Overview
Our 5 day guided hike on the Travers Sabine Circuit Wilderness Hike in Nelson Lakes National Park is an all inclusive package - starting and returning to Nelson. After departing Nelson we start the walk after a brief water taxi ride up lake Rotoiti and finish 5 days later at the head of Lake Rotoroa.
We stay each night in Department of Conservation huts where your guides prepare a fantastic gourmet meal. These huts cannot be booked as this is a backcountry circuit so we travel with tent fly's and sleeping mats just in case the huts are full.
We have become known as the gourmet guided walk company, not only because of the high standard of food that is presented, (we cater for all dietary requirements) but also the personal, relaxed and friendly style of trips we orchestrate, with an emphasis on your comfort and enjoyment of the experience. Whether it is information on the flora and fauna, conservation gems along the way or just the great company of your group and guides.
Tour Grading: D
- This trek is for active trampers - age is no barrier but it is a challenging five-day walk.
- The accommodation is Department of Conservation huts - these are comfortable but must be shared with other walkers.
- Guests must carry their own pack containing clothing, bedding and some group food or equipment.
- Guides carry most of the food and cooking utensils.
Details
Difficulty: 4
Departure Dates
Available on demand October to April - minimum of 2 people
If you have a group of 2 people or more we may be able to start a tour year round on your preferred dates - please contact us with your preferred departure date.
Start: Nelson (early am)
Finish: Nelson (late afternoon)
Includes:
General Inclusions
- Door to door transport, from your accommodation in Nelson, out to the track and back!
- A professional, personal and caring guiding service, to make sure you get the most out of your adventure.
- Comprehensive interpretation by informative guides.
- Full safety management of all aspects of your trip with us.
- Full pre-trip briefing the night before your departure to answer any last minutes questions.
- We have a limited number of tramping packs, sleeping bags, Goretex jackets and hiking poles that can be rented on a per item basis at the time of booking. Please enquire about the items that you need when you secure your place on a trip.
Meals Included
- All of your "gourmet" meals and drinks are catered for during your trip. (wine in the evening is an optional upgrade and not included in the package)
- A generous, healthy and energy filled "Snack pack" to nibble on during your trip.
Activities and Entrance Fees Included
- Two water taxi rides across both Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa
- A six month backcountry hut pass to take away and use anywhere in New Zealand
Pricing:
Cost per person
November 2021 - March 2022
- NZ$2,095
Deposit: NZ$300 per person
Balance payable at least 30 days prior to departure
Currency ConverterOverview
Our 5 day guided hike on the Travers Sabine Circuit Wilderness Hike in Nelson Lakes National Park is an all inclusive package - starting and returning to Nelson. After departing Nelson we start the walk after a brief water taxi ride up lake Rotoiti and finish 5 days later at the head of Lake Rotoroa.
We stay each night in Department of Conservation huts where your guides prepare a fantastic gourmet meal. These huts cannot be booked as this is a backcountry circuit so we travel with tent fly's and sleeping mats just in case the huts are full.
We have become known as the gourmet guided walk company, not only because of the high standard of food that is presented, (we cater for all dietary requirements) but also the personal, relaxed and friendly style of trips we orchestrate, with an emphasis on your comfort and enjoyment of the experience. Whether it is information on the flora and fauna, conservation gems along the way or just the great company of your group and guides.
Tour Grading: D
- This trek is for active trampers - age is no barrier but it is a challenging five-day walk.
- The accommodation is Department of Conservation huts - these are comfortable but must be shared with other walkers.
- Guests must carry their own pack containing clothing, bedding and some group food or equipment.
- Guides carry most of the food and cooking utensils.
Itinerary
Open AllPick up at accommodation in Nelson and transfer to St Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park. Briefing and final gear check is done the night before departure at 6pm in the Rutherford Hotel A water taxi will transfer us to the southern end of Lake Rotoiti and we begin walking on the river flats of the lower Travers Valley.
