Ultimate Hikes
Ultimate Hikes
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The only operators of multiday guided walks on the famous Milford & Routeburn Tracks: operating in New Zealand's stunning World Heritage Area, providing a range of all-inclusive guided walks from 1-8 days. Trek through rainforests, past mountain peaks and over remote alpine passes on a unique experience without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Accommodation on overnight walks is in luxury lodges, with meals, hot showers and snug beds. All walks include transport, food, equipment and expert guides. Single day excursions must be booked 24 hours in advance.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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(109 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
1,040 reviews
Excellent
967
Very good
49
Average
12
Poor
6
Terrible
6
Craig E
Melbourne, Australia7 contributions
Feb 2020
We were booked to start the Milford Sound walk on Monday 3 Feb but due to an extraordinary weather event we did not get to experience the wonder of the track. Instead we were stuck in Te Anau for three nights before being returned to Queenstown. While we were disappointed, we can only highlight the fantastic service we experienced from our guides who did everything possible to keep us informed, comfortable, well fed and safe in a very challenging situation. And the office staff and senior management were very supportive and understanding of the seriousness of the situation. Will definitely try and rebook in the future.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie T
Newcastle, Australia1 contribution
Feb 2020
We just returned from the Grand Traverse Track. It was the best experience of our lives. This is the 2nd time we have walked with this very professional team and will return again. We experienced an extreme weather event on day 5 of the 6 day walk. 1 metre of rain in 60 hours. During this day we felt completely save with our superb guide Rachel who led us through raging waterfalls and a track that had turned into a river up to knee deep in places. We witnessed the Fiordland in its most beautiful and wild state. We were drenched but had the most wonderful and exciting day of our lives. PLEASE do not be turned off by the thought of walking in the rain all day. It is spectacular. At the end we had a lovely hot shower, warm bed and awesome food. We had a helicopter evacuation on day 6 that was the thrill of our lives. We were very well looked after by Rachel & Lochy. Well done guys. Ultimate Hikes should be so proud to have both of you working for them. Can't wait to come back. Julie & Andrew Town. Newcastle Australia.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth D
14 contributions
Dec 2019
Wow, wow and wow. What an extraordinary adventure, with such an extraordinary outfit. Ultimate Hikes makes it look easy. They seamlessly guide trekkers of vastly different abilities through some of the most spectacular, varied landscape on the planet. While called one of the great walks, as they describe on their website in plenty of detail, this is actually a hike, and a challenging one at that. We loved how it was possible to power through if you wanted, or take your own sweet time. No one was held up or rushed by anyone else’s pace, as the excellent, knowledgeable, personable, fun guides spread themselves out through the group. The terrain varies from shaded glens to vast, open, majestic spaces, and your eyes are rewarded at every turn with an array of greens the likes of which you’ve never seen before. The food and accommodations are excellent and get cushier as the hike progresses. Your fellow travelers, from all over the world, are likeminded in their love of trekking and nature, and getting to know them was another fun part of the adventure. Thank you Ultimate Hikes - for doing what you do so very very well.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tgdadof7
Panama City Beach, FL24 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Booked the Milford Track to start on February 16. Our briefing was to take place the night before. We went by the office earlier on the fifteenth just to make sure we knew where to go later. We were informed that all hikes had been cancelled due to the extraordinary weather situation. I was asked if I had seen the email informing me of this. When I looked I did find a couple of emails that appear to have been sent after we left for our trip. Once we were traveling I did not regularly check email. I realize that the circumstances were completely outside of Ultimate Hike’s control. My only source of frustration is that there doesn’t seem to have been any attempt to contact me beyond the couple of emails I did not see. I wish someone had called so that I could have made alternative arrangements accordingly. I’m sure this is a great company but I believe more effort must be made to contact clients when hikes have been cancelled and there has been no response by the client to Ultimate Hikes’ emails.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jvmnatlparklover
Waterford, WI46 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
The Milford Track trip with Ultimate Hikes was great. From the very start from making my reservation to our farewell at the Ultimate Hikes headquarters, I liked every part of this trip. Communication about the trip was great, down to giving recommendations for preparing for the hike, and what to bring on the trip. The pre-trip briefing was good. Our four guides, Amy, Sophie, Shaun, and Summer, were excellent. They took such good care of us, and added a bit of comedy, too. I enjoyed our evening briefings. They watched us on the trail, keeping us safe. The lodges were great, and the food, especially dinners, were spectacular. Our hiking group was wonderful, too. Our guides did a good job of helping us get to know each other. If you're thinking of going to New Zealand, you should hoke Milford Track; it's beautiful, and I definitely recommend doing it with Ultimate Hikes.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DKHB
2 contributions
Feb 2021
The Milford Track - the best of everything!
