New “Great Walks” product in Fiordland

It’s no secret New Zealand’s Great Walks offer some of the best hiking in the world. But with nine walks to choose from, visitors are often limited to experiencing only one of the tracks on their holiday because of time restraints. Steve & Kate Norris, owners of Fiordland tour company Trips & Tramps, saw this as an opportunity – what if guests could experience three of the country’s most famous tracks, in only three days? Cue the creation of their new ‘Three Great Walks in Three Days’ product. Fully guided, guests enjoy day walks on the Milford, Routeburn and Kepler tracks, basing themselves in Te Anau for the three days. “We think it’s the ultimate walking package,” says Steve. “Having lived and worked in Fiordland for over 20 years, we know how to create a Great Walks experience that’s really top notch.” A key difference with all of the Trips & Tramps experiences is limited numbers. Small groups mean that guests enjoy a more personal and authentic experience – and it’s a breath of fresh air from common massnumber tourism products. “It’s been a busy summer here in Fiordland, and our small group sizes have been a common thread on TripAdvisor. Groups always number less than 12,” says Kate. There’s also the option of individual trips on any of Fiordland’s Great Walks. If a guest has their heart set on the Milford Track, but can’t fit the full 4-day hike into their itinerary, a guided day walk on the Milford can be an attractive option. Exclusive, private trips are also available. All of the Trips & Tramps guides are Fiordland locals, infusing a real Kiwi flavour into tours. Down-to-earth, knowledgeable and – most of all – deeply passionate about their backyard, guests often comment on how their guide helped add another dimension to the experience. Combine this with Kate and Steve’s commitment to conservation and enthusiasm for all things Fiordland, and Trips & Tramps’ five out of five rating on TripAdvisor comes as no surprise. “There’s nothing we love more than helping guests make the most of New Zealand’s Great Outdoors,” says Kate. “That’s what our Three Great Walks product is all about.”