Pre walk information

Milford Track
guided walk

Nz
+64 3 450 1940
FREECALL NZ: 0800 659 255
AUS: 1800 925 569
US: 1855 882 1411

JA: 00531640137
email [email protected]
www ultimatehikes.co.nZ 1

Milford Track

Important information
Pre-track Briefing

Check in time

Guides

Equipment

5pm on the day prior to walk departure (check in at 4:45pm).

8.30am at the Ultimate Hikes Centre.

Held at the Ultimate Hikes Centre, Ground Floor, The Station Building,
Duke Street Entrance, Queenstown.

There is no collection from

accommodation. Please ensure you
have breakfast before arrival as food
and beverages are not to be consumed
on the coach.

Your guides are trained outdoor

enthusiasts who will tell you about
the flora, fauna and history of the
track. They pride themselves on their
safe, efficient and friendly service and
provide everything from a hot drink at
lunch to an evening briefing on the next
days walk. They are trained in first
aid and are in constant radio contact
with each other, the lodges and our
Queenstown base.

It is essential that you are prepared for

all types of weather. The full equipment
list detailing what we suggest you
bring is on page 5.

We ask that you attend this essential

pre-track briefing. At the briefing you
will receive the following:

Ultimate Hikes Centre location

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Lake Wakatipu

* medical forms to complete

If you cannot make the pre-track
briefing, please contact Reservations
on [email protected] or
+64 3 450 1940 to arrange to collect
equipment and complete forms prior
to departure.

Departure & Return Days

Milford Track

Start Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Finish

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

Departures: Operates daily from 1st November - 11th April

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Please note that Te Anau departures

are available. The Te Anau pre-track
briefing is held at 9:30am on the
morning of departure (on request,
please notify reservations at time of
booking). The Ultimate Hikes Desk
is located in Kiwi Country, cnr Town
Centre & Miro Streets, Te Anau.

Return Time
The coach returns to Queenstown on
the final day at approximately 4.00pm.
You will be dropped off at The Station
Building. Arrival times may vary due
to weather and road conditions.

Weather
We cannot stress enough how extreme
and unpredictable the weather can
be in this region. Fiordland and Mt
Aspiring National Parks experience
some of the highest precipitation in
New Zealand; snow, high winds and
rain can occur at any time of the year.
It is essential to be prepared for the
worst weather conditions and to carry
the clothing that we recommend. If you
do not have any of the items you need,
the majority can be purchased from the
Ultimate Hikes Centre. Remember to
carry only the listed items with you, the
more you carry the heavier your pack
becomes.

Capacity
The maximum number of people per
departure is 50. You are encouraged
to walk at your own pace.

Safety
Your safety is of paramount importance
and our guides may have to adapt the
day depending upon fitness levels and
weather or track conditions. Whilst
they will make every effort to meet
your needs, you must please adhere to
their professional decisions if required.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take out
medical/travel insurance to cover your
walk and any circumstances in which
you may not be able to walk. In the
unlikely event of a medical emergency
on the track, a medical evacuation by
air will be carried out by New Zealand
accident and emergency services.

Milford Track

Fitness Requirements

Meals

Each walker will have a different

experience/expectation depending
upon previous experience and
fitness level.

Day 1: Lunch, dinner, refreshments

A reasonable level of fitness is required

and if you are not a regular walker, we
suggest that you begin a daily walking
regime 6-8 weeks prior to departure.
You should gradually increase the
distance that you walk, carrying a
backpack. Staircase or hill-climbing
will leave you better prepared.
To enjoy your experience, you should
be comfortable carrying a backpack
(5-7kg/10-14lbs) for 4-8 hours walking
up to 21km (13.5 miles) of sometimes
uneven track each day.
We encourage you to walk at your own
pace, it is not a race and we want you
to enjoy it. There is always a guide at
the rear of the group.

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Day 2-4: Breakfast, lunch, dinner,

refreshments
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments
Breakfast: Selection of cereals, toast,
fruit, cooked options, juice,
hot drinks
Lunch: S
 election of breads, sandwich
fillings, fruit, scroggin/trail mix,
cookies, hot drinks
Dinner: V
 aries between lodges: starter,
main course (choice of 2
options), dessert
Vegetarian and gluten free options are
available. If you have any particular
dietary requirements please advise and
we will do our best to accommodate
them, bearing in mind the isolated
environment.
A selection of New Zealand wine and
beer is available for purchase.

