Hike without the crowds in NZ

An exclusive agreement between Australian adventure travel specialist, World Expeditions, and the New Zealand owners of a vast, high-country working sheep station, will give walkers an opportunity to hike – without crowds – beyond the beautiful Ben Lomond Trail near Queenstown, through privately owned land offering stunning views down to Queenstown and the Shotover River.

The new 5 day Moonlight Valley and Queenstown Backcountry Hike, which begins and ends in Queenstown, includes a heli-hike to the top of Mt Gilbert, a jet-boat transfer on the Shotover River, three nights accommodation in the comfort of Moonlight Lodge and one night wilderness camping. 

According to World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, the walk has huge potential because of its proximity to Queenstown, the comfort of the accommodation on offer and the unique experiences included.

“We’ve collaborated with the owners of this amazingly beautiful property to open it to walkers keen to see more of the beauty for which the Queenstown region is known,” Ms Badyari said.   “The Moonlight Valley Backcountry Hike is an exclusive walk that can’t be walked independently and offers a standard of accommodation superior to that available on any of the Great Walks.”

“Because it’s on privately owned land, there’s a level of exclusivity just not possible on any walking track open to the public,” she said, “and the fact that it’s so accessible – beginning and ending in Queenstown, will have huge appeal also.”

The Moonlight Valley and Queenstown Backcountry Hike departs Queenstown on 24 March and the 7 April 2019 and costs $2,990 per person.  Trip price includes delicious, home cooked meals, quality lodge acccommodation (twin share) with electricity and hot showers (3 nights) and wilderness camp (1 night), jetboat, helicopter and gondola transport as well as the services of professional guides.  Walkers will need a moderate level of fitness, as the elevation of the walk is undulating and the track can be rough in places.

Other New Zealand walks offered by World Expeditions are designed to take walkers away from the crowds and into some of the most beautiful parts of the country and include:

On the 7 day Fiordland, Hollyford and Stewart Island Trail, World Expeditions combines the best sections of three of New Zealand’s Great Walks: Hollyford, Routeburn and Kepler, with 5 nights motel accommodation and 1 night remote luxury lodge accommodation, all meals and the services of expert guides.  Trip also includes a magical helicopter ride over Milford Sound to the secluded Martins Bay and one night in a luxury lodge.

The Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman trek is one of the finest walks in the upper South Island, including the best sections of the Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman Tracks. This lodge-based accommodated walk blends remote and iconic walks on the upper South Island, including the stunning Kaikoura Peninsula Walk and the finest sections of Queen Charlotte Track for an exciting ridge top walk above the Marlborough Sound.

The 6 day Best of Southern Alps Trek is the best trek to not feature in any NZ guide book. Packed full of highlights, this stunning tour includes mountain peaks, remote lake systems and the splendour of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring from high vantage points, including one from the inside of a helicopter!

For the experienced hiker with a head for heights, the 8 day Gillespie and Rabbit Pass Trek delivers awe-inspiring views of the region’s highest peak, Mt Aspiring. Regarded as New Zealand’s hardest guided walk, the rarely trodden trail follows the main divide of the South Island, through picturesque landscapes with glacier covered peaks and waterfalls. More information at www.worldexpeditions.com