Day 8 - Milford Track Day 1 - Queenstown/Te Anau to Glade House
Traversing the heart of New Zealand's wild fiord country, the Milford Track has long been described as "the finest walk in the world". Since Quintin Mackinnon pioneered the route in 1888, everyone from hardened trekkers to novices sporting their first pair of boots has taken up the challenge of the Milford Track.

The Fiordland National Park is the cornerstone of the Te Wahipounamu Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. Enjoy close encounters with the native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Weka; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; even Kiwi have been spotted! Walkers on the track to Milford Sound encounter Fiordland at its most spectacular: deep lakes; silent fiords; luxuriant forest and sheer canyons carved out of imposing granite define this landscape. On fine days there is a postcard shot around every corner, but only when it rains and torrents of water cascade down the mountainsides have you truly experienced the magic of the Milford Track.

Your adventure begins at our Queenstown office at 9.00am where you catch a coach to Te Anau, arriving in time for a light lunch and a group photo. After lunch we drive to Te Anau Downs boat harbour, where a launch waits to take us up to the spectacular northern end of Lake Te Anau. From the wharf it is a short walk to historic Glade House, our first lodge, for a hot shower, meal and comfortable bed.

Distance: 1.6km / 1 mile Time: 20 minutes walking

Day 9 - Milford Track Day 2 - Glade House to Pompolona Lodge
Leave Glade House and cross the emerald green Clinton River by swing bridge. You make your way up the Clinton Valley, being sure to stop and take it all in as you walk to the Hirere Falls lunch shelter. Your guides will point out Mackinnon's original hut site, a detour known as the wetland walk, 'the big tree' and other points of interest.

After lunch the Beech forest gets more luxuriant the further you go and the valley walls climb steeper and higher. On sunny days follow your guides into the swimming hole, cool but very refreshing!

From here it's onto the Prairie, an open meadow where you can capture the true nature of the ice carved Clinton Canyon. Named the Valley of the Perpendicular by the early pioneers and it is easy to see why as the rock walls tower up to 4000 feet above you. It is a short climb to Pompolona Lodge

Distance: 16km / 10 miles Time: 5-7 hours walking

Day 10 - Milford Track Day 3 - Pompolona Lodge to Quintin Lodge
Today is the day people find the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. After an early start the track leads toward the head of the Clinton Valley. As you begin your climb the 3 leaps of St Quintin Falls can be seen and Mt Balloon rears into view, onto the Practice Hill and Lake Mintaro. From here you climb a series of zig zags, the views on the way up will astound you as the valley floor drops away beneath your feet.

Once you reach the top all the effort will be worthwhile. Your guide will be waiting with hot and cold drinks at Mackinnon's memorial cairn. Look out from 12 second drop to the Arthur Valley beneath you. After lunch in Pass Hut the track takes you down a long downhill section to Quintin Lodge. On the rocky descent you will pass towering rock cliffs, glacial streams, moss covered forest, a cascading waterfall section and have your first view of Sutherland Falls.

After a hot cup of tea at Quintin Lodge leave your backpack behind for the 1.5 hour round trip to the mighty Sutherland Falls , fifth highest on the planet at 1904 feet / 540 metres. Take your jacket and dare to walk right in behind the falls, a once in a lifetime experience!

Distance: 15km / 9 miles Time: 6-8 hours walking

Day 11 - Milford Track Day 4 - Quintin Lodge to Mitre Peak Lodge
Follow the Arthur River as it makes it's way to Milford Sound. Walk through deep luxuriant beech forest, a final view of Sutherland Falls, glimpses of Diamond Creek and Danger Mountain can be seen before arriving at Boatshed for morning tea.

From here cross the river by swing bridge and carry on to MacKay Falls and Bell Rock. Linger here and savor this unearthly beauty. Follow the track and as you near the 30 mile peg you may hear the steady roar of Giant's Gate Falls, your lunch spot.

The final stretch of the track follows tranquil Lake Ada to Sandfly Point where the Maori goddess Te Hine-nui-te-po released the sandfly to stop men lingering too long in the beauty of Fiordland. From here you catch the launch to Milford Sound and Mitre Peak Lodge, where you will enjoy a celebratory dinner. Relax with the knowledge that the hard part is now behind you while the magnificence of Milford Sound spreads before you.

Distance: 21km / 13 miles Time: 6-8 hours walking

Day 12 - Milford Track Day 5- Milford Sound to Queenstown/Te Anau
After breakfast embark on your Milford Sound cruise. Out on the Fiord, you realise the grandeur of the surrounding mountains, the centrepiece being Mitre Peak, rising vertically over one mile from the water line.

The Fiord is a marine reserve and a haven for many marine animals. Look for Southern Fur Seals basking on the rocks. Bottlenose and Dusky Dolphins are sometimes found swimming in pods, the latter often performing leaps and flips. In early summer the fiord is also home to the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, which come into the fiord to mate and raise their young.

Milford’s reputation as being one of the wettest places on earth is not unfounded. But don’t be fooled into thinking you have to see it in fine weather, as Rudyard Kipling described it as the eighth wonder of the world, in rain!

On returning to the wharf, board your coach and climb your way out from Milford Sound and on to Queenstown via Te Anau (arriving at approx 4.15pm), completing your journey of the "finest walk in the world.".

You will stay for 2 nights at the Dairy Private Luxury Hotel.