Ultimate Hikes — Attraction in South Island

My wife and I recently completed the Classic (Milford + Routeburn). Having hiked many of the major treks across the globe, UH is one of the most professional organizations I have ever encountered. Everything from the guides and the lodges to the food and the bus drivers is top shelf. This organization runs like a Swiss watch. While the cost is comparatively high (speaking as a dirtbag backpacker), you get what you pay for. As my wife and I transition from our Go-Go years into our Slow Go years, this was the perfect trip to take. After a nice day of hiking, we were welcomed every day with a cheese plate and wine at our lodges followed by outstanding meals. While we didn't find the hikes particularly challenging, some people did. The guides dealt with some unforeseen problems with great care and skill. One hiker had her hiking shoe fall apart on day one. They would tape her sole back on every morning so she could continue. Another elderly woman decided she would not be able to continue after day two on Milford. They arranged for a lodge staffer to walk her half way down, where she was met by a staffer from Clinton, who walked her back to the lodge. The following day, she caught a boat back to Te Anu Downs where the UH bus picked her up and brought her to Mitre Peak Lodge, just in time for our arrival and a meet up with her son. Bottom line, this is an organization that makes the NZ backcountry accessible to those who can't or don't want to deal with organizing their own trip. They do it extremely well and are totally...

Milford Track Group #1 for the 23/24 season. Where do I start, from the time of booking all the way to completion of the walk our experience with Ultimate Hikes was faultless. Initial concerns re cost were quickly dissolved as we began our walk and further understood the logistics associated with running such an operation. Our group bonded well as a result of the efforts of our guides who can’t be spoken about highly enough. They are up at day break and are still working to assist with meal serving and clearing up 12 hours later, they were there to assist at every corner and were always encouraging and friendly. I wasn’t going to name names however Mary, Jack, Lucy and Fraser were amazeballs, the others may well have been as good however our main contact was with these superstars. The track was next level amazing, our weather was perfect, a couple of showers of rain and not too cold. Our pre track training paid off in spades, this is not a gentle walk so as per the pre walk info, get out and do some good walks before you take on the MT, you wont regret it. Meals were perfect, drink prices reasonable and accommodation more than satisfactory. If you have any doubts about undertaking this trip with this company, cast them aside, they are as good as the reviews you are reading…..and the views and scenery, just wow 🤩 you will not regret it. Don’t miss a dip in an...

Excellent experience with Ultimate hikes, worth every penny. I completed the 5 day Milford Track walk under the supervision of four excellent, experienced guides. Our group had very mixed ability but the guides managed this well, supporting those at the rear and giving a clear outline for each day - allowing people to progress at their own speed. The lodges were a welcome respite at the end of each day - the hot showers, hair dryers and drying rooms were badly needed after a particularly wet second day. We were fortunate to have the experience of our guides to proceed safely through heavy flood water from Glade House to Pamplona Lodge - DOC hikers on this day were forced to stay put in the DOC huts and new DOC hikers were turned back at Te Anau. We were in safe hands with our guides who were calm and explained their decision making at each stage.

The lodges were really welcoming with a tasty food selection each day and welcoming treats (fruit, pastries etc) on arrival. The guides are very hard working - working from early morning (advising on first aid etc) until late evening (serving meals and giving a briefing on the following day).

I would highly recommend Ultimate Hikes for their smooth operation which provides great comfort on a...