TRAMPING IN THE WILD
New Zealand is known for it’s amazing walking tracks. Kiwis love to go for a hike and enjoy the outdoors and there are a multitude of “tramping” (what kiwis call “hiking”) clubs. Of the thousands of trails across the country, averaging from 30 minutes to several hours, New Zealand also has an extensive network of multi-day walks, some of them for the very experienced requiring alpine climbing.
New Zealand has built a network of “Great Walks”, call it “The Top 10” managed by the government’s Department of Conservation (DOC), with well maintained trails, signage, rangers on duty during the high season, and huts and campsites where “trampers” rest every night, cook their meals in communal kitchens and sleep in large communal bunk rooms sleeping 40-50 hikers. Most of these Great Walks average 2-3 nights and you need to carry your food, clothing and sleeping bags, with an average of 6-7 hours of walking each day. Some days can be very easy on flat terrain, others can be demanding, with be demanding with steep ups and downs.
One of those Great Walks is the Milford Track, probably the most well-known world-wide, attracting thousands of hikers every year, many from overseas. Even now, during our first Covid-19 summer of borders closed and no international tourists allowed in, kiwis have jumped to the chance to hike the Milford Track and take advantage of lower demand to book their spot on the track, guaranteeing a bunk space every night in each one of the 3 huts you stay at during the tramp.
However, the one trek I prefer for our guests is the Hollyford Walk, located in the same area as the Milford and Routeburn tracks, on the west coast of the South Island. Why? Three reasons. First because, although is it 60 km in length, it is mostly flat compared to other tracks who require at least one day of serious climbing. Second, because the Hollyford also includes a guided option where each group is escorted by a nature guide who will explain the history and nature along the hike. So, if we know in advance, we can actually book the whole guided tour departure private.Third? With our option of a guided walk, you get to stay both nights in private lodges complete with all meals, wines, showers and twin bed rooms including bedding, duvets and even hair dryers!! But most important for me is the level of interpretation while you hike each day, which transforms your hike into an understanding of why our country is so amazing and what is so special about this World Heritage Park. Our guided option combines hiking plus jetboating and helicopter flight in a three-day journey from the mountains to the sea, finishing in Milford Sound where we arrange for another helicopter to pick you up and transfer to one of the most superb luxury lodges in the country.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT:
The whole Fiordland National Park area (where the Hollyford Track is located) is home to some of New Zealand’s weirdest birds including the extremely rare kakapo (world’s only flightless parrot), the kea (alpine parrot that lives amongst the snow) and the kiwi bird.
BEST MONTH TO VISIT:
Between January to April, which means summer/early fall for New Zealand.
Longitude 80 offers several itineraries across New Zealand some include private hikes others are more focused on luxury lodges. Contact us if you want to start planning your New Zealand adventure for 2024 or 2025.