Glorious sunshine and swimming, atmospheric mist, 24hrs of total deluge, thundering waterfalls emerging out of the clouds...
And we made it!
Ultimate Hikes organisation and staff were fantastic!
We made a mistake with timing and missed the briefing but they phoned us to check and had everything ready for us when we arrived in the morning.
The accomodation and meals were superb, and the “lodgie” staff were unfailingly pleasant, efficient and knowledgeable.
Our driver Cal got us safely there and back, and the boat crew at both ends were great.
The “back office” staff did an amazing job when the relentless rain overnight threatened us with helicopter evacuation - after 3 hrs “on hold” we were all weighed and safety-briefed, and they made the call that the rain was easing and rivers dropping and we could walk. We were guided through the rivers, and by lunchtime the sun was poking through, the waterfalls were pounding and it was fabulous!
Most of all, our four guides Sophie, Bonnie, Susan, and Tilly were just outstanding young women. From Sophie’s wonderful Waitangi Day mihi and briefing in Te Reo, to Bonnie’s warm farewell speech, they were enthusiastic, cheerful, inclusive, helpful, kind, knowledgeable, and unflaggingly energetic.
Thank you all for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful corner of our country.
Glorious sunshine and swimming, atmospheric mist, 24hrs of total deluge, thundering waterfalls emerging out of the clouds...
And we made it!
Ultimate Hikes organisation and staff were fantastic!
We made a mistake with timing and missed the briefing but they phoned us to check and had everything ready for us when we arrived in the morning.
The accomodation and meals were superb, and the “lodgie” staff were unfailingly pleasant, efficient and knowledgeable.
Our driver Cal got us safely there and back, and the boat crew at both ends were great.
The “back office” staff did an amazing job when the relentless rain overnight threatened us with helicopter evacuation - after 3 hrs “on hold” we were all weighed and safety-briefed, and they made the call that the rain was easing and rivers dropping and we could walk. We were guided through the rivers, and by lunchtime the sun was poking through, the waterfalls were pounding and it was fabulous!
Most of all, our four guides Sophie, Bonnie, Susan, and Tilly were just outstanding young women. From Sophie’s wonderful Waitangi Day mihi and briefing in Te Reo, to Bonnie’s warm farewell speech, they were enthusiastic, cheerful, inclusive, helpful, kind, knowledgeable, and unflaggingly energetic.
Thank you all for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful corner of our country.
Written February 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolA3591
Brisbane, Australia4 contributions
Mar 2020
We walked the Milford Track just before the COVID-19 lockdown - we were part of the Ultimate Hikes Group number 130.
The Track and scenery? 'Magnificent' really doesn't cut it. Wonderfully unforgettable!
Ultimate Hikes? World class! Highly capable and engaging guides (take a bow Shaun, Amy, Sophie and Summer) delivered a safe and memorable experience albeit at times a challenge (take a bow Mackinnon Pass!). The staff and amenities at the lodges along the guided walk were brilliant. We were stunned at the quality (and quantity) of food provided to us all and consistently so over the 4 days.
Had a lot of fun interacting with fellow trekkers from around the world who were more than willing to share their journey.
Ian and Carol
The Track and scenery? 'Magnificent' really doesn't cut it. Wonderfully unforgettable!
