Routeburn Track Freedom Plus

Accommodation | Departure Dates | Getting There | Fitness Level | Prices

Freedom Plus Itinerary

DAY 1: Report in to the Department of Conservation centre in Queenstown to check weather, sign the intentions book and make any last minute purchases. Stay the night in Queenstown.

DAY 2: Queenstown, Glenorchy, Routeburn Falls Hut
Walk 3-4 hours /9km ( 5 m )

A coach takes you from Queenstown to the start of the track past Glenorchy. The climb via Routeburn Flats to Routeburn Falls takes you through a rich mixed Beech forest as you slowly gain altitude from the valley floor.

Serpentine Slip, the Sump, Sugarloaf and Bridal Veil streams ... plenty to see along this section.

DAY 3: Routeburn Falls, Mackenzie Hut
Walk 5-7 hours / 11 km ( 7 m )

Today is divided into three distinct sections: the climb to Routeburn Falls, the traverse around moraine and bluffs to the Harris Saddle and the descent to Lake Mackenzie Basin.

As the track starts to climb you leave the trees and enter the alpine world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. At the Harris Saddle the views get even better if you climb Conical Hill with a 360 degree panorama.

The traverse along the Hollyford Face is for many people the most spectacular scenery of the whole track. With the Darran Mountains above and the Hollyford Valley far below, you are in big country.

Cairn on the Routeburn Track DAY 4: Lake Mackenzie, The Divide
Walk 5-6 hours / 12km ( 7m )

Via the Earland Falls to Howden Hut. At Key Summit take a short side trip for breathtaking views of the Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglington Valleys.

A gentle down hill walk to the Divide through silver beech forest where you meet your transport for Te Anau

Accommodation
Budget accommodation in Queenstown is included in this package.
Routeburn Falls and MacKenzie Huts are public DOC huts. Bookings are essential during summer. There is no power but there is lighting and heating in the main kitchen / dining area, flush toilets are in an outside ablution block, gas cooking facilities are provided during summer months. You will need to provide your own cooking equipment. Bunk rooms have communal sleeping with mattresses provided.

Departure Dates
The track is officially open ( Great Walks Season) from late October to late April. Outside of these dates there is no gas cooking available and no Hut Wardens.

Getting There
The Routeburn Track starts several kilometres beyond Glenorchy and finishes at the Divide on the main road between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Track transport form Queenstown and to Te Anau is included in this Freedom Plus package.

Fitness Level
A moderate level of fitness is required. To enjoy your walk you need to be able to walk for 4– 7 hours over 9 – 12 km ( 5 - 7 miles ) each day. The track is a mixture of natural bush and mountain tracks. You do need carry your own pack from lodge to lodge which is likely to be 7 to 12 kg.

Prices
Your Freedom Plus package includes 3 nights accommodation and track transport from Queenstown at the start and to Te Anau at the completion of your hike.

The price per person is NZ$495 including GST. We do not recommend the track for children under 10. Prices are valid to 1 November 2012.

Stewart Island | Rakiura Track |Waitutu | Dusky

Kepler Track | Routeburn Track | Milford Track | Hollyford Valley Track

Book a Freedom Plus walk
online before 30 September
for a 10% discount!

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