Wanaka: Full-Day Guided Packrafting Tour With Lunch

Wanaka, a picturesque town nestled in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, offers an exhilarating packrafting adventure that immerses visitors in the region’s stunning natural beauty. This full-day guided tour takes participants through the Matukituki Valley, a breathtaking landscape within the bounds of Mount Aspiring National Park. Featuring multiple rafting sessions, a picnic lunch, and exceptional scenery, the tour promises an unforgettable outdoor experience for adventurers of all skill levels. With essential gear provided and a flexible cancellation policy, this tour caters to those seeking an adrenaline-filled day amidst some of New Zealand’s most captivating surroundings, leaving them eager to discover what else the region has to offer.

This experience made our list of the 3 Best Guided Tours In Wanaka.

Key Points

• A full-day guided packrafting adventure in Matukituki Valley, Mount Aspiring National Park, with scenic drives, optional sightseeing walks, and two rafting sessions.
• The tour is priced at €219.78 per person, including essential gear like wetsuits, booties, helmets, and PFDs.
• The itinerary covers a 1-hour scenic drive, 30-minute safety briefing, 2-hour rafting session, and 1-hour return trip.
• Highlights include paddling beneath snow-capped mountains, access to the Matukituki River, and opportunities for refreshing swims in crystal-clear pools.
• The tour has a flexible cancellation policy, with full refunds available if canceled 24 hours in advance.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Wanaka Packrafting Tour is a full-day guided adventure that takes adventurers through the stunning Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park, where they’ll paddle inflatable packrafts beneath snow-capped mountains and glaciers.

The 7-hour tour costs €219.78 per person and includes essential gear like wetsuits, booties, and safety equipment.

Participants will enjoy a scenic drive to the starting point, an optional sightseeing walk, and two rafting sessions separated by a picnic lunch break on the riverbank.

The tour offers exclusive access to the Matukituki River and the opportunity to swim in its turquoise pools.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

Itinerary

Starting from 99 Ardmore Street in Wanaka, the tour begins with a 1-hour scenic drive through the picturesque Matukituki Valley. Upon arrival, participants have the option to embark on a 20-minute sightseeing walk before undergoing a 30-minute safety briefing and gear preparation session. The rafting experience itself is divided into two sessions, with the first lasting 2 hours and the second lasting 1.5 hours. In between, you will enjoy a 30-minute lunch break, feasting on a picnic on the riverbank. Finally, the tour concludes with a 1-hour van ride back to the starting point at 99 Ardmore Street.

Itinerary	Duration
Scenic Drive	1 hour
Sightseeing Walk	20 minutes
Safety Briefing and Gear Preparation	30 minutes
Rafting (First Session)	2 hours
Lunch Break	30 minutes
Rafting (Second Session)	1.5 hours
Return Van Ride	1 hour

Experience Highlights

Paddling beneath the towering snow-capped mountains and glaciers of Mount Aspiring National Park is a highlight of this full-day guided packrafting tour.

Exclusive access to the Matukituki River allows participants to enjoy the scenic waterfalls and turquoise swimming holes of this breathtaking landscape.

The inflatable packrafts are suitable for all skill levels, making this adventure accessible to both experienced and novice adventurers.

Throughout the journey, paddlers will have the opportunity to stop and take a refreshing swim in the river’s crystal-clear pools.

With stunning vistas at every turn, this packrafting excursion promises an unforgettable day exploring the natural wonders of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Included Gear

Essential gear is provided for participants on the Wanaka Packrafting Tour, including a wetsuit, booties, spray jacket, helmet, personal flotation device (PFD), packraft, and paddle.

The wetsuit and booties help keep you warm in the cool river water, while the spray jacket protects against splashing.

The helmet and PFD ensure your safety on the water.

The packraft is an inflatable, compact raft that’s easy to maneuver, and the paddle allows you to propel yourself through the river.

All of this high-quality equipment is included in the tour price, so you don’t need to worry about bringing or renting anything extra.

Just show up ready for an unforgettable adventure on the Matukituki River.

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Requirements and Risks

In order to participate in the Wanaka Packrafting Tour, individuals must be able to swim, as the activity involves navigating through turquoise holes and other water features. The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or those with back problems, as the physical demands may pose challenges for these groups. Plus, non-swimmers are not permitted to join the tour due to safety concerns. Participants are required to assume responsibility for the inherent risks associated with packrafting, including potential personal injury, property loss, and exposure to natural hazards during the excursion.

Requirements	Risks
Must be able to swim	Personal injury
Not suitable for children under 10	Property loss
Not suitable for pregnant women	Natural hazards
Not suitable for individuals with back problems
Not suitable for non-swimmers

Cancellation Policy

The tour allows for full refunds if canceled up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for participants. This convenient cancellation policy ensures that customers can book with confidence, knowing they won’t be penalized for unforeseen circumstances.

Some key details about the cancellation policy include:

1. Full refund: Customers receive a 100% refund if they cancel their tour reservation at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.

2. No-shows and late cancellations: Bookings canceled less than 24 hours before the tour or failure to show up on the day will result in a forfeiture of the full tour price.

3. Weather-related cancellations: The tour operator reserves the right to cancel or reschedule tours due to adverse weather conditions, with full refunds provided to affected customers.

Availability and Pricing

The Wanaka Packrafting Tour is available to reserve now and pay later, allowing customers the flexibility to secure their spot without an immediate payment.

Priced at €219.78 per person, the full-day guided tour encompasses a scenic drive, safety briefing, two packrafting sessions, and a picnic lunch along the banks of the Matukituki River in Mount Aspiring National Park.

The tour’s availability is subject to demand, so adventurers are encouraged to book early.

Offering free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, the packrafting experience caters to a wide range of skill levels and provides all the essential gear needed, including wetsuits, helmets, and personal flotation devices.

With picturesque landscapes and opportunities for swimming, this tour promises an unforgettable day on the water.

Getting to the Starting Location

Travelers can easily reach the starting location of 99 Ardmore Street in Wanaka, as the tour provider offers a convenient pick-up service from this central meeting point.

Getting to the departure location is simple:

1. Guests can drive themselves and park nearby, with ample public parking available in the area.

2. The tour also provides a complimentary shuttle service, picking up participants from their accommodation in Wanaka and transporting them directly to the starting point.

3. For those relying on public transport, the meeting location is just a short walk from the Wanaka town center and easily accessible by bus or taxi.

The straightforward logistics ensure a stress-free start to the Wanaka packrafting adventure.

Recap

This full-day guided packrafting tour in Wanaka’s Matukituki Valley offers an exhilarating and breathtaking outdoor adventure.

Explore crystal-clear rivers, swim in serene pools, and marvel at the majestic snow-capped mountains.

With essential gear provided, flexible cancellation, and a picnic lunch, it’s a perfect activity for adventurers of all skill levels seeking an unforgettable experience in Mount Aspiring National Park.

You can check if your dates are available here: