Great Walks of New Zealand

  • 5 Days
  • 14 People Max

    5 - 14 guests

  • Activity Level 2
    • Activity Level 2

      On the Move

      Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Queenstown
  • Trip End: Queenstown
New Zealand Great Walks Discovery

In just five days, explore the Kepler, Routeburn and Milford Tracks on our Great Walks of New Zealand hiking tour.

Bask in your creature comforts and experience best-in-the-world hikes on our 5-day Great Walks of New Zealand hiking tour exploring the highlights and hidden gems of Fiordland. There's no doubt you'll be amazed by the vast landscapes you'll experience in a short amount of time while still enjoying comfortable accommodations and incredible food each evening. Starting and finishing in Queenstown, you'll hike three of New Zealand's Great Walks (Kepler Track, Routeburn Track, and Milford Track), stay the night not only on the Fiordland Navigator on Doubtful Sound but also in the highly sought-after Milford Lodge Chalets and enjoy top-notch service every step of the way. If you're short on time but keen to see the best of the South Island, our Great Walks of New Zealand hiking tour is for you.

   This trip is operated by Active Adventures.

Great Walks of New Zealand ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Queenstown Trip End: Queenstown
  • Day 1Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound

  • Day 2Cruise in Doubtful Sound, hike Routeburn Track

  • Day 3Hike Milford Track, cruise Milford Sound

  • Day 4Takahe Bird Park, hike Kepler Track

  • Day 5Gondola ride, hike Ben Lomond

  • Day 1

    Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound

    #604

    For the first day of your trip, we’ll meet you in Queenstown and head to Lake Manapouri where our journey into Doubtful Sound begins. We’ll board a boat for the cruise across Lake Manapouri, before a drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where we’ll board the Fiordland Navigator for our overnight cruise. Doubtful Sound is a large and remote wilderness area, where you’ll have the opportunity to take a kayak out on the water or hop aboard the tender craft for a guided exploration of the fiord, and in the right season, you may catch a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Tonight, you’ll sleep in a quad share room aboard the Fiordland Navigator, though there is the option to upgrade to a private ensuite room, if you prefer.

    Fiordland Navigator, Doubtful Sound (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 2

    Cruise in Doubtful Sound, hike Routeburn Track

    #605

    You’ll wake in the middle of Doubtful Sound and after breakfast we’ll retrace our journey back to Manapouri. From there we’ll drive to the Divide, where we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track, the first of the Great Walks you’ll experience. We hike through beech forest, sub-alpine shrub land and picturesque alpine tarns, before reaching Key Summit. Here you’ll be standing at the head of three different valleys (the Hollyford, Eglinton and Greenstone), with stunning views over the Great Divide, which separates west and east flowing rivers. We’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel and emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound (actually it’s a fiord!) Rudyard Kipling rated Milford the eighth natural wonder of the world and it’s truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into deep inky water.

    Milford Lodge Chalets, Milford Sound (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 3.4 kilometers (2 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 380 meters (1,246 feet)

  • Day 3

    Hike Milford Track, cruise Milford Sound

    #606

    It’s worth getting up early to take a photo of Mitre Peak, quite possibly the most photographed mountain in New Zealand, but your challenge is to find a unique angle! After breakfast, we’ll take a short boat ride across Milford Sound to hike from Sandfly Point to the Giant Gates waterfall, a spectacular section of the famed Milford Track. The forest here is lush and rich with mosses and ferns as we follow the Arthur River past Lake Ada. By hiking from the Milford Sound trailhead, we’ll enjoy the track to ourselves, which is a luxury others seldom get. Once we return to the Milford wharf, we’ll board a boat for a two-hour nature cruise to the head of this spectacular fiord. We’ll then leave Milford Sound behind to hike some lesser-known tracks in eastern Fiordland before returning to Te Anau.

    Matai Lodge or Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 10 kilometers (6 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 300 meters (985 feet)

  • Day 4

    Takahe Bird Park, hike Kepler Track

    #607

    This morning we’re heading for a Department of Conservation birdlife park in Te Anau. The center takes care of injured or aging birds which would struggle to survive in the wild - it’s a great opportunity to see some of our rarest birds up close, so don’t forget your camera! Afterwards, we’ll tick off our third Great Walk in three days - the Kepler Track. Interestingly, the Kepler Track differs from the Routeburn and Milford Tracks in that it didn’t actually evolve from a necessary Maori greenstone trail, but was custom-built for hiking. The section we’ll hike today passes over the control gates at the outlet of Lake Te Anau and meanders through ancient beech and podocarp forest.

    Matai Lodge or Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 9.5 kilometers (6 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 50 meters (165 feet)

  • Day 5

    Gondola ride, hike Ben Lomond

    #608

    Today we’ll drive back along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, and take a ride on the gondola to the top of a tree-covered rocky crag, known as Bob’s Peak, to start our alpine hike. We pass through open alpine tussockland to the Ben Lomond saddle and will be rewarded with panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the often snow-covered Southern Alps. For those keen to press on to the top, Ben Lomond’s summit reveals views of Mt. Earnslaw and Mt. Aspiring, two of New Zealand’s highest peaks, and even a glimpse of Aoraki/Mt. Cook on a clear day. We’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand! If you're keen to extend your trip and see what the North Island has to offer (Maori culture, pristine beaches and geothermal areas) check out our 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure (5-day options also available).

