New Zealand Hiking & Guided Walks

2-6 participants per guide, up to 12 with 2 guides.
Individual bookings welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund.

Bookings received before the 30 April 2012 will qualify for the 2011-12 season prices.

 

NZ$ exchange rate.

Please note that on public holidays there will be a surcharge of NZ$80 per person per day.
New Zealand public holidays 2011-12: Labour Day 24/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12, New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 6/4, Easter Monday 9/4, Anzac Day 25/4.
New Zealand public holidays 2012-13: Labour Day 22/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12, New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 29/3, Easter Monday 1/4, Anzac Day 25/4.

 

Included: guide, hut accommodation, all food & transport ex Lake Tekapo, all equipment and boots if required, Department of Conservation licence fee, 15% GST.

Meals and accommodation before/after tour are NOT included.

» Rex Simpson Hut is owned by Alpine Recreation and is an ideal base for trekking in the summer and snow shoeing and ski touring in the winter.

» Located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo.

» Fully equipped with pot belly stove, firewood, gas, solar lighting, sleeping bags and non-perishable food.

» The hut consists of three rooms, sleeping 12 participants and 2 guides in total.

» Sleeping bags are at the hut; liners and pillow cases are provided each trip.

» There are no showers, but warm water and basin can be provided for washing – or you can find a private spot somewhere along the alpine stream. The toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view!

» More Rex Simpson Hut photos...

» Ideally you should have previous tramping or hiking experience, because much of the trek is across untracked terrain and you need to be sure-footed.

» However, if you are relatively new to tramping, then this is an ideal introduction, especially for families, as long as you are fit and walking 6-8 hours in a day would pose no problems.

» Your pack will contain just your clothing and a few items of fresh food to be carried to the hut on Day 1. Non-perishable food and sleeping bags are at the hut.

Itinerary for 3 day option

DAY 1:

10am gear check at our office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo.

From Lake Tekapo township we drive along the lakeshore to a typical high country sheep station. Three hours' hike with a climb of 550m/1805ft brings us to the cosy Rex Simpson Hut, at 1300m/4265ft. The only sounds to be heard are the skylarks singing, or the chirp of an occasional pippit. This peacefulness is one of the first powerful impressions, giving a real sense of isolation and remoteness. The views over Lake Tekapo are expansive. Evening entertainment regularly comes in the form of an inspiring sunset behind the alps and/or spectacularly clear displays of our Southern Hemisphere stars.

 

DAY 2:

We trek along a 6 kilometre-long ridge-top, nicknamed "Snake Ridge", that was formed by ice-age glaciation, and ascend Beuzenberg Peak (2073m/6800ft). The terrain is untracked with a moderate gradient.

As we hike higher the splendour of the Southern Alps unfolds with the East Face of Mount Cook dominating the western skyline. To the northeast Braun-Elwert Peak, named after Alpine Recreation's founder, watches our progress up Snake Ridge.

Unique alpine scree plants and maybe an alpine weta can be spotted by the observant. Early summer the tussock will be interspersed with mountain daisies, (Celmisia Lyallii). In late summer the red berries of Little Mountain Heath (Pentachondra Pumila) dot the ground, along with white and pink snowberries.

Walk back down to Rex Simpson Hut to be well fed and entertained by your guide. 6-8 hours walking.

 

DAY 3:

We trek to an old musterers' hut before walking back down through the farm and returning to Lake Tekapo. The hut door carries part of a dog collar, dated 1898, and the interior could be reminiscent of Scott’s hut in Antarctica.

Finish about 1pm in Lake Tekapo. After your return to Lake Tekapo we recommend a scenic flight with Air Safaris over the Southern Alps (not included in price): www.airsafaris.co.nz.

 

Itinerary for 2 day option

As above except the trip starts at 1pm at Alpine Recreation's office, 30 Murray Place Lake Tekapo. (Most buses arrive in Tekapo from Christchurch before this time.) Days 2 and 3 get condensed into one day and you come straight back to Lake Tekapo after returning to Rex Simpson Hut.

Obviously the second day is quite a long day then (8-9 hours walking) but for fit hikers is a good option when your travel itinerary cannot allow so much time.

• You can get into the mountains without having to bring a lot of gear.
• No heavy loads to carry because sleeping bags, stoves, fuel and non-perishable food are at the hut.
• You're above the bushline all the time with wide open views.
• You have a clean hut for your party alone.
• A guide looks after you, and helps you to learn a lot about the area's natural and cultural history.

» Young and older fit walkers (who no longer want to carry heavy packs) and everybody who wants an active holiday. You should consult with us first if you have anybody in your group younger than 10 or older than 70. Fitness is more important than age!

» To climb a peak over 2000m is both challenging and rewarding. If you enjoy challenges and a good physical workout in a scenic environment, then this trek is for you. If you appreciate getting off-the-beaten-track, then this is definitely the place to go – it is rare to encounter any other people outside your own group.

Information in German:

Tekapo Trek Brochüre Download.

 

Equipment:

Alpine Recreation provides boots and trekking poles. Outdoor clothing and packs can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary. Tekapo Trek Clothing & Equipment list.

 

Accommodation pre-/post- tour:

You may wish to book accommodation in Tekapo the nights before and after the trip. Accommodation options in Tekapo.

 

Insurance:

In case of accident New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC) will cover the majority of costs (about 80%) involved with evacuation and injury treatment, even for visitors to New Zealand. However you still need ordinary travel insurance to cover such things as your cancellation if an injury prevents you taking part on the trip, or a close relative suddenly becomes ill; and medical insurance in case you become ill. More information re Accident Compensation. The New Zealand Alpine Club provides a good mountaineering specific travel insurance.

 

How green are we?

Alpine Recreation reduces its carbon footprint and environmental impact through such things as:

- restricting group size
- using fuel efficient vehicles
- minimising use of vehicles and aircraft
- recycling, re-using, composting, avoiding "consumerism"
- minimal impact huts
- bulk buying of food supplies
- promoting conservation of native flora and fauna
- supporting community efforts to encourage appreciation of the natural environment

For details please refer to our Environmental Care Action.