At a Glance
Queenstown hikes in style! Walk the world famous Routeburn Track and Ben Lomond Track, and heli-hike in the magical valley of the Earnslaw Burn Waterfalls as seen in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". Take in amazing views of the hanging glacier, Fiordland and beyond, farewell diverse and spectacular scenery on the tracks, and relax in the privacy of your villa - distinctively luxurious 5 star boutique accommodation at AZUR Lodge with candlelight dinners served.
Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world is your base for this incredible luxury adventure. Once you touch down at Queenstown airport, your guide will meet and greet you and transfer you to the Ben Lomond Track in a luxury car. This famous Queenstown day walk is a 3 to 4 hour easy to moderate return hike ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 2 nights' accommodation at the luxury 5 star accommodation AZUR Lodge
- Private guided walks on Day 1 & 3. Day 2 is a small group guided tour. All led by an experienced local guides
- Private Heli-hike on Day 3
- Return transport to/from Queenstown airport
- 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches plus afternoon tea and evening canapés
Itinerary
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Walking distance: 8 km, approx. 3 - 4 hours walking (Easy Grade). Optional Walk: 16 km, approx. 6 - 8 hours walking (Moderate Grade). Pick you up from Queenstown airport in the morning or Queenstown accommodation if you stay in Queenstown prior to your trip. We can also pick up from other towns at additional cost. At about 800m altitude, you'll hike in alpine tussocks and shrubs. After a demanding climb to the Ben Lomond Saddle (1326m), on clear days you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of magnificent lakes and mountains. For a keen hiker, you have the option of taking on a challenge and climbing towards the top of Ben Lomond. The track gets steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit. The views from the Summit is exceptional. You can spot Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and Aspiring/Tititea. Enjoy lunch on the track. You'll be transferred back to your Queenstown accommodation AZUR Lodge. After a hot shower and relaxation and enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Your chauffeur will drive you to Queenstown downtown for dinner. |
Villa, AZUR lodge
Lunch |
Walking distance: 13 km, approx. 4 - 5 hours walking (Easy Grade). Optional Walk: 18 km, approx. 6 - 8 hours walking (Moderate Grade). This walking tour is a small group guided tour. The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's 9 Great Walks and is the ultimate alpine adventure. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation, then take a picturesque hour drive along the lake towards Glenorchy. This stretch of road between Queenstown and Glenorchy was recently named "one of the most beautiful drives in the world" by Lonely Planet and you'll see why when we stop at Bennett's Bluff lookout along the way. The beech forest signals the beginning of Mt Aspiring National Park where you start your hike on the renowned Routeburn Track. It is an easy walk on a smooth and flat path following the picturesque Route Burn river before heading up to the Bridal Veil Waterfall. A swing bridge then leads you through to the spectacular alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. You will learn about the history, bird life, flora and fauna in this remarkable part of New Zealand. Enjoy your gourmet picnic on the track before walking back along the same track. For a keen hiker, you have the option to continue your walk up to the Routeburn Falls Hut which leads you through stunning beech forest, offering spectacular views of the Humboldt Mountains and the valley below. You'll be transferred back to your accommodation. You can have a hot shower to fresh yourself, then enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Your chauffeur will drive you to Queenstown downtown for dinner. We can book your dinner at Botswana Butchery (at your own cost). After your dinner, your chauffeur will pick you up and take you back to your accommodation. |
Villa, AZUR lodgeBreakfast, Lunch |
Walking distance: 3 hours tour duration, 2 km, approx. 1 hour walking (Easy Grade). Wake up in bed with a knock-out view of New Zealand wilderness, enjoy your breakfast either in-villa or at the main lodge with stunning, uninterrupted vistas of Lake Wakatipu, the majestic Remarkables range and Cecil and Walter Peaks. Your guide will meet you at the lodge and take you on an once-in-a-lifetime heli-hike experience. Drive to the helicopter base in Frankton to aboard your helicopter. Take off and fly over Ben Lomond and the Richardson Mountains, then past Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. You'll be dropped off down the Earnslaw Burn valley and hike approx. 1 hour to the head of the valley to view numerous waterfalls. This is a breathtaking location featured in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". You'll have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Bilbo and his company of dwarves under the waterfalls of Middle Earth. Sure to be impressed by the surreal views of rolling high-country farmland and native tussock fields that transform into glaciers and plunging waterfalls. You'll have plenty of time to get some great shots. When you complete your walk, the helicopter awaits in the valley floor and you'll ascend 1,000m past the waterfalls and blue ice of the hanging glacier before flying across Lake Wakatipu towards the Humboldt Mountains. Upon landing, you will be dropped off at your preferred locations, either Queenstown accommodation or airport. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchAccommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Group discount is available for 6 or more people. Please contact us for group bookings.
More Info
- The departure point is Queenstown, New Zealand.
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Queenstown.
We provide private car or helicopter transfer service. Please contact us to quote and arrange private transfer. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
Day 1: Approximately 8 km, 3 - 4 hours, optional walk: 16 km, 6 to 8 hours hike to Ben Lomond Summit
Day 2: Approximately 13 km, 4 - 5 hours, optional walk: 18 km, 6 to 8 hours hike to Routeburn Falls Hut
Day 3: Heli hike, approximately 2 km, 1 hour walk
Total: Approximately 23 km (Optional 36 km)
In New Zealand, January and February are the warmest months of the year (Summer). The temperature is in the 75F/25C range. February is generally regarded as the best weather month which means it's also popular on the trail.
March temperatures average at 70F/21C and is the most stable time of year to visit weather-wise, with little rain and low wind. April and May start to get a little cooler in the South, but it offers crisp clear evenings for stargazing.
June to August is Winter. Temperatures in the far south experiences an average of 47F/8C.
September to November start to warm up with flowers dotting the green forests. The average temperature is 58F/15C in the South.
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.
