Walkers Snap up Special Dates for Next Season

Walkers wanting to book for the 2011-2012 guided walking season were quick off the mark yesterday (Thursday 3 February) making sure they had first choice of dates for the popular tourist activity.

Minutes after Ultimate Hikes opened its reservation system and an early bird package for next summer, the first booking was received by phone and within the hour the first web booking.

The Milford and Routeburn Tracks Guided Walks, offered exclusively by Ultimate Hikes, operates from 1st November to mid April. Packages including accommodation are also available until May 31. Reservations manager Sandra Whiting said the most popular Christmas and New Year dates for the next season were already filling and people were booking for other dates that were important to them.

“An Australian woman booked a party of people for a 40th Birthday. That date was certainly important,” she said. “If dates are a major factor when making travel plans then I’d certainly recommend people get cracking and get their bookings locked in.”

That’s not to say this year is done and dusted by any stretch. Weather from February through to May is known to be some of the most stunning and stable in the guided walk regions and Ultimate Hikes still has space available during this time. The last walk on the Milford Track departs on 18th April and the Routeburn Track on 20th April.