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Lake Tekapo High Country Trek

Walking Lake Tekapo high country trek

The Tekapo High Country Trek is a 3-day guided alpine hike through open tussock country above Lake Tekapo, with panoramic views of the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie Basin. The area is famed for its exceptionally clear skies and intense light, highlighting the turquoise-blue glacial lakes, golden grasses, and white snow-capped peaks.

The trek commences after a 40 minute drive from Lake Tekapo township. It takes about three hours to climb 430m/1400ft up to Rex Simpson Hut, at 1280m/4200ft. The only sounds likely to be heard are skylarks singing, or the occasional chirp of a pipit, and of course there will be plenty of hares to be seen. The views over Lake Tekapo are expansive. Evening entertainment regularly comes in the form of an inspiring sunset behind the alps and spectacularly clear starry skies.

On the second day a 6-kilometre-long ridge-top, nicknamed “Snake Ridge”, provides the route to “Erica Peak” (2073m/6800ft). Walking along the top of an ancient moraine terrace the climb is gradual. The East Face of Aoraki - Mount Cook dominates the skyline to the west. Mounts Tasman, Malte Brun and Elie de Beaumont are also visible. Unique alpine scree plants and maybe an alpine weta can be spotted by the observant. Early summer the tussock will be interspersed with mountain daisies, (Celmisia Lyallii). In late summer the red berries of Little Mountain Heath (Pentachondra Pumila) dot the ground, along with white and pink snowberries. It takes about 6-8 hours from the hut to the summit and return.

On the last day an old musterers’ hut is visited down a gorge in the next valley, before descending and returning to Lake Tekapo. The hut door carries part of a dog collar, dated 1898, and the interior could be reminiscent of Scott’s hut in Antarctica.

Because much of the trek is across untracked terrain you need to be sure-footed and an experienced tramper. It is easy to lose one’s bearings in poor visibility, so compass and GPS are a necessity. To get away from it all, this is definitely the place to go – it is rare to encounter any other people outside your own group.

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NZ$650

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Walking the Lake Tekapo High Country Trek, Mount Cook

Day 1: Start: 10am at Alpine Recreation's office, 30 Murray Place Lake Tekapo. From Lake Tekapo township we drive along the lakeshore to a typical high country sheep station. Three hours' walking with a climb of 430m/1400ft brings us to the cosy Rex Simpson Hut, at 1280m/4200ft. The only sounds to be heard are the skylarks singing, or the chirp of an occasional pippit. This peacefulness is one of the first powerful impressions, giving a real sense of isolation and remoteness. The views over Lake Tekapo are expansive. Evening entertainment regularly comes in the form of an inspiring sunset behind the alps and/or spectacularly clear displays of our Southern Hemisphere stars.

View from near Rex Simpson Hut - Mt Sibbald

Day 2: We trek along a 6 kilometre-long ridge-top, nicknamed "Snake Ridge", that was formed by ice-age glaciation, and ascend "Erica Peak" (2073m/6800ft). The terrain is untracked with a moderate gradient. As we gain height the splendour of the Southern Alps unfolds with the East Face of Mount Cook dominating the skyline. Unique alpine scree plants and maybe an alpine weta can be spotted by the observant. Early summer the tussock will be interspersed with mountain daisies, (Celmisia Lyallii). In late summer the red berries of Little Mountain Heath (Pentachondra Pumila) dot the ground, along with white and pink snowberries. Return to Rex Simpson Hut to be well fed and entertained by your guide. 6-8 hours walking.

Day 3: We visit an old musterers’ hut before walking back down through the farm and returning to Lake Tekapo. The hut door carries part of a dog collar, dated 1898, and the interior could be reminiscent of Scott’s hut in Antarctica. Finish approximately 2pm in Lake Tekapo.

Who is the Lake Tekapo Trek suitable for?

The young and the old (who no longer want to carry heavy packs) and everybody who wants an active holiday. You should consult with us first if you have anybody in your group younger than 10 and older than 70. Fitness is more important than age! To climb a peak over 2000m is both challenging and rewarding. If you enjoy challenges and a good physical workout in a scenic environment, then this trek is for you. If you appreciate getting away from where everybody else is going, then this is definitely the place to go – it is rare to encounter any other people outside your own group.

Fitness Prerequisites

Ideally you should have previous tramping or hiking experience, because much of the trek is across untracked terrain and you need to be sure-footed. However, if you are relatively new to tramping, then this is an ideal introduction, especially for families, as long as you are fit and walking 6-8 hours in a day would pose no problems. Your pack will contain just your clothing and a few items of fresh food to be carried to the hut on Day 1. Non-perishable food and sleeping bags are at the hut.

Packages

The track is open from November through to late April each year.

2010/2011 season

Group Size: Minimum 2 participants, maximum 10 participants
Cost per Person: NZ$750
Included in Price: Guide, all meals on tour, hut accommodation, transport from Lake Tekapo and return, 15% GST. Not included: meals and accommodation before and after tour.

If you would like more information on this walk just fill out our enquiry form or send us an email. Full itineraries and scheduled departure dates are available on request.