Tekapo High Country Hike

NZ$ exchange rate

Included:

• Guide and Department of Conservation licence fees
• Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
• Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
• Free transport (Tekapo - Mt. Gerald return)
• ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
• ALL trekking equipment

Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.

Green : Minimum reached - guaranteed departure.
Orange : Only 4 or fewer places available.
Red : No availability.

↑ Rex Simpson Hut is well situated to make the most of the stunning views over Lake Tekapo.

Location

Located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo. A fantastic location for some star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Rex Simpson Hut is our base for the Tekapo High Country Hike in Summer and Alpine Ski Touring, Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing and Instruction Courses during the winter.

Facilities

The hut consists of three rooms, sleeping 13 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers, but warm water and a basin can be provided for washing or you can find a private spot somewhere along the alpine stream. The toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view!

The hut is fully equipped with pot belly stove, firewood, gas, solar lighting and nonperishable food. Sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses are at the hut; liners and pillow cases are provided each trip.

→ More Rex Simpson Hut photos.

↑ Aerial photo of Rex Simpson Hut above Lake Tekapo.

Previous experience & agility

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.

Fitness & endurance

You need to be fit and able to walk 5-8 hours in a day without problems.

Pack weight

Your pack will contain just your clothing and a few items of fresh food to be carried to the hut on Day 1. Nonperishable food and sleeping bags are at the hut.

↑ Tekapo High Country Hike: Elevation profile.

Options

2 DAYS: starts at 1pm on Day 1 and finishes around 5pm on Day 2.
3 DAYS: starts at 10am on Day 1 and finishes around 1pm on Day 3.

We recommend the 3 day option in most cases, as the second day of the 2 day option is long; however it is a good option for fit hikers on a tight schedule (most buses arrive in Tekapo from Christchurch between 12pm and 1pm).

Day 1:

Meet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo at the above start time for a gear check.

From Lake Tekapo township we drive along the lakeshore to a typical high country sheep station. Three hours' hike with a climb of 550m/1805ft (about 7km) brings us to the cosy Rex Simpson Hut, at 1300m/4265ft. 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.

Day 2:

We trek along a 6 kilometre-long ridge-top, nicknamed "Snake Ridge", that was formed by ice-age glaciation, and ascend Beuzenberg Peak (2073m/6800ft). The terrain is untracked with a moderate gradient.

As we hike higher the splendour of the Southern Alps unfolds with the East Face of Mount Cook dominating the western skyline. To the northeast Braun-Elwert Peak, named after Alpine Recreation's founder, watches our progress up Snake Ridge.

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.

Walk back down to Rex Simpson Hut to be well fed and entertained by your guide (6-8 hours walking, 770m in altitude to ascend and descend).
Those on the 2 day option will have a long day, returning to Lake Tekapo the same day (8-9 hours walking, with an additional 550m to descend after returning to the hut).

Day 3:

There is an option to trek to 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. (About 8km distance, 3-4 hours hiking).

Finish about 1pm in Lake Tekapo. After your return to Lake Tekapo we recommend a scenic flight with Air Safaris over the Southern Alps (not included in price): www.airsafaris.co.nz.