The Ultimate Luxury Fiordland Walk - Three Tracks, Milford Luxury Overnight Cruise & Heli Hike 4D3N, Fully Guided

Walking distance: 8 km, approx. 3 - 6 hours walking (Moderate Grade).

Pick up from your Queenstown accommodation at around 7:30am*. Then transfer to Te Anau (2 hours car trip).

* We can also pick up you from Queenstown a day prior to the trip if your pre-trip accommodation is in Te Anau.

Get whisked away in a helicopter crossing Lake Te Anau and land at Luxmore Hut. From this Department of Conservation Hut explore the alpine tussock fields and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding spectacular Fiordland mountains (Takitimu Mountains, Snowdon Mountains and Earl Mountains), and the Te Anau Basin. This is also where there's a good chance you'll encounter kea - New Zealand's large, extremely intelligent alpine parrots. You'll also have possibility of ascending to the summit of Mt Luxmore (optional 3 hours walk).

After lunch, hike down the mountain on a well-formed track. The track descends through mountain and silver beech forest, and passes under towering limestone bluffs to the sandy beach of Brod Bay, the pick up point for the boat cruise back to Te Anau.

It is a down hill walk (8 km) requiring a medium level of fitness. There are plenty of stops for photographs, bird-watching and interpretation along the way.

Return to Te Anau at around 5:00 to 6:00 pm.

You'll stay at the renowned 5 star boutique haven, Fiordland Lodge. Nestled at the entrance to Fiordland National Park, Fiordland Lodge offers breathtaking views of Lake Te Anau and the surrounding mountains. With just 30 guests, experience intimacy at its finest. Unwind in your picturesque room with king bed and private balcony or for the ultimate relaxation, unwind in the outdoor hot tub beneath the starry skies. Tonight, be treated to a gourmet pre-dinner canapés and 3 course dinner (daily changing menu).

Walking distance: 7 - 10 km, approx. 5 hours walking (Easy Grade).

Enjoy a guided day hike to Key Summit to view glacial carved valleys, alpine gardens abundant with flora and fauna and expansive vistas of New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps.

Pickup from your accommodation around 7:30am. Begin the journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Milford Road with opportunities for short nature walks and photo stops. Arrive at the Divide Shelter, the starting point for the Routeburn Track and our guided walk to Key Summit.

The walk ascends through lush, temperate rainforest on a well maintained track. The steady climb takes approximately 2 hours. Gaining an elevation of 400 metres, emerge from the forest into the alpine environment of Key Summit, with panoramic views of high snowy peaks, alpine lakes, and deep bush clad valleys.

Your guide will find the best place for lunch on the day. Opportunity may allow to explore further along the Routeburn or Greenstone Tracks. After lunch steps are retraced to the Divide Shelter before returning to Te Anau.

Back to your accommodation at around 4:30pm. After a hot shower and relaxation, enjoy your pre-dinner canapés followed by 3 course dinner (daily changing menu) at the lodge's elegant dining room.

Walking distance: 11 km, approx. 4 hours walking (Easy Grade). Some fitness required, 50 metre vertical gain.

Pick up from your Te Anau accommodation around 6:30am. Experience a guided walk to Giant Gate Waterfall on the world famous Milford Track. Departing from Milford Sound begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point. An easy 5.5 km (11 km return) walk alongside the cascading Arthur River and moody Lake Ada, on a well maintained track through ancient temperate rainforest surrounded by an array of ferns, mosses and lichens in vibrant shades of green leads to Giant Gate Waterfall. An expansive swing bridge provides perfect photo opportunities. A forest of ancient trees, vibrant ferns and mosses, and diverse birdlife - unequalled anywhere.

Upon arrival at Milford Sound, you have some free time. You could have your lunch at the local cafe (at your own expense).

3:45pm: Meet the crew for boarding at 4:00pm. Cruise departure is by 4:30pm.

Approx. 4:30pm Board the Fiordland Jewel for the overnight cruise. Then cruise the full length of Milford Sound. Your onboard nature guide will explain the history and geology of Milford Sound.

If weather permits, cruise into the mouth of the fiord past Anita Bay, and head into the Tasman Sea for a glimpse of the West Coast, before returning into the sound. Venture up the north side of the fiord past Dale Point, the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, Seal Rock, Stirling Falls, The Lion and the Cascade Range.

The cruise style is relaxed, and you'll have plenty of time to view the fiord's spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife such as seals, dolphin and penguins.

Viewing Black Coral
Fiordland is also unique in that species usually living at great depths are visible due to a light-absorbing fresh water layer, which allows them to become established at much shallower depths. An annual rainfall of 6500mm combined with the run-off from surrounding mountains provides a tannin-like colour to the water, creating a light barrier which encourages these plants and animals to thrive. The water is relatively warm and remarkably clear, giving you the chance to see flora and fauna usually out of reach. For example, black coral, saucer sponge, large tube anemone, spiny sea dragons and other species usually confined to far greater depths. The most prized of these, and normally only discovered in deep oceans, is black coral which can be viewed at shallow depths of 15-50 metres in Milford Sound because of this unique layer. The tree-like coral is said to be worth more than diamonds on a weight-for-weight basis - undoubtedly a reason why it is listed as endangered in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and protected by law in New Zealand.

Kayaking
Once we’ve anchored for the night, feel free to use the kayaks to explore the nearby coastline - a fantastic way to end the day!

Tender Excursion
The small boat at the back of the vessel, called a tender, may take you closer to the shore to see wildlife, waterfalls and other interesting landscape features.

Fishing
Milford Sound itself is a marine reserve so we are unable to fish there, but the mouth of the fiord and the Tasman Sea are renowned fishing spots. Here we’ll hook you up with a fishing rod – blue cod is the fish of choice in Fiordland. We may also have the opportunity to lift cray pots (lobster traps) if conditions allow.

After cruising, anchor at Harrison’s Cove or Deepwater Cove for the night. There is then the opportunity to explore nearby in the on-board sea kayaks, before returning to the boat for drinks and dinner.

As evening falls, enjoy a three-course dinner prepared freshly by the onboard chef. Then relax in the company of fellow travellers, indulge in some star-gazing or outdoor hot-tub before retiring to your private cabin.

Dawn arrives at 6am in December, but can be as late as 8am in March. Watch the sunrise over breakfast, which is served 7am-8am, before returning to the terminal at 9.20am.

After disembarking, you will be transferred to Queenstown by luxury coach. Estimated Queenstown arrival time is around 3:30pm. Optional upgrade to fly back Queenstown at and additional cost.

Milford Sound - Queenstown One Way Flight
Fantastic aerial views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, waterfalls and the majestic Milford Sound. One-way scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown by fixed-wing aircraft. (Duration: 35 minutes). The upgrade price is from $400 per person