Day by Day Itinerary

 

Elevation of the Milford Track

 

Day 1

Queenstown - Te Anau - Glade House
Distance: 1.6km (1 mile) Time: 20 mins Meals Included: Lunch, dinner

The adventure begins at our Queenstown office where you board a coach to Te Anau, arriving in time for lunch and a group photo. From Te Anau Downs harbour, a launch takes up to the head of Lake Te Anau. From the wharf it’s a short walk to the historic Glade House for afternoon tea. Afterwards the guides take you on a short nature walk to explore the area. After a hot shower and three-course meal it’s time to get some rest in the snug beds either in the multi-share bunk rooms or private ensuite rooms.

Day 2

Glade House - Pompolona Lodge
Distance: 16km (10 miles) Time: 5-7 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After crossing the emerald green Clinton River you walk up the valley to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter. The beech forest gets more luxuriant the farther you go, until it releases you on to 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.

Day 3

Pompolona Lodge - Quintin Lodge via Mackinnon Pass
Distance: 15km (9 miles) Time: 6-8 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This is the most demanding day, especially in inclement weather. 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 spectacular panorama and lunch in Pass Hut. After the rocky decent into the Arthur Valley you will welcome a hot cup of tea at Quintin Lodge. This should be enough to refresh you for the optional 90 minute round trip to the Sutherland Falls, the world’s fifth highest waterfall.

Day 4

Quintin Lodge - Mitre Peak Lodge via Sandfly Point
Distance: 21km (13 miles) Time: 6-8 hours Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

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

From here it is a short launch trip to the renowned Mitre Peak Lodge, the only accommodation at Milford Sound offering superb views of Mitre Peak, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. 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 is right in front of you.

Day 5

Mitre Peak Lodge - Milford Sound - Te Anau - Queenstown
Distance: No walking Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Wake to the tranquillity of Fiordland and after breakfast experience a magical cruise on Milford Sound. Watch for the dolphins and fur seals and pray for rain, as you’ve only seen Fiordland at its most incredible when the waterfalls are in full flow.

Following the cruise it’s time to head back to Queenstown. There are two options: (1) travel by coach through the heart of Fiordland National Park, through the Homer Tunnel and beyond or (2) take a spectacular scenic helicopter flight across Mt Aspiring National Park back to Queenstown. Sit back and let the pilot show you another perspective of the World Heritage Area. Look down upon rugged peaks, sheer canyons and alpine lakes, the perfect complement to your experience on the ‘finest walk in the world’. The flight option is available at an additional cost and is dependent upon the weather.

For an interactive breakdown of the walk click here