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Mount Aspiring Adventure: Wilderness, Jet Boat, Hike
4.9
27 Ratings
Makarora
The original since 1975 and still the best! Four hours of unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in the vast Mount Aspiring National Park.
Experience a true New Zealand wilderness adventure. Fly, Walk, and Jet boat through New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine environment on an adventure like no other.
The original since 1975 and still the best! Four hours of unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in the vast Mount Aspiring National Park.
Experience a true New Zealand wilderness adventure. Fly, Walk, and Jet boat through New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine environment on an adventure like no other.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Mount Aspiring National Park - Your scenic flight departs from Makarora, and you fly for around 25 minutes through magnificent alpine river valleys to land beside the remote Siberia river. Your hiking trail follows the Siberia river before climbing to a low pass overlooking the magnificent Wilkin river valley, a good spot for lunch or a sandwich….
- Mount Aspiring National Park - Your scenic flight departs from Makarora, and you fly for around 25 minutes through magnificent alpine river valleys to land beside the remote Siberia river. Your hiking trail follows the Siberia river before climbing to a low pass overlooking the magnificent Wilkin river valley, a good spot for lunch or a sandwich. You descend to the Wilkin River and then walk along an easy trail to the point where your jet boat meets you for an exhilarating ride back out to Makarora and “civilisation”. Allow 4-5 hours for the whole trip.
The forest on the walk is beautiful with mossy logs, small side streams, glimpses of waterfalls and snowy peaks high above you. You will likely see fantails and may be lucky enough to spot Kaka or wood pigeons.
- Southern Alps Air - Scenic Flights - Let Southern Alps Air show you the beautiful landscapes from the Sky
What's Included
- Discover glaciers, incredible waterfalls, and remote landings
- Embark on an exhilarating jet boat safari
- Complimentary parking at Wonderland Makarora Lodge
- Take a scenic nature hike through native bush
- Experience a scenic flight with breathtaking views
- Discover glaciers, incredible waterfalls, and remote landings
- Embark on an exhilarating jet boat safari
- Complimentary parking at Wonderland Makarora Lodge
- Take a scenic nature hike through native bush
- Experience a scenic flight with breathtaking views
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Food and drink
- Personal expenses
- Food and drink
Additional Information
- Service animals allowed with permission from Department of Conservation
- Call us 1.5 hours before your schedule to check the weather
- Service animals allowed with permission from Department of Conservation
- Call us 1.5 hours before your schedule to check the weather
Location
Wonderland Makarora Lodge
Haast Pass-Makarora Road
Meet at our desk inside Wonderland Makarora Lodge 5944 Haast Pass Makarora Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(27 Ratings)
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Jan_k
Mar 15, 2026
A must do experience - Just do it. The flight was exciting, very smooth, good landing, then the hike was amazing, fun starting off with the cold river crossing, just below knee deep. The jet boat ride was fun, and Harley was an excellent guide. I’d definitely recommend this experience to anyone
Review provided by Viator
Madelinew991
Jan 28, 2026
Amazing experience, spectacular views, must do! - During my trip to New Zealand, I did both the Siberia Experience and Milford Fly-Cruise-Fly with Southern Alps Air. Both were fantastic experiences and had tremendous views! The experiences were a highlight during my trip and I would definitely recommend if you are visiting Wanaka and want a unique experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tom_v
Jan 27, 2026
Do the Siberian Experience. Dont doubt yourself and book this trip. - It is by far the best experience i ever had. The guys were very nice, tell you loots of information about the region and the scenery. And the experience is just amazing. Dont doubt yourself and book a Siberian experience. You won’t regret it.
Review provided by Viator
Kathryn_d
Jan 25, 2026
Beautiful way to spend a day on Mt. Aspiring - This was my favorite day in New Zealand! Arrive 15 minutes early - even though they don't tell you to do so. They get annoyed if you slow down their schedule. We took a very cool scenic flight around the mountains and valleys of Mt. Aspiring - breathtaking. 5 seater plane. Then we landed in a field. You have to wade across a river to get to the start of the hike. I knew this from reading the reviews. You can bring your own water shoes, go barefoot or borrow from their hodge-podge of their shoes. Our pilot told me it wouldn't get above my knees. I'm 5'3" and it was mid thigh! Not scary, just got my pants wet. The hiking trail is clearly marked. Some up hill and a lot of downhill. A few spots were muddy/slippery, but I'd say a very moderate level of difficulty. There are no real spots along the trail to stop for a bite or a rest. It's pretty much 2-2.5 hours of walking. We saw a few other groups, but most of the time were walking by ourselves. It was pretty, with varied scenery. At the end you come to the river and take a fun jetboat ride back. WEAR BUG SPRAY! You may have to wait 30 minutes for the boat and the sandflies are merciless.
Review provided by Viator
Robin_w
Nov 22, 2025
Outstanding experience.... - Outstanding experience. The perfect weather made the plane flight epic. The hike was a very doable 4.5mi hike along the water and some in the woods.
Crossing the river was FREEZING on the feet. Having the water booties they provided helped with the rocks. The jet boat ride was exciting and a great way to end the excursion.
Would highly recommend this. Brian, our pilot and Daniel the jet boat driver were great- friendly, informative and accomplished.
Review provided by Viator
John_e
Mar 5, 2025
Father/Son Adventure - GREAT experience! Traveled with my son on this adventure that includes planes, hiking and a jet boat. Plane holds only 4 people and takes off/lands on a grass field which is a NZ way to start. 20-30 minute flight around the valleys and then landing in Siberian Valley where pictures do not do it justice. Crossing the stream was fun but cold! I suggest packing a small towel to dry your feet off on the other side. They provide water socks/shoes or bring your own. Then it's a 2 -2.5 hour hike. Not very technical, but the decent is the hardest part with some rocky areas. Hiking pole would help in this area, but if you don't have any - you'll be ok. Jet boat ride is a great way to end the tour. This is a great way to experience three activities in one adventure. We stayed in Queenstown and rented a car - about a 2 hour drive, but a beautiful drive worth taking. Entire excursion is about 4 hours. DO THIS ACTIVITY!!!
Review provided by Viator
Jutta
Mar 4, 2025
Perfect excursion with many highlights - A super nice trip!
In bright weather we enjoyed flight 🤩, hike 👍, a fast jet boat ride😄
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen
Feb 10, 2025
3 activities in one great adventure - Birthday present for my partner. What an amazing adventure we had… all 3 activities in 1 day!!
A very well organised company and very pleasant to deal with.
We took the 10am flight as we were leaving from Cromwell. We packed a lunch, took our poles (one each) and beach shoes and little towel for the river crossing as recommended on other trip advisor posts.
The river was cold but not deep, the walk was not overly hard we had amazing weather and stopped and took lots of photos along the way. We had 20 minutes for lunch in a rocky dry riverbed and then walked onto the jet boat pick up 20 minutes further. We arrived 1hr early for the jet boat but to our luck…. They had room for us and headed back to Makarora. I would definitely recommend this adventure, we loved every minute.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Louise_c
Jan 15, 2025
Wauw - Wauw, the flight in was absolutely beautiful, excellent pilot!
Good hike, and really fun jetboat trip
Review provided by Viator
Paul_w
Apr 30, 2024
NOT a day iat the office! - This was one of the finest adventures of my looong life (76). The flight in was scenic and exciting; the track (especially the 1st half) was knock dead gorgeous; and the jet boat was amazing (and I am not a motor type guy in the wilderness, but it was fun). Both the plane pilot and the jet boat driver were really skilled. Worth every penny for a once in a lifetime adventure.
Review provided by Viator
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