Guided Kepler Track Heli Hike
Overview
Begin your awe-inspiring guided day experience on the Kepler Track with a scenic helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut. At the top explore the expansive tussock fields and enjoy panoramic mountain views on foot as we hike in the alpine area. Then descend the mountain on a well-formed track through native beech forest and pass under towering limestone bluffs to reach the sandy lake shore for a water taxi ride back to Te Anau.
Inclusions
- Walking poles and rain jackets are provided if these items are required.
- Coffee and/or Tea - Hot drinks are available along the hike as required.
- Te Anau accommodation pick up and drop off.
- Helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track
- Safety and communication equipment is carried by the guide.
- Local, experienced, nature guide.
- Water taxi across Lake Te Anau
What to expect
Itinerary
Begin your experience with a spectacular helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut over Lake Te Anau. Explore the alpine tussock field and enjoy the expansive mountain views, with the option to hike to the summit (as conditions allow). Then hike down the mountain on a well-formed track, descending through native beech forest and passing under towering limestone bluffs to reach the sandy lake shore for a water taxi ride back to Te Anau.
Stop At:
• Lake Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
• Fiordland Trips & Tramps, 24 Caswell Road, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand
• Fiordland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
• Luxmore Hut Track, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
• Kepler Track, Golf Course Road Eastern Fiordland, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Begin your experience with a spectacular helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut over Lake Te Anau. Explore the alpine tussock field and enjoy the expansive mountain views, with the option to hike to the summit (as conditions allow). Then hike down the mountain on a well-formed track, descending through native beech forest and passing under towering limestone bluffs to reach the sandy lake shore for a water taxi ride back to Te Anau.
Stop At:
• Lake Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
• Fiordland Trips & Tramps, 24 Caswell Road, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand
• Fiordland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
• Luxmore Hut Track, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
• Kepler Track, Golf Course Road Eastern Fiordland, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Recommended minimum age 8 years
- Track is well maintained and well formed, however can be uneven and rocky in places.
- Operates in all weather conditions (including rain) unless the operator deems it to be unsafe. Please carry a good, waterproof rain jacket, drinking water, any medication that you may require and wear practical, sturdy shoes for walking in (heels, slip on shoes, jandals/flip flops/thongs are not suitable). Do not wear jeans as they become cold and heavy when wet. The operator can provide a good rain coat and walking poles, please contact them in advance to have this arranged.
- The operator may refuse participation if clients are not dressed suitably.
- The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the trip, note the sustained down hill can be tough on knees.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Mandy S
February 2023
Loved this experience. I normally do hikes on my own but all the huts and places were booked and heard about this group from a friend. I'm so glad I did it through Trips and Trams. I didn't have to plan anything, just show up and still felt like I had a beautiful day of hiking, plus my guide was ...
Loved this experience. I normally do hikes on my own but all the huts and places were booked and heard about this group from a friend. I'm so glad I did it through Trips and Trams. I didn't have to plan anything, just show up and still felt like I had a beautiful day of hiking, plus my guide was so kind and showed me so many things about the landscape that I wouldn't have known. Highly recommend if you want to experience the area, learn about the history and landscape and without needing to pack in and out on your own. The team is kind, responsive and has thought through every detail but it doesn't feel over done. Can't say enough good things about them.Burdett P
December 2022
We few blessed to have experienced this amazing excursion. We had a short break in the weather that allowed the very competent pilot to fly us from Manapouri to the Lux hut. After a nourishing lunch at the hut we began our descent on the Kepler track. Gary, our guide, kept us safe with an excelle...
We few blessed to have experienced this amazing excursion. We had a short break in the weather that allowed the very competent pilot to fly us from Manapouri to the Lux hut. After a nourishing lunch at the hut we began our descent on the Kepler track. Gary, our guide, kept us safe with an excellent briefing before departing. The hike begins in alpine conditions with tussocks along the trail. We eventually hit the tree line and entered into a bush environment with beach trees and ferns. The hike concluded at the base of the mountain on the shore of Lake Te Anau. We then rode the water taxi back across the lake where a van took us to our lodge for the night. Gary provided excellent insights about the surrounding geology and vegetation. A wind kicked up when we arrived at the lake so the water taxi ride became memorable as well! Great excursion.Taijihawaii
December 2022
Yoshi and Madeleine were friendly, knowledgeable and great guides. Due to cloud cover we altered our hike to through the forest to Shallow Bay in hopes that the cloud cover would lift. Hooray --it cleared. We were picked up by the helicopter on the beach at Shallow Bay and taken up to Luxmor...
Yoshi and Madeleine were friendly, knowledgeable and great guides. Due to cloud cover we altered our hike to through the forest to Shallow Bay in hopes that the cloud cover would lift. Hooray --it cleared. We were picked up by the helicopter on the beach at Shallow Bay and taken up to Luxmore hut. The helicopter ride was so exciting with great views. At Luxmore hut we were able to hike a little to a scenic area with outstanding views. Thereafter, we hiked down Kepler track to the beach where the boat picked us up and took us back to Te Anau.thehillfamilytravel
December 2022
Our guides Michelle and Gary were fabulous. Knowledgeable and helpful. A change to the itinerary was made at the beginning of the day due to weather. Instead of going straight to Luxmore hut, we started with a beautiful rainforest walk from Rainbow Reach through Spirit Lake. We were picked up b...
Our guides Michelle and Gary were fabulous. Knowledgeable and helpful. A change to the itinerary was made at the beginning of the day due to weather. Instead of going straight to Luxmore hut, we started with a beautiful rainforest walk from Rainbow Reach through Spirit Lake. We were picked up by the helicopter on the beach at Shallow Bay and taken up to Luxmore hut. The helicopter ride was so enjoyable and exciting. Due to the delayed start we couldn't walk to the peak but Michelle offered a small walk up to a great lookout spot, which was really worth it. We then proceeded the long downhill trek on Kepler track to the beach where the boat picked us up and took us back to Te Anau - it was a long walk but there were many stops with lots of information, great views and of course the friendly Kea birds. In all, a great day and we were blessed with fine weather!Ingrid K
December 2022
Great experience of a section of the Kepler Track doing the helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut and then return hike. Moderate effort required. Great constraints of landscapes and our guide was very informative and helpful. Trips and Tramps are super organised and efficient. We loved our hike and th...
Great experience of a section of the Kepler Track doing the helicopter flight to Luxmore Hut and then return hike. Moderate effort required. Great constraints of landscapes and our guide was very informative and helpful. Trips and Tramps are super organised and efficient. We loved our hike and the Kea birds!arudman
November 2022
Fantastic day trip and taste of Kepler track. Great staff, good views and moderately challenging tramp. Very knowledgeable staff and good lunch.
Fantastic day trip and taste of Kepler track. Great staff, good views and moderately challenging tramp. Very knowledgeable staff and good lunch.