"Great Hiking Tours since 1992"

 

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. With all but one of its 29 peaks over 3000m, it is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, alpine hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek, in the company of experienced mountain guides.

Ball Pass is a challenging 3 day alpine crossing of the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman to the Hooker Valley. The hiking route follows the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. Guided hikers spend two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, using the middle day to climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier. The views of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the highest in New Zealand, are breathtaking. You will encounter rich alpine flora and unique bird life.

  

FITNESS: A high level of fitness is required. For experienced hikers or trekkers only.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide. Individual bookings are welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund.

GROUP BOOKINGS: 3 - 5 persons NZ$930 per person. You need to book a minimum of 3 persons to qualify for this discounted rate. 6 - 8 persons NZ$880 per person. You need to book a minimum of 6 persons to qualify for this rate.
INCLUDED IN PRICE: Guide, hut accommodation, all food, transport ex Lake Tekapo, crampons, ice-axe, and all other climbing equipment and boots if required, National Park concession fees, 12.5% GST. Meals and accommodation before/after tour not included.

 

On the Ball Pass Crossing you will enter a "topuni" area, a place of great spiritual significance to Ngai Tahu, the Maori tribe who were the first people to occupy most of the South Island. Aoraki Mount Cook is their most sacred ancestor, from whom they derive their identity and "mana" or status. Aoraki possesses power over life and death and represents a link between the natural and spiritual worlds. It is a huge privilege to pass through this area and take in the awe-inspiring views that Aoraki and the surrounding mountains offer.

You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is more demanding than other guided hikes in New Zealand, such as the Milford or Routeburn Tracks, because it is alpine, traverses snow fields and a small glacier and there is no track in parts. Where there is a track it is narrow, uneven and you have to place your feet carefully. All equipment is provided. If you are planning to walk the Milford and Routeburn Tracks or any of the other Great Walks, then it is best to do these prior to the Ball Pass Trek, because those hikes are much easier than the Ball Pass Crossing.

Current snow conditions.