    No Accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch)

    Hiking: 8 kilometers (5 miles), 4-5 hours, elevation +/- 978 meters (3,208 feet)

Great Walks of New Zealand Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year

Looking for a private departure? Let us know when you fill your enquiry form, and our Adventure Planners will let you know your different options.

USD $3999/per adult (+tax) 

Tax info:
Our New Zealand trip fares are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST 15%)

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Interactive Trip Map: Click on the map icons to read details for each day.

What Our Guests Say About the Trip

view all

Great Walks of New Zealand - April 2022

Great experience

"Well organised trip read more

"Well organised trip read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Adrian, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - April 2022

Takahe trip 27 Mar-31 Mar 22

"This was a trip down memory lane for me revisiting old haunts & visiting new… read more

"This was a trip down memory lane for me revisiting old haunts & visiting new ones. I was thrilled with how it all went & with the experience of our guides & their enthusiasm. The weather was perfect & I achieved everything on my bucket list! read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Colleen, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - March 2022

Nice, amazing, beauty

"Like a dream, weather was good, company was good, food was good, activities awesome read more

"Like a dream, weather was good, company was good, food was good, activities awesome read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Sabine, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - February 2022

Takahe Fiordland South Island Adventure

"Absolutely a fantastic trip!. We were a group of 10 good friends and our 'brilliant'… read more

"Absolutely a fantastic trip!. We were a group of 10 good friends and our 'brilliant' guides Elder & Steve became part of our wider family! They were informative, entertaining, anticipated our every need (plus great cooks) making our holiday even more special. Our 5-day adventure went seamlessly, including the fortune of great weather throughout. What a magnificent country we live in - we were in awe of the stunning scenery & experience! read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Linda, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - February 2022

A taste of Fiordland

"We were a group of 10 ... we loved our Fiordland experience! The Takahe… read more

"We were a group of 10 ... we loved our Fiordland experience! The Takahe trip gave us a taste of Fiordland and we are keen to return! Our guides were very knowledgeable and a whole lot of fun to be around. read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Bobbie, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - May 2021

Wonderful Adventure

"I couldn’t have asked for more! This was truly a wonderful adventure with every care… read more

"I couldn’t have asked for more! This was truly a wonderful adventure with every care taken to make sure the whole group was looked after.
Holly and Greg were great in every way. I was so proud of our young Kiwi Guides they were very knowledgeable and excellent at multi-tasking. read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Fran, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - May 2021

Discovery

"Each day experiencing "highlights" of the various Fiordland trails over 4 days took me to… read more

"Each day experiencing "highlights" of the various Fiordland trails over 4 days took me to my happy place as I love the walking but not the slog. read less

4 Stars (863 reviews)

Leah, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - May 2021

Spectacular

"The trip to Doubtful Sound and the overnight cruise was the highlight for me -… read more

"The trip to Doubtful Sound and the overnight cruise was the highlight for me - enough rain to fill all the rain-dependent waterfalls but not enough to dampen spirits - spectacular! The small samples of three of the Great Walks were quite enough for my aged limbs. I probably needed more time to really enjoy them, the views and the flora. read less

4 Stars (863 reviews)

Don, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - May 2021

How having travel limited to New Zealand helps one re-appreciate New Zealand

"We usually have an overseas adventure each year, but with international travel being curtailed in… read more

"We usually have an overseas adventure each year, but with international travel being curtailed in 2020 we were wanting something fun and different to do in New Zealand. The Takahe trip ticked all the boxes, we had a great time and in reflection we realised we don't have to leave New Zealand to experience new adventures. read less

4 Stars (863 reviews)

Susan, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - April 2021

Takahe Trip

"The Takahe trip is full of wonder, excitement and lasting memories. It boasts spectacular… read more

"The Takahe trip is full of wonder, excitement and lasting memories. It boasts spectacular scenery every day, quality accommodation, comfortable travel and carefully balanced activities allowing energy levels to be manageable over five days. The guides are personable, knowledgeable, and great managers of the group dynamics with a mix of abilities and personalities. Full on days hiking with creative planning leads to happy and contented participants who come home to reminisce about the journey and its success. Thank you Active Adventures. read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Lynda, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - April 2021

Go great!

"So tempted to try to knock off a few great walks as the years slip… read more

"So tempted to try to knock off a few great walks as the years slip by?
Join this perfect honey of great walk tasters. Within lies the relaxing level nature walks in forest crowded with amazing lush undergrowth, or light- filtered lighter growth; then onto more challenging stuff such as Routeburn's Key Summit or Ben Lomond saddle.
All this and always guided by our lovely young whizz-kid guides.
And don't forget incredible meals appearing regularly. read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Sandy, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - March 2021

Takahe Trip

"This trip covering overnight on boat in Doubtful Sound and four one day treks has… read more

"This trip covering overnight on boat in Doubtful Sound and four one day treks has all the comforts and only have to carry day pack. read less

4 Stars (863 reviews)

Prue, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - March 2021

Active Adventures Takahe

"I knew the trip was going to be a success because of the way we… read more

"I knew the trip was going to be a success because of the way we were greeted at the Hotel on the first morning. Button & Emma went the extra mile to look after us everyday & of course, we all liked Sam a lot. read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Susan, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - February 2021

What a fabulous adventure!

