Gillespie & Rabbit Pass Trek

Depart Wanaka for the Young Valley

IMPORTANT: Please note that this itinerary is a sample only and the actual itinerary may vary at the discretion of your guide. Weather, conditions and personal ability and needs may make changes necessary or advantageous to the participants.We can pick you up from your Wanaka accommodation this morning if arranged in advance. Otherwise the meeting location will be advised. After checking through the group's gear, we depart for the township of Makarora. If the rivers are high then use a jet boat to access the start of the track. The Young Valley is a wonderland of dense native forest and high peaks. The trail steepens and climbs steadily to the tree line. Tonight we stay at the new Young hut. Walk: 7 hrs - 650m ascent

Ascend to Gillespie Pass for great views of the Southern Alps

The track winds its way up the valley sidewall under the awesome east face of Mount Awful. This is really an alpine paradise. The track climbs steeply alongside a rock bluff onto a snow grass spur that after 3 to 4 hours, leads to the pass. The climbing ends at Gillespie Pass and from here there's one of the most impressive views of the NZ Southern Alps with Mt Alba dominating the skyline. After a short downhill we walk through the forest to reach our camp next to Gillespie stream. Walk: 6 hrs - 550m ascent/550m descent

Descend to mountain hut via Siberia Valley

It is all down hill today. The track meanders through the beautiful Siberia Valley and then plunges steeply to the Wilkin River where your mountain hut awaits. Here we get resupplied by jet boat so fresh vegetables are back on the menu! From here on sleeping bags are supplied at the campsites so we no longer need to carry sleeping bags and pads.Walk: 5 hrs - 650m descent

Follow a sparkling alpine stream to the Upper Wilkin Valley

Following the Wilkin River the track gradually rises until reaching the Top Forks. This area is one of New Zealand’s treasures with outstanding native bush and hanging glaciers. The track alternates between forest and open river flats. Top Forks Hut has a wood burning stove and views that are hard to believe.Walk: 7 hrs - 300m ascent

Day trip to Lake Castilla

We leave our packs behind for a day trip to Lake Castilia. The track is rugged with plenty of stream crossings and boulder scrambling. Some may prefer a shorter day or just a rest day to swim and admire the world class views. Walk: 7 hrs - 500m ascent/500m descent - or a rest dayNote : If the weather forecast is good your guide may decide it is of benefit to head over Rabbit Pass early on this day rather than wait for the next. In this case you may spend an extra day at Pickelhaub or Aspiring Discovery Camp, or you may head out of the Aspiring National Park a day early. The last day would then be a day walk from Wanaka.

Cross Rabbit Pass via Waterfall Flat

An early start gets us up to Waterfall Flat. It is not hard to imagine where it gets its name with torrents of water pouring of the surrounding cliffs. The improbable scramble up the Waterfall Face leads to Rabbit Pass. We clip you into a fixed hand line for 60 meters to give you confidence on the trickiest part of the route. A long descent through native herb gardens is a magical end to an exhilarating day. Camp is an expedition type setup with a cook tent, table and chairs with smaller four person tents to sleep in.IMPORTANT: If there is bad weather the Rabbit Pass will not be attempted. An alternative hiking route will be utilised and any helicopter or jet boat costs of exit will not be charged. Tours departing in early December or April also have a chance of snow or ice being on the pass and an alternative route might be required.Walk: 9-11 hrs - 900m ascent/650 descent

Hike through open river flats & ancient forests then up to our alpine camp

Waking to sound of icefalls off the towering Mt. Pickelhaub, we have a leisurely breakfast before heading down the East Matukituki Valley. Even with no track the going is easy through this isolated scenic valley. Once we come to the magnificent Bledisloe Gorge the climbing begins again. From open river flats, through ancient forest and up to the alpine, this is a day that has it all. We camp at our incomparable Aspiring Camp with the same comfortable setup as the night before.Walk: 7-8 hrs - 300 ascent/200m descent

Descend to valley floor, return to Wanaka

Sadly, today is the last day of the trek, and we all know what that means, that’s right: pancakes, whipped cream and blueberries! The trail down to the valley floor winds through tall beech with Mount Aspiring dominating the view. Gradually the track opens out into farm land just before we meet out waiting transport back to civilisation and a hot shower. Walk: 5 hrs - 500m descent