trekking in southern new zealand · ing and fiord¬land national parks. the track winds through...

1 AMC Adventure Travel

Trekking in Southern New Zealand

January 17th to 28th, 2020

Two Great Walks - Routeburn and Kepler

Trip # 2006


The islands of New Zealand lie 1,400 miles off the south-eastern coast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean. The Maori people have called the islands home for over 1,000 years and their culture is a core part of New Zealand’s national identity. European explorers arrived in the late 1600s and the Treaty of Waitangi made New Zealand a British colony in 1860. The country became fully inde-pendent in 1947. Today, New Zealand is similar in size to Great Britain or Japan, but with a population of only 4 million vast tracks of land have been left untouched.

The North Island is sub tropical and dotted with farmland, smaller mountain, and the central Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area. The South Island is dominated by the massive Southern Alps, which form a spine running along the length of the island. The foothills of the mountains are lush temperate rainforests, while farther to the east is vast, flat Canterbury Plains.

New Zealand is home to the largest national park system in the southern hemisphere, and has preserved a third of its landscape as parks or wilderness areas. There is no better way to explore the rugged mountains and stunning coastline than by tramping (aka hiking).

ContentsAbout New Zealand..................2

Trip Itinerary................................4

Trip Logistics...............................9

The Fine Print............................10

Packing List................................11

About Us....................................13

Above: View towards the Routeburn © Reji James, 2017

Cover: Trekking in Fjordland © Elizabeth Ryan, 2017


WeatherEarly summer weather in New Zealand is moderate, with day time temperatures around 18oC (64oF) and night time lows around 7oC (44oF). Weather on the South Island is unpredictable. Although it will be summer, you should expect cooler temperatures and lots of precipitation. Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, receives a mean annual rainfall of 6,412 mm (252 in / 21 ft) each year, making it one of the wettest spots in the world. Queenstown and Te Anau are nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps at the southern tip of New Zealand and have a more moderate and rainy climate. If you plan to spend more time in Nelson or father north in Auckland you will be able to enjoy New Zealand’s sub-tropical weather.


Above: Ben Lomond © Reji James, 2017

The TripThis multi-day trip will include a day hike (near Queenstown) and six days of hut to hut trekking on the South Island. This includes tramping along an extensive track-and-hut system in Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Parks (the Routeburn and Kepler Tracks). You will also have some free time to explore Queenstown and Te Anau.

This trip is very physical and will involve many days hiking. While there are small breaks in be-tween, most of the time you will be “out there.”

1) You should have at least intermediate to advanced backpacking (or hut-to-hut) skills. You will be required to carry all of your hiking and overnight gear yourself while on the trail. There will not be any luggage transfer hut to hut (a front country transfer is provided). For more specific information about the kind of experi-ence we are looking for, please read the “Experience and Risks” section below.

2) You will be planning your own lunches. Leaders will purchase group breakfast and dinner. Prior to getting on the trail, the group food will be

handed out. So please ensure that you have enough space to carry your individual dinners (dehydrated meals) and some group food. Also, you will have to bring your utensils and cups.

3) Since this trip is geared towards the outdoors adventurer, the accommodations reflect this. We will be staying in backpacker hostels and backcountry huts, which allows us to keep the trip affordable yet comfortable. The backcountry huts on the Routeburn and Kepler Tracks are beautiful and clean, and they rank as some of the nicest backcountry facilities in the world. In Queenstown and Te Anau we plan to stay in YHA hostels.

On the following pages you will find a detailed itinerary and brief descriptions of the tracks that we will explore during the trip. If permits for the tracks cannot be obtained for the dates requested we will change the order in which we do the tracks or substitute another track. Participants should plan accordingly.

Trip Itinerary


Detailed ItineraryConditions may require us to alter these plans.

Day 1 – Fri, January 17th

Depart the United States for New Zealand. Included meals: none

Day 2 – Sat, January 18th

Day lost crossing the International Date Line.

