Franz Josef Wilderness Tours · Franz Josef
Paddle a double kayak across Lake Mapourika, 10 km north of Franz Josef, then step ashore onto a rainforest trail inside the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary that you can only reach by water. Pick it for that trail: old, never-logged forest with a guide who knows the birds.
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours runs this from its office at 30 Main Road, next to The Landing restaurant. You check in 15 minutes early, ride about 10 minutes north to Lake Mapourika, a kettle lake the Franz Josef Glacier left about 14,000 years ago, and climb into double kayaks after a safety briefing. The operator puts the paddling at about 2¼ hours.
The difference from the Kayak Classic is the stop. You land on the far shore and walk about an hour on a private trail in the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, home of the rowi, the rarest kiwi. Don't expect to meet one: kiwi come out at night. You do get never-logged rainforest, birdsong, a guide's talk on predator control, and tea or coffee. Photos are taken for you and included.
One honest note: you won't see the glacier from the water, a guest points out, though on a clear morning the Southern Alps reflect in the lake. The trail is rough in places, so you need steady legs, and the paddle is gentle rather than a workout. Lake trips run in most weather, which makes this a good plan B for a grounded heli hike. Direct, it costs from NZ$179 on franzjoseftours.co.nz.
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, next to The Landing restaurant. Equipment is handed out here.
A short drive north on SH6 to the lake shore.
Safety briefing, then double kayaks across the lake to the far shore.
A guided walk on the sanctuary trail: birds, plants and kiwi conservation, with tea or coffee.
Back across the lake and the drive to town.
★★★★★This was a small group activity with each couple in a double kayak. Our guide gave a safety briefing and made sure all our equipment was correctly placed. [...] The paddle across the lake was leisurely and the walk in the reserve very interesting.
★★★★★Was a bit nervous as we hadn’t kayaked before but the guides explained everything really well and let you take it at your own pace. The walk was lovely and we learned so much about the area and what they do there.
★★★★★Was a calm day on the lake so very peaceful journey [...] The little walk was nice to see the friendly birds and learn about the various conservation efforts in place to help the native birds
★★★★★The weather cleared up just in time for us to have a stunningly beautiful day kayaking on the lake and really enjoy its clear, calm waters. [...] absolutely loved the opportunity to visit such a pure example of virgin NZ forest.
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Almost certainly not. The rowi here are shy and come out at night. You walk their habitat with a guide who explains the conservation work, and you'll hear and see other native birds.
No. Guides give a full briefing, and first-timers in reviews found the pace easy. It's a gentle paddle, not a strenuous one.
Not the glacier itself, guests report. On a clear, still day you see the snowy Southern Alps reflected in the lake.
About an hour on a private, rough trail in the sanctuary, with a tea or coffee stop. The whole trip takes about 4 hours.
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Paddle Lake Mapourika, then walk a private rainforest trail in the Okarito kiwi sanctuary. Photos included.
Lake Mapourika Kayak TourA guided paddle across Lake Mapourika and up a rainforest creek, with transport and free photos. Easy for first-timers.★ 4.9 · 3 hours · from $93
Lake Cruise and Rainforest WalkA boat across Lake Mapourika and a guided walk in never-logged rainforest. No paddling, done in 2.5 hours.★ 4.9 · 2.5 hours · from $93
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