch is included in your package so you have fresh sandwiches after your walking adventure.

After your Milford Sound cruise, your luxury coach returns to Queenstown with a short comfort stop in Te Anau. Reclining seats and ample leg room mean it's hard to stay awake on the journey home. You will arrive back at your hotel in Queenstown early evening for a well deserved shower and choice of dining options!

Prices

Routeburn Track Package with the Milford Sound cruise 5 days/ 5 nights Single supplements apply for pre and post accommodation if booking for one person Extra nights available on request Surcharges for accommodation over the Christmas and New Year period may apply			Price Based on departing and returning to Queenstown
Accommodation All are centrally located	Details	Room available (Applies to pre-trip accommodation only. All huts are communal bunk rooms)	Price per person (NZ$) Oct 2011-April 2012
Nomads	Backpackers	Twin/Double	$725
Blue Peaks Lodge	Motel/Apartments	Twin/Double	$775
Garden Court Suites	Motel/Apartments	Twin/Double	$800
Copthorne Lakefront Resort	4 Star Hotel	Twin/Double	$825
Mecure Grand St Moritz	5 Star Apartment Hotel	Twin/Double	$865

Routeburn Track Package 4 nights/4 days (without Milford Cruise) Single supplements apply for pre-and post accommodation if booking for one person Extra nights available on request Surcharges for accommodation over the Christmas and New Year period may apply			Price Based on departing and returning to Queenstown
Accommodation All are centrally located	Details	Room available (Applies to pre trip accommodation only. All huts are communal bunk rooms)	Price per person (NZ$) Oct 2011-April 2012
Nomads	Backpackers	Twin/Double	$585
Blue Peaks Lodge	Motel/Apartments	Twin/Double	$630
Garden Court Suites	Motel/Apartments	Twin/Double	$650
Copthorne Lakefront Resort	4 Star Hotel	Twin/Double	$680
Mecure Grand St Moritz	5 Star Apartment Hotel	Twin/Double	$715

 

Pre or post Routeburn Track ideas - 3 day Landsborough Wilderness Rafting Experience, no previous experience needed. SAVE $150 on a Landsborough Trip when booking a Routeburn Track Package, quote LBROUT

Already booked your Department of Conservation hut accommodation? Click here for the Routeburn Track Transport.