Kayaking - Sea Kayak Fiordland Overnight Doubtful Sound
from NZD$399.00
About
Description
2 Days - Real Wilderness Kayaking
A 2 day and 1 night guided kayak excursion with Fiordland Wilderness Experience exploring the stunning Doubtful Sound departing from Te Anau during the summer months.
This two day trip is about allowing yourself some quality time to experience a personal adventure, a genuine kayaking and camping experience in a remote New Zealand environment, in a natural, non-intrusive way, that respects what Fiordland's wilderness is all about and expresses what real sea kayaking is all about: doing it yourself with minimal impact, in a small personal group (maximum 8 people) with a friendly, knowledgeable, local guide; being on the water up close and personal in a sea kayak in the sound of silence without a motorboat following us; discovering the land, camping in the primal rainforest (no generator, great camping area, quality gear and communal insect shelter); experiencing nature's cycles...its changing moods and light and time; becoming aware of Fiordland's inhabitants in their own wild environment; understanding the importance of wilderness areas like Doubtful Sound in the future of this planet of ours... and having some fun along the way!
You have traveled a long way to see Doubtful Sound, you want the best memories. We want you to be able to say more than 'been there, done that'. Leave Fiordland feeling like you really experienced it and did all you could to immerse yourself in this timeless land.
JOURNEY DESCRIPTION
Day 1:
Your wilderness experience begins early morning from Te Anau with a short road shuttle to Manapouri to board a boat for the 30km journey across stunning Lake Manapouri, followed by a road journey crossing the remote alpine route of Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. On arrival you will change into paddling gear, pack kayaks and be given a full safety briefing and instruction from an experienced guide. The group then spends 4-5 hrs kayaking in the midst of Doubtful Sound, alongside the massive glacial landscape, deeply faulted mountainsides, waterfalls, and sometimes, penguins, fur seals and dolphins. A lunch break is made on an uninhabited beach, surrounded by pristine native rainforest.
On arrival at the camp site tents you will set camp, and as evening falls enjoy the company of fellow paddlers as they prepare their meal in the group shelter and enjoy the surrounding untouched, pure wilderness.
Day 2:
After breakfast we break camp, load kayaks, then encounter the morning stillness of Hall Arm. The fiords mirrored waters ripple past the kayaks, or in the wet, waterfalls cascade from the mountain sides, as the group paddles to Malaspina Reach and Elizabeth Island before returning early afternoon to Deep Cove, under sail if possible, for pack up and lunch.
The final leg is the journey back to Te Anau across Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri by boat and vehicle, allowing opportunity to reflect on the beauty of the scenery and the rewarding two day experience.
Trip Includes
- Te Anau or Manapouri accommodation return transfers
- 4-5 hours kayaking each day
- Camping overnight
- Return boat cruise across lake Manapouri
- All equipment including wetsuit, thermals, life jacket
- Experienced local guides
- Small group (max 8 people)
Duration
- 36 hours (overnight)
Departures
- 6.15am (returns by 6pm on day 2)
- Departs from Real Journeys visitor centre in Te Anau or Pearl Harbour in Manapouri
- Te Anau and Manapouri accommodation transfers available
- Operates during summer months only (Nov - Apr)
Other Information
- Tours depart from Te Anau or Manapouri
- Minimum age for kayaking is 16 years
- Medium level of fitness is required and 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 and 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 provide hot drinks, complimentary wine and snacks. You will need to bring enough food for two lunches, an evening meal and breakfast plus snacks when kayaking.
- Fiordland Wilderness Experience provide gas cookers and cooking implements. You are also provided with camping equipment, thermal top and leggings, wetsuit vest, fleece top, paddle jacket, spray deck, fleece hat, paddle gloves, clothing and camera dry bag, double kayak, paddle, all safety and emergency equipment
- Groups are restricted to 8 kayakers only