Ultimate Fiordland and Queenstown Adventure

You’ll meet your expert guides in central Queenstown at the Holiday Inn before setting off on a spectacular start to the adventure. Your first stop is at the Birdlife Park, where you’ll have the rare chance to see the takahē, one of New Zealand’s most remarkable and endangered birds. Large, colorful and flightless, they are found only in New Zealand and seeing them up close offers a special connection to the unique wildlife of this region. 

From there, you’ll continue to Doubtful Sound for an unforgettable overnight cruise through one of the most remote and peaceful corners of Fiordland. Vast, dramatic and far quieter than Milford Sound, Doubtful is often described as a hidden treasure, with deep still waters, forested mountains and a real sense of untouched wilderness. As you cruise deeper into the fjord, you can choose to kayak, join a guided excursion on a small tender boat, or simply relax on board and take in the scenery. Along the way, you’ll enjoy freshly baked afternoon tea, local platters and a gourmet buffet dinner prepared by the onboard chef.
Accommodation: Onboard the Doubtful Sound Cruise, The Fiordland Wanderer (modern catamaran) 
Meals: Lunch, Dinner 

You’ll wake up in Doubtful Sound and cruise back to Pearl Harbour, soaking up the last of this peaceful corner of Fiordland before heading to your first walk of the trip.  

This afternoon, you’ll hike a section of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks and a wonderful introduction to the region’s forests, birdlife, and hiking culture. You’ll explore ancient beech and podocarp forest with your guide. The hike is from Rainbow Reach to the Control Gates, with the option to continue hiking around the lake into the central town of Te Anau. 

We’ll stay in Te Anau for the night and enjoy dinner together at a local favorite restaurant. We’ll spend the evening getting to know each other and connecting over a shared love for adventure. 
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel & Villas, Te Anau 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours, plus optional 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers), 1.25 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent 
Terrain: Forest trail with gentle rise and descent, not technical. 

Today brings two Fiordland icons in one outstanding day: Milford Track and Milford Sound! Not many visitors get to experience both which makes this day particularly special. You’ll fuel up with a tasty breakfast and head to Sandfly Point where your walk begins. Hiking through beautiful Fiordland forest, where moss hangs from the trees, and the birdsong is distinctly New Zealand. As you continue along the trail, you'll start to hear the water crashing as you approach the impressive Giant Gates waterfall. 

After your hike the views just get better. You'll step aboard a Milford Sound cruise and see this extraordinary fjord from the water. Incredible in any weather, waterfalls are guaranteed all year round, however when it’s raining, you’ll see the waterfalls cascade in full glory. It’s one of the few times we hope for wet weather! The highlights for many are Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. You may even see Fiordland wildlife such as bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, Kea birds, and Fiordland crested penguins. 
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel & Villas, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (10 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 985 feet (300 meters) ascent, 985 feet (300 meters) descent 
Terrain: Forest trail with some uneven sections and gradual climbs.

Cruise: 2 hours

Today you’ll return to Queenstown, where alpine scenery meets a lively lakeside atmosphere. Once you arrive, you’ll take the gondola and set out on the Ben Lomond hike, with a delicious picnic lunch along the trail. This is a rewarding Queenstown hike, and the panoramic views are unbeatable. You’ll be able to see the whole of Queenstown, the length of Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountain ranges through toward Mt Aspiring National Park.  

After the hike, the rest of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to relax or explore Queenstown at your own pace. Dinner is on your own tonight, and your guides will be happy to share their favorite local spots for a drink, a meal, or a bit of shopping. Our head office is in Queenstown, so we are all very familiar with the best spots and dishes! 
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express and Suites or Scenic Suites, Queenstown 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown your way. There is a lot you can do in Queenstown in a day, and we are happy to help you with our tips and recommendations. Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, so there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your day. If you’re after adrenaline, there are options like bungy jumping, ziplining, jet boating, paragliding, and more. If a slower pace sounds more like you, you could bike through vineyards and stop at award-winning local wineries (the Queenstown and Central Otago region is famous for wine), go shopping, enjoy fine dining, play golf, or relax on the beach. Queenstown offers something for every kind of traveler, and your guides will help point you in the right direction based on what you’re in the mood for. 
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express and Suites or Scenic Suites, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast 

Today you’ll get back into the wild and soak up some of the Fiordland region’s most beautiful scenery. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to Mount Crichton for the Mount Crichton Loop Track, also known as the Sam Summers Track. This trail is a real hidden gem, winding through native forest, past historic mining remnants, and alongside beautiful waterways, with a picnic lunch enjoyed out on the trail.  

