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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track offers an amazing wilderness walking experience. Located in the south-west corner of New Zealand’s South Island the track runs through 62km of pristine and unspoiled wilderness. In the company of experienced guides you’ll walk through a diverse range of World Heritage landscapes from sub-alpine wilderness to sea-level, including coastal terraces in the unique Waitutu Forest, once visited by Dr David Bellamy. There is also a chance you may spot some of the rare Hector's dolphins offshore or in a sheltered bay. On top of the Hump Ridge itself delight in panoramic views of Stewart Island, Lake Poteriteri, Lake Hauroko and mountain ranges deep in Fiordland National Park. On the first day of walking a helicopter will transfer your luggage to your simple lodge accommodation high on a ridge and also provide you with a spectacular flight across Te Waewae Bay before you commence walking. (You do need to carry all your own luggage on the remaining days.) At the end of each day, relax after a hot shower in the superbly located lodges and enjoy delicious three-course meals.
50kg of CO2-e PP per day
(149kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Day 1
Transfer to Tuatapere
You will be transferred from either Invercargill (4:35pm), Te Anau (4:30pm, on request) or Queenstown (2:00pm) to Tuatapere (timetable subject to change). Your Humpridge Track experience begins with check-in at the Humpridge Track office (31 Orawia Road, Tuatapere). Then, check in at your trip accommodation at Last Light Lodge (2 Clifden Highway, Tuatapere) where you will meet your guides and fellow walkers at 6:30pm. There you will be given a comprehensive account of what to expect on your walk. Afterwards, your guides will join you for dinner. Your accommodation for the night includes a tasty home-cooked dinner plus a hearty breakfast next morning.
Meals: D
Day 2
Helicopter to track, hike to Okaka Lodge (12km, 5-6hrs)
After breakfast, the Humpridge shuttle will collect you from your accommodation for a short drive to the helipad. A scenic helicopter ride over Te Waewae Bay delivers you to Flat Creek from where you will start walking. (You will walk the section of track that you fly over on the way back.) Your pack will be flown to the lodge at Okaka. This pack is the one you will carry on Day 2 & Day 3. Please note the 10kg pack weight limit. Your day pack should contain only your wet and cold weather gear, your lunch, water and any essential medication. You may store your excess baggage at the Humpridge Track office. The gradual climb to the top of the Hump Ridge (approx 1000m) passes through beautiful native forest, the stunning diversity of which changes dramatically with elevation. Ascending straight up the ridge you will reach Stag Point, where the trees part and you are welcomed by views of the beautiful Te Waewae Bay once more - this time from a different perspective. From here it’s only an hour or so to the lodge, and on clear days you will be able to see Stewart Island and of course the Fiordland mountains and lakes nearby. When you arrive at Okaka, the lodge ‘on top of the world,’ all you have to do is unwind as you admire the views. You'll feel instantly at home with our lodge manager’s delicious cooking and hospitality.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Walk to Port Craig Lodge (21km, 7-9 hrs)
After breakfast you wander down the Hump Ridge, with 360 degree views of Te Waewae Bay, Stewart Island, the South Coast, Waitutu terraces and Fiordland mountain ranges. While you are walking over several mighty wooden viaducts on the way to Port Craig Village, consider the men who built them almost a century ago. Your guide will share many stories from the days when Port Craig was a bustling sawmill town in the 1920s. If you are interested in the history and relics that surround Port Craig, choose to take the interpretive trail or just meander down to the beach and spot some of the resident Hector’s dolphins that live in the bay. On arrival at the lodge, your friendly lodge manager will welcome you. After a brief orientation the time is yours to explore or simply relax and put your feet up, enjoying the coastal ambience.
Day 4
Coastal hike to Rarakau (20km, 5 - 7 hrs)
To complete the track, you will first walk beneath a canopy of native bush, then along several beautiful golden beaches. One such beach is named Blowholes due to the funnel of rocks through which waves surge as they come to shore. Walking along the section of track over which you flew on the first day, the coastline affords a spectacular finish to a fantastic trip. At the end of the walk you will be driven from the trailhead at Rarakau back to Tuatapere where you farewell your guide. Connect with your transfer to return to either Queenstown, Invercargill or Te Anau (on request). Arrival in Invercargill and Te Anau is around 4:30pm and Queenstown around 6:00pm.
Meals: B,L
What's included
What's not included
This lodge has twinshare rooms with heating, tea/coffee facilities, small fridge, all linen and shared bathrooms. Meals are taken in a communal lounge/dining area with bar facilities. Mobile phone reception, wifi and laundry facilities are available. Tuatapere is a tiny village and you may find services and facilities are not of the same standard you might expect in larger centres and costs will be higher.
Accommodation on the track is provided in modern backcountry lodges maintained and managed by a private trust. They feature gas heating (communal use areas only), solar lighting, flush toilets, shared bathroom facilities and drying rooms. Bedding, linen and hot showers are also provided. Accommodation is in multi share rooms, with bunk beds sleeping up to 4 people (unless upgrading to twin or double rooms). Lodge hosts prepare 3 course evening meals, cooked breakfast and picnic lunches each day. There is a basic shop for confectionary and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
A moderate to high level of fitness is required to complete this walk. If you are not a regular walker we suggest you begin a daily walking program at least 8 weeks before your departure. Gradually increase the distance you walk and introduce a backpack with some weight inside. Staircase or hill climbing is strongly recommended as you will be climbing over 800M on the first day of your walk. The track surfaces vary from smooth well formed paths to rough terrain broken by rocks and tree roots. If you feel your fitness is not up to the required level for the climb on the first day we can offer you the option of a helicopter flight to the lodge for an additional cost.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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Our itineraries have been carefully designed and researched with you in mind. The logistics are handled for you allowing you the freedom to walk New Zealand at a level of your choosing and in your own stride.
A core Maori value exercising guardianship in relation to nature, flora and fauna and its people, ensuring that sustainability and environment are valued, respected and protected for future generations to enjoy.
As a small business ourselves, we love supporting and sharing New Zealand with other small and likeminded businesses and communities to showcase for you, what our land and people have to offer.
5Days
Introductory to Moderate
6Days
Moderate to Challenging
Moderate
4Days
Introductory