About Guided Nature Walks
Peter & Karyn Hitchman have been guiding and instructing in the mountains and forests of New Zealand for many years, taking groups deep into the lush forests and high above the snow line into the pristine, untouched world of the alpine region. We have a vast knowledge of the flora, fauna, history and geology of this beautiful region. With the on-going assistance of Richard Bryant, a fourth generation local and the pioneer of Guided Nature Walks we have a huge source of information and history that is unavailable anywhere else.
It is our privilege to take you into some of the most beautiful and spectacular areas in the Queenstown region and show you what makes this such a special area. Our friendly, knowledgeable local guides will make sure you have the time to enjoy the whole experience nature has provided.
We have chosen our range of walks for their natural history, scenic beauty, remoteness and varied terrain. We are proud of our company's reputation for providing friendly, informative and personalised guided walks for small groups. We are working to make Guide Nature Walks the most memorable part of your New Zealand experience.
"EVERY STEP A STORY....”
You may ask yourself why choose Guided Nature Walks for your trip. The answer is simple - we are the only guiding company permitted to walk "off track" in the National Park. This allows us to avoid the crowds and experience a true 'wilderness' walk, letting you touch see and feel the real New Zealand.
Guided Walks since 1868 - Guided Nature Walks has a long and interesting history starting as far back as 1868.
Guided Walk options:
Lakeshore Forest and Birds
This half-day walk combines the best of native flora & fauna, with magnificent lake & mountain views. In its own micro-climate the flora is protected from the elements in this area, so the species are much larger than elsewhere. ‘It’s as if we’re walking through the sentinels of the forest’. Native birds are readily seen & heard in & around the edges of the forest. Your guide will introduce you to an array of edible & medicinal plants used by Maori & European settlers.
Miners Forest Retreat
*will only be available on request from 30th Sept 2012. The fun and informative ‘You vs. Wild’ will take its place.
In the late 18th century a treasure house of gold was first found in the streams and hills around Lake Wakatipu, and like a magnet the discovery brought thousands to the area from all over the world.
They found a place as rich in natural splendor as it was in precious metals and set about trying to master the elements in their quest for wealth.
The men and women of those hard-working, hard-living days are gone now, but the long-abandoned remains of their lives and work have become as much a part of the region's history as the scenery they've blended into.
Nature Walk & Wine Tour
This half-day guided walk begins in native Beech forest, and the track climbs through the forest and grassy meadows following a clear mountain stream. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest.
A relaxed & leisurely ‘Lakeshore, Forest & Bird’ morning nature walk through New Zealand native forest, followed by a ‘Boutique Wine Tour’ through the vineyards of Central Otago. We bring you this exclusive full day tour where you’ll see real drama in the scenery, hear the pristine silence of the high country, savour the scent of pure clean air & feel the pulse of the heart of Central Otago wine region. All the logistics are taken care of for you.
NEW Product: YOU vs. WILD
This is our version of the ever popular TV series
Now you can experience a little of what it's like to survive off the land, with nothing but a knife and the few things you have on your person, or that may have been discarded by people before you. On this half day walk you will be introduced to the wilderness of Aotearoa, you'll learn how to make a fire, how to build a bivouac shelter, what plants to eat, how to make a pain relief drink, how to find north the celestial way & how to filter water so that it's safe to drink. These are a few of the skills that you will need to stay alive, in the back country of New Zealand - Aotearoa.
Working as a Personal Body Guard for an 80’s pop group in the UK with two ex SAS soldiers, and playing survival games in the forests & mountains, at any given oportunity was our way of letting off steam. When I arrived in New Zealand I was able to use some of the skills that I learnt, as well as formalising them at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre, to lead survival camps for teenagers, as the Senior Outdoor Instructor of YMCA. Now you can have the same fun and learn new skills with YOU vs. WILD.
Famous Routeburn Track
This great walk in Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a gradual climb through a 130 million year old magical world of ferns, mosses, lichens and beech forest. We enjoy lunch surrounded by the grandeur of alpine meadows, meandering streams and majestic snow capped mountains. On our return we explore the old forgotten paths of the Maori, as we travel along the old Greenstone trails, finding new enchantment around each corner, where native birds abound.
Ultimate Nature Experience
A spectacular 35km jet boat trip up the Dart River takes you to the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. From here we walk through the primeval native forest, where we are the only company permitted to walk. The silence is deafening and the total wilderness is amazing. On our journey we enjoy lunch around a mountain lake, with birdlife like Bush Robins, Fantails and Tomtits. After lunch we’ll explore the area where we have an option to visit a secret cave near the tree tops, where birds come to view us.
Rob Roy Glacier
The Rob Roy Gorge cuts a swathe through the mountainside showing the true power of nature with thousands of years to spare. Your route is littered with views of mighty waterfalls, soaring cliffs and glacial moraine in a collection unsurpassed in one place anywhere in the world. Picnic lunch is taken once the track sets you free of the forest and offers clear views of the Rob Roy glacier, where huge chunks of ice crash and thunder to the valley floor in a natural drama of epic proportions.
We are the only company offering the Rob Roy Glacier experience from Queenstown.
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GUIDED WALKS NEW ZEALAND Ltd
