Guided Walk
For the walker wanting a fully guided and catered experience.
Cost: NZD$ 2095 per person (3days/3nights)
Inclusive of:
- Pre-departure B&B accommodation at the Last Light Lodge (pre-departure evening meal not included, additional cost applies)
- Return transport from Tuatapere to begin your walk
- A short helicopter flight across the Te Waewae Bay
- Heli-pack your pack (max 10kg) up the hill to Okaka on Day 1. (Days packs provided for Day 1)
- Note: On day 2 and 3 walkers carry their own pack
- Multi-share accommodation with sheets, duvet, pillow, hot shower tokens and towels provided.
- Private KING or TWIN Room Upgrade: $150 per room per night. (Sleeps max 2 people)
- Fully catered with cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and three course dinners.
- Snacks and fresh fruit also supplied.
- Knowledgeable guides with you every step of the walk
- Guided walkers having exclusive use of the lodges during their walk
Departs: Any GUIDED START dates (Tuesday and Friday starting dates) – see Walking Package Calendar
Guided Itinerary:
52km over 3 days and 3 nights. For a printable version, please click here
Pre-Departure
Your adventure begins at our office in Tuatapere, where you learn about the track and get to know your guide before checking into your accommodation.
Day 1: Tuatapere to Okaka Lodge
12km: 5-6 hrs
A scenic helicopter ride over Te Waewae Bay delivers you to the start of your walk. You will climb up to the top of the Hump Ridge, experiencing our beautiful bush first hand as it changes dramatically with elevation as you head up the ridge to the Stag Point where the trees part and you are welcomed by the beautiful bay once more - this time from a different perspective. Not far to the top of the ridge now and on a nice day you can see many of our neighboring islands off the South Coast and of course the Fiordland mountains and lakes nearby.
When you arrive at Okaka, our lodge 'on top of the world' all you will have to do is unwind as you admire the views, settle into your private room with super king bed and, of course, take a hot shower. You will feel at home with our lodge managers' home cooking and hospitality.
Day 2: Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge
20km: 7-9 hours
After breakfast you wander down the Hump Ridge, with 360 degree views of Te Waewae bay, the South Coast, Waitutu terraces and mountains behind them. While you are walking over the mighty wooden viaducts on the way to Port Craig Village, consider the men who built them almost a century ago. Our guide will share many stories from the days when Port Craig was a bustling sawmill town in the 1920's.
If you are interested in the history and relics that surround Port Craig, choose to take the interpretive trail or just meander down to the beach and spy our resident Hector's dolphins who live at the old wharf poles in the surf. Awaiting you at the lodge, our friendly lodge manager will welcome you to your room and you can put your feet up and once again enjoy their hospitality while taking in your new coastal backdrop.
Day 3: Port Craig Lodge to Tuatapere
20km: 5-7 hours
To complete the track, you will first walk out under native bush canopy, then along our beautiful golden beaches - one named Blowholes because of the ring of rocks the waves blow up though as they come to shore - a spectacular finish to a fantastic trip. Walk back along the section you flew over on day one, and enjoy it once again but at beach level.
Modern Backcountry Lodges
Our modern backcountry lodges at Okaka and Port Craig are in superb locations.
At almost 1000m, Okaka Lodge is the highest point on the track. Port Craig lodge, at sea level, offers trampers the chance to soak weary limbs in the Southern Ocean. During summer season, both lodges are fully equipped with:
- All cooking equipment, crockery, cutlery & gas
- Solar powered lighting throughout complex
- Comfortable bunk rooms - 8 beds per room
- Pillows & pillow slips
- Gas Heating in the communal lounge/dining room
- Hot porridge for breakfast
- Flush toilets & running drinkable water
- Lodge managers on duty
Both Okaka and Port Craig Lodge also offer premium upgrade rooms for trampers with a king-sized bed (or two singles), all bedding, linen and towels supplied, and even a hot water bottle.
Each Lodge is fully wheelchair accessible and has been built and are run in conjunction with our commitment to sustainability. Read more about our efforts here.
Lodge Bar & Shop
Both Lodges also have a licensed bar and shop where you can buy a range of New Zealand wine and beer, as well as snacks, refreshments and dehydrated meal pouches. Take some cash or a credit card with you (sorry, no EFTPOS available)
We stock a selection of beers and wines. As our liquor licence is an "on-licence", it is not permitted to "Bring Your Own", you must purchase all alcoholic beverages from our bar.
Both Lodges hold stocks of the following products for sale:
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Beer, wine (red and white), cider, Gin & Tonic, soft drinks
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Dehydrated meal pouches
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Selection of confectionery and snacks
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Complimentary tea and coffee
Sorry, we do not have any of the following available
- Three point power plugs
- Ovens
- Microwaves
- Refrigeration
- Freezer
What To Bring
Guided walks are fully catered. Download the Guided Walk Information Sheet.
