Category: cost

The Grand Traverse starts on the shores of Lake Wakitipu and stretches the length of the Greenstone and Routeburn Valleys, crossing the main divide twice in the process. The Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks have long been New Zealand’s most accessible and popular routes into the spectacular South Island high country.

The Grand Traverse passes through two national parks: Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and is part of Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The pristine bush is home to a myriad of native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; and Yellowhead, just to name a few. The sheer isolation and raw beauty of the Greenstone provide the perfect stage for the breathtaking scenery of the Routeburn. An unsurpassable combination to make a memorable walking experience. …

Ultimate Hikes – Official Booking Site – Milford and Routeburn Tracks, Fiordland New Zealand – Ultimate Hikes

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Sure you could sign on with the tour (above). It costs between $1,600 and $2,500 New Zealand, depending on what optional extras one prefers. … Or you could do it independently like Scottwoz for about $100.

Here’s his independent trip report:

… Most of the scenery and landscape we covered was nothing short of spectacular and over the course of the five days we got to see a lot more than we should have, certainly more than the law of averages would normally allow. We hiked, on average, around six hours each day and covered an incredibly diverse terrain. …

In the Thick of it … The Grand Traverse, New Zealand – trip report

Sign me up.

I’m planning a return to New Zealand in 2011.

Ever since I looked down the forbidden valley from Kagbeni while trekking the Annapurna Circuit, I’ve wanted to hike Lo Mustang in Nepal. Sadly, no independent hiking is allowed.

Kagbeni at 2810 m, spectacularly situated atop a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola rivers, is the last village in Lower Mustang and guards the entrance into Upper Mustang, visible across the Kali Gandaki riverbed. It is the northernmost village that can be visited without a permit to continue on to Mustang.

Northwards into Upper Mustang – larger photo on flickr – Claudia

Footprint Tours is one of the few companies who offer trekking trips:

… