Fiordland Guided Walks
Kepler Track Guided Day Heli Hike
Expansive Fiordland scenery
This guided day walk is challenging and offers a taste of the best parts of a New Zealand Great Walk from Te Anau!
Your adventure on the Kepler Track starts with a short, scenic helicopter flight from Te Anau, soaring over hidden lakes and the beech forests of Mount Luxmore, to land beside Luxmore Hut. In the alpine zone, we explore the vast alpine tussock fields, a botanist’s paradise filled with unique plant life. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, lake, and National Park provide an incredible backdrop for your Kepler experience.
- 4-6 hrs
- 8-16km
- 800-1200m (Descent)
- Moderate-high
- 7.5hr trip
Scheduled group hike
- Per person NZ$695
Private guided walk
- 1-3 people from NZ$2350
Fly to Luxmore Hut by helicopter
Embark on your journey with a breathtaking helicopter ride, soaring above Lake Te Anau and lush native beech forests to reveal hidden lakes. This awe-inspiring flight will land you at Luxmore Hut on the renowned Kepler Track Great Walk, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.
At Luxmore Hut, we check out the Department of Conservation alpine hut and keep an eye out for the cheeky keas that love to hang around the area. Their playful antics add a touch of charm to your visit!
From here we hike around the alpine area, and you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Fiordland mountains. The effort is well worth it, rewarded by ever-expanding vistas as you climb higher. We encourage you to pace themselves and fully immerse in this stunning environment before heading back to Luxmore Hut for a well-deserved lunch.
From alpine area to magnificent forest
After lunch we descend through magnificent mountain and silver beech forest. The effects of different altitude and weather conditions experienced in Fiordland are clear to see, as the trees and undergrowth quickly change, creating a varied backdrop for your hike. Half way is marked as we pass under magnificent, towering limestone bluffs allowing the guide to share the geology of Fiordland along with dramatic visual examples. The approach to Lake Te Anau is evident by the track meandering through native New Zealand ferns and other sub-tropical species.
Along the way your Trips & Tramps guide will share local conservation efforts on the Kepler Track (in which they take an active part in maintaining), and demonstrate a stoat trap, a tool used in controlling these introduced predators which can decimate our native bird population.
Finish on the sandy shore of Lake Te Anau
The guided walk is finished at the sandy beach of Brod Bay, the pick up point for the boat cruise back to Te Anau township. The boat ride offers an enjoyable way to complete this very beautiful guided walk on the Kepler Track, offering great viewing of the path you took, from alpine area to the clear water of Lake Te Anau.
NOTE
It is not necessary to go much higher than the hut to be rewarded with incredible views. From Luxmore Hut it is a minimum of 8km down hill walk, descending 800 metres with an estimated walking time 2-3 hours. The track is well maintained and mostly 1 metre wide, any drop off has a barrier, but it does require a high level of fitness due to the sustained descent. We no longer offer the option of walking to the summit of Mt. Luxmore on the scheduled departures due to the effect it can have on clients walking downhill later. If you wish to aim for the summit, it should be booked as a private trip and only you will need to have a very high level of fitness, physical ability, and stamina.
Great views, exhilarating
This was an outstanding day. Thanks, Madeleine for your friendly guiding and patience with our slower pace! The heli ride up to Luxmore was great, and we were surprised with snow on the track. What an adventure!
Great views, exhilarating. We feel blessed.
What a day!
What a day! If you have time for only one this is the ONE! The guides are superb in trying to make each guest comfortable despite varying skill levels.
Thank you for our wonderful holiday.
"Thank you for our wonderful holiday. June and I LOVED the helicopter ride today and the walk down the Kepler was wonderful."
Great views, exhilarating
This was an outstanding day. Thanks, Madeleine for your friendly guiding and patience with our slower pace! The heli ride up to Luxmore was great, and we were surprised with snow on the track. What an adventure!
Great views, exhilarating. We feel blessed.
- Brod Bay
- Kepler Track Helicopter
- Lake Te Anau
- Limestone Bluffs
- Luxmore Hut, Kepler Track
- Mt Luxmore
- Te Anau
- Fiordland Helicopter Base
- Hidden Lakes
Your private Trips & Tramps guide will collect you from your Te Anau accommodation and ensure you have everything you need, including lunch and walking poles (if you need them).
Choose the best seats in the helicopter as you fly to Mt Luxmore across Lake Te Anau and discover this Fiordland Great Walk from above, landing at the Department of Conservation Hut above the tree-line. As the helicopter disappears your private guide will be a personable story teller who shares the social and natural history, fun facts and best views along the trail. With options to hike to the summit of Mt Luxmore or purely begin the descent to Lake Te Anau, your private guide will pick the best option for your fitness, experience and motivation.
With attention to detail, your personal guide will customise the walk to your requests for the day, ensuring a memorable experience on your New Zealand holiday.
- 1-3 people fromNZ$2,350
Difficulty
This hike is physically demanding, a medium- high level of fitness and mobility is required, it is a sustained 800m/2600 ft descent, 8km/5 mile walk, walking time up to 6 hours. On occasion, alpine weather may make conditions more challenging. The track is rough and rocky underfoot in some places. We operate in most weather conditions, so guests need to be suitably prepared (see What to Bring). Not recommended for children under 8 years or people over the age of 70 years, or those with joint or mobility issues, recent surgery, progressive neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinsons, dementia, MS). As with all our scheduled hikes this trip is not suitable for those who wish to go further, faster than the average person or who don’t wish to participate in a group activity.
Trips & Tramps may amend the trip if flying or alpine conditions are not suitable. If you have any concerns regarding your suitability for this trip please contact Trips & Tramps directly to discuss options.
Minimum number is 2 people for this guided walk to go ahead. If you are a single person please contact us for availability.
Schedule
Summer - October through to end April
9.30 am Te Anau accommodation pick up
10.00 am Fly to Luxmore Hut by Helicopter
10.15 am Arrive Luxmore Hut, Kepler Track
Walk on the Kepler Track.
4.10 pm Arrive Brod Bay, Lake Te Anau
4.30 pm Arrive Te Anau accommodation
NOTE - From 01 May to 30 September, we do not have access to the water taxi. During this period, we may not walk above Luxmore Hut due to the winter conditions, if we do it will be only in safe zones. We then walk out to the control gates instead of taking the water taxi, total walking distance is 14 km/9 miles with 800m/2600 ft descent.
Meals
Add a picnic lunch to take with you (additional charge). If you have any dietary requirements for the lunch please advise prior to the day so we can cater for these.
Alternatively bring your own lunch, note thee are no places to purchase food once we have left Te Anau.
Bottled water is not supplied – we recommend guests bring more water than they would
usually carry as there is nowhere to refill during the day.
What to bring
We recommend guests bring comfortable walking shoes (with good tread, boots with ankle support are best), day pack containing warm sweater/fleece top, waterproof jacket, warm hat and gloves (it is often cold in the alpine area), sunhat and glasses, camera, drinking water and lunch (if not pre-ordered). Note Jeans and street wear are not suitable clothing, please ensure you wear suitable outdoor, quick drying, active wear for the walks. Walking poles are optional and may be provided by Trips & Tramps as requested on the day. Clients that are not suitably prepared will not be permitted to participate
We provide
Pick up from your accommodation, helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track, fully guided walk with local knowledgeable guide, plus safety gear, hot drinks, water taxi transfer from Brod Bay and transfer back to your accommodation.
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