Gillespie Pass Expedition

4 days 3 nights
New Zealand
Photo Tim S.
Tim S.
Tour Provider
View Tim’s tours
Difficulty
Moderate
Comfort
Basic
Upscale
Group size
1-4 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to wander where glaciers whisper and mountains loom like silent sentinels? The Gillespie Pass tour takes you deep into Mount Aspiring National Park, crossing between the Young, Siberia, and Wilkin Valleys while brushing past the formidable flanks of Mount Awful.

During four days, walk across pristine alpine forests, rugged bush, and open tussock tops. Stand above Gillespie Pass and gaze into wide valleys lying beside glaciers. Explore iceberg-laden Lake Crucible, chase waterfalls, and discover hidden viewpoints that few ever see. Each day brings a new adventure, from steep ascents to gentle alpine descents, with plenty of opportunities for side trips and photography.

Begin your trek in Wānaka with optional accommodation at Kea Lodge, travel by jet boat into the Young Valley, and camp under the stars or stay in remote huts. The adventure finishes with a thrilling jet boat ride through the Wilkin Valley or an optional scenic flight out from Siberia Valley. Join this intimate journey with a small group and immerse yourself in the heart of New Zealand’s high country!

Group 4-day trip: from $1790 per person (minimum numbers required).

from
$1,057
per tourist for 4 days
Available dates
Date of travel
Number of individuals
1-4 tourists, over 18 y.o.
Or request private custom tour
Any dates between 1 Dec, 2026 and 30 Mar, 2027 are available.
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Photo Tim S.
Tim S. is the provider of this trip
The provider speaks: English
Tim is based in Wānaka with his young family. He has been climbing, skiing, and guiding throughout the Southern Alps since arriving in New Zealand from the UK in 2008. He has climbed and skied around the world and in other roles, he mentors, trains, and assesses prospective ski patrollers and mountain guides and is a member of the local Alpine Cliff Rescue team. When not out in the hills guiding or instructing, he will be usually found introducing his young family to the outdoors, away on his own adventures, or out at the local rock climbing crags.

Tour highlights

Lake Crucible
Iceberg Dreams
Witness Lake Crucible’s floating icebergs reflecting sunlight like shards of glass in the alpine calm
mountains new zealand
Gillespie Pass Panorama
Stand atop the pass with Mount Awful looming and valleys stretching into misty horizons
Siberia Valley
Alpine Diversity
Trek from beech forest to tussock tops and end with an exhilarating Jet Boat ride through the Wilkin Valley

Route details

Day 1
Into the Young Valley

The journey begins at the base in Wānaka, with the option to stay overnight at nearby Kea Lodge or be picked up from your accommodation. After checking gear, the group travels 45 minutes to Makaroa. From there, a short jet boat ride carries you to the confluence of the Young and Makarora Rivers.

The trail follows the Young River upstream through dense bush to Young Hut, or for those seeking more alpine terrain, you can continue past the bush line to camp in the upper valley.

Distance/Ascent: 15 km, 500 m
Duration: 6–7 hrs

mountains new zealand
cross a lake on the boat 1 more photo
Day 2
Over Gillespie Pass
Day 3
Icebergs at Lake Crucible
Day 4
Wilkin Valley Exit
Difficulty
Moderate
Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity
Tour provider's comments

Despite the modest distances, the Gillespie Pass tour requires good trekking fitness to travel on unmaintained routes, through a variety of underfoot conditions.

Trekking fitness of up to 15km a day with ascents and descents of up to 1000m. Packs of personal and group equipment will range between 10 – 15kg. Requires some experience on DOC tracks and overnight hut or camping stays.

Accommodation

Comfort
Basic
Upscale
Tent / Camp Site
3 nights
3 nights
Mountain huts

Accommodation is in public DOC huts or wilderness camping. Tents, cooking and camping equipment are provided.

Another option
3 nights
Kea Lodge in Albert Town

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route
You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on
  • the forecasts for this season
  • the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included
  • applicable taxes;
  • guide fees;
  • all meals and snacks;
  • hut or tent accommodation;
  • transport from Wānaka;
  • jet boat access to and from the route.
Extras
  • other personal expenses.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Body:

  • underwear;
  • trekking shirt or lightweight long-sleeve technical base layer;
  • mid-layer top (fleece or windproof);
  • insulating jacket (synthetic fill preferred);
  • waterproof jacket and trousers;
  • trekking trousers, leggings and/or shorts.

Head / Face / Hands:

  • sunhat or cap;
  • warm hat & neck gaiter (eg Buff®);
  • sunglasses;
  • lightweight gloves.

Accessories:

  • backpack, around 40-50 litre capacity, with the ability to carry personal overnight gear;
  • water bottles (1-2 litre capacity, water is readily available during the trek);
  • small container of sunblock & lippy.

Feet:

  • trekking boots;
  • socks.

Overnight:

  • 2-season sleeping bag and liner*;
  • sleeping mat*;
  • cup, bowl and eating utensils*;
  • head torch and spare batteries;
  • personal toiletries (blister kit & personal medication);
  • hut shoes (optional).

Recommended:

  • trekking poles;
  • insect repellant.

*available for hire

Where do we meet?
Difficulty and Fitness Requirements
Equipment for Mount Aspiring
Preparation
Insurance
Pricing and Details
Cancellation of booking

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Dates and Prices

  • Any dates on request during the season
    1 Dec, 2026 – 30 Mar, 2027
    Request to book
  • from
    $1,057
    7 – 10 Dec
    4 days 3 nights
    Request to book
  • from
    $1,057
    14 – 17 Dec
    4 days 3 nights
    Request to book
  • from
    $1,057
    4 – 7 Jan, 2027
    4 days 3 nights
    Request to book
  • from
    $1,057
    11 – 14 Jan, 2027
    4 days 3 nights
    Request to book
  • from
    $1,057
    18 – 21 Jan, 2027
    4 days 3 nights
    Request to book

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