Guided Nature Walks

‘‘UULLTTIIMMAATTEE NNAATTUURREE EEXXPPEERRIIEENNCCEE’’ Full day walking/jet boat adventure, incls Jet Boat

This full day adventure combines total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest in the Mount

Aspiring National Park, travelling to the start of the walk with the ‘Dart River Jetboat Safari’ through one

of the most scenic high mountain big river valleys to be found in New Zealand.

Duration: 7 to 8 hours

Walking time: 2 to 3 hours

Walking distance: 4 to 6 kms (easy to moderate)

Track: Unformed trails easy to moderate walking on leaves and moss

Departures: 8.00am

Pickup: Pickup from all Queenstown accommodations.

Minimum numbers: Two persons (adult) or equivalent price.

What you bring: Strong walking boots or shoes

A warm/sun hat

Wet/wind/warm clothing for changeable weather

Small day pack

A reasonable level of fitness will ensure an enjoyable day

What we provide: All transport to and from Queenstown accommodation

Picnic lunch - including tea/coffee cookies, fruit

Friendly & knowledgeable local guides

Commentary and interpretation of flora, fauna, history, and geology

Small day packs and some wet weather gear is available on loan

Highlights: Spectacular snow-capped mountain and lake views

Variety of bird life

Natural ancient native beech forest, mosses, lichens and ferns

Jet boat 35km up a magnificent high mountain big river valley

‘‘UUllttiimmaattee NNaattuurree EExxppeerriieennccee’’ ttiimmiinngg bbrreeaakkddoowwnn ((aapppprrooxxiimmaattee))

8am – Pick up from accommodation 10:35am – Begin walking

8:50am – Arrive at Dart River Jet Safari’s Glenorchy base 12:30 – 1pm – Lunch

9am – Board Jet Boat & travel up the Dart River 2pm – begin walking again

10:30am – Disembark Jet Boat that has pulled into 3pm – board vehicle

river side to meet Guides. 4:30pm – Approx. drop off at accommodation

PRIVATELY GUIDED WALKS are tailored to suit client’s requirements includes private

transport (except jet boat). Kiwi Style Picnic Lunch is provided.

Nature walks since 1868

Guided Nature Walks

‘‘UULLTTIIMMAATTEE NNAATTUURREE EEXXPPEERRIIEENNCCEE’’ Full day out includes ‘A Spectacular Jet Boat Trip’

After an astonishing 40-minute journey up the shores of Lake Wakatipu, in

what has been described as the world’s finest scenery and an unobtrusive

but fascinating commentary to match, you arrive in the backcountry, head-

of-the-lake township of Glenorchy.

From there your mission is to penetrate the forests around the base of the

backbone of New Zealand. The only way to master the shallow glacial

waters of the Southern Alps is by the Kiwi innovation that revolutionised

high-country transport, the Jet Boat.

The Jet Boat drivers know their river intimately and their superb skills

behind the wheel complement frequent stops on this unique journey to

explain the geology and lore of the ancient and unspoiled lands you

traverse.

One and a half fascinating hours and 35km later your guide will meet you at

a secret spot on the banks of the Dart River then lead you on a very gentle

ascent under a canopy of native beech forest where birdsong supplies an

unrivalled, natural soundtrack. This is in an area where Guided Nature

Walks is the only company permitted to walk through.

The vast numbers of plant species compete for your attention with the orchestra of native bird life. Your guide will

point out your new and inquisitive travelling companions as they stop by to look you over.

A delicious picnic lunch is taken on the shores of the forest-

framed waters of Lake Sylvan. Nestled among a family of

mountains, the lake’s brooding waters have a reddish-

brown tint picked up from plants by its feeder streams on

their journey down the hillsides over the 11,000 years of its

existence.

Lake Sylvan teems with native trout and the most

attractive species of geese and ducks when in season.

Winding back from the lake the track ambles through to

the Routeburn*, flowing down the very edge of the forest

and on to your comfortable transport.

From there it’s a short drive through rich farmland to

Glenorchy where you might enjoy a brief refreshing stop in

the local cafe before the road trip back to Queenstown.

Our Privately Guided option is for your total wilderness experience.

We are the only Guiding company permitted to guide you in this beautiful area

This walk is an excellent walk for people interested in variety, lake, river valley, forests, mountain views, native birds and/or photography, it is a complete day packed with variety and scenery that you can take home on film!

Nature walks since 1868 *burn = Scottish word for river