Milford Track Guided Walk

Day to Day Itinerary

Preamble

A comprehensive briefing and answers to all your last minute questions to ensure you are well prepared for the adventure ahead. Pack, sleeping sheet and raincoat are issued. If you are starting in Queenstown, it is held at 3.45pm the evening prior to departure in the Guided Walk Centre at The Station, corner Camp and Shotover Streets or on the morning of departure in Te Anau at 9.30am in the Centra Hotel.

Day 1   To Glade House

If starting in Queenstown depart from The Station at 9.30am for the scenic drive to Te Anau to join trekkers commencing there. Enjoy lunch together which is followed by a group photograph. Travel to Te Anau Downs for the launch cruise to the head of Lake Te Anau, the beginning of the Track. An easy 1.6km walk to Glade House for a hot shower and hearty dinner.

Day 2    To Pompolona Lodge

Wake to the dawn chorus of native birds – bellbird, tui, native pigeon, fantail, falcon, morepork, weka and the inquisitive kea (please do not feed). Set out across the Clinton River and walk through a beech forest. Lunch in a shelter at Hirere Falls and then on to the grassy plain known as the Prairie; Spectacular views of Clinton Canyon. A rocky climb to Marlene’s creek signals your arrival at Pompolona Lodge. Today’s walk is easy: A little over 16k or 10 miles.

Day 3    To Quinton Hut

This is the most demanding day on the Milford Track. We’re still on the upper reaches of the Clinton River with the St Quintin Falls three leaps visible on the side of the canyon. Getting steeper, but there’s a respite at Lake Mintaro. Up the Mackinnon Pass in a series of long zigzags, resting whenever you wish to enjoy the impressive views. Stop at the memorial to Mackinnon and Ernest Mitchell, edging to the “12 second drop” (don’t try it) for a view of Quintin Lodge. Lunch at the Pass Hut and then down around the base of Mt Balloon, under the sheer face of Jervois Glacier into the rain forest of the Arthur Valley. Across Roaring Burn and Moraine Creek to Quintin Lodge and a well earned afternoon tea. Just over 15km or 9 miles today. It’s well worth an extra walk to the Sutherland Falls, the 5th highest waterfall in the world, a 90 minute round trip.

Day 4     To Milford Sound

Last day on the track – 21km or just over 13 miles of mostly easy walking. Down a long steep hill named Gentle Annie. Lady of the Snows, Dumpling Hill, Sandy flat, Racecourse flat. A ‘cuppa’ at the boatshed – real bushbrewed tea beside the Bell Rock and the Mackay Falls. Lunch beside the cooling mist of Giants Gate Waterfall and a final walk alongside Lake Ada to Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. A short boat trip to Mitre Peak Lodge for the evening celebrations.

Day 5    Milford Sound to Queenstown

Relax this morning on a Red Boats cruise, past Lady Bowen Falls, beneath Mitre Peak, Copper and Dale Points to the Tasman Sea. You’ll journey past the old sealer’s anchorage at Harrison’s Cove beneath the Pembroke Glacier. Watch for dolphins, penguins and fur seals. Discover the world’s only “whiskey falls”. A scenic coach ride through the Homer Tunnel and Fiordland wilderness arriving in Te Anau at about 1.00pm then continuing to Queenstown via Queenstown Airport arriving at approximately 3.30 pm.

WHAT TO BRING   Be practical with your choice of clothing - warm, preferably woollen clothing, including a wooly hat and gloves, thermal underwear and socks are essential regardless of the season - as is a pair of sturdy and comfortable walking footwear, preferably with ankle supports.

Milford Track operators will provide all food and bedding. Towels are provided in the lodges as is soap, shampoo and conditioner. For those who need them, they also supply backpacks and rain jackets. Everyone is given a sleep-sheet so there is no need to bring a seeping bag (some people prefer to bring their own silk sleep-sheet).

The following is a list of essential equipment to bring with you:

For Walking:Waterproof raincoat with hood (we can lend you one), Boots or strong walking shoes, preferably with ankle support, Woollen or polypropylene thermal underwear (top & bottom) is essential, Warm hat – fleece or woollen, Fleece jacket or micro fleece top, T-shirts for fine weather, Gloves, Shorts for walking, Woollen or thermal socks – two pairs, Sunscreen, Insect repellent, Water bottle, Camera

For Evenings:Shirt or sweater, Trousers, skirt or track pants, Underwear – two sets, Sandals or lightweight shoes, Pyjamas or night wear, Handkerchiefs, not tissues, Toilet requisites (towels, soap, shampoo & conditioner are provided)

Optional Items:Sun hat, Swimsuit, Spare laces, Journal, Plastic bags (as pack liners for added rain protection)

Items You Can Purchase from the Milford Track shop:Film, Maps, Guidebooks, Postcards, Walking poles, Foot fleece (to reduce friction between your feet and boots), Blister kits

SAFETY Safety is always our number one priority on the tracks and in the lodges. They operate using an approved documented safety plan, with which all personnel are familiar. All guides are trained in first aid and carry first aid kits. Every guide and lodge has a hand held radio, which links them to each other and the bases in Queenstown, Te Anau and Mount Cook 24 hours a day. The radio system is also linked with those of emergency service providers. In the event of extreme weather the safety of all the walkers becomes the number one priority. Weather patterns are constantly monitored and no area of the track will be entered if any members of the party are deemed to be at risk. Guides may have to adapt the day's walk in certain situations, while they will make every effort to meet your needs, please adhere to their professional decisions if circumstances demand this.

WEATHER The big question: What will the weather be like? It is essential to be well prepared when walking. New Zealand has very changeable weather patterns. Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National parks have high rainfall levels and the weather can change dramatically in one day. The unpredictable nature of weather in this region means that snow, high winds and rain can occur at any time of the year. It is therefore very important to be prepared for the worst conditions and carry the appropriate clothing at all times. The weather however is not always wet! We do have sustained periods of fine sunny days throughout the summer. There is however no pattern to when these will be! Your guided walk will be a memorable one, whenever you choose.

FITNESS The walk is neither easy nor difficult. They are a challenge, which people of all ages and abilities will relish. To enjoy your walk you need to be able to carry a medium sized backpack containing your personal belongings weighing 5-7kg (10-14lbs) for 6-8 hours over 15-21kms (9-13 miles) of mountain tracks each day. They encourage you to walk at your own pace, there is no pressure to walk with others or keep up with the fastest walkers. There is always a guide at the front and rear of the party. The track surface varies from smooth well-formed paths to rough terrain broken by rocks and tree roots. There are steep rocky downhill sections and you may have to cross small streams and wade in deep water after heavy rain. If you are not a regular walker we suggest you begin a daily walking regime 6-8 weeks before departure. Carry a backpack and gradually increase the distance you walk. Staircase or hill climbing will leave you even better prepared for your challenge. Thousands of walkers enjoy our walks every year without any problems whatsoever. The average age of the walkers is 40+ and there have been many in their 60s and beyond. Challenge yourself!

Pre Departure Briefing
A comprehensive briefing and answers to all your last minute questions to ensure you are well prepared for the adventure ahead. Pack, sleeping sheet and raincoat are issued. If youa re starting in Queenstown, it is held at 3:45pm the evening prior to departure in the Guided Walk Centre at The Station. If starting the walk in Te Anau the pre-departure briefing is held on the morning of departure at 9:30am.

Price Per Person in Canadian $

Period

01 Dec 08 - 31 Mar 09
01 Apr 09 - 30 Apr 09
01 Nov 08 - 30 Nov 08

Adult

$1825

$1675

$1760

Child

$1050

$1050

$975