2-4 participants per guide.
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.

 

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 2013: New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 29/3, Easter Monday 1/4, Anzac Day 25/4, Labour Day 28/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12.
New Zealand public holidays 2014: New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 18/4, Easter Monday 21/4, Anzac Day 25/4, Labour Day 27/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12.

 

Included: guide, hostel accommodation in Fox, hut accommodation, all food & surface transport ex Lake Tekapo, all climbing equipment including crampons, ice axe, helmet and boots, National Parks concession fees, 15% GST.

 

Aircraft access (not included): Helicopter flight from Fox to Centennial Hut is currently $465 in total for 3 people + gear; $620 for a bigger helicopter to carry 5 + gear. From Chancellor Hut back to Fox township it's $240 and $310 respectively.

» Pioneer & Centennial Huts, the bases for the "Dream Trek" are public huts that cannot be booked.

» The huts work on a first come first served basis.

» Participants must carry their own sleeping bags, personal gear and some of the group equipment, food, stove, fuel, and cooking utensils (all provided by us).

» It is essential that participants are fit enough to walk out from the high mountain venue. This involves hiking with a full pack (approximately 20kg) over sometimes rough ground for 8-12 hours.

» Previous mountaineering experience and good cramponing skills are essential.

» We recommend doing either our 4-day Introductory Climbing Course or the Ball Pass Crossing as preparation for this trip.

DAY 1:

8am gear check at the Alpine Recreation office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo. Drive to Fox Glacier via Haast Pass and through the South Westland World Heritage Area. We pause for a walk to a beach with wild surf, where sometimes penguins can be observed. 6 hours driving. 1 hour walking.

 

DAY 2:

Fly by helicopter from Fox Glacier to Centennial or Pioneer Hut at the top of the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers. Refresh crampon, ice-axe and self arrest skills on and around Mt Jervois or Grey Peak. Practise roping up for glacier travel. 6 hours.

 

DAY 3:

Travel to the watershed of the Fox and Franz Glaciers and climb Mt Von Bulow which affords excellent views over the Westland region. 5-7 hours.

 

DAY 4:

Travel to Marcel Col at just over 3000m on the Main Divide walking below the towering peaks of Haast and Lendenfeld. 5-7 hours.

 

DAY 5:

Descend to Chancellor Hut at the head of the Fox Glacier. Fly out to Fox Glacier township. 4-5 hours.

 

DAY 6:

Return to Tekapo.
This is a sample itinerary. There is some flexibility with this programme to work around unfavourable weather or glacier access conditions (eg. Days 5-6 could be combined if necessary; or the flight in could occur on Day 1 or on Day 3, with ice climbing on the lower Fox Glacier as a substitute on Day 2.)

Equipment:

Alpine Recreation provides all trekking and mountaineering equipment. Outdoor clothing, packs and boots can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary. Westland Glaciers Trek Clothing & Equipment list.

 

Accommodation pre-/post- tour:

As our equipment check takes place at 8am on the morning of departure, you need to book accommodation in Tekapo the night before. After the tour, it is recommended to overnight in Tekapo again, or in Mount Cook. 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.