NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
Queenstown - Te Anau - Piopiotahi - Glenorchy, Aotearoa
2025 Dates Coming Soon
Come join Trail Run Adventures, Frosty’s Footsteps, and our local partner Trips and Tramps for an amazing experience in the beautiful areas of Queenstown, Glenorchy, Te Anau, Piopiotahi, and the surrounding Fiordlands of Aotearoa. For this trip we will be staying in a mix of accommodations, including Hotels and Lodges. This trip is for all of those trail runners that want to experience some of the highlights of the South Island of New Zealand. We will run some of the most amazing trails in the country, including the Kepler Track, Routeburn track, Milford Track, and more. We will summit mountains, take a cruise around Milford Sound, take a jet boat ride down a river, go white water rafting, enjoy yoga, and more! Space is limited to only 8 runners on this trip, so get in quick!
WHO CAN JOIN
**This trip is running focused, but many trails will be steep and technical and most people will just be hiking these sections. We are there to enjoy the trail, the people, the views, and the experience, not to just run fast. There will be options to run at your own pace and less distance if you want, so this trip is for anyone who loves trail running. The only day where you must make the distance, is when we run the Routeburn Track, but you have plenty of time so don’t worry. The track is 33km - 35km depending on some view spots you may want to add on. ***There is the option to skip this run and fly straight to Queenstown. There will be an additional cost for this. Contact us for more details.
We will require a bit of your running history so that we can verify everyone is capable enough for this trip and that they will also enjoy it. The more in shape you are, the more fun you will have. Please contact us with any concerns, and we can help you decide if this is the right trip for you or not.
All of the runs are unguided and can be done at your own pace, but remember this is a group trip, not a race.
*All runners will be required to have a tracking device, such as in Inreach or Spot Tracker. These can also be rented in New Zealand if you don’t have one.
Difficulty Rating (1-5): 4 (Difficult) We will have some bigger days, and some point to point runs where you will need to make the distance. You will have plenty of time, but need to be comfortable with long days on the trail. Please message us with any concerns as all runs can be shortened or skipped.
PRICE:
Private Room for the entire trip: $5200 USD
Double/Twin shared room: $3900 USD
Double/Twin shared room, with private bedroom for 2 nights at Milford Sound Lodge (shared bathroom): $4100 USD
**King Bed option can be added for 2 nights at Glenorchy Headwaters Eco Lodge. $50 USD
USD $1000 non-refundable deposit required to secure place.
If the entire trip is cancelled by us, all deposits will be completely refunded. This does not include things outside of our control, such as health restrictions, border closures, natural disasters, etc.
Remaining balance due by October 1st, 2023. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.
A minimum of 4 guests required for the trip to take place. ***Please don’t make any travel arrangements until we have met these minimum numbers.
***No refunds will be given for any cancellations due to weather (i.e. boat transports, track closures, etc). We will always do our best to have a great back-up plan ready for you.
Includes:
All Accommodations
Some meals (Please see itinerary for details)
All transportation except to/from airport to Hotel in Queenstown.
All activities listed on itinerary. Other activities can be added for an additional cost.
Running and Yoga with New Zealand legend Anna Frost!!
Jet Boat Trip (This will be our shuttle from the run one day!)
Milford Sound Boat Cruise
White water rafting
Baggage Transfers
Guides
Tips (no worries about tipping on our trips)
Excludes:
Trail snacks (You will need to provide your own food when on the trail. Please plan accordingly as the days will be long)
Some meals are not included. Please refer to itinerary. (Expect to pay around $150-$200 USD for meals not included)
Some lunches will not be included, as we will be on the trail. We find that most people don’t eat a full lunch on the runs, and also don’t like carrying the extra weight. We recommend you bringing your favorite trail snacks, bars, etc for the runs, or getting it once you arrive in Queenstown.
***Be careful what you bring into New Zealand as fines can occur at customs for certain foods. Please check into this before your trip, or ask us if you have any questions.
Water when on the trail. There will be places to refill water, but we recommend you treating it. Bring your own filter or enough water for the day.
Drinks (Some drinks may be included)
Tracking device. Required to participate on the runs. Can be rented in New Zealand if you don’t have one.
