Everything You Need to Know

We take full payment by card at the time of booking. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. 

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Yes. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you take out your own medical/travel insurance to cover your walk and any circumstances in which you may not be able to walk including covid. In the unlikely event of a medical/accident emergency on the track, an evacuation by air will be carried out by New Zealand emergency services which will likely incur a significant financial cost.

Check first with the accommodation provider you are staying with prior to the walk.  Otherwise some options are below.

Queenstown

Please note: We can only collect walkers from the Ultimate Hikes Centre. 

Collection from the Frankton Bus Shelter must be by request.  Please contact reservations prior to arrival. 

We cannot pick up or drop off guests at the airport.

There is no collection from Frankton for the Grand Traverse.  

• Man Street Carpark is an underground carpark 5 minutes walk from the Ultimate Hikes Centre - You can purchase tickets from us.
• The Queenstown Airport has long term parking.
• Campervans - Lake view holiday park (blackout dates over Xmas and New Year) 

Te Anau

Please note: We can only drop off guests in Te Anau on the Milford Track guided walk. 

All other walks finish in Queenstown only.

• The Alpine cafe (Cnr Sandy Brown Road and highway 94, Te Anau) has open parking for a daily fee  It is not secure or under cover but it has cameras.  Contact them for more information on +64 (0)3 249 9091.

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We recommend you leave any excess luggage at your pre and post accommodation. We can store excess luggage at our centre in Queenstown for an additional fee. There is no need to book this – just bring it with you on the day of your departure.

Luggage storage is not available for Te Anau departures and drop offs. For further information, please contact our Reservations team prior to your arrival.

Before booking a hike with Ultimate Hikes you should be aware that Hiking on New Zealand’s Great Walks and tracks, involves risks that include natural hazards such as flood, rockfall, landslip, earthquake, tsunami (Milford Sound) and avalanche. Unpredictable weather including high winds, snow and heavy rain can occur at any time. The tracks are uneven, rocky and steep in places. Ultimate Hikes takes every reasonable precaution to eliminate or minimise the risks you could be exposed to,  but natural hazards can be unpredictable and should they occur, they could result in injury and even death. 

‍Read our Risk Management Strategy here.

All cancellations must be made in writing and sent to info@ultimatehikes.co.nz or Ultimate Hikes Reservations, PO Box 259 Queenstown NZ, 9348.

Cancellation fees for all Multi Day Walks are charged on the following basis per person:

• Outside 90 days from date of walk departure: NZ$100 per person;
• Between 89-60 days from date of walk departure: NZ$200 per person;
• Between 59-31 days from date of walk departure: 50% of full fare; or
• Within 30 days of date of walk departure: 100% of full fare.

The date and customer name, for which the walk has been booked, once confirmed by the Operator providing the services and activities described, is non-transferable.

See Terms and Conditions for more information

The bus will arrive back to Queenstown at approximately 4.00pm. To avoid unnecessary stress and to make allowances for delays we strongly recommend you book flights to depart after 6.00pm.

All walks depart from and return to the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown. We do not provide hotel pick up or drop offs.  We can meet walkers in Te Anau for the Milford and Routeburn Tracks but only walkers on the Milford Track can be dropped off there. Milford Track walkers can also be dropped off at Frankton Bush shelter which is a 10 minute walk to the airport.

This is no problem. It is a great opportunity to walk with like-minded individuals from around the world.  Please note however that we cannot always guarantee same sex shared rooms.

The health and safety of our walkers and team is at the forefront of our operation. We are members of outdoors mark and submit annual audits. Your guides are trained in first aid and go through an extensive pre-season training programme in mountain safety. You are required to always adhere to their instruction, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Guides and lodge staff are in constant touch with each other, the lodges and the Queenstown base by radio.

For the safety and consideration of others, walkers must sign a waiver to confirm they are not ill or been in contact with someone who is, within 48 hours of departing and should consult a staff member if they feel unwell on track.

For the Routeburn Track, please meet us at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown at 6:00am on the day of your departure. If you are departing from Te Anau, please meet us at The Alpine Centre cafe, cnr Sandy Brown Road and Highway 94 at 8.45am.

For the Milford Track or The Classic please meet us at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown at 9.15am on the day of your departure. If you are departing from Te Anau, please meet us at The Alpine Centre cafe, cnr Sandy Brown Road and Highway 94 at 11.30am.

