At a Glance
Explore Fiordland in style! Walk the world famous Milford, and Routeburn Tracks, heli hike the Kepler Track, and enjoy a luxurious 5-star Milford Sound overnight cruise. Farewell diverse and spectacular scenery on the tracks, from native forests, alpine lakes, and rivers, to mountain views, vast fiords and lush valleys, you return and relax at the luxury 5 star accommodation Fiordland lodge and luxury boutique cruise by night. You'll be serviced with New Zealand's fine food and wine focusing on freshness, simplicity, and seasonal flavours.
Known as the Walking Capital of the World, Fiordland National Park features four world class tracks with stunning scenery: Kepler Track, Milford Track, and Routeburn Track.
Not only is the landscape phenomenal, the natural wildlife here is abundant too. Seals, dolphins and penguins can all be spotted from ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Two nights accommodation at acclaimed Fiordland lodge (5 star), in a Lodge Room (room upgrade is available at an additional cost)
- Milford Sound luxury overnight cruise, in a luxury king/twin cabin with ensuite
- Return transfers from/to Queenstown
- Expert guided three day guided walks (join in small group). Guided walk on the world famous Milford Track and Routeburn Track, guided heli-hike on the Kepler Track, which are hosted by experienced local guides who have warm personalities and knowledge of the natural environment
- Gourmet New Zealand food. 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners plus snacks on the track. Daily A la Carte breakfast, pre dinner canapés, and 3 course dinner (daily changing menu)
Itinerary
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Walking distance: 8 km, approx. 3 - 6 hours walking (Moderate Grade). Pick up from your Queenstown accommodation at around 7:30am*. Then transfer to Te Anau (2 hours car trip). * We can also pick up you from Queenstown a day prior to the trip if your pre-trip accommodation is in Te Anau. Get whisked away in a helicopter crossing Lake Te Anau and land at Luxmore Hut. From this Department of Conservation Hut explore the alpine tussock fields and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding spectacular Fiordland mountains (Takitimu Mountains, Snowdon Mountains and Earl Mountains), and the Te Anau Basin. This is also where there's a good chance you'll encounter kea - New Zealand's large, extremely intelligent alpine parrots. You'll also have possibility of ascending to the summit of Mt Luxmore (optional 3 hours walk). After lunch, hike down the mountain on a well-formed track. The track descends through mountain and silver beech forest, and passes under towering limestone bluffs to the sandy beach of Brod Bay, the pick up point for the boat cruise back to Te Anau. It is a down hill walk (8 km) requiring a medium level of fitness. There are plenty of stops for photographs, bird-watching and interpretation along the way. Return to Te Anau at around 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Enjoy pre-dinner canapés and 3 course dinner (daily changing menu). |
Fiordland Lodge (Luxury Boutique Lodge)
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 7 - 10 km, approx. 5 hours walking (Easy Grade). Enjoy a guided day hike to Key Summit to view glacial carved valleys, alpine gardens abundant with flora and fauna and expansive vistas of New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps. Pickup from your accommodation around 7:30am. Begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Milford Road with opportunities for short nature walks and photo stops. Arrive at the Divide Shelter, the starting point for the Routeburn Track and our guided walk to Key Summit. The walk ascends through lush, temperate rainforest on a well maintained track. The steady climb takes approximately 2 hours. Gaining an elevation of 400 metres, emerge from the forest into the alpine environment of Key Summit, with panoramic views of high snowy peaks, alpine lakes, and deep bush clad valleys. Your guide will find the best place for lunch on the day. Opportunity may allow to explore further along the Routeburn or Greenstone Tracks. After lunch steps are retraced to the Divide Shelter before returning to Te Anau. Back to your accommodation at around 4:30pm. After a hot shower and relaxation, enjoy your pre-dinner canapés followed by 3 course dinner (daily changing menu). |
Fiordland Lodge (Luxury Boutique Lodge) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 11 km, approx. 4 hours walking (Easy Grade). Some fitness required, 50 metre vertical gain. Pick up from your Te Anau accommodation around 6:30am. Experience a guided walk to Giant Gate Waterfall on the world famous Milford Track. Departing from Milford Sound begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point. An easy 5.5 km (11 km return) walk alongside the cascading Arthur River and moody Lake Ada, on a well maintained track through ancient temperate rainforest surrounded by an array of ferns, mosses and lichens in vibrant shades of green leads to Giant Gate Waterfall. An expansive swing bridge provides perfect photo opportunities. A forest of ancient trees, vibrant ferns and mosses, and diverse birdlife - unequalled anywhere. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, you have some free time. You could have your lunch at the local cafe (at your own expense). 3:45pm: Meet the crew for boarding at 4:00pm. Cruise departure is by 4:30pm. Approx. 4:30pm Board the Fiordland Jewel for the overnight cruise. Then cruise the full length of Milford Sound. Your onboard nature guide will explain the history and geology of Milford Sound. If weather permits, cruise into the mouth of the fiord past Anita Bay, and head into the Tasman Sea for a glimpse of the West Coast, before returning into the sound. Venture up the north side of the fiord past Dale Point, the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, Seal Rock, Stirling Falls, The Lion and the Cascade Range. The cruise style is relaxed, and you'll have plenty of time to view the fiord's spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife such as seals, dolphin and penguins. Viewing Black Coral Kayaking Tender Excursion Fishing After cruising, anchor at Harrison’s Cove or Deepwater Cove for the night. There is then the opportunity to explore nearby in the on-board sea kayaks, before returning to the boat for drinks and dinner. As evening falls, enjoy a three-course dinner prepared freshly by the onboard chef. Then relax in the company of fellow travellers, indulge in some star-gazing or outdoor hot-tub before retiring to your private cabin. |
Mildford Sound Luxurious 5-star Overnight Cruise, twin/double private cabins with ensuiteBreakfast, Dinner |
Dawn arrives at 6am in December, but can be as late as 8am in March. Watch the sunrise over breakfast, which is served 7am-8am, before returning to the terminal at 9.20am. After disembarking, you will be transferred to Queenstown by luxury coach. Estimated Queenstown arrival time is around 3:30pm. Optional upgrade to fly back Queenstown at and additional cost. Milford Sound - Queenstown One Way Flight |
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Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request from October to April. Please contact us for group bookings.
More Info
- The departure point is Queenstown
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Queenstown
Day 1: Approximately 8 km, 3 - 6 hours
Day 2: Approximately 7 - 10 km, 5 hours
Day 3: Approximately 11 km, 4 hours
Day 4: No walk
Total: Approximately 26 - 29 km
In New Zealand, January and February are the warmest months of the year (summer), and July is the coldest (winter). Fiordland in the south is generally colder than the north, but weather varies throughout the region and can change rapidly within a day.
Summer in Fiordland offers the warmest days (e.g. between 10 - 18°C. Winter temperatures (between May and November) can be between 1 - 9°C (example from July), however cold weather can occur at any time of year.
Mintaro Hut, Milford Track, Fiordland
Mackenzie Hut, Routeburn Track, Fiordland
Luxmore Hut, Kepler Track, Fiordland
(Data sourced from climate-data.org, monitored at Picton , Units = °C)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
