Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka
Overview
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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.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Service animals allowed with permission from Department of Conservation
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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
Glaciers-Waterfalls-Remote Landing-Nature Hike-Native Bush-Jetboat Safari-Crystal Clear Rivers-Great
Jet boat ride
Free parking at Wonderland Makarora Lodge, Makarora West
Scenic hike
Scenic flight
Personal expenses
Food and drink
Options
Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka
Reviews
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience, spectacular views, must do!
madelinew991,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00During 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!
Do the Siberian Experience. Dont doubt yourself and book this trip.
Tom V,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It 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.
Beautiful way to spend a day on Mt. Aspiring
Kathryn D,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This 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.
Outstanding experience....
Robin W,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Outstanding 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.
Father/Son Adventure
John E,,Mar 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00GREAT 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!!!
Perfect excursion with many highlights
Jutta B,,Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A super nice trip! In bright weather we enjoyed flight 🤩, hike 👍, a fast jet boat ride😄
3 activities in one great adventure
Karen M,,Feb 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Birthday 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.
Wauw
Louise C,,Jan 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wauw, the flight in was absolutely beautiful, excellent pilot! Good hike, and really fun jetboat trip
NOT a day iat the office!
Paul W,,Apr 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This 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.
A perfect excursion
119donnag,,Mar 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00OMG. We had a perfect day for flying, hiking, and jet boating. The staff is wonderful and helpful for apprehensive travelers. Flight on 4 seater (1 pilot, 3 guests) was stunning (about 20 min). The pilot takes off from the office area (grass runway), narrates the flight into the valleys/mountains, and lands on a grassy area next to a stream. The walk/hike across the stream is less than 5 minutes - the level is dependent upon rain (it was over my knees, but I'm short). We arrived a day after heavy rain so it was quite fast and wide. You need water shoes/sandals (get at the office before the flight if you didn't bring them) and recommend hiking poles - it is slippery and the water was strong. Did I mention it is also COLD? The second adventure is hiking out - we are slow and it took us about 3 1/2 hours (counting a lunch stop). The first part is through a meadow-like area (gradual incline), 2nd part is in the forest and there are some steep parts (not long and not that steep), and the 3rd part is downhill to the water again (this was slippery and long; hiking sticks well worthwhile). You end up in a meadow-like area by the water. LOTS of sandflies!!! Then the jet boat comes (ours held 11 and the driver) and a cool ride until you get back to the starting area. You may get wet. This was our last excursion in NZ after 3 weeks and it was outstanding.
From NZ$570.00
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