Eco Wanaka Adventures Guided Walks & Tours

BannerEcoWanakaAdventures Located in New Zealand’s Southern Alps there is no better way to explore the jewel that is Lake Wanaka, than with ‘Eco Wanaka Adventures’.

Eco Wanaka will personally guide you on a number of impressive tours that will take you off the beaten track into pure wilderness, from the glaciers in the World Heritage Mount Aspiring National Park, following the steps of the dwarves and wizards as seen in the Hobbit movies, helicopter flights to visit pristine alpine lakes or an Eco Lake Cruise & Walk to a ‘Lake on an Island’ on a ‘Lake on an Island’.

Lake Wanaka Cruise & Island Nature Walk.
Adults: $225 pp Children $145

Boat cruise to the remote and magical Mou Waho Island nature reserve, which is predator–free and home to the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920).

A one hour return guided bush walk is included, which takes you up to reveal the island’s secret – a lake right on top of the island! Unique and very photogenic (Optional). Or you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the birdlife at the beach and shelter at the island base with your own morning or afternoon tea.

We have “High Tea” on top of the island overlooking both of these lakes, where you can drink in the vibrant birdsong and the panorama of the Southern Alps spread out before us.

Plant a native tree as part of your eco-experience. This is a unique opportunity to give back to this special island and New Zealand’s environment

Misty Mountains Heli Hike.
Adults: $775 pp

Experience an exclusive 4.5 hour guided tour over “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” country.

Our Helicopter experience follows the Eagles flight with a landing on glaciated Fog Peak, to admire Mt Aspiring (Tititea) at 3033m, and it’s surrounding glacier cloaked panorama of the breathtaking Southern Alps. Amazingly we can see 3 Trilogy film sites from here. Skimming the razor back ridges, we fly and land on Treble Cone’s Towers Ridge.

We soak in the view between the Towers and then walk the very footsteps that the legendary dwarves, wizard, and our little heroic ring carrier traversed in their quest over the top of the Misty Mountains, as seen in the Hobbit movie. An unexpected journey through this very set!

On our quest, we descend 2 hours of guided hike from 2000m, traversing the ridge line, revealing huge rock pillars, canyons, cliffs and glaciers draining into rivers, joining the beautiful jewel blue lake far below. The laketown of Wanaka is to the east.

This downhill walk has amazing diversity, revealing unexpected wonders… Home of the fearless New Zealand falcon, and the curious kea, a unique, inquisitive mountain parrot.

Alpine Lakes Heli Hike.
Adults: $775 pp

Fly to 3 pristine Alpine Lakes 1400m up, high in the spectacular World Heritage Conservation area bordering on Mt Aspiring National Park. This was Bear Gryll’s training ground in the series “Get Out Alive” Here the alpine lakes sparkle against the stunning backdrop of Mt Aspiring (Tititea) 3033m and its’ surrounding glaciers.

Experience the majesty and solitude of this alpine environment as you begin your 2 hour scenic hike through alpine tussock herb fields, past emerald clear lakes and along spectacular ridges. There is plenty of time to stop for photos and for stories told by your personal guide. Bear Grylls – Get out Alive contestants slept here in this very mountain location as part of the series.

At the completion of the hike, your helicopter returns and whisks you off to a high secret mountain location for a brief stop for photos, a perfect finale, before returning you to base or your accommodation.

Rob Roy Glacier Guided Walk.
Adults: $275 pp Children $185

Just 1 hour from Wanaka is the beautiful Mt Aspiring National Park. Within the park is the Rob Roy Glacier. It is a massive glacier beginning high above on Rob Roy Peak – 2,606 metres, clinging to the ever-steepening mountainside as it descends into the Rob Roy Valley.

The day begins with a scenic drive around Lake Wanaka, and into the Matukituki valley driving through several fords, stopping for photos along the way. From here, the guided walk begins through farmland with sheep and cattle, and then across a swing bridge into the alpine rainforest to emerge above the treeline into the alpine herb fields opposite four glacier faces – a perfect lunch spot and a base for further exploration of this magical valley, the jewel of Mt Aspiring National Park. Swing bridge, waterfalls, rainforest, crystal clear mountain streams and glaciers – the Rob Roy Glacier guided Walk has it all!

Following lunch the walk is all downhill back to the car park. The end of the day – a beginning of a lifetime memory.

Eco Wanaka Adventures for memories that will last a lifetime