Day 3 – Sun, January 19th

Arrival in Auckland and domestic flight to Queenstown. Transfer by bus from the airport to the hostel. Check into the back-packer’s hostel and take some time to rest, prepare for the hikes and explore the city. Group dinner in the evening to formally start our trip. Included meals: Dinner

Day 4 – Mon, January 20th

Day hike to Ben Lomond, on the outskirts of Queenstown. Weather permitting, the slopes of Ben Lomond will afford us views of Queenstown and the surrounding countryside. Re-turn to the backpacker’s hostel to complete preparations for the first trek. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 5 – Tues, January 21st

Check out of the hostel and transfer to the start of the

Routeburn Track. Our luggage will be sent along to Te Anau. We follow the Track from to Routeburn Falls Hut where we will spend the night. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 – Wed, January 22th

We will continue the Track, hiking to our next overnight at Lake Mackenzie hut. On this day we hike over the Harris Saddle, the high point on the track. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 – Thurs, January 23rd

We will complete the Track, hiking to The Divide. From there we will transfer by bus to Te Anau, check into the Backpacker’s Hostel, and retrieve our luggage. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 – Fri, January 24th

We will have a relaxing day off the trail to recharge and enjoy the spectacular Milford Sounds. Weather permitting, we’ll take a boat cruise along the lake and learn about the geological and ecological wonder that is Fjordland National Park. We spend the night in Te Anau and prepare to head out on the Kepler Track. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 – Sat, January 25th

We will depart Te Anau and transfer to the start of the Kepler Track. Departing from Brod Bay, we have a steep climb to Luxmore hut where we will spend the night. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 – Sun, January 26th

We continue the Kepler Track, hiking along one of the more strenuous segments of our trip over the height of the track and down to Iris Burn Hut. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11 – Mon, January 27th

From Iris Burn we descend from the alpine environment to the wetlands along the Waiau River to reach our transfer point at Rainbow Reach. We will check back in to the same Backpacker’s Hostel in Te Anau and enjoy a final group dinner together in town. Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12 – Tues, January 28th

Transfer to Queenstown by bus for return flights. Most flights go through Auckland before traveling on to the United States. Depending on your flight, it may take another day to reach the East Coast. Included meals: Breakfast in Te Anau


• Accommodations in Queenstown and Te Anau

• Most breakfasts and dinners, as outlined in the trip itinerary

• Transfers to and from Queenstown airport

• Ground transportation for all group activites

• Luggage transfer from Queenstown to Te Anau

• Milford Sound boat cruise (and bus transfer)

• Hut and backcountry permits

• AMC major excursion fee

Personal expenses, including lunch and snacks on the trail, are NOT included. You should estimate about US $200 for additional meals.

If you have any questions, please contact the leaders.

Included in the Trip Cost


Routeburn TrackThe Routeburn, one of NZ’s best-known tracks, is a moderate 24 mile hike over the Southern Alps’ Main Divide, linking Mt Aspir-ing and Fiord¬land National Parks. The track winds through thick rainforest, where red, mountain and silver beech form the cano-py, while ferns, mosses and fungi cover everything below. Tra-verses of alpine sections reward hikers with spectacular views of Martins Bay, Hollyford Valley and the Eglin¬ton and Greenstone River Valleys. Before Europeans arrived, Maori used to frequent this route in search of greenstone, which they used for weapons and tools. There is a rich diversity of birdlife along the track with Riflemen, Bellbirds, Robins, Yellow Crowned Parakeets and many others in the brush, while in the sub-alpine zone you are likely to see rock wrens, New Zealand falcons and the mischievous moun-tain parrot, the kea.

Day 1 Hike from Routeburn Falls Hut to Routeburn Shelter 6.2 mi, 1600ft gain, approximately 4 hours, moderately difficult

Day 2 Hike from Routeburn Falls to Lake Mackenzie Hut 7 mi, 1500ft gain, approximately 6 hours, strenuous

Day 3 Hike from Mackenzie Hut to The Divide 7 mi, approximately 4.5 hours, moderately difficult

Previous: Beech Forest, Fjordland, New Zealand © Elizabeth Ryan, 2017

Above: Mackenzie Hut © Life at B, 2014

Right: Routeburn Track map © New Zealand Walks, 2018


Kepler Track

The Kepler Track is an adventure in one of New Zealand’s finest alpine regions. A challenging climb from the shores of Te Anau bring us above treeline on our first day. From there, hikers are treated to tussock-covered ridgelines and panoramic views across the south fiord of Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains. Descend through a gorge and lowland beech and podocarp forest, to reach the shore of Lake Manapouri. The track continues down through a unique and fragile wetland before following the Waiau River to the end at Rainbow Reach.

