Day by Day Itinerary
Sit back and relax. We've planned it all for you.
The logistics and planning required for a 6 day walk on the Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks can be a little overwhelming. So we've planned out your whole itinerary to make sure that you are able to relax and simply enjoy your Grand Traverse Guided Walk.
From your Pre-Track Briefing to ensure that you are adequately prepared, to lunch stops throughout each day, ensuring that you don't miss any of the track highlights or side tracks. We've thought of everything to ensure your safety and comfort.
Day before departure: Pre Track Briefing
On the afternoon before your departure you are required to attend a Pre-Track Briefing. Please check in at the Ultimate Hikes Centre, Ground Floor, The Station Building, Queenstown at 2:45pm.
Here you will receive a complete outline of what to expect, be provided with equipment, given an opportunity to purchase last minute required items, complete the required medical forms, ask/answer any last minute questions that you may have and meet your fellow walkers.
Please advise our reservations department if you are unable to attend the Pre-Track Briefing (strongly advised to attend).Day 1 : Glenorchy - Steele Creek
- 18km (11.1 miles)
- 5-7 hours
- Lunch, dinner
Your morning coach trip from Queenstown follows Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy. Continue around the lake to the mouth of the fabled Greenstone River, you don your pack and follow the Greenstone track into the stately red beech forest. Then you return to the river and views of Mt Christina reward you as you stroll up the final river flats to Steele Creek Lodge.
Day 2: Steele Creek to Lake McKellar
- 16km (10 miles)
- 4-5 hours
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a hearty breakfast, walk through a sea of red tussock on the river flats. Ancient pines and cottonwoods cling to the sheer mountain sides, which come alive with water on rainy days. The track allows spectacular views of the Ailsa and Livingstone Ranges as you approach Lake McKellar and the lodge.
Day 3: Lake McKellar
- Day of rest & exploration
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
This is your chance to explore the area on foot, row on the lake or just relax and read a novel. There is an activity for everyone. Take a stroll to the waterfall, or hike up to the lookout for a view down the river flats and your first glimpse of the Routeburn Track. If you are ready for a challenge you can climb higher to the unchartered tops and marvel at Fiordland's mountain scenery.
Day 4: Lake McKellar - Lake Mackenzie
- 16km (10 miles)
- 5-6 hours
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today you cross the main divide via the Greenstone Saddle and glimpse mountains and lakes through lush forest. You meet the Routeburn Track at Lake Howden and have the option to make the ascent to Key Summit. Here you can sit among the alpine plants and gaze down three valleys from which water fl ows to three different coasts. You then descend back down to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls, quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where refreshments, a hot shower, three course meal and a comfortable bed are waiting.
Day 5: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls
- 15km (9 miles)
- 5-7 hours
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
You leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen and enter the world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. Here you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martin's Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle, you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you descend into the upper basins of the Routeburn Valley, with the towering mountains above. Spend your final night of luxury at the beautifully located Routeburn Falls Lodge where you will be treated to a special dinner.
Day 6: Routeburn Falls to Road End
- 10km (6 miles)
- 3-4 hours
- Breakfast, lunch
Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls, before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your guides will take the scenic route through the meadows and find the deepest green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through the beech forest to the Road End. A coach will take you back to Queenstown, stopping at the small town of Glenorchy on the way.
