New Zealand

The Grand Traverse Trek

The Grand Traverse starts on the shores of Lake Wakitipu and stretches the length of the Greenstone and Routeburn Valleys, crossing the main divide twice in the process. The Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks have long been New Zealand's most accessible and popular routes into the spectacular South Island high country.

The Grand Traverse passes through two national parks, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and is part of Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The pristine bush is home to a myriad of native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; and Yellowhead, just to name a few. The sheer isolation and raw beauty of the Greenstone provide the perfect stage for the breathtaking scenery of the Routeburn. An
unsurpassable combination to make a memorable walking experience.

The Grand Traverse is a 6 day / 5 night Queenstown to Queenstown all-inclusive guided walk in New Zealand's South Island high country. The package includes all transport, accommodation, meals, snacks, backpacks and rain jackets. Accommodation is in our fully serviced lodges and you will be led by our expert guides.

Day 1- GREENSTONE CARPARK TO STEELE CREEK- 18 km 6 hours. Your morning coach trip from Queenstown follows Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, where you take a fifteen minute boat ride to the mouth of the Greenstone River. There you join the track as it follows the clear green water of the river which runs through gorges and sits in deep pools. Robins and tomtits will accompany you as you walk in the red and mountain beech forest. When the track leaves the forest and crosses the open river flats for the final hour of the walk you will be rewarded with views of Mt Christina, 2,502 m (8,210 ft), rising above the head of the valley.

Day 2- STEELE CREEK TO LAKE MCKELLAR- 13 km 5 hours. On the open river flats you will walk through a sea of red tussock and see flowers, ancient bogpines and sweet scented cottonwoods on the open river flats. On damp days waterfalls drop down the steep sides of the valley. You may see fallow deer near the forest margin and the trophy trout in the river. As the valley narrows near Lake McKellar the track enters a luxuriant moss covered silver beech forest.

Day 3- REST DAY LAKE MCKELLAR. This is your chance to sleep-in, drown yourself in your novel or explore the country around Lake McKellar. Two popular side trips include a waterfall walk or a steep climb through the rainforest to vantage points on the Livingstone Mountains overlooking the Greenstone and Eglinton Valleys and on to the Routeburn Track. If you want to give your legs a rest you are welcome to take the dinghy for a row on the lake.

Day 4- LAKE McKELLAR TO LAKE MACKENZIE - 15km 6 hours.During the morning walk over the Greenstone Saddle (776 m) you will steal views of lakes and mountains through lush rainforest. After a detour to Key Summit to investigate orchids and sundews in the alpine bogs or marvel at the surrounding peaks you will have lunch at Lake Howden. Then you leave the Greenstone and join the Routeburn Track as it climbs to the Earland Falls, getting your first look over the mighty Hollyford Valley. Finally you descend through the fairytale forest to Lake Mackenzie cradled among statuesque peaks.

Day 5- LAKE MACKENZIE TO ROUTEBURN FALLS-15 km 5-6 hours. Today you leave the forest and enter the alpine world high above the Hollyford River. The ice- covered peaks of the Darran Mountains rise across the valley. After lunch at the Harris Saddle (1277 m) the adventurous can climb Conical Hill (1500 m) for a spectacular view all the way to the sea at Martin's Bay. Crossing the saddle you drop into the intimate alpine world of the Routeburn River, where the mountains climb above you. You end your day gazing down the valley from the balcony at the Routeburn Falls Lodge.

Day 6- ROUTEBURN FALLS TO ROUTEBURN ROAD END- 11 km 3-4 hours. After a last look at the falls, you descend to the alpine pastures on the Routeburn Flats to enjoy morning tea in the shadow of ice-crowned Mt Somnus. The track enters the forest and follows the clear green river through a deep gorge. You will be awestruck by the damage inflicted during the great flood of 1994, and the beauty of the untouched forest. On your return to Queenstown at 4 p.m., a group photo is taken which is presented to you at a celebration dinner that evening.

PRICE:
Low Season (28 October - 30 November and 1 April - 30 April ) = NZ$1325 for adults and NZ$1150 for children
High Season (1 December - 31March ) = NZ$1475 for adults and NZ$1150 for children

Dates: Departs Mondays and Wednesdays for 6 days