Hollyford Expedition

In this expedition, almost everything is included.

• All specialized packrafting gear (boats, paddles, PFDs, etc)
• Accommodation nights before and after the expedition
  • Transport from Te Anau to our base complimentary
• Breakfast and Dinner during the 4-day expedition
• One pre-trip barbeque (night before expedition)
• 3-day packrafting training and assessment course
• Fitness tests and assesment

• Personal clothing, etc
• Lunches (there is a grocery store in Te Anau for supplies and ‘on the go’ snacks)
• Meals during the 3 day training course
• Post Trip dinner

Because this is a challenging trip and conditions in Fiordland can change rapidly, even when forecasts are favorable, you will need to be reasonably fit and possess moderate to high water confidence in order to safely enjoy this experience.

For a bit more guidance on the required levels see our Info Pdf and we will go through it on in our online meeting.

We’ve been in the industry for a while and we’ve noticed that sometimes there is a disconnect between what we’re offering and what people think they are getting. The idea of ‘adventure’, especially in the tourism space, has been pretty watered down. Our trips–at least those that require a short face-to-face catchup, are actual adventures. Whether guided or unguided, they demand a certain level of fitness and resilience from participants to be both enjoyable and safe.  While we can (and do) simply outline this in our written material, trip descriptions, etc, we’ve found that unfortunately this often fails to land as it needs to. In some cases, people don’t even seem to be aware of what they’ve signed up and paid for!

In an effort to make sure that our trips are a good fit–to give us (and you!) confidence that at the end of the trip, you’ll be not just exhausted, but smiling too–we reckoned a quick face-to-face does wonders. 

So there you go–that’s why we put faces to names. You’re a person, a partner in these trips–not just a client. We like to know who we’re dealing with, and want you to feel comfortable with who you’re dealing with too! We look forward to meeting you!

–The Packrafting NZ team.

• You are staying with us in our Packrafting NZ Eco Village – basic, glamping-styled tenting, shared facilities, and epic views. Available for the training days and once we are back out of the bush

• Our Eco Tent site has very basic cooking facilities with USB charging stations for your mobile phone. Usually, you share a 4-meter bell tent with someone else

• There is also a composting toilet and a basic shower available.

• Everything here works on solar power and is as environmentally friendly as we can.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Outdoor Knowledge: A solid understanding of outdoor environments and the ability to navigate varied terrain such as muddy, slippery, or wet boulders, grassy slopes, and more. Additionally, you should be aware of how heat and cold can impact your body and performance.
• Overnight Experience: At a minimum, you’ve spent 5 to 10 nights outdoors—camping or staying in huts—away from modern conveniences.
• Backpacking Basics: You have experience carrying a backpack and have a basic understanding of how to pack for an adventure.
• Water Confidence: You are comfortable with water, whether it’s swimming in it or dealing with it from above (e.g., rain, splashing).

Important Note

If you’ve never been on a river or have minimal experience swimming, rafting, or kayaking (e.g., you’ve only tried it once or “almost” done it), we strongly recommend completing a Level 1 packrafting course before committing to one of our expeditions. While we do provide three days of training before the trip, it may not be enough time to develop the necessary skills if you’re starting from scratch.

For those in this situation, our Packrafting Adventure Week is an excellent option to build your confidence and abilities before progressing to a full expedition.

Ideal Candidates

Our trips are best suited for individuals who:

• Spend regular time outdoors engaging in activities such as hiking, biking, running, or camping, often off established trails.
• Want to expand their outdoor skill set by adding packrafting to their repertoire.
• Are comfortable in and around water, whether as swimmers (especially in open water or the ocean) or through experience with river swimming or paddling.
• Have good upper body strength, demonstrated by the ability to do a few push-ups (knee-assisted or not) and dips (assisted or unassisted).

General Observations

Based on our extensive experience, we’ve noticed certain groups may face additional challenges:

• Smaller individuals (under 165 cm) who are over 50 years old, particularly women, often find the physical and mental demands of our trips more challenging.

We share this information not to discourage anyone but to help you make an informed decision about whether our adventures are the right fit for you.