Hiking

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Packages and prices

Hiking / Trekking Half day $89 (Child) – $159 (Adult)
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Hiking / Trekking Full day $249 (Child) – $295 (Adult)
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The Southern Lakes area has some of the most spectacular hiking/trekking terrain in New Zealand.

Due to the geographical location of the Southern Lakes area the weather is generally favourable for trekking most days due to the blocking affect of the Southern Alps. We have a variety of terrain and locations to choose from, hence giving us greater flexibility to select the right trip for your experience and aspirations.  All our trips are very personal and professional and we only take small groups into our treasured backcountry.

As we specialise in alpine trekking ( above the bushline ), your views are enhanced as you are generally at higher elevations. This will also give you  mountain awareness and closeness to this wonderful  alpine environment. Expect in-depth interpretation of the alpine environment, and identification of  native flora and fauna, however your guides primary focus is your safety and enjoyment.

We have strict criteria in terms of our guides. All trekking guides must have minimum qualification of New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) of Alpine 1. Also guides must be current in the latest environmental practice and have extensive local knowledge and experience of the local area.

Half day options

Lake Alta walk, Remarkables. Easy to moderate formed trail to a fantastic alpine lake at 1800m. This is a must for people who have never been in the mountains before. 4 hours, spring, summer & autumn

Wye Creek  viewpoint. Walk up a remote formed trail to get fantastic views of local mountains and Queenstown. Notice the vegetation change from beech forest to tussock. 4 hours 4 season.

Shadow Basin Loop. Walk up shadow basin to the world class view down to Queenstown 2000 meters below, then decent down an alpine ridge. Moderate fitness required. 4 hours, spring, summer & autumn

Full Day Options

Wye Dome.  Start on a trail then boulder hop and scramble to the summit of  Wye Dome. Moderate to high fitness required and a good sense of balance. 7 hours summer & autumn only.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The Queens Drive. This is the ultimate day trip. High fitness and strong balance required.  Follow a narrow ledge and look at Queenstown 2000meters below, expect big adventure.This trip is only run during summer. 8 hours

Glacier Burn. This is a great wee valley with a hanging glacier at the top. Formed trail through the native beech forest, then opens out into an alpine valley and a tasty mountain stream. Moderate fitness needed for this remote location. 6 hours all season.

South Wye. A local secret this one. A fantastic alpine valley away from the crowds. Enjoy lunch in a great little bivi rock and just enjoy the serenity. High fitness required. 7 hours. All seasons.

Multi Day Options

Wye Creek Circut. A two day trip in a fantastic remote alpine valley. Some formed trail, and some rugged backcountry. The night is spent either in a tent or a bivi rock. Classic kiwi backcountry. Moderate to high fitness.

Earnslaw Burn. Located in the southern tip of Aspiring National Park this area is special. After a 3 hour walk through the native bush the valley opens out into a wonderful alpine situation. Normally you sleep the night under a bivi rock as your guide cooks you dinner. Either the first or second day is spent exploring the upper valley. Two days one night, moderate to high fitness required.

For further information on the above trips please email info@climbingqueenstown.com or call +64 03 4502119.

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Latest news

Camping Wye Creek

10 am on a Sunday morning, the sun hasn’t quite made it through the clouds and there is a cool breeze whipping off the lake, 19 sleepy looking kids pile out of their mini buses and look up the Wye Valley with bleary eyes…. “We’re hiking all the way up there?!”

After a quick gear check and a few instructions, Rupert and Rose set off leading the ‘Little Brown Kiwi’ group up the 4×4 track to gain the path that would lead them up the North branch of the Wye Valley. The kids are fast and fit and pretty soon everyone is warmed up.

A leisurely lunch was followed by a few more hours of tramping through the beech forest and a couple of river crossings to reach our campsite. Space was a little tight with all eleven tents but after some careful maneuvering we were all squeezed in and the kids promptly fell asleep for an afternoon nap! After a rest we were keen to do some more hiking and continued up the valley, alongside the waterfall above our campsite. Some tricky moves were required to avoid the spiky spear grass and we soon had fantastic views of Single and Double cone to our right (the highest peaks on the Remarkable Mountains) and Lake Wakatipu on our left. There was an impromptu stone-statue building competition and then we all headed back to camp for tea and medals.

Dinner was followed by a few rounds of group juggling and catching last few rays before watching the sunset. It was an early night for most of the team – wiped out after carrying their heavy packs up the valley.

After a good nights kip we woke to sunny skies and a gentle meander back across the river and down the valley. We were really impressed by the positive attitude of the group throughout the two days; we didn’t hear one single complaint! Special mentions go to ‘Shazza’ for making it all the way up the valley, James for taking a two minute bath in the (very cold) river and to Mr Hay and J-Lo for making it all the way down the valley with surprise rocks in their packs – sorry fellas, karma!

Rupert relaxing in the North Wye.

Rupert relaxing in the North Wye.

Posted in Hiking, Home | Posted by Dave

Wye Creek Trekking

A new product which we have just launched, is the two day Wye Creek Circuit. Classic Kiwi alpine trekking in a stunning location just out of Queenstown. This trip is a mixture of formed trail and  an unformed route up and over Wye saddle. Nice and remote with your own personal guide, who is qualified in alpine trekking and has years of local experience.  Give Dave an email to find out more details – dave@climbingqueenstown.com

ryan waterfall e

Posted in Hiking, Home | Posted by Dave

Watch your gear around the Kea

The Kea is New Zealands (and the worlds) only alpine parrot.

They are a New Zealand native and are protected by law.

It is considered to be the most intellegent bird in the world

A pocket is not safe

The Kea lives in a very hostile environment and its survival is dependant on its very inquisitive and sometimes invasive behaviour.

While they are often seen as sometimes too inquisitive it is their home that we are visiting.

Keep food and equipment well covered (rocks are good) if no one is around to monitor them.

Up for a ride with Shari

Their great intelligence is to be admired and their survival abilities in the mountains are second to none.

They are great company and are often a very entertaining distraction.

Watch the Kea around your gear

Posted in Hiking, Mountaineering | Posted by chris