Ultimate Hikes? World class! Highly capable and engaging guides (take a bow Shaun, Amy, Sophie and Summer) delivered a safe and memorable experience albeit at times a challenge (take a bow Mackinnon Pass!). The staff and amenities at the lodges along the guided walk were brilliant. We were stunned at the quality (and quantity) of food provided to us all and consistently so over the 4 days.
Had a lot of fun interacting with fellow trekkers from around the world who were more than willing to share their journey.
Ian and Carol
Written April 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carey T
Bend, OR198 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
First let me say that I have hiked in Costa Rica, Tasmania, Queensland, and all over the Western US including Yosemite. Fiordland is like the Sierras on steroids. 😳
Ultimate Hikes are real pros at the Milford Track and had every detail covered for our group of 14 - even the medical hiccup we thru at them was handled effortlessly. The food, the lodges, the amazing views were all above what we imagined. And the staff - salutes to Jen, Onda, Kalvin, and especially Susan! You guys made this a tramp we will not ever forget!!
We are working on dates to come back for the Routeburn Track. 😉
Ultimate Hikes are real pros at the Milford Track and had every detail covered for our group of 14 - even the medical hiccup we thru at them was handled effortlessly. The food, the lodges, the amazing views were all above what we imagined. And the staff - salutes to Jen, Onda, Kalvin, and especially Susan! You guys made this a tramp we will not ever forget!!
We are working on dates to come back for the Routeburn Track. 😉
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swmbo18
Hakalau, HI19 contributions
Mar 2020
Ultimate Hikes is simply the best hiking company I’ve worked with. Wonderful, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable guides, excellent communication from the home staff (especially in light of the recent floods in New Zealand) and a warm sense of comraderie between the company and customers made this an amazing experience. I’ve walked both the Milford and Routeburn Tracks with them and cannot recommend them highly enough!
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JonGCbr
32 contributions
Mar 2023
I had a great time on the Milford Track with Ultimate Hikes. The scenery is truly magnificent. Ultimate is a well-oiled machine that takes 50 people per day down the Milford Track, with comfortable accommodation, great food and friendly, experienced guides. If you are reasonably fit, the walking is not too hard, but people lacking fitness or hiking experience may find this a real challenge. Having four guides allows the group to spread out so that everyone can walk at their own pace most of the time. Be aware that there are potential hazards, especially the weather - we had rain-flooded tracks and a hailstorm on Mackinnon Pass.
Some tips:
Ultimate can provide backpacks and raincoats at no charge. These are of good quality, so make use of these unless you have your own good quality gear.
If you use one of their backpacks, tie something (e.g. a ribbon) to it so you can identify yours easily.
If it's wet but not too cold, wear shorts. If it's dry, consider wearing long pants to protect against sandflies.
Ultimate provide a paper map so you can check your progress. If you want more detail, you could download Avenza Maps to your phone and use it with the NZ topo map 'Homer Saddle'.
There's no phone coverage, so put your phone in flight mode to conserve the battery.
Some tips:
Ultimate can provide backpacks and raincoats at no charge. These are of good quality, so make use of these unless you have your own good quality gear.
If you use one of their backpacks, tie something (e.g. a ribbon) to it so you can identify yours easily.
If it's wet but not too cold, wear shorts. If it's dry, consider wearing long pants to protect against sandflies.
Ultimate provide a paper map so you can check your progress. If you want more detail, you could download Avenza Maps to your phone and use it with the NZ topo map 'Homer Saddle'.
There's no phone coverage, so put your phone in flight mode to conserve the battery.
Written March 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exhaustion and The Classic ?
suzieFortCollins
Fort Collins891 contributions
Not quite sure what u are asking.
Mark S
1 contribution
Hi, after looking at some of the photos I'm curious about the trekking in the rain and through flooded areas. So I'm after some advice - are there any specific shoes you would/would not recommend for these conditions (I have Merrill Moabs) and is there any advice about footcare or prevention of foot problems due to trekking with wet feet for miles. Also are the shoes able to be dried in the drying rooms with the other clothes?
