New Zealand South Island Fiordland Hiking Tour
Coastal Fjords & Alpine Trails from Milford Sound to Queenstown
Equal parts colossal and mesmerizing, New Zealand is an epic land where adventure-seeking hearts find a home.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $8,299 - $9,399/person
Includes $1,200 internal air
+15% Sales tax
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Eleven incredible hikes in New Zealand are deemed “Great Walks;” experience three of them, from land, air and sea
- Immerse yourself in the rainforest during your stay at the Milford Sound Lodge, which offers exclusive access to Fiordland National Park's stunning hikes
- As your boat glides through the Milford Sound, towering fjord walls draped with waterfalls rise up all around you
- Watch for playful bottlenose dolphins and fur seals, and listen for the calls of the bellbird and kea, birds only found in this country
- Soar over Queenstown in a gondola, as the staggering range of the Remarkables mountains comes into panoramic view
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Queenstown Airport & Travel Details
- Adventure begins with an optional scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, a glacially carved fjord surrounded by ancient beech forests and mist-shrouded valleys
- Cruise into one of the most sought-after spots in New Zealand as you ferry to Sandfly Point, the dramatic entry to the Milford Track
- The Giant Gate Falls plunge 98 feet into a deep green pool, your destination on an out-and-back hike
- Be treated to locally sourced Fiordland dishes at the elegant Milford Sound Lodge.
Nights 1-2
Deluxe Hotel
Sitting beside Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most iconic natural wonders, this exclusive retreat is the only accommodation in the fjord. The lodge is a refined sanctuary in a truly wild location, offering space to relax and take in views of this extraordinary landscape.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Hike the Routeburn Track, with deep blue tarns reflecting the sky’s shifting light as you pass
- Listen for the call of the kea, an endangered alpine parrot the Maori named for its unique sound
- The Key Summit Track leads you through a still, mossy forest before you break free of the tree line for mountain views
- Road trip through jaw-dropping scenery from the Milford Sound to Te Anau
- A thrilling helicopter flight sweeps you high above Lake Te Anau to Mt. Luxmore
- Prefer a different way to travel? Opt for a water taxi to an out-and-back hike
- Layered visions of blue-green mountains roll into the distance as you hike the legendary Kepler Track
- At a family-owned hotel, personal touches and generous hosts demonstrate true Kiwi hospitality.
Nights 3-4
Casual Hotel
Chosen specifically for its unbeatable access to New Zealand’s most famous hikes, this charming lakefront motel also delivers warm, authentic Kiwi hospitality.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Water taxi to Shallow Bay, cross the swinging bridge at Rainbow Reach and opt for a hike distance that feels just right
- Ecosystems seem to reinvent themselves at every bend in the road as your ride approaches Queenstown at the southern tip of lovely Lake Wakatipu
- The bustling town center drops away and the lake glimmers below as you hike to the Ben Lomond viewpoint, 1,800 feet above Queenstown
- Boutique waterfront shops and artisanal eateries are perfect for an afternoon browse at your own pace
- Relax at the hotel after a rewarding week of hiking or meander through exotic trees in the botanical gardens.
Nights 5-6
Luxury Hotel
Set high above Queenstown, this lakeside retreat is an inspiring place of elegant comfort, and the perfect setting for fine dining while immersing yourself in panoramic views of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Queenstown Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 3-5
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
