NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
February 2nd - 9th, 2025
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, Te Anau, Milford Sound and the surrounding Fiordlands. For this trip we will be staying 3 nights in Queenstown at the Novotel Lakeside Hotel, 2 nights at the Milford Sound Lodge, and 2 nights at the Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau before returning back to Queenstown aboard the famous TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu.
We will be running some of the most amazing trails that New Zealand has to offer, including the Routeburn Track, the Milford Track, Kepler Track, Mavora Lakes, and more! Space is limited to only 8 runners for this trip, so get in quick.
WHO CAN JOIN
**This trip is running focused and many trails will be steep and technical, but 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. These runs will be unguided (Tracking devices will be required for all runners), so you are allowed to run at your own pace and do less distance if you want. This trip is for anyone who loves trail running, meeting new friends and seeing some beautiful places along the way.
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. Expect to be on the trail for about 7-9 hours. ***There is the option to skip this run and go straight to Milford Sound. 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.
Some of the runs can be done at your own pace, and some of them we will need to stay as a group. Remember this is a group trip, not a race.
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.
*There is also the option to add in the entire 54km Milford Track Run, on Day 4 or 5.
PRICE
Private Room for the entire trip: $4400 USD
Double/Twin shared room: $3200 USD
Double/Twin Shared room, with private bedroom for 2 nights at Milford Lodge (shared bathroom): $3500 USD
***All prices increase $200 USD after July 1st, so don’t wait!
$800 USD non-refundable deposit required to secure place, deposit can be transferred to any of our other amazing adventures.
$1000 USD deposit will also be required to secure a private room, if you choose this option. This is refundable up until 90 days before the trip, if you choose not to go.
If the entire trip is cancelled by us for any reason, all deposits will be completely refunded.
Remaining balances due October 1st, 2024. Registrations after October 1st, 2024 must be paid in full.
A minimum of 6 guests required for the trip to take place. ***Please don’t make any travel arrangements until we meet these minimum numbers.
***No refunds will be given for any cancellations due to weather (i.e. boat transports, track closures, flight cancellations, etc). We will always do our best to have a great back-up plan ready for you. The weather in this area is very unpredictable, so we have done our best to have an itinerary that is flexible. If the trip absolutely has to be cancelled due to weather, we will do what we can to reschedule (dependent upon hotel, boat, transport availability). We are not liable or responsible for any cancellations or rebooking fees for flights. We highly recommend Travelers Insurance to help cover these issues.
Includes:
Accommodations at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Milford Sound Lodge, and Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Boat cruise on the Milford Sound
Some meals (Please see itinerary for which meals are not included)
All transportation except getting to/from the airport. This will need to be arranged on your own, but we can help.
Baggage Transfers to the end of the Routeburn
Boat transfers to/from Milford Track
Boat Shuttles for the Kepler Track
Earnslaw boat ride back to Queenstown
Guides when necessary
Excludes:.
Transport to/from airport to the Novotel in Queenstown.
Transport from departure spot of the Earnslaw to the Queenstown airport or hotel
Some meals are not included. Please refer to itinerary. (Expect to pay around $250-$300 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.
Trail snacks (You will need to provide your own food when on the trail. Please plan accordingly as the days will be long)
***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)
Extra activities or transportation not listed on itinerary
Travelers Insurance/Medical Insurance *Required
Tracking device *Required
Flights. *Please check with us before booking all flights so we can let you know if we have met the minimum numbers and what times for flights are best for this trip.
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
PACKING AND GEAR LIST
All suitcases will need to be 65 Liters or less, and please no wheels on your bag and no fragile items inside. We prefer soft sided duffel bags, that are also weather resistant. We will be transferring the bags between vehicles many times on this trip. Any extra items that you don’t want to bring can be left behind at the Novotel in Queenstown.
Gear List: We will be emailing out a gear list for this trip. The correct gear is very important for this trip, as the weather can turn quickly. We will be checking everyones gear.
All runners will have to carry a tracking device such as Garmin Inreach or Spot Tracker. You can bring your own or rent them in New Zealand. If you run in the mountains, you should already have one!
Don’t forget your bug spray and sunscreen!!!! Seriously, don’t forget bug spray! These areas are famous for the sand flies.
RUNNING ITINERARY
Day 1 - Sunday, February 2nd - Arrivals
Arrive to the beautiful and stunning Queenstown (Arrival can be anytime throughout the day. Hotel check in is at 2pm, but we can store your luggage if you arrive early. There is plenty to do and see in Queenstown if arriving early)
Take a taxi/Uber to the downtown hotel
Dinner at a local Restaurant followed by a short briefing (Dinner Included)
Accommodations: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown
Meals: Only dinner is included today. All other meals will be up to you.
Run Details: No run is scheduled today. There is a path around the lake for a nice shakeout run. Save up for tomorrow!
Day 2 - Monday, February 3rd
Breakfast at the Novotel Hotel Restaurant (Included in price)
Run the Ben Lomond Track
Accommodations: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown
Dinner at a local Restaurant in town (Included in price)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner included. Lunch will be up to you. Plenty of spots nearby to eat.
Run Details: Today we run from the hotel to the top of Ben Lomond, with stunning views of Queenstown, Mount Aspiring and so much more! Today’s run can be hard on the legs with about 5000 feet gain and loss over 18km, but there is an option to take the Gondola to shorten the route. The price of the gondola ride is not included. This run is an out and back so you can cut it short as well, to save your legs for the next day.