LeslieAnne1961
Ottawa, Canada17 contributions
Sorry I just saw this now, hope my response is not too late. Any good hiking boots and socks will likely do as due to the depth of the water when we hiked it just flowed in the top of the boots and we walked with squishy feet. Oddly this did not have a negative impact so no blisters and it did not bother us all that much, no blisters or other problems. There were drying rooms specific to boots at all of the lodges as the boots need to be dried at a lower heat so the glue doesn't melt. Hope that helps.
Kalonita M
Tongatapu Island, Tonga5 contributions
Hey there i'm doing a presentation about one of New Zealand's Great Walks and i've chosen the Milford track so just need some help. What are some commercial activities that can be done along this track?
Noel S
Queenstown, New Zealand
Hi - the milford track has independent huts operated by the Department of Conservation which are booked ahead and private lodges operated by Ultimate Hikes. other operators provide day walks and the boats up to the track. if you would like further information please see the DOC website or ultimate hikes
- feel free to contact us (Ultimate Hikes) with any further questions.
What are the average ages and athletic abilities of the hikers? I am 54 years old, I work out several times a week... but, I would not call myself an avid or experienced hiker. I mainly do occasional day hikes around Southern California. Typically 5 miles. what can you tell me about the pacing of the Milford Track? Can I go at my own pace, or do I have to keep up with the group?
Noel S
Queenstown, New Zealand
Hi Amy - our walks are challenging but they are also great for solo travellers as you are walking with people of a similar age and ability across the walk. As the answer above has noted there is always a guide at the back of the group so you can walk at your own pace in your own time. The track is rocky and uneven in parts and the Mackinnon Pass has some steep descents and steps so we strongly recommend you use walking poles.
Safety is our key priority and we do strongly recommend that you do some training walking uphill with a backpack, but it is actually not very common that people get injured - but we are in a remote area so any walker that can't continue must be flown out of the National Park.
Do visit our website for further information or give us a call to discuss the walk further.
Kind regards
Noel Saxon
General Manager
Ultimate Hikes
Anu99Raj
Bengaluru, India230 contributions
Hello folks,
My 2 kids (age 10, 15) and my husband want to book a trip with Ultimate hikes for April 11th. here are my questions:
- Will the weather be too cold and wet in April?
- Do we need to carry all our luggage on the hike? Or is there a facility to transfer our luggage and we get to carry just a daypack?
- Are the dorms safe for kids and us? Is it better to opt for room?
- Can vegetarian diet be requested for the meals?
Thanks so much.
MorHalimi
Tel Aviv, Israel107 contributions
Hey Anu99Raj,
Me and my partner did the Milford track on the end of March and it was fun. We had rain most of our track and thanks to that we saw so many waterfalls. You can't really avoid rainy days when traveling Fiordland because it is one of the wettest place on Earth. Sometimes it might be inconvenient but trust me, it worth it. Just try to enjoy it! By the way, if it rains, there's no sandflies! That's an awesome advantage!
It was cold but after you start walking you get warm.
UH provides you backpacks and you need to carry with you most of the items you will need. Remember that at the hotels (I wouldn't call them dorms) you can wash and dry your laundry so pack only the things you must take. You don't need to pack towels, sheets, shampoo and soap because you'll find them at the hotels. Food or snacks will be provided as well. You'll need only one bottle of water because you can fill it up during day. On the Milford Track we had an option to send another bag that will be transferred to the last hotel at Milford Sound. Besides that you'll be carry everything. It's less heavy then you think 😀
The hotels are very safe and the food was amazing! There's veg option, just mention it on booking. My diet is gluten free and I had no issues at all. We had a double room and it was great. Felt like 4 stars hotel with hot showers, clean facility and great food.
I wouldn't take the rooms with the view because of the extra money - it gets dark early and you'll see nothing.
