Enjoy some of New Zealand's best private guided hikes, heli experiences and wine tasting on this all-inclusive journey based at the luxurious Blanket Bay Lodge

South Island, New Zealand
From A$9,995 pp
4 Day Private Walk
Routeburn Track & Mt Earnslaw Glacier
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1 Overview
2 Rates & Inclusions
3 Location & Access
4 Luxury Accommodation
5 Itinerary
6 Season & Departure Dates
7 Featured experiences
1Overview
Overview

Starting in Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island, enjoy alpine adventures with luxury accommodation and exceptional dining at the renowned Blanket Bay Lodge. Before arriving at Blanket Bay, enjoy a private guided hike around Moke Lake, one of Queenstown's best day walks. The afternoon is then yours to relax and make the most of the Lodge's warm hospitality and spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Humboldt mountains. You'll enjoy a five-course degustation dinner showcasing local produce every night, followed by a restful sleep in your lakeside Lodge Room. Fuelled by a hearty breakfast overlooking the lake each morning, the next two days feature a walk on our favourite section of the Routeburn Track and a Mt Earnslaw hike including heli transfers over Glenorchy, the Dart River, and Mt Alfred. Your luxury Southern Alps adventure ends with lunch and premium wine tastings at a Central Otago winery on the return journey to Queenstown.

Walk Into Luxury Routeburn swing bridge 16
Heli Glenorchy EC120 Mt Alfred Dart Valley
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2Rates & Inclusions
Rates & Inclusions
  • Three nights at Blanket Bay Lodge - voted one of the world's best lodges - staying in a Lodge Room
  • Private guided Moke Lake walk*
  • Private guided Routeburn Track hike and Mount Earnslaw Glacier walk
  • Helicopter transfers to Mount Earnslaw for your heli-hike to the glacier
  • All meals including breakfast, lunch, five-course dinner and trail provisions
  • Daily pre-dinner drinks and feature destination dining experience at the lodge one evening
  • Wine tasting and lunch at a boutique winery on the return trip to Queenstown
  • Four days discovering the best of the Southern Alps with local Queenstown guides
  • Private return ground transfers from Queenstown Airport to Glenorchy
  • National Park fees and all trail permits/concessions

* An alternate walk at Lake Hayes will be offered during winter months if Moke Lake is not accessible

3Location & Access
Location & Access

This journey starts and finishes in Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island. Blanket Bay Lodge is 45 minutes by road from Queenstown; private return transfers are included.

Map 1 Queenstown Blanket Bay 1
5Itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Depending on your arrival time, your private driver will collect you from Queenstown airport or your accommodation in the morning or early afternoon. After a short drive, you'll arrive at the picturesque Moke Lake* to enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea overlooking the lake and a guided walk around the loop track. You'll then be transferred to Blanket Bay Lodge, one of New Zealand's premier luxury lodges. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the lodge is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and features striking architecture and five-star facilities. Start your evening with pre-dinner drinks and canapes in the lounge before heading to the dining room for a wonderful five-course dinner.

* If the access road to Moke Lake becomes unpassable or unsafe in winter months, an alternate walk at Lake Hayes will be offered.

Included: D

Moke Lake Walk Queenstown

Day 2

Led by local guides, today's hike is considered one of New Zealand's best day walks. This full-day journey to the Routeburn Flats will offer views of snow-capped mountains, ancient beech forests, waterfalls and river gorges. You'll have the chance to cross swing bridges and walk alongside the crystal clear waters of the Routeburn River before enjoying a picnic lunch in an idyllic alpine meadow (weather permitting). For the very fit, you may walk ahead to gain views over the Routeburn Valley from the steep trail up to Routeburn Falls*. As always, your guides will ensure you have a spectacular day on this Great Walks of NZ trail and return you to Blanket Bay Lodge in time for pre-dinner drinks and dinner.

*Due to bridge works, the optional extension to Routeburn Falls will not be possible until late 2024

Included: B - L - D

Walk Into Luxury Routeburn swing bridge 16

Day 3

After a hearty breakfast, your day starts with a 15-minute helicopter experience offering views of Dart River and the mountain ranges as you head to the Mount Earnslaw basin. The spectacular Earnslaw Burn hike is one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets with glacier-fed rivers, multiple waterfalls and tussock-covered mountains. Upon reaching the striking Mount Earnslaw glacier, your experienced guide will lead you on a two-hour walk along the valley past cascading waterfalls concluding at the glacier's base. Enjoy a picnic lunch in this beautiful setting before a scenic helicopter flight back to Blanket Bay via a 1,000-metre ascent towards the icy blue glacier. Back at the lodge, you may wish to make the most of the hot tub to soothe tired muscles or relax by the fire with a well-deserved drink. Tonight's dinner will feature another wonderful showcase of local produce.

B - L - D

Luxury Milford Track Walk - Earnslaw Burn Heli Hover

Day 4

Enjoy a leisurely lie-in this morning before a final breakfast overlooking Lake Wakatipu. It's then time to farewell your Blanket Bay Lodge hosts and be whisked back to Queenstown via the Gibbston Valley, where you'll enjoy premium Central Otago wine tastings and a delicious winery lunch, a fitting end to your luxury South Island experience.

Included: B - L

Blanket Bay Lodge, Glenorchy
6Season & Departure Dates
Season & Departure Dates

Year-round, with some modifications during winter months.

Mount Earnslaw Glacier is one of New Zealand's hidden gems; pass waterfalls cascading down the mountain before reaching the hanging glacier
Nikki, founder of Walk into Luxury

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Start planning your Blanket Bay Walk on the Routeburn Track and Mt Earnslaw Glacier with Walk Into Luxury

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