We follow the track through forest and clearings until reaching the Travers Swing Bridge. The valley soon narrows with glimpses of Mt Travers as the track nears Hopeless Creek. The track gradually climbs through beech forest until John Tait Hut (30 bunks) is reached on a grassy clearing.
The track continues to climb for a km until we pass a sidetrack to the Travers Falls. The 20 metre falls drop into a sparkling clear pool and are well worth the visit. From the falls, we continue onward towards our destination - the 16-bunk Upper Travers Hut.
The track climbs steeply to Cupola Creek chasm, leaving the river in its gorge below. Finally the track emerges from the trees on to an extensive, tussock-covered flat where Upper Travers Hut nestles beneath the east face of Mt Travers.
Travers Saddle is an alpine pass and today we cross this stunning divide. Cross the Travers River near the hut and follow the snow poles through dense alpine shrubs. Leaving the boulder-strewn valley, the route steepens and zigzags up a scree slope before continuing more gently to the saddle with panoramic views.
From the saddle (1787m), the descent is steep, crossing tussock and scree, through stunted beech forest before emerging into a gully. Descend to the valley floor and head to West Sabine Hut (35 bunks).
This is a worthwhile day walk from the main circuit. Head upstream from West Sabine swing bridge. After two hours, the valley broadens and the track passes through forest destroyed by an avalanche in 1980. Climb steeply in two stages to a high basin containing the enchanting Blue Lake. Return to West Sabine Hut for the evening.
Our final leg! Cross the West Sabine River on a swing bridge and turn right. The track sidles down the valley following the river and crosses three long, open flats. Leave the river behind where it enters a gorge in the lower valley, climbing then descending to rejoin the river. From here is easy walking to Sabine Hut on the edge of Lake Rotoroa.
We will be collected by water taxi to transfer down the lake and return by van to Nelson and your Nelson accommodation at about 5pm.
Cost per person
November 2021 - March 2022
- NZ$2,095
Deposit: NZ$300 per person
Balance payable at least 30 days prior to departure
Itinerary
Open AllPick up at accommodation in Nelson and transfer to St Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park. Briefing and final gear check is done the night before departure at 6pm in the Rutherford Hotel A water taxi will transfer us to the southern end of Lake Rotoiti and we begin walking on the river flats of the lower Travers Valley.
We follow the track through forest and clearings until reaching the Travers Swing Bridge. The valley soon narrows with glimpses of Mt Travers as the track nears Hopeless Creek. The track gradually climbs through beech forest until John Tait Hut (30 bunks) is reached on a grassy clearing.
The track continues to climb for a km until we pass a sidetrack to the Travers Falls. The 20 metre falls drop into a sparkling clear pool and are well worth the visit. From the falls, we continue onward towards our destination - the 16-bunk Upper Travers Hut.
The track climbs steeply to Cupola Creek chasm, leaving the river in its gorge below. Finally the track emerges from the trees on to an extensive, tussock-covered flat where Upper Travers Hut nestles beneath the east face of Mt Travers.
Travers Saddle is an alpine pass and today we cross this stunning divide. Cross the Travers River near the hut and follow the snow poles through dense alpine shrubs. Leaving the boulder-strewn valley, the route steepens and zigzags up a scree slope before continuing more gently to the saddle with panoramic views.
From the saddle (1787m), the descent is steep, crossing tussock and scree, through stunted beech forest before emerging into a gully. Descend to the valley floor and head to West Sabine Hut (35 bunks).
This is a worthwhile day walk from the main circuit. Head upstream from West Sabine swing bridge. After two hours, the valley broadens and the track passes through forest destroyed by an avalanche in 1980. Climb steeply in two stages to a high basin containing the enchanting Blue Lake. Return to West Sabine Hut for the evening.
Our final leg! Cross the West Sabine River on a swing bridge and turn right. The track sidles down the valley following the river and crosses three long, open flats. Leave the river behind where it enters a gorge in the lower valley, climbing then descending to rejoin the river. From here is easy walking to Sabine Hut on the edge of Lake Rotoroa.
We will be collected by water taxi to transfer down the lake and return by van to Nelson and your Nelson accommodation at about 5pm.