We didn't travel with kids. I would make sure they can walk for 7 hours a day. It's not a difficult hike, but it's not easy as well. Depends the track your doing. Milford track was moderate and most of our group was New Zealaners and they walk fast. We walked behind them most of the time. Not a bad thing because there was guide that traveled with us most of the hike.
It's going to be amazing for you! Just don't get the rain bother you too much. It's part of the hike. You'll get wet, but at the end of the day you'll have hot shower, good food and tons of beautiful memories. Enjoy.
ballofur2003
California206 contributions
- Would it be feasible to wash/dry in your private room rather than the dry room? (all my stuff is quick dry and I've never had a problem having dry clothes by morning.)
- Are the private rooms secure (ie with locks) or is it generally a safe atmosphere? (city girl paranoia.)
- I've done several hikes but struggle with quick altitude gain (ie really worried about day 2 of Milford)...is the uphill straight, or are there switchbacks, or are there areas that are flat to catch your breath?
- I read they recommend that you carry 1 liter of water, but I've never gone on a hike (even a half day hike) with less than 1.5 liters and I generally finish before lunch. Are there places to fill up along the way? If so, it is feasible with just a bladder (I don't want to carry a separate bottle just to transfer water)?
gwclark
Windsor, Ontario, Canada29 contributions
Guides are very good at providing snacks and refreshment breaks (coffee, tea, water and juice) around mid morning and again at lunch. I took lots of extra water and never used it. Security is not really an issue - everyone was kind and friendly. You can always stop at the Dollar store and buy an old fashioned rubber door-stop and jam that under your door at night. As the other person said, wash your clothes as soon as you arrive in camp, hang them in the drying room and pick them up right after dinner. My stuff was all "dry fit" and it worked out perfect - a couple of hours was all it took. Usually 3 guides, one for the faster hikers, one in the middle and one bringing up the rear - so pick your own comfortable pace and there will not be a problem with altitude or speed. Relax - you will have an outstanding trip.
Sharon J
16 contributions
Can anyone tell me the times of the Routeburn walk pickup on Day 1 and drop off Day 3?
Thank you.
Ethel C
Springfield, IL42 contributions
Sorry for the delay in answering your question. And I see that you have already found the answers. I did the Classic Hike which was the Milford Track followed by the Routeburn. The Milford began on Tuesday and finished on Saturday with a cruise on the Sound. Saturday night I stayed in Te Anue while the rest of the group returned to Queenstown. Sunday morning, the Routeburn group arrived at 9:00 in Te Anue and we all met for morning tea. Then we were taken to the trail head at The Divide and started hiking.
The final day ended around 1 PM? the group drove to Glenorchy for a short break at a pub, then returned to Queenstown by 4 PM.
Bunny
Hong Kong, China32 contributions
Are the rooms heated at night? If not, how cold does it get in late December/ early January on the Routeburn?
Noel S
Queenstown, New Zealand
Hi, the generated power is turned off at 10pm and back on again at 7am so there is no heating in the rooms between those hours. Generally the weather is quite warm in the months of December and January and heating is not required, there are extra blankets and bed warming bladders available should a cold snap arrive.
sbgail
Santa Barbara, CA4 contributions
Hi - four of us will be doing the Classic in March and are so excited. Would anyone share how tipping the guides is handled? Looks likes most treks have four guides. Appreciate any feedback so we can plan ahead to bring gratuity for the last day.
susieg67
Brisbane, Australia66 contributions
Tipping is not customary in NZ nor is it expected. The staff are generally paid very well. But if you are use to tipping I would suggest emailing ultimate hikes with your query as they were very helpful in our planning stage.
jbazs
Sydney15 contributions
We are doing the 2 night, 3 day walk with Ultimate Hikes. Is there somewhere at the Queenstown office where we can leave luggage whilst hiking?
Thanks
Jane
David-A-Frazer
Espoo, Finland247 contributions
Unfortunately they don't which is a real pain if you are doing your hike at the beginning or end of a vacation. You can however store your baggage at the Airport securely for about $8 per day.
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