Day 1 Hike from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut. 5 mi, 2600ft gain, approximately 6 hours, strenuous

Day 2 Hike from Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut. 9 mi, 1200ft gain, 2600ft loss, approximately 7 hours, strenuous

Day 3 Hike from Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach. 13 mi, 1200ft loss, approximately 8 hours, moderate

Above: Luxmore Hut © Reji James, 2017

Below: Kepler Track map and elevation profile © New Zealand Walks, 2018


FlightsThe leaders recommend that you make your own flight arrangements. Once tickets are pur-chased and changes should be made directly with the airlines. Leaders will advise you when to purchase tickets. Do NOT purchase tickets until you are approved for the trip and given a final meeting time.

Note that the trip will begin in Queenstown and end in Nelson. You can use frequent flier miles, a normal travel agent, an airline, or any discount wholesaler (Travelocity, Expedia, Kayak, Orbitz, PriceLine, etc.). The leaders will be available to assist with these arrangements.

Transportation to and from Queenstown airport is included in the trip.

AccomodationsThe accommodations provided on this trip will be a combination of backpacker hostels and backcountry huts. Although all accommodations will be very clean and comfortable, they will not be luxurious. In the hostels, rooms will be shared between four or more people.

Along the tracks, we will stay in Department of Conservation huts. The huts provide bunks with mattresses (between 40 to 50) in a com-munal sleeping layout. There is potable water, flush toilets and sinks, but no showers. Cooking facilities with fuel, stoves, tables and seating are shared with the other visitors to the hut.

No accommodations will be finalized until the exact group number is determined.

LuggageParticipants will have the option of leaving extra luggage and gear in the hostels while hiking the tracks. However, please try to limit yourself to your trekking pack and one soft sided duffel or equivalent. You should be able to carry all of your luggage to and from the bus departure points. Luggage transfer will be arranged from Queenstown to Te Anau. All valuables and im-portant documentation (i.e. passports) should be carried on the track for security.

Above: Milford Sound © Reji James, 2007

Trip Logistics


FoodBreakfasts and dinners are included in the trip cost. New Zealand has a thriving food scene with wild game, fresh seafood, and locally sourced produce. Restaurant meals do not include alcohol nor dessert and will have a price limit. Alcoholic beverages and anything above this limit must be covered out of pocket. Lunches are not included in the cost of the trip.

While on the track, the group will share in the responsibility of carrying and preparing meals. The huts are equipped with cook-ing facilities, though cookware is not supplied. We will not stop to cook lunch, so sandwiches and other prepared foods will be more suitable while hiking.

A detailed breakdown of included meals is provided in the day-to-day itinerary.

Fine PrintTrip Cost The approximate cost for the trip is $2,475. Airfare can range from $1,600 to $2,200 round trip. Please note that these costs are estimates. The final trip cost will be adjusted in accordance with the best arrangements the leaders can make. Any savings achieved will be returned to you and any cost increase will be also be passed on. Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing the leaders’ costs. Beyond this, the leaders are not allowed to realize any profit from this excursion. The trip price also includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative expenses of offering Adventure Travel trips, including the trip’s publication in AMC Outdoors for several months. The overhead charge amounts to 10-12% of participant land costs; neither air travel nor leader costs are included in calculating the overhead charge.

To apply, please contact the leaders for the required forms. You must complete and submit the Application, Confidential Medical forms, and Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release forms, and a registration deposit of $1,300. You will not actually be accepted, and your check will not be deposited, until the leaders have determined by telephone conversation with you

Above: Alpine flowers, Fjordland, New Zealand © Reji James, 2017


that you and the trip seem to be a good match. The remainder of the trip fee will be due by Oct 1, 2019. Please make payments by check payable to the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Experience And RisksLugging a heavy pack (approximately 30lb) over steep mountain passes is physically very demanding. The combination of physical exer-tion and steep terrain require that we pace ourselves and pay attention to proper nutrition and hydration. People wishing to participate in this trip must have previous overnight (back-packing or hut-to-hut) experience, at the intermediate level or higher. Although the hiking will be at a moderate pace, this is not a trip for beginners or people who have not backpacked for several years.

