Overnight Kayaking Trip at Doubtful Sound

Description

Glistening water, majestic glaciers, pristine native rainforest and cascading waterfalls – these are just some of the sights you will experience when you camp out with the Fiordland Wilderness Experience. For two days and one night, you will be able to spend time kayaking in the 'real' New Zealand wilderness, and you will never forget this beautiful place!

Departing from Te Anau during summer, this amazing two day wilderness adventure takes you deep into the heart of the stunning Doubtful Sound. The kayaking and camping experience allows you to experience nature in a peaceful, relaxing and non-intrusive manner – no motor boats, no generators, just the soothing sounds of nature to accompany you. The intimate group sizes and great personalities of the knowledgeable guides on the Fiordland Wilderness Experience allows you to feel like you are getting a personal tour of this lovely area, while also minimising the impact to the precious environment.

Day 1:
From Te Anau, take an early morning road shuttle the short distance to Manapouri. From there, you will board a boat and travel 30km across the amazing Lake Manapouri, before journeying via road over the remote alpine route of Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. In Doubtful Sound, you will be decked out in paddling gear, given a safety briefing and instructions and will pack your kayak for your adventure. For the next four to five hours, you will be kayaking in total awe! In the midst of Doubtful Sound, you will paddle alongside a brilliant glacial landscape, see rugged mountainsides, cascading waterfalls – and hopefully – penguins, dolphins and fur seals. For lunch, you will stop at a remote beach surrounded by lush, native rainforest.

When it's time to pull up to camp, you will find yourself in a hidden paradise – a perfectly peaceful place to set up your tents, prepare your evening meal and enjoy the company of your fellow travellers (or just your own quiet company) under the glorious New Zealand night sky.

Day 2:
Following a hearty breakfast, you will pack up camp, load the kayaks and once again set out into the glassy-still morning waters. Hall Arm is a perfect place to start out your morning, and the gentle quiet of this area will likely fill your heart with an all-encompassing passion for the beauty of the environment. The mountainsides are a brilliant backdrop to the deeply reflective waters as you paddle to Malaspina Reach and Elizabeth Island. Your final leg (by sail if possible) to Deep Cove will let you experience the beauty of the changing day, as noon shifts into early afternoon. Once there, it is time to pack up and have lunch before again taking the boat and vehicle back to Te Anau. That is, if you can bear to leave this stunningly beautiful place!

Trip Includes

• 4-5 hours kayaking each day
• Camp under the forest canopy
• Return boat cruise across Lake Manapouri
• Complimentary tea and coffee onboard
• Coach across Wilmot Pass
• All equipment including wetsuit, thermals, life jacket
• Experienced local guides
• Small group (max 8 people)

Duration

• 36 hours (overnight)

Departures

• 7 am (returns by 2:30 pm on day 2)
• Departs from the Real Journeys office at Pearl Harbour in Manapouri
• Operates during summer months only (Dec-March)

Other Information

• Tours depart from Manapouri
• The minimum age for kayaking is 16 years
• Medium level of fitness is required & a willingness to camp overnight in a rainforest in a range of weather conditions
• No prior kayaking experience is necessary as full instruction is provided
• Please bring all food, sleeping bag, swimsuit, shorts to wear over thermal leggings, sandals or soft shoes, socks, towel, sunglasses & sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellent, camera, rain jacket
• If you need to hire any gear (eg. sleeping bag) you can do so from Bev's Tramping Gear shop located in Te Anau
• This is a self catered overnight trip. Fiordland Wilderness experience provides hot drinks, complimentary wine & snacks. You will need to bring enough food for two lunches, an evening meal & breakfast plus snacks when kayaking
• Fiordland Wilderness Experience provides gas cookers & cooking implements. You are also provided with camping equipment, thermal top & leggings, wetsuit vest, fleece top, paddle jacket, spray deck, fleece hat, paddle gloves, clothing & camera dry bag, double kayak, paddle, all safety & emergency equipment
• Groups are restricted to 8 kayakers only

*** This tour is currently unavailable, for kayaking trips CLICK HERE ***

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