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New Zealand Wild Walks
A unique philosophy to hiking in New Zealand
Wild Walks by Aspiring Guides
The wild and remote nature of New Zealand's landscape and weather means that for most people, backcountry travel is limited to a few well established walking trails. While these popular tracks are often called "The Great Walks" they are not the best walks - just the popular ones!
Take the road less travelled. We guide only small groups (max 5) on our New Zealand hiking adventures. Let us take you on a truly "Wild Walk" - where no one else can. From seriously tough treks to easy walks, we provide a true wilderness experience.
Wild Walks is the hiking/ trekking operation of Aspiring Guides. We are professional mountain guides - not just tour operators and we guide on the wildest backcountry trekking and hiking in New Zealand. Named for our local mountain - the iconic 3033m Mt Aspiring, Aspiring Guides has offered world class mountain guiding and instruction, trekking and ski touring for over 20 years. Based out of Wanaka and Queenstown, our Wild Walks explore the lesser travelled corners of the Mt Aspiring National Park and the South West World Heritage Area - where the scenery is always spectacular, and the challenges many.
The northern section of the Mt Aspiring National Park is a majestic and seldom travelled area. The surrounding peaks and huge tracts of unmodified native bush give a feeling of timelessness. This area has some of the most dramatic and undiscovered trekking in New Zealand and is part of the Te Wahipounamu World heritage site.
We stay at pre-placed camp sites which means you only carry a light pack. No crowded huts! We rarely see other parties. All you need is appropriate clothing, a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots and a spirit of adventure!
Our food is good and wholesome. There may not be champagne or caviar, but we do not use freeze dried food or instant coffee (unless of course you ask for it) and we are able to cater for specific requirements.
While the plant and bird life is spectacular, many people do not realise that New Zealand has no large predators. No bears, fox or wolf. There are also no snakes or other animals to harm you! To preserve this unique environment, our trips are also run to the strictest environmental standards of any guiding company in New Zealand.
Come and join us for a Wild Walk in the unique NZ wilderness - join a schedule trek or book a private trip now!
Client comments :
Jac and Sue Merrill, Nashua New Hampshire
Thank you for a fantastic experience in New Zealand. PJ and I were absolutely wrapped with the course and Gary was fantastic. Everything from the course content to the food couldn't have been run better. Thanks again and good luck for the future.”
Chris and PJ, Melbourne Australia“Thank you, thank you, thank you. We had such a good time hiking – the organization, food and guide get a gold star.”
We wanted to say that we really enjoyed our trip in New Zealand, we were particularly impressed with the efficiency of the logistics involved in your organisation. I must say that when you guys say "wild" you really mean "wild", Julie and I had never before encountered such pristine mountains and the ruggedness and beauty of the back country was really the most incredible we have seen. We have experienced different sort of mountains in our various treks, but the New Zealand experience stands in a league of its own.”
Y. Meroud, Singapore.
NZ Safety Certified
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WILD WALKS ARE DIFFERENT!
We are all about Quality not Quantity
1. Small trips of 2-5 guests.
Most of the areas we go to would be impossible to visit in groups 12 or more. Our groups are based on how many people we can safely take to a remote area with the least impact.
2. Light packs.
We have pre-placed food and gear caches in the Mt Aspiring National Park. This means you carry only your personal stuff. It's highly recommended to drink water out of the streams, so no need to bring your own.
3. Professional mountain guides with 20 years experience.
Wild Walks are experts at managing that risk so you can enjoy this unique and challenging part of the world. And guide you in the mountains is all that we do. We are not transport operators who take you on a whirlwind tour of the South Island. We provide discerning clients with an intimate wilderness experience. Our guides are paid well, live here, and have intimate knowledge of the area. They enjoy what they are doing and strive to share that passion with you. Most importantly, everyone of them is a whole lot of fun to be in the hills with.
4. No crowded huts.
We go where large groups cannot go, and have expedition style camps to stay at if we choose not to stay in a nearby hut. Our expedition camps have tables and chairs, large tents, sleeping bags, enviro toilets.
5. Exceptional Food.
No freeze dry - we eat very well and plenty of it.
Day two menu on the Upper Wilkin experience:
BREAKFAST: Scrambled eggs w/ Croissant or English muffin or bagel w/ butter and jam.
LUNCH: Crackers, w/cheese, hummus and apple.
SNACKS: Dried fruit bag w/ small chocolate bar inside.
ARRIVAL: Sweet biscuits.
DINNER: Laksa, pasta, water chestnuts, dried beans, peanuts, banana chips cooked in coconut milk topped w/ shredded coconut.
DESSERT: Custard (can add chocolate powder).