Extra activities or transportation not listed on itinerary
Taxi to and from airport in Queenstown. You must arrange this yourself. Let us know if you have any questions
Flights. *** Please check itinerary before booking flights.
Travelers Insurance/Medical Insurance ***Required
Extra days before or after the trip. There is plenty to do in New Zealand if you want to stay longer or come earlier, and we highly recommend this. Let us know and we can help arrange this
ADVENTURE ITINERARY
Day 1 - SATURDAY - JANUARY 20TH: Arrival into Queenstown Airport
Today everyone will arrive into Queenstown, where we will meet at the Hotel. Shuttles from the airport to the hotel must be arranged by you, and are not included in the price. We can help with this if needed
Run Ben Lomond Track if arriving early
We will have a meet and greet at 6pm, followed by dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront. We will also have a short briefing after dinner to go over the details of the trip.
Meals: Dinner (included). All other meals are up to you today.
Accommodations: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown
Run Details: Those arriving early can run the Ben Lomond Track. You can access this trail from the hotel or use the Gondola to avoid the climb/downhill and save your legs. This trail goes to the summit of Ben Lomond and offers amazing views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Day 2 - SUNDAY - JANUARY 21ST:
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Relaxing morning to explore Queenstown
Take the famous TSS Earnslaw boat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station
Have your bags packed so we can shuttle them to Te Anau. Please only take what you need for the trip, and leave all extra luggage at the hotel.
Enjoy a BBQ buffet lunch at Walter Peak Station (included)
Take shuttle to Mavora Lakes, for a short run/hike to stretch out the legs and burn off the BBQ. Continue on to Te Anau
Check in to hotel and have the evening to explore the town. Get snack for tomorrow big run
Dinner in Te Anau at local restaurant (not included)
Run Details: Todays run will be a short run or hike (5-6km) around Mavora Lakes. Need to save your legs for tomorrow!
Accommodations: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
***Bag restrictions will apply for this trip. Everything for the week will need to fit into a 60 Liter or smaller, soft sided duffel bag. All extra bags can be left at the Queenstown hotel, as we will arrive there again after the trip.
Day 3 - MONDAY - JANUARY 22ND:
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Today is our biggest run day. We will be running the famous Kepler Track.
Lunch will be snacks on the trail, so plan accordingly. There is a supermarket close to the hotel in Te Anau to get snacks. ***You will also need some snacks for the next few days/runs as this is our last option until Glenorchy on day 6
Dinner in Te Anau at local restaurant (not included)
Run Details: Todays run will be on the stunning Kepler Track. The entire track is 60km loop, but you can choose a few shorter options. If you want to do the full 60km loop, then no problem, but be prepared for about 8-10 hours on the trail. The distance that we have organized and recommend, is about 40km (We can do shorter, just let us know and we will organize for you). We will take a boat to Brod Bay, where you will start the run. You will climb about 10km up to Luxmore hut, where the trail gets real good! You will enjoy stunning views as you traverse along the trail for hours of some of the best running you will find. You will then drop down to Iris Burn Hut, and run through the native bush to Moturau Hut, where a jet boat will be waiting for you. You will then take the jet boat for a ride up the Waiau River back to the Control Gates, where the Kepler finishes. There will be a shuttle there to return you back to Te Anau, which is just a few minutes away.
*For those runners needing a little extra time on the trail, we can provide an early start for you
**You will need all the required gear for this run, as the weather can change very quickly in this region
***Extras: You can add in a helicopter drop at Luxmore Hut, and skip the first 14km and most of the first climb. Please let us know and we can help organize this. Helicopter ride is weather dependent and can not drop until 10am.
Accommodations: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Day 4 - TUESDAY - JANUARY 23RD:
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
After breakfast we will take a shuttle towards Milford Sound. We will stop along the way and enjoy some great views and get some great information about the area from our driver. This 2 hour drive is one of the most stunning drives you will find.
We have 2 options for runs today, both short, steep and beautiful. We will make decisions on which run based on the weather.
Check in to the Milford Sound Lodge
Lunch will be at Milford Sound Lodge. Please bring some snacks, as lunch will be later in the day. (not included)
Afternoon off to explore Milford Sound, soak your legs in the river, or just relax at the hotel. ***You can also add in a scenic helicopter flight for an additional cost, which we highly recommend! Flights are weather dependent.
