Mount Earnslaw Climbing Adventure

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Group size

1-2 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

When the first light touches Lake Wakatipu, the peaks above Glenorchy glow in gold — and among them stands Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi. At 2819 metres, it offers a true New Zealand climbing experience: wild, challenging, and unforgettable.

Your journey starts in Wānaka or Queenstown, following the lakeside road to the Rees Valley. After crossing the river, the track climbs through green beech forest to Kea Basin — a quiet camping spot under the open sky. From there, you move higher through alpine scrub and rocks, past a small glacier, to Esquilant Bivouac Hut near Wright Col. The final section follows the North Face of the East Peak, a steady scramble to the top with one short, exciting chimney to climb.

Imagine — no crowds, just clear air, open space, and the steady rhythm of your own steps. Spend your nights beneath the stars, your days among the peaks, and leave with the proud feeling of standing on one of Aotearoa’s great summits. Join us and climb where the sky begins!

National Park Tours

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

The Spirit of Earnslaw

Stand on one of the South Island’s most iconic peaks — a mountain that captures the wild soul of New Zealand

Landscapes of Pure Contrast

From deep green valleys to shining glaciers and open rock ridges — every hour reveals a new world

The Mountain’s Quiet Power

Earnslaw isn’t the highest, but few peaks feel this alive — every slope tells its own story

Route details

Starting from Wānaka or Queenstown, the journey follows the winding road beside Lake Wakatipu, passing through Glenorchy before reaching the remote Rees Valley. From the valley floor, the route crosses the river and rises through tall beech forest to Kea Basin — an ideal halfway point and home to a sheltered bivi rock just off the trail.

1 more photo

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

Tour provider's comments

A climb of Mount Earnslaw requires trekking fitness of up to 20km in a day with ascents and descents of up to 1000m. Requires some experience on DOC tracks and overnight hut or camping stays.

A climb of Mount Earnslaw is achievable for all abilities of prior mountaineering experience.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Guest House

3 nights

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

GST;
guide fees;
compliance;
mountain food;
accommodation during the trip;
transport from Wanaka;
technical equipment.

Extras

other personal expenses.

It's important to know

In case of booking cancellation the next policy applies. Tourists will receive a full amount they paid for the reservation in case they cancel more than 35 days in advance of the tour start date. In the event of cancellation within the period of 34 to 16 days before the tour start date - they are entitled to receive 50% of the booking amount. Cancelations made within 15 days before the tour starts will not be entitled to a refund.