Lodges &
accommodation
options
All beds have pillows and duvets, no
sleeping bags are required. There is
generated electricity in the lodges
until 10pm each evening. All lodges
have hand washing facilities, washing
powder and drying rooms.
1. Multishare room: 4-6 people in
bunk-style rooms with shared
bathroom facilities (flush toilets &
hot showers, with soap, shampoo,
conditioner and towels provided). A
sleep sheet is required and can be
provided at the pre-track briefing
2. Private queen room: 1-2 people in
private room with queen bed and
private ensuite bathroom (flush toilet
& hot shower, with soap, shampoo,
conditioner and towels provided)
3. Private twin room: 1-2 people in
private room with two single beds
and private ensuite bathroom (flush
toilet & hot shower, with soap,
shampoo, conditioner and towels
provided)

Track conditions
The track surface varies from smooth,
well formed paths to rough terrain
broken by rocks & tree roots. There
are steep rocky downhill sections and
you may have to cross small streams
and wade in deep water after heavy
rain. We recommend that you wear
hiking boots, which provide firm ankle
support. Taking two walking poles is
also recommended and are available
for hire or purchase at the UH Centre

Mackinnon Pass

Extra Luggage
A small bag (you may bring one or
we can provide) of clothing/personal
belongings for use at Mitre Peak Lodge
(Milford Sound) on the final night will
be sent by road from Queenstown to
await your arrival. Any further luggage
should be stored at your hotel. It
is advised that, for this reason, you
stay at the same hotel after your
walk as you stayed in before walking.
Please note that because of weight
restrictions on our coaches, excess
luggage cannot be transported.

Special option - helicopter back to Queenstown

You will be given the option to fly back from Milford Sound to Queenstown by
helicopter at an additional cost. This is a fantastic experience and a chance
to see the spectacular area from a different perspective. Please note that
the helicopter flight is entirely weather dependent and subject to numbers,
and therefore, although we ask for an indication of interest, we cannot take
reservations for this component prior to departure. You will be asked to pay at
Mitre Peak Lodge in Milford Sound once the flight has been confirmed.

Milford Track

Pre-track briefing (day prior to departure)

Please check in at the Ultimate Hikes Centre, Ground Floor, The Station Building at 4:45pm on the day
prior to your departure. Here we will give you an outline of what to expect. You can collect equipment
and purchase last minute required items. You will fill out medical forms and we can answer any queries
that you may have.
At the pre-track briefing, you will receive a pre-departure booklet and a walking guide to carry with you.

Day 1

Queenstown to Glade House

Your adventure begins in Queenstown
where you will board a coach to Te
Anau, arriving in time for a light
lunch. After lunch youll travel to Te
Anau Downs boat harbour, where a
launch awaits to take you up to the
spectacular northern end of Lake Te
Anau. From the wharf it is a short walk
to the historic Glade House, where
you will be greeted with afternoon tea.
1.6
(1mile)

20mins

ultimatehikes.co.nz

Private twin room

Day 2

Glade House to Pompolona Lodge

Afterwards, you will have a group
photo and your guides will take you
on a short nature walk to explore the
surrounding area. In the evening,
youll have time to get to know your
group, and enjoy a three-course meal
before retiring to your snug bed in the
multi-share bunk rooms or private
en-suite rooms.

After crossing the emerald green

Clinton River you walk up the valley
to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter. The
beech forest becomes more luxuriant
the further you go, until it releases you
onto the Prairie. From this meadow
you can capture the true nature of the
ice-carved Clinton Canyon. It is a short
climb to Pompolona Lodge from here.
16km
(10 miles)

Lunch,
at Te Anau

Robin

5-7hrs

Lunch at
Hirere
Hut

Milford Track

Itinerary (continued)
Day 3

Day 4

Today you walk over the Mackinnon

Pass. Leaving Pomoplona, the track
leads to Lake Mintaro at the head of
the Clinton Valley, before climbing the
Mackinnon Pass in a series of zig-zags.
Take your time and enjoy the views.
At the top you will be rewarded with
a spectacular panorama and lunch in
Pass Hut.

On your final day on the track. Youll

walk down the Arthur Valley to the
historical Boatshed; after a short break
you will continue on past MacKay Falls
and Bell Rock (which was carved out by
the river during a particularly violent
flood) and on to the lunch spot at
Giants Gate waterfall. The final stretch
of the track follows tranquil Lake Ada
to Sandfly Point.

Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge

6-8hrs

Milford Sound to Queenstown

Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak

After descending into the Arthur Valley

you will welcome a hot drink at Quintin
Lodge. That should be enough to
refresh you for the optional 90-minute
round trip to the Sutherland Falls, the
worlds fifth highest waterfall.
15km
(9mile)

Day 5

From here it is a short boat trip to

the renowned Mitre Peak Lodge at
Milford Sound; the fjord often referred

Lunch at
Pass Hut

to as the eighth wonder of the world.

The lodge presents the most striking
view of Mitre Peak, the famously
photographed pinnacle that rises
almost sheer from the Sound to a
height of 1692m (5551ft). Here you
will enjoy a celebratory dinner while
relaxing with the knowledge that the
hard part is now behind you while the
magnificence of Milford Sound spreads
out before you.
21km
(13mile)

6-7hrs

Lunch at
Giants
Gate

Wake to the tranquillity of Fiordland

and after breakfast experience a
magical cruise on Milford Sound.
Watch for dolphins and fur seals and
pray for rain, as you have only seen
Fiordland at its most incredible when
the waterfalls are in full flow.
Following the cruise its time to head
back to Queenstown. You have two
options:
1.Travel by coach through the heart of Fiordland
National Park, through the Homer Tunnel and
beyond, or;
2.Take a spectacular helicopter flight across Mt
Aspiring National Park back to Queenstown.
Sit back and let your pilot show you another
perspective of the World Heritage Area. The
flight option is subject to conditions, at an
additional cost .
No walking

Lunch enroute to
Te Anau/Queenstown

Sutherland Falls

Quintin Lodge

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Milford Track

Advised equipment list

The following is a list of essential equipment that we recommend you bring on your multiday guided walk.
Many items can be purchased at reasonable prices from the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown to
reduce the need for you to carry them throughout your holiday.

We can supply

What to bring

In the Lodge

Optional:

To Walk
We suggest taking one set of clothing
to walk in, the more that is taken, the
more that must be carried. All of our
lodges have hand washing and drying
facilities so clothing can be washed
and dried overnight.

A change of clothes is recommended

for the lodges and for sleeping in.
Remember the more that is taken, the
heavier the pack is to carry. The nights
may be cold so a warm change of
clothing is recommended.

Walking poles. We strongly advise

Shirt or long sleeved top

Waterproof over trousers. We strongly

Fabrics
We suggest you wear fabrics that are
lightweight but warm and quick drying
such as merino wool, polypropylene,
thermal, micro fleece and polar fleece.
Most items on the recommended
clothing list are available to purchase
at the Ultimate Hikes Centre
Walking boots or sturdy shoes -

We do not sell walking boots/

shoes in our retail outlet. Broken
in, preferably with ankle support.
We suggest that you check your boot
condition prior to coming to the pretrack briefing. Please also ensure that
they are clean when coming through
customs in New Zealand.

Thermal base layer (top and

bottom). Fundamental clothing that

can be worn either as a base layer or
as a single layer.

Polar fleece or merino wool jacket.

An ideal outer layer in cold weather.

Long-sleeved top. Lightweight, warm

and quick-drying, this is an ideal layer

to be worn on top of thermal base
layer.

T-shirt. Ideal for fine weather.

Sunhat, warm hat, gloves. Be

prepared for sun and cold.

Shorts/walking trousers. Fast drying

shorts, trousers or zip-off trousers

(NOT JEANS),

Two pairs of merino wool or thermal

socks. Main consideration is warmth

and comfort.

Sunscreen, insect repellent

Water bottle (1 litre filled)

Sweater/jersey
Lightweight trousers
Lightweight shoes

all walkers use two walking poles,

especially if you have difficulty
walking up or down gradients. These
are available for hire or purchase
from the Ultimate Hikes Centre.

advise walkers to carry lightweight

over trousers for rain and wind
protection.

Nightwear

Gaiters. For extra foot protection

in wet weather

Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo

and conditioner are provided)

Swim suit. For the brave!

Change of underwear

We can supply free of charge though

you may prefer to bring your own:
Back pack (weighs approx 2kg)
PVC Waterproof raincoat with hood
(weighs approx 500gms)
Cotton sleep sheet (weighs approx
500 gms) Required for multi share
only
Items can be collected at the
pre-track briefing.

Spare laces. Just in case.