After the hike, the journey continues toward Glenorchy, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. We’ll stop for an ice cream and a visit to Mrs Woolly’s, a much-loved local spot filled with local treats and crafts like Merino wool blankets, before carrying on to Kinloch. Once you arrive, you’ll have time to settle in and enjoy the peaceful setting before sitting down to a guide-prepared dinner. The day ends at the spectacular Kinloch Wilderness Retreat (a team favorite), a special place to unwind and enjoy the remote beauty of this special corner of New Zealand. 
Accommodation: Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, Kinloch 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hiking: 4 miles (6.4 kilometers), around 3 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,214 feet (370 meters) ascent, 1,214 feet (370 meters) descent 
Terrain: Well-maintained path through native forest with some uneven spots and creekside sections. 

Today is all about one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine hikes. A true highlight for lovers of big mountain scenery and classic New Zealand hiking. After breakfast, you’ll head out on the Routeburn Track, a classic South Island trail known for its huge mountain views, clear rivers, and glacier carved valleys.  

The hike to Routeburn Falls Hut is an unforgettable journey. You’ll walk through lush forest, cross swing bridges, and follow the river deeper into the mountains, with the scenery getting bigger and more dramatic as you go. You’ll see Bridal Veil Waterfall, pass Sugarloaf Stream, and have views of the Humboldt Mountains. Lunch on the trail makes the experience even more special, giving you time to pause and fully take in the beauty of this extraordinary and unique landscape.  

After returning to Kinloch, you’ll enjoy dinner and another peaceful night at the Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, surrounded by the quiet magic of the wilderness. 
Accommodation: Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, Kinloch 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hiking: 12.2 miles (19.6 kilometers) round trip, 6-8 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,480 feet (450 meters) ascent, 1,480 feet (450 meters) descent 
Terrain: Expect dirt trail, some uneven sections, swing bridges, and spots that can be muddy or slippery in wet weather. 

You’ll head out on the Dart River Jet Boat and Funyak experience, travelling deep into Mount Aspiring National Park. The day combines the thrill of a high-speed jet boat ride with the chance to slow down and explore this extraordinary wilderness by Funyak. With an expert guide you’ll drift through pristine waters, hidden side streams, and dramatic scenery in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. A wilderness lunch is included, giving you the chance to soak up the stillness and beauty of this incredible setting before returning to Kinloch. Back at the retreat, the rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the surroundings, followed by another guide-prepared dinner and a peaceful night at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat. 

You might be wondering what 'funyaking' is. Funkyaking is kayaking in inflatable canoes, where you’ll be in pairs. You’ll float and paddle downstream in these inflatable “Funyaks,” exploring side channels, hidden streams, and Lord of the Rings filming locations no less! Guides teach you how to use the Funyak, no prior experience is needed. It’s designed to be comfortable and picturesque, rather than high adrenaline. It’s a very impressive way to see parts of Fiordland that very few people get to see, let alone experience in such a fun way! 
Accommodation: Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, Kinloch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Funyaking: 6.5 hours, including stops and lunch 
Terrain: Beginner level 

After breakfast, step out for a gentle walk along the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway. It’s a lovely way to soak in a final glimpse of this quiet corner of New Zealand, with reflections of the surrounding peaks stretching across the water. Before you leave, there’s time to stop by the iconic red shed for a photo, a simple but fitting farewell to Glenorchy. From there, you’ll drive back along the stunning lakeside road to Queenstown, where drop-offs can be arranged either in central Queenstown or at Queenstown Airport and we’ll reflect on the incredible adventure we’ve experienced together.  
Accommodation: Not applicable 
Meals: Breakfast  

Hiking: 2 miles (3.2 kilometers), 1-2 hours 
Elevation Gain/Loss: Approximately 114 feet (35 meters) ascent, 114 feet (35 meters) descent 
Terrain: Mostly flat, easy, well-formed walkway with gravel/floodbank trail and wooden boardwalks.