Fitness
The whole idea about tramping is to experience nature, take in the sights and scenery, and to enjoy yourself. It is not a race!
A moderate to high level of fitness is required to complete this walk. To make your trampmore enjoyable it is advisable to undertake some form of training prior to the event. By doing some form of regular exercise beforehand you are going to make your walk around the Hump Ridge track a lot more enjoyable.
Some tips before you start training:
- During some of your walks, be sure to wear the clothes that you intend to tramp in. It is best to find out beforehand if they are going to be suitable, ie. non-chafing, comfortable to wear.
- Walk in the shoes and socks you are going to tramp in. You need to be wearing shoes that are comfortable and provide good support for the ankles. Blisters can make tramping very unpleasant so it best to have your shoes broken in properly.
- Wear your pack during some of your walks. Even if you are making use of the heli-packing you will still have to carry some gear with you. You will enjoy your walk a lot more if your body is used to carrying a pack already.
- Hydration and nutrition are very important; your body needs fluids before you are thirsty, so drink regularly. Food such as bananas and muesli bars are good light foods to carry that provide quick energy. Remember to carry your rubbish out with you!
- It is important to get some hill training in before the walk. On the first day of the Hump Ridge Track you will go from sea level to 890m. Simple things such as taking the stairs whenever possible can also help. Get off the streets and head into the bush tracks, you will need to experience different walking terrains and don't stay indoors just because the weather may not be ideal for walking. Fiordland is a beautiful place but it cannot always guarantee beautiful weather.
- Not all your training needs to be walking, feel free to jump on a bike, use the gym, swim, run or do zumba! Cross training is important to keep yourself from getting bored.
Weather
This is the most commonly asked question so here are a few resources for your interest. It is our firm belief that unless the weather is extreme you should not let it affect your plans. Weather is one of the beauties of the outdoors.
Here are two specially tailored forecasts for Okaka Lodge and Tuatapere (this will be almost identical to Port Craig Lodge) provided by the folks at weather-forecast.com
Okaka Lodge - 6 day weather forecast
Tuatapere / Port Craig - 6 day weather forecast
MetVUW also have some excellent information:
And of course good old Metservice:
- Invercargill observation and forecast
- Southland rain radar
- New Zealand satellite
- Fiordland Mountain forecast
The Fine Print in brief - Cancellations,Transfers and Insurance
If in the very rare event the Operator needs to cancel a departure due to unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions, we will discuss options available and agree with parties concerned. Options may include: another package on the same departure date, alternative departure date, or a refund.
Cancellation
If a client wishes to cancel a booking for any reason, including medical, the cancellation must be forwarded in writing and the following refund values will be applied:
Independent Packages and Events
- Prior to 8 weeks of departure date 75% of the total cost;
- Within 8 to 4 weeks 50% of the total cost;
- Within 4 weeks or less no refund will be given.
Guided Packages
- Prior to 8 weeks of departure date 75% of the total cost;
- Within 8 to 6 weeks 50% of the total cost;
- Within 6 weeks or less no refund will be given.
Transfers
Bookings can be transferred to a future date, within a 12 month period, but not between people. You must give a minimum of 7 days (before your departure date) notice in writing for a transfer to apply. This will be in the form of a credit for the value of the original booking less fees, this will then be held and credited against a new booking at a future date within the valid timeframe. The new booking will be charged at current pricing at that time and is subject to availability. A fee of 10% of the total booking value will be charged on any booking transfer. Bookings may only be transferred once and no portion of the credit is redeemable for cash. If notice is given less than 7 days prior to departure for any circumstances, including medical, you will be required to cancel your booking. Sorry this option is not available for Guided Packages nor Events.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you arrange travel/cancellation/medical insurance to guard against loss of costs associated with cancellation or delay of your trip. Obtaining all necessary insurances is the responsibility of you the client and the Operator cannot be held liable for any failure on your part to get insurance. The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track will not be liable for injury, damage or any costs incurred by walkers and customers.
Click for of our full detailed Terms & Conditions.
Customer Declaration Form
In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include personal injury and illness as a result of adverse weather conditions.
All participants, including children, will be required to complete our Customer Declaration form before departure.
This form is available to read and download as Customer Declaration Form: please complete and bring to your pre-departure briefing.
Under New Zealand law it is extremely unlikely that you will be able to sue anyone if you are injured. In addition, New Zealand's accident compensation scheme provides only limited assistance to visitors to New Zealand who are injured. We strongly recommend that all visitors to New Zealand have full insurance covering any injury they might suffer, including medical treatment cover, before undertaking this activity.
We do not recommend the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track for children under 10 years. Please do not be offended if we ask for proof of age.