Extras/useful items
Foot fleece/second skin
Lip balm
Ear plugs
Small torch

Camera
Credit card & cash

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Milford Track

Will I be fit enough?

To enjoy your experience, you need to

be able to carry a backpack (5-7kg/1014lbs) for 4-8 hours walking up to 21km
13.5 miles) of sometimes uneven track
each day. We encourage everyone to
walk at their own pace, it is not a race
and we want you to enjoy it. There is
no pressure to keep up with the fastest
walkers and there is always a guide at
the rear of the group.
A reasonable level of fitness is required
and if you are not a regular walker, we
suggest that you begin a daily walking
regime 6-8 weeks prior to departure.
You should gradually increase the
distance that you walk, carrying a
backpack. Staircase or hill-climbing
will leave you better prepared.

Do I have to carry my pack or do you

transport it?
You carry your own pack from lodge
to lodge. We do not offer a service for
transporting your luggage.

How heavy will my pack be?

Its likely to be approximately 5-7 kg

(10-14lbs) if you follow our equipment
list guidelines.

ultimatehikes.co.nz

What weather should I expect in the

month that I am walking?

The unpredictable nature of the

weather in this region means that
snow, high winds and rain can occur
at any time of the year. It is therefore
very important to be prepared for
the worst weather conditions and
carry the appropriate clothing at
all times. November & December,
the mountain lilies are just coming
out and there is still snow on the
surrounding mountains. Generally
January & February are warmer but
not necessarily dryer. March and April
generally have fresh mornings, sunny
days and cooler nights with shorter days.

Is there internet/Wifi access on the

tracks?

No. Guides and Lodge staff are in

constant touch by radio to Queenstown
base. There is no facility for walker
access to the internet whilst on
the track.

What are the toilet facilities on

the tracks?

All our lodges have flush toilets. There

are toilets (some flush, some Kiwi long
drop style) at all our lunch shelters and
at various intervals along the track.

What time do I arrive back in

Queenstown?

All multiday walks arrive back at the

Station Building at approximately
4pm. However, we cannot guarantee
arrival time, which may vary due to
road and weather conditions. Milford
Track walkers can be dropped off at
Queenstown Airport if required.

How bad are the sandflies?

They are prevalent on the Milford

Track, particularly at Sandfly Point! We
recommend wearing insect repellent
each day. This can be purchased from
our shop.

Where can I park my vehicle?

We do not have car park facilities in

Queenstown or Te Anau, however you
can park your car in the Man Street
Carpark for a set fee. See the Ultimate
Hikes Centre at the briefing for tickets.
Alternatively, the hotels/motels where
you are staying will generally allow you
to park your vehicle whilst you are on
the track.

Is there alcohol on the track?

Beer, New Zealand wine and soft

drinks are available for purchase at the
lodges. These are paid for at the final
lodge on your walk.

What about special dietary

requirements?
Can I wash my clothes?

All lodges have hand washing facilities

with soap and drying rooms. Being able
to wash and dry clothing helps keep
the pack weight down.

Do I have to bring all my clothing

with me from my original
destination?
We can lend you a raincoat. If you do
not wish to bring all your clothing
or do not have a particular item, we
have a very reasonably priced shop
in Queenstown where items can be
purchased prior to your departure.

Where should I leave my excess

baggage while I am walking?

We do not store spare luggage;

this should be arranged with your
pre/post track accommodation (it
is therefore advised to book with
the same accommodation provider
pre/post track). NB on the Milford
Track / Classic: a small bag can be
borrowed for clothing for use at Milford
Sound and will be sent by road from
Queenstown to await your arrival at
Mitre Peak Lodge.

Vegetarian and Gluten free meals

can be provided on all tracks. We will
endeavour to cater for your dietary
requirement within reason, however
please remember we are in an
extremely isolated and challenging
environment.

How many people share the

bunkrooms?

Bunkrooms sleep 4 - 6 people with

shared bathroom facilities. Steele
Creek Lodge on the Greenstone
Track (Grand Traverse) has large
dormitory bunkrooms. Private rooms
are available on the Milford Track and
Routeburn Track with either a queensized bed or twin beds and their own
ensuite bathroom. Please request
these as they sell very quickly.

I will be travelling by myself,

is that a problem?

No problem. It is a great opportunity to

walk with like-minded individuals from
around the world.

What clothing do I need to bring?

Please refer to equipment list.

Milford Track

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