Packing List

• Backpack (approximately 40 to 60 liters)

• 15-20 degree sleeping bag

• Nalgene bottles/Camelback (2 liters total capacity)

• Headlamp and spare batteries

• Fork, spoon, cup and bowl

• Sunglasses

• Stuff sacks for food storage

• Sunscreen and insect repellent

• Waterproof pack liner (can be bought in New Zealand)

• Personal first aid kit (leaders will have group first aid kits)

• High-energy trail snacks (can be bought in New Zealand)

Personal Clothing

• Broken-in hiking boots (preferably waterproof)

• Waterproof rain gear (tops and bottoms)

• Non-cotton hiking clothing, tops and bottoms

• Warm jacket (down, synthetic or fleece)

• Warm hat and gloves or mittens

• Long pants

• 2-3 pairs of hiking socks

• Hat or bandana and sunglasses

Optional Gear

• Tevas, crocs or sandals

• Casual clothing for in town, post hike, sleep, and travel

• Gaiters (for rain)

• Hiking poles

• Camp towel and regular bath towel

• Bathing suit

• Camera


Several of the days are long (10+ miles) and strenuous. You should be in excellent physical condition at the time we depart. Since it will be winter here in the US and summer there, you need to be prepared to commit yourself to keeping shape between the time you sign up for the trip to the time you depart on it.

When you participate in this activity, you should be prepared both physically and mentally, and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. We are not responsible for your safety; you are. Prior to your being accepted as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. Please do not be offended by our questions.

New Zealand is a very safe country. There are no predators, such as bears or poisonous snakes. The weather is perhaps the most dangerous thing we may encounter, and an occasional kea (parrot), who is likely to eat your boot if it’s left unattended. Much of the hiking will be done in a rain forest, so you should expect rain. Likewise, Abel Tasman receives its fair share of

coastal weather fronts. However, we will not proceed in any activity if the hut wardens prohibit it, and unless everyone is comfortable.

InsuranceBasic medical and evacuation insurance is included in the cost of the trip. Upon official registration the leaders will provide you with more information about this coverage. Cancelation insurance is not included. It is optional and must be arranged by you.

Cancellation PolicyOur cancellation policy is based on several considerations. First, your cancellation will not be allowed to raise the cost to the other partic-ipants or to the leaders. Second, we will charge you for the expenses already incurred on your behalf and any unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a result of your registra-tion, unless they can be applied toward another acceptable participant. Third, to discourage uncommitted people from applying to the trip, we have a schedule of minimum cancellation penalties: zero before August 1st, $150 from August 1st through August 30th, $300 after July August 30th. Refunds after the October 1st payment deadline will only be made if another participant can be found to take your place.

This trip is likely to fill quickly. If you are interest-ed, you should register as soon as possible.

When registration is complete, we will send all participants the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all those going on the trip. We are good communicators and will try very hard to keep everyone well informed. We will be using email as our primary source of communication.

If you have any questions, please call us so that we can discuss them.

Above: Kea parrot along Milford Track © Jason Schlarb, 2014


Trip LeadershipReji James leader

Reji James is an Adventure travel leader, as well as a four-season leader with the AMC Hiking/Backpacking Committee. He has been leading AMC trips since 2001. In the past he has led Major Excursions to Iceland, New Zealand, Alaska, Glacier National Park and Patagonia. He is an avid runner, hiker, mountaineer and photographer. And while doing that, he has climbed Kilimanjaro, climbed the glaciated peaks in the Pacific North-west, and hiked the Julian Alps in Slovenia, the Italian Dolomites, Macchu Picchu and the Swiss Alps. Currently, he lives with his wife and two boys (6 and 9) in Seattle, WA. Contact at [email protected]

Elizabeth Ryan co-leader

Elizabeth Ryan is a four-season leader with the AMC’s Boston Hiking/Backpacking Committee. She has been leading trips since 2013. She has completed the New Hampshire 4000 footers, ex-plored some of the glaciated peaks of the Pacific Northwest and hiked in the Scottish Highlands, Iceland, Newfoundland and New Zealand. Contact at [email protected]

Additional Information

About the Tracks

Department of Conservation - Routeburn Track

Department of Conservation - Kepler Track

Traveling in New Zealand

Travel New Zealand

Air New Zealand

trekking in southern new zealand · ing and fiord¬land national parks. the track winds through...

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