"Five days of adventure, fabulous food and amazing scenery and I didn't have to do… read more

"Five days of adventure, fabulous food and amazing scenery and I didn't have to do a thing except be there and enjoy it. I had an absolute blast and this was in a huge part due to our guides Ruby and Pim, who were professional, knowledgeable, friendly, caring and cheerful all the way. The logistics of the trip were really well thought through and managed. Hats off to Ruby and Pim. You were both amazing! read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Jenny, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - February 2021

Active Adventures - Absolutely Awesome

"From start to finish this WAS a trip of a life time as promised! … read more

"From start to finish this WAS a trip of a life time as promised! I cannot fault one single thing over the entire 5 days! Fabulous guides, food, driving, accommodation, tramping experiences plus other activities such as boating on Doubtful and Milford Sounds. Loved it all and the weather was sunny the whole time read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Karyn, New Zealand

Great Walks of New Zealand - February 2021

"The weather was perfect for the entire 5 days, couldn't have asked for better. Ruby… read more

"The weather was perfect for the entire 5 days, couldn't have asked for better. Ruby and Pim were a great team, everything went very smoothly, they were both fabulous and knowledgeable guides. Ruby whipped up amazing meals and I felt very safe and comfortable with Pim's driving. The Takahe is an excellent taster to showcase Fiordland read less

5 Stars (863 reviews)

Linda, New Zealand

Distinction Luxmore Te Anau
milford lodge 2
milford lodge 3
milford lodge
nz lodging v3

Accommodation

We have selected the accommodations on your trip for their stunning setting and location, quality of service, comfort and attentive hospitality. From the Milford Lodge (the only accommodation in Milford Sound) to the Fiordland Navigator, you'll never get tired of the views.

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

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Useful Info

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travellers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travellers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travellers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. 

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip we will meet you at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 7:30am for breakfast and a trip briefing. You are welcome to stay at any hotel in Queenstown if you arrive before the first day, though you must make your own way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the pre-designated time.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Queenstown Airport (ZQN) in time for flights below or anywhere in central Queenstown around 5pm

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Queenstown at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Queenstown after 6pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

How fit do I need to be?

As an Activity Level 3 trip, you’ll need a good level of fitness for the trip as it’s one of our more adventurous trips. Typically, hikes range between two and five hours to complete, more, or less hiking is available depending on your multi-day option.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

Is tipping expected in New Zealand?

Tipping is neither required nor routinely expected in New Zealand, but it is appropriate for very good service. In New Zealand you don't usually tip in restaurants, or if you take a taxi, or get a haircut. Many of our guests do choose to tip our guides and we recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide.

What accommodations do we stay at on this trip?

This trip is a wilderness hiking trip and while it’s not designed to be a scenic tour of the South Island’s luxury hotels, it features more creature comforts than some of our other trips and you’ll certainly feel like you’re hiking in style! You’ll stay in some wonderful places in the remote locations we take you.

Laundry facilities will be available at almost all accommodations (except the Doubtful Sound overnight boat). Please check with reception on check-in, or we can do that for you.

How much luggage can I bring on this trip?

You’ll need one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage can be anything from a backpack, to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase and a good quality daypack 25-30 litres (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.

Tell me about the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise?

On your Active Great Walks Discovery option we spend one night onboard the Navigator ship on the remote Doubtful Sound. It’s a stunning environment and you’ll probably be one of just a small group of people exploring this part of the country.

Rooming on the Navigator is in 4 person dorms with bunk - style beds and shared bathroom facilities. There is also the option to upgrade to a private room with ensuite bathroom for an additional cost. If you’d like a private room please let us know as soon as possible, as there are limited rooms available and they can only be requested on a first come, first served basis. 

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Our Local Guides

Why Travel With Us

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Experience adventure the way you want

You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

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Crafting award-winning trips for decades - the Kiwi way

We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional, warm and relaxed style of hosting. Plus, we’re always here to help with planning, travel, bookings... even hiking boot recommendations!

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Every detail covered, to maximise your time

As soon as your trip starts, we've got everything covered – top notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.

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Group travel for those who aren’t ‘group travellers’

With our small groups of typically no more than 14 (up to 18 max), you'll get to know our team, your fellow travellers, and have the flexibility and freedom to do as much (or as little!) as you like. It’s all about going at your own pace.

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Explore hidden gems through our expert local guides

All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy a special experience, authentic local knowledge and an adventure like no other.

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4.54 out of 5 from 17042 reviews. That’s pretty solid.

We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.

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Great Walks of New Zealand