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ITINERARY

Duration: 3 days

PRICE & DEPARTURES

From £404

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation during the trek is in lodges in multi-bedded rooms with duvets and pillows provided.

The lodges are functional, rather than luxurious however there are hot showers, flushing toilets, a drying room for wet gear and a lounge and dining area. Breakfast, a packed lunch, afternoon tea and a three course evening meal with wine are provided each day during the trek.

TREK INFORMATION
	Hard

Hiking

The Routeburn Track

Outline Itinerary
Day 1:	Queenstown-The Divide-Lake Mackenzie (14km/8.7 miles – 5-6 hours walk) We travel by coach to Te Anau and the Milford Road and trailhead. The walk starts with a well-graded climb through to 919m Key Summit, where in clear weather, there will be superb views down three river valleys. Descending to Lake Howden for a hot drink and lunch, there is a further climb through lush silver beech forest to the base of 100m high Earland Falls, which tumble into rainbow-pierced pools. Look down over the Hollyford Valley to the snow-capped Darran Mountains and then walk down to Lake Mackenzie, whose forests are alive to the twittering of fantails and tinkling of bellbirds. By the lake is Mackenzie Lodge, where a hot meal, shower and snug bed await at the end of the first day’s trek.
Day 2:	Lake Mackenzie-Routeburn Falls (15km/9.4 miles – 5-7 hours walk) Today begins with a beautiful walk through forests festooned with moss and lichen. As we climb higher, this gives way to an alpine landscape where gentians and edelweiss thrive in full view of the granite faces of the Darran Mountains and Hollyford Valley. After lunch at the Harris Saddle (1277m) we can climb for further views to the summit of Conical Hill. From here the route enters the upper basin of the Routeburn River and Routeburn Falls, a favourite haunt of the mischievous alpine parrot, the kea. We stay overnight at the Routeburn Falls Lodge.
Day 3:	Routeburn Falls-Routeburn Road-Queenstown (10km/6 miles – 3-4 hours walk) Make sure you explore around the falls before we set off and descend into the valley and Routeburn Flats, where we picnic beside the river. We continue to follow the river as it roars through an impressive gorge and disappears into the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through red beech forest to the road, and a short drive back to Queenstown. Celebration dinner in the evening.