Dinner will be at the Milford Sound Lodge Restaurant, Pio Pio (not included)
Run Details: Todays run will be either Lake Marian or Gertrude Saddle, depending on weather. Expect about 2-3 hours for each of these, as your legs will be quite tired. They are both out and back routes, so you can pick your distance, and turn around whenever you like.
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge
***Have your bug spray ready! Milford Sound is infamous for sand flies, and they will eat you alive!!!
Day 5 - WEDNESDAY - JANUARY 24TH:
We will wake up in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the amazing Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), or what some call the 8th wonder of the world. It is truly breathtaking. We will have breakfast at the lodge (included), then take a short boat ride over to the start of the Milford Track. We will have a few hours to run an out and back on this track, before taking the boat back to the hotel. Today is more of a rest day, so the run is planned that way. You can choose your own distance, as long as you are back for lunch at the lodge (not included)
At 3:00pm, we will take a 2 hour boat cruise through Milford Sound.
Dinner will be at the Milford Sound Lodge Restaurant, Pio Pio (not included)
Run Details: We will enjoy a nice run along the Milford Track. This side of the track is fairly flat and smooth and really nice running. You will enjoy nice views and some waterfalls before returning back to the boat. The distance today is up to you. Remember tomorrow is another big day
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge
DAY 6 - THURSDAY - JANUARY 25TH:
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
All bags will need to be packed and ready to go first thing in the morning, even before breakfast, so that they can be shuttled to meet you at the finish.
Today we will be running the Routeburn Track. You will need to take all the appropriate gear on this run, plenty of snacks as no lunch is provided today, and a way to filter water ( you can drink straight from the streams, but we always recommend filtering it. A Be Free water filter works perfect for this trip)
Your bags will meet you at the finish, so you can have a change of clothes in case it rains or is cold. (It rains A LOT here so please be prepared)!
At the end of the run, we will also have some snacks and drinks provided for you, before the short drive to the Glenorchy Headwaters Eco Lodge
Dinner at the Lodge (included)
Run Details: The Routeburn Track is one of the most amazing runs around. The distance is between 32k-35k, depending if we add in some lookout points. These are weather depending. This trail is pretty challenging, yet drastically rewarding. There are some runnable sections, steep sections, technical sections, muddy sections, and about everything else you will find on a good trail run.
*For those runners needing a bit more time on the trail, we can provide an early start for you
Accommodations: Headwaters Eco Lodge Glenorchy
DAY 7 - FRIDAY - JANUARY 26TH:
Breakfast at the Lodge (included)
Today is a rest day. But for those that want more, we do have a run/hike that we can do.
Explore the small town of Glenorchy, hang out by the lake, get a massage or add on one of the many adventures that this town has to offer. Scenic Helicopter flights, jet boat down the dart river, canyoning, kayaking, biking, horse back riding, fly fishing and more.
Lunch will be on your own today. There are a few nice places in town to eat.
Dinner will be at the Lodge (included in price)
Run Details: No scheduled run for today. We do have options for those wanting to get some more miles in.
Accommodations: Headwaters Eco Lodge Glenorchy
DAY 8 - SATURDAY - JANUARY 27TH:
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
After breakfast we will take a shuttle for about 1 hour back to Queenstown
Drop bags off at the hotel
Lunch will be on your own in town. Queenstown has all the restaurants you could imagine, so enjoy.
After lunch we will check in to our rooms and then get ready for our next adventure!
Today we will be white water rafting down the Shotover River outside of Queenstown. This river can be anywhere from grade 3-5 depending of water levels. But don’t worry, no experience is necessary and the guides will take good care of you! If you prefer not to do this, we can arrange another activity for you.
Going away dinner at a restaurant in town (Included)
Party in Queenstown!!!
Accommodations: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown
Day 9 - SUNDAY - JANUARY 28TH: Goodbyes
Breakfast at the Hotel (included)
Departure or carry on with your New Zealand Travels. We highly recommend you spending some more time here exploring. We can recommend some other highlights for you as well, or even provide a private trip for your extended stay.
Shuttles to airport will need to be arranged on your own