Day 3 - Tuesday, February 4th
Early Breakfast at Hotel (Included in the price)
Have all bags packed and ready to transport to Te Anau (This needs to be done before breakfast so that your bags can be waiting for you at the Divide. Some stuff can be left at the hotel as we will be returning at the end of the trip)
Drive about 1.5 hours to Glenorchy
Run the Routeburn Track
You will need to provide your own trail snacks for this day. ***Lunch will not be provided so plan accordingly. You can grab snacks in Queenstown.
You will also need to carry enough water or have a way to treat the water.
After the run, we will have your bags, some snacks, and cold drinks waiting for you. The faster runners may have to wait a bit for everyone to finish, so please plan accordingly. Be sure to have some warm clothes in your bag to change in to.
You will then be driven to the Milford Sound Lodge once all the runners are finished.
Dinner at the Lodge (Dinner not included)
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge
Meals: Breakfast at hotel (included) Lunch will be snacks on the trail (not included) Dinner will be at the Pio Pio Restaurant at Milford Lodge (not included)
Run Details: Today’s run will be 33km one way along the stunning Routeburn Track, starting just outside of Glenorchy and finishing at the Divide. It will be unguided and at your own pace. We will have a guide sweep for safety. Expect this run to take between 7-9 hours for most runners.
Day 4 - Wednesday, February 5th
Breakfast at the Lodge (Included in price)
Today we will depart from Milford Sound on a short boat ride to Sandfly Point (Don’t forget your bug spray!). Everyone will have about 3-4 hours to run as much as they want on the Milford Track. It will be unguided so everyone can choose their own pace and distance. We will then take the boat back across the sound, and return to the lodge to have lunch and a shower, before getting on the afternoon cruise. ***Lunch is not included
Afternoon boat cruise on Milford Sound
Dinner at the Pio Pio Restaurant at the Lodge (Not included)
Accommodations: Milford Sound Lodge
Meals: Breakfast at Lodge (Included). Lunch at Lodge (Not included) Dinner at Lodge (Not included)
Run Details: Todays run will be an out and back on the Milford Track. It is a fairly flat and smooth track, with some nice views and waterfalls along the way. Distance is up to you.
***You do have the option to run the entire 54km Milford track today. The price of this is not included in the trip, but can be arranged. You will need extra boat transfers and shuttles as the route is a point to point from Milford Sound to Lake Te Anau. Minimum of 4 runners will be required. Ask us for more details.
Extras: You can add in a scenic flight around Milford Sound and the surrounding areas. Please let us know and we can help you organize this.
Day 5 - Thursday, February 6th
Breakfast at the Lodge (included)
We will grab our to go lunches from Milford Lodge. You will still want to take some trail snacks. (Lunch Included)
We have 2 options for runs today. We will make the decision based on weather and trail/road closures. The trail options will be Gertrude Saddle and Lake Marian. Both beautiful runs, and both out and backs if some don’t want to run the full distance.
After the runs, we will drive 1.5 hours back to Te Anau and check into the Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Dinner at a restaurant in Te Anau (Dinner is not included)
Accommodations: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Meals: Breakfast at Lodge (included) Lunch on the go (included) Dinner at restaurant in Te Anau (not included)
Run Details: Today is set to be more of a rest day. We have options for some runs, but recommend everyone taking it pretty easy and saving their legs for the Kepler Track
***You do have the option to run the entire 54km Milford track today. The price of this is not included in the trip, but can be arranged. You will need extra boat transfers and shuttles as the route is a point to point from Milford Sound to Lake Te Anau. Minimum of 4 runners will be required. Ask us for more details.
Day 6 - Friday, February 7th
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Take boat across from Te Anau to Brod Bay
Run the Kepler Track
Lunch will be snacks on the trail. There is a grocery store in town to load up as it will be a big day.
Dinner at a restaurant in town (Not Included)
Accommodations: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel (included) Lunch will be trail snacks (not included) Dinner will be at a restaurant in Te Anau (not included)
Run Details: Todays run will be on the stunning Kepler Track. The entire track is 60km, 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. Then 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 earlier start for you.
**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.
Day 7 - Saturday, February 8th
Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
We will then head towards the Mavora Lakes area. This is a nice place to break up the drive and explore a bit. You can run if you want, or just shake out those sore legs with a hike. We will finish the run by 10:15am and then drive 1 hour to Walter Peak Station.
After Mavora Lakes, we will head to Walter Peak Station for lunch. (Included)
Board the Earnslaw boat at 12:45pm and head back to Queenstown, arriving at approximately 1:30pm.
Check in to the Novotel Lakeside Hotel at 2pm. Any bags you left behind will be waiting for you. This is just a short walk from the Earnslaw dropoff point
Going away dinner in Queenstown (Dinner included in price)
Party in QT!!!
Accommodations: Novotel Lakeside Queenstown
Meals: All meals included
Run Details: Easy run around Mavora Lakes or just a nice hike. Or rest and enjoy the views. Your legs should be tired!
Day 8 - Sunday, February 9th - Departures
Breakfast at hotel (Included)
Departures. Check out is at 10am but hotel can store your bags.
You will need to arrange your taxi/uber to the airport today. (Not included)
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel (included) Lunch and Dinner on your own.
Run Details: No run today. Unless you choose to extend your trip.
Private Trip Extensions:
If you want to extend your trip, or even show up early, we have you covered. There are a lot of great options so just let us know and we can put together something amazing for you. Here’s some ideas:
All the adventures Queenstown has to offer, such as white water rafting, skydiving, mountain biking, bungee jumping and more!
Overnight run/hike on the Motatapu track
Explore more amazing trails in places like Wanaka, Glenorchy, and more.
