including Dart River Jet boat Safari
A spectacular 35km jet boat trip up the Dart River takes you to the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. From here we walk through the primeval native forest, where we are the only company permitted to walk. The silence is deafening and the total wilderness is amazing.  We enjoy lunch by a mountain lake and are joined by NZ’s bird-life; Bush Robins, Fantails & Tomtits. After lunch we’ll explore the area where we have an option to visit a secret cave that only our guides know about.

This full day adventure combines total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest in the Mount Aspiring National Park, with the "Dart River Jet Safari" traveling to the start of your guided walk through one of the most scenic high mountain big river valleys to be found in New Zealand.

The only way to master the shallow glacial waters of the Southern Alps is by the Kiwi innovation that revolutionised high-country transport, the Jet Boat.  The Jet Boat drivers know their river intimately and their superb skills behind the wheel compliment frequent stops on this unique journey to explain the geology and lore of the ancient and unspoiled lands you traverse.

Two fascinating hours and 35km later your guide will meet you at a secret spot on the banks of the Dart River then lead you on a very gentle ascent under a canopy of native beech forest where birdsong supplies an unrivaled, natural soundtrack.

This is in an area where Guided Nature Walks is the only company allowed to walk through off track.  The vast numbers of plant species compete for your attention along with the orchestra of native bird life.  Your guide will point out your new and inquisitive traveling companions as they stop by to look you over.

A delicious picnic lunch is taken on the shores of the forest & mountain framed waters of Lake Sylvan. Nestled among a family of mountains, the lake’s brooding waters have a reddish-brown tint picked up from plants by its feeder streams on their journey down the hillsides over the 11,000 years of its existence.  Lake Sylvan teems with native trout and the most attractive species of geese and ducks when in season.

Winding back from the lake the track ambles through to the Routeburn, flowing down the very edge of the forest and on to your luxury transport.  From there it’s a short drive through rich farmland to Glenorchy where you might like to enjoy a brief refreshing stop in the local cafe before the road trip back to Queenstown.

Regular Price -                  Adult NZ$ 460           Child  NZ$ 275
Privately Guided Price -   Adult NZ$ 560           Child NZ$ 285

MINIMUM NUMBERS: Two persons (adult) or equivalent price

A privately guided option is available for a total wilderness experience (jet boat is not private except by special request & quote).
Please see what you'll need for this walk here and if you have any more questions please see our FAQs or contact us
RESTRICTIONS: This trip is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 1 metre in height, irrespective of child's age.

All of our GUIDED NATURE WALKS are selected for their natural beauty, and their difference from each other. This guided walk is an excellent walk for people interested in variety, history, lakes, river valleys, forests, mountain views, native birds and/or photography, it is a complete day packed with variety and scenery that you can take home on film!