GUIDING THE GREAT WALKS

New Zealand is renowned internationally for its Great Walks, bringing adventurous spirits from far and wide to our shores to venture into the rugged, beautiful wilderness. Despite this, many New Zealanders haven’t walked these tracks, maybe due to not knowing where to start or a lack of confidence.

This is something the outdoorspeople at Ultimate Hikes have been working to conquer over their 30-year history since Sir John Davies founded the company.

Central to Ultimate Hikes are guided walks on the Routeburn and Milford tracks, offering experienced and novice trampers the opportunity to make every step a lifelong memory.

The Ultimate Hikes guides, according to general manager Noel Saxon “form the experience for our walkers and literally guide them through their time with us.”

Aside from beginning a walking regime at least three months before starting a guided walk to increase their fitness, and carrying their own light pack, hikers have food, accommodation, and transport taken care of, preceded by a predeparture briefing in Queenstown.

“Our walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace, in their own time to soak up the experience and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of hiking in such a remote landscape. Our main difference is at the end of each day’s hiking, Ultimate Hikes walkers are welcomed at each lodge by a friendly face, they can have a hot shower, and three-course meals are cooked for them. Accommodation is in private rooms with ensuite bathrooms or shared rooms and bathrooms.”

They can rest assured that safety is paramount, with all guides on the track trained in first aid. This added aspect of assured safety is essential in New Zealand’s changing conditions.

“The weather can turn in an instant, conditions change quickly from sunny skies to torrential rain, and our guides are prepared to adapt to the conditions and keep walkers safe and confident about their experience. Guides are in constant radio contact with each other, the lodges, and our Queenstown base and are always supported to make decisions and ensure the safety of the walkers on track.”

On top of offering walkers unforgettable experiences, the team is working towards offsetting their carbon emissions and is passionate about the sustainability of their practices in a World Heritage Area, working with DOC on the tracks’ maintenance and safety while trapping pests around their lodges.

“We also work closely with the Kea Conservation Trust and the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust in their important work on supporting kea in the natural environment and reducing predation in the Routeburn and Dart Valleys to bring back native birdlife to the region.”

After carving out a unique path of their own for the past three decades, one thing remains at the centre of Ultimate Hikes pride – the lives that are changed for the better.

“I think whoever you ask they will say they are proudest of the people. Every day we’re taking a new group over these amazing tracks and seeing their transformation and their sheer delight in the experience – from big physical challenges to mental clarity to friends and family enjoying each other’s company without distractions and ticking off long cherished dreams.

“Our chairman’s dream was to make these tracks accessible to anyone who wants to walk them, and we are very proud to achieve that every day with the support structure we provide.” ultimatehikes.co.nz

To learn more about Ultimate Hikes and for bookings, visit the website.