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‘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
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.
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Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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.
Our favourite experience in Wanaka!
Julia v,
Mar 9, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00What an unbelievable experience! We loved every bit of it! The flight was spectacular - a blue sky day and amazing views. The hike was just right (3 hours), and the jet boat ride beauty in itself - spectacular rivers and countryside with the added benefit of being on the crystal clear waters. I would recommend this to anyone!
Flight, hike and jet boat, an exciting combination
Passenger30239586115,
Mar 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A unique combination of flight, hike and jet boat ride. We booked the 11:00 a.m. flight without any stress. The pilot flew us to the end of the Wilkin Valley before turning off into the Siberia Steam Valley on the way out and landing expertly on the grass strip. He showed us the way through the Siberia Stream, which was easy to wade through barefoot up to the calf with so little water. We went downstream up the valley about 150 meters in altitude, which felt like 2 hours, and then in about 1.5 hours we went back down 250 meters in altitude to the pick-up point on the Walkin River for the jet boat, which showed up on time. The journey back to the starting point was a rush of speed. If you're the last to board, you're in the front row.
Breathtaking scenery!
M3459SZlisag,
Feb 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00LOVED this trip, what an amazing part of our country! The pilot showed us some great sights on the way in, the river crossing was "refreshing" (lol), the walk enjoyable and varied, and the jetboat loads of fun.
Wow!
TheRobertsons43,
Dec 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is an amazing trip! The scenery was stunning. We had the most beautiful weather so felt really lucky. The flight was fantastic - incredible views with an interesting commentary about the area. Great walk and wonderful jet boat trip. We found all the team to be really friendly and helpful. Highly recommend this as an excellent South Island adventure.
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