Photo: Krzysztof Golik ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Two Great Walks of Fiordland.
The Milford Track has been called the finest walk in the world since a London newspaper said so in 1908. It runs up the Clinton valley, over the Mackinnon Pass and down past the Sutherland Falls to Milford Sound. We follow it with the Routeburn, a ridge route looking over the Hollyford valley. Both belong to New Zealand's nine Great Walks and both must be booked ahead.
- The Mackinnon Pass, 1,154 m
- The Sutherland Falls, 580 m
- Milford Sound from the water
- Harris Saddle on the Routeburn
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Transfer and packing
Queenstown and the drive to Te Anau
We meet in Queenstown and drive two hours along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. DOC bookings are checked: Milford admits you by date and by hut, and neither can move. Food and group kit are divided up.
Overnight: Hotel in Te Anau - DAY 2 · 5 km and a boat
The boat and the start of Milford
A launch across Lake Te Anau to Glade Wharf, where the track begins. The first leg is short, 5 km through beech forest along the Clinton river to Clinton hut. In the evening the guide explains how to live with sandflies.
Overnight: Clinton hut - DAY 3 · 16.5 km, 400 m of ascent
The Clinton valley to Mintaro
16.5 km up a valley whose walls rise a kilometre on either side. After rain they run with hundreds of temporary waterfalls. Mintaro hut sits at 590 m directly below the pass.
Overnight: Mintaro hut - DAY 4 · 14 km, a 1,154 m pass
Mackinnon Pass and the Sutherland Falls
Eleven zigzags up to the Mackinnon Pass (1,154 m), with its memorial to the man who found it and a day shelter on the saddle. Then 900 m of steep descent and a side trip to the 580 m Sutherland Falls. Fourteen kilometres in all.
Overnight: Dumpling hut - DAY 5 · 18 km and a fiord cruise
Finishing at Sandfly Point
The last 18 km beside the Arthur river past Mackay Falls and Lake Ada, with an eye on the clock: the boat from Sandfly Point runs to a timetable. A Milford Sound cruise out towards the Tasman Sea in the evening.
Overnight: Lodge at Milford Sound - DAY 6 · Transfer and rest
Back to Te Anau, a rest day
The drive out on the Milford Road with stops at the Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel. A day for laundry, showers and repacking for the second track. A Routeburn briefing in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Te Anau - DAY 7 · 12 km, 700 m of climbing
Routeburn start, Lake Mackenzie hut
From The Divide we climb to Key Summit and follow the ridge above the Hollyford valley. Down to Lake Mackenzie in its rock basin, some 12 km with 700 m of ascent.
Overnight: Lake Mackenzie hut - DAY 8 · 20 km, a 1,255 m saddle
Harris Saddle and the Routeburn valley
The Hollyford Face traverse with the Darran Mountains open in front, then Harris Saddle (1,255 m) and Lake Harris. Down into the Routeburn valley past Routeburn Falls. Around 20 km.
Overnight: Routeburn Flats hut - DAY 9 · 6 km and a transfer
Out to Glenorchy and departure
A final 6 km through beech forest beside the Routeburn river to the road end, then an hour to Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu. Lunch in Glenorchy and the airport transfer.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
DOC hut bunks on both tracks
Hotels in Te Anau and Queenstown, breakfast
Food for every walking day
A New Zealand guide and group kit
Boats across Lake Te Anau and from Sandfly Point
Milford Sound cruise
Transfers between trailheads
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
International flights to Queenstown
Sleeping bag and pack hire
A scenic helicopter flight over the fiord
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Days of 15 to 21 km under a pack: food and sleeping bag are carried, and the huts provide only mattresses and gas. Two months out Ivan asks for long outings with 10 to 12 kg and proof that your waterproof will hold up for eight hours straight.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Broken-in trekking footwear and a suitable daypack
- Rain gear, an insulating layer and spare socks
- Poles, if you are used to them
- Personal items within the agreed luggage allowance and suited to the accommodation
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.