For the Grand Traverse, please meet us at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown at 7.15am on the day of your departure. 

To enjoy your walk, you’ll need to carry a medium pack (5–7kg) for 6–9 hours over 10–21km each day. If you’re not a regular walker, start training 6–8 weeks before departure, including hills, stairs, and walking with a pack in all weather. Tracks range from rocky, root-covered sections to well-formed paths, and you may walk through water in heavy rain. Walking poles, core strength, and sturdy boots with ankle support are recommended. Walk at your own pace, there’s always a guide at the back.

Read our training information.

We recommend bringing just one set of clothing to walk in – the more you pack, the more you’ll need to carry. All of our lodges have handwashing and drying facilities, so you can wash and dry clothes overnight.

Choose lightweight, warm, and quick-drying fabrics such as merino wool, polypropylene, or fleece. Cotton isn’t recommended, as it holds moisture when wet and can leave you feeling cold.

See What to Bring for a complete downloadable packing list.

Track conditions vary from wide flat and graded to very steep over rocks and tree roots.  There are some steep steps too, both up and down, and in heavy rain, sections of the track are prone to flooding.  Wind, rain and snow can also affect track conditions, particularly in exposed sections of the track.  A high level of stamina and stability is required.

All of our lodges have flushing toilets. There are also toilets (some flush, some Kiwi long drop style!) at all our lunch shelters and huts.

You’ll carry your own pack between lodges, but rest assured it’s lighter than a typical hiking pack since you don’t need to bring food, tents, or cooking gear. On the Milford Track, you also have the option to send a small bag ahead to the final lodge at Milford Sound – details are included in your pre-walk booklet.

You can use your own pack or we can provide a 40L backpack for you, this can be collected at the pre-track briefing or from the Ultimate Hikes Centre.  A photo of the pack can be viewed on our website  along with some suggestions on what to bring.

The pack is likely to weigh between 5-7 kg (10-14lbs) full, if you follow our recommended equipment list. 

Track conditions vary from wide flat and graded to very steep over rocks and tree roots.  There are some steep steps too, both up and down, and in heavy rain, sections of the track are prone to flooding.  Wind, rain and snow can also affect track conditions, particularly in exposed sections of the track.  A high level of stamina and stability is required.

Particularly on the Milford Track, the sandflies can be quite persistent. We recommend you wear insect repellent each day and reapply regularly.

Power in the lodges is driven by generators. They are turned on in the morning (timings depend on lodges) and all are turned off at 10pm. There is no power from 10pm until the morning.  Nightlights operate on small batteries charged during the day.

Steele Creek lodge on the Greenstone Track (Grand Traverse) is on solar power so there is limited ability to charge devices, and there is no drying room.

We are able to supply 600W power points to two private Rooms for a CPAP Machine at each of our lodges on the Routeburn and Milford Tracks to run machines through the night. You must have booked a private room and contact us to be allocated the room - they are subject to availability. There is no power source for CPAP machines in multishare rooms or in the first two lodges on the Greenstone Track. 

Shared rooms sleep 4 -6 people in bunk or single beds on the Milford and the Routeburn tracks.

On the Greenstone track Steele Creek lodge has dormitory style rooms and McKellar lodge has up to 4 people in bunk rooms.

All shared rooms share bathroom facilities with cubicle showers and flush toilets.

There is New Zealand wine, beer and soft drink available for purchase at the lodges. This is paid for at the end of your walk. 

No, you will lose access soon after joining the tracks and there is no facility to access internet or wifi in any of our lodges along the track. Messages can be relayed through the Queenstown office. All guides and lodge staff are in constant touch with each other and with Queenstown base by radio.

Vegetarian options are included in all our menus, and we will notify where no dairy or gluten is added. If you have specific food allergies or dietary requirements, please contact us to discuss them before departure. We will endeavour to cater for general requirements but we are unable to cater for strict diet plans or specific food requests due to the extremely isolated and challenging environment we operate in. 

Yes, lodges have hand washing facilities with soap powder and drying rooms. Being able to wash and dry clothing helps keep the pack weight down. Please note that Steele Creek Lodge on the Grand Traverse has limited ability to wash and dry clothes as it doesn't have a drying room.

Smoking and vaping is strictly prohibited in all Lodges and Ultimate Hikes facilities.  Please ask at lodges where the designated smoking area is.