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Experience
the braided and ever-changing Matukituki River. Fed by glaciers
and surrounded by the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park, the
Matukituki river is one of New Zealand’s most powerful and
pristine jet boating rivers.
Wanaka River
Journeys travel this fast flowing river through Lord of the Rings
locations, watched over by Avalanche Glacier and Tititea (Mount
Aspiring). Along the way, your guide will share with you stories
of the past, of how these ancient lands were carved by ice and of
the first people to come here.
The River
Journey Experience
Your journey begins from outside Racers Edge at 99 Ardmore, opposite
the Wanaka Lake front, or at your Wanaka accommodation. Here you
will be met by shuttle to embark on the first leg of your trip,
a 20 minute drive around the shores of Lake Wanaka to the Matukituki
River.
The jet boat
base area is beneath the West Wanaka Bridge at the entrance to a
spectacular gorge. Here you will meet your guide and board the jet
boat for a safety briefing before beginning your River Journey upstream
toward Mount Aspiring National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu, Southwest
New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Shallow water
jet boating at its best, your highly skilled driver will enable
you to experience the exhilaration of speed in just centimeters
of water and spinning turns in deep pools. During several photo
stops you will learn of the early pioneers and hear stories of the
natural forces that created this amazing landscape.
At the top of
the River disembark the jet boat for a 50 min wilderness walk through
native forest alongside a mountain stream to a waterfall.
Allow three
and a half hours for the Matukituki River Journey Experience
The Aspirng
GlacierJourney Helicopter Flight Option
The Aspiring Glacier Journey is a new option for passengers while
at the top of the Matukituki River, instead of the wilderness walk.
Disembark the jet boat to be met by Aspiring Helicopters for a flight
into the second largest glacial area in New Zealand.
This area of
ice and snow includes the dramatic Avalanche and Rob Roy Glaciers.
You will also see hanging valleys where glaciers once lay and waterfalls
that explode from the glaciers into the rivers and streams that
feed the Matukituki River.
Experience a
high altitude snow landing and disembark the helicopter for photos
before flying back down to the jet boat to continue the river journey
downstream. The flight option duration is 25 minutes.
The Aspiring
Glacier Journey is a great opportunity to capture a closer look
at the huge glacial area around Mount Aspiring with the unique combination
of jet boat and helicopter flight.
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