Mt Aspiring National Park :: Guided Hiking Adventures in Mt Aspiring National Park with Eco Wanaka Adventures

Lake Crucible/Siberia Valley (in Mt Aspiring National Park)

2 Day Trek

This new trekking experience combines the fascination and awe of a guided trek through the remote Siberia Valley region to Lake Crucible, with the exhilaration of a jet boat experience on Day 2.

Feel the power of Lake Crucible, a remnant of a long gone ice age. Overnight in the wilderness - just, you, your experienced guide, and Mother Nature. This experience is designed for someone looking for REAL, UNTOUCHED NATURE, and is escorted by a fully experienced guide.

Day one begins in Wanaka, and you travel by vehicle along the Haast Pass World Heritage Highway via Lakes Hawea and Wanaka to Makarora. From there, the adventure really begins as you are flown into the Siberia Valley, whilst absorbing the superb views of the mountains, rivers, and forests. After leaving your gear at Siberia Hut, you set off for a 6-hour return nature walk, which takes you over terrain changing from a river valley floor, to a rainforest. Next, the forest gives way to a lush alpine meadow, hosting a wealth of plant life before you reach Lake Crucible, an awesome sight with icebergs floating in it all year. There's time to relax and reflect here before returning to the comfortable Siberia Hut, where your guide prepares a substantial hot meal while you relax and recount the day with your companions.

Day two begins with the sound of birds while you are eating your hearty breakfast. Today, you trek down the Siberia Valley, traversing the Siberia Gorge into the Wilkin Valley with its abundance of birdlife, dominated by towering peaks, sheer rock faces, and rain forest. After lunch on the bank of the Wilkin River your group is met by jet boat for an exciting ride down-river back to Makarora.

Typical Flora & Fauna found in Mt Aspiring National Park

Flora: Hebes, Matagaouri, Cabbage Tree, Everlasting Daisy, Kowhai, Silver Beech, Red Beech, Hall's Totara, Caprosma, Broadleaf, Lancewood, Snow Totara, Celery Pine, Alpine Buttercup (Mt Cook Lily), Speargrass, Alpine Daisy of many species, mosses, ferns and liverworts.

Fauna: N.Z. Falcon, Tomtit, Waxeye, Rifleman, Wood Pigeon, Bellbird, Grey Warbler, Kea, Rock Wren, Terns, Spur Winged Plovers, Oystercatchers, Paradise Duck.

Mt Aspiring National Park Trips Information

Walking Distance: Day 1: 12 kms
Walking time: Day 1: 6.5 hours
Walking Distance Day 2: 6 kms
Walking time: Day 2: 3 hours
Actual Altitudes:Lowest: 600m Highest: 1200m
Seasonality: November-April (subject to mountain weather conditions)
Requirements: sleeping bag, snacks, pack, personal gear, trekking boots, suitable clothing, reasonable fitness level
10% deposit when booking
Minimum Numbers: 02 clients

Special Note:

Due to the nature of the tour, and mountain weather conditions, the itinerary may change without notice. All efforts will be made to ensure our clients’ continued enjoyment.

Costs

Ex-Wanaka: Adult $1050
Prices are valid to 31 March 2011

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Rob Roy Glacier Trek

1 day walk

This one day trek is in Mt Aspiring National park. For more information on the Rob Roy Glacier Trek click on the underlined link.

Blue Pools & Bridle Track Trek

Half day walk

This combination of walks is definitely a highlight of the Haast Pass. The gravelled path gives easy walking through silver beech, and boardwalks and netting complete the walk to the viewing platform of Blue Pools. You may see large brown and rainbow trout feeding in the crystal clear pools. There is a swing bridge over the river which is always a unique experience in itself!

After the Blue Pools we head to a picnic spot on Davis Flat for lunch. From Davis Flat, we follow the Bridle Track on the original and horse only access to the West Coast. The walk passes through Beech Forest, and follows the upper reaches of the Makarora River, the two river crossings are bridged.

We meet the vehicle at the top end at Haast Pass so there is no need to back track. Then we have lunch at Cameron Flat, with commanding views over the Makarora River to the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. After lunch, we walk down the gravel path through the Silver Beech to the Blue Pools, to spot feeding Rainbow and Brown trout from the swing bridge and the viewing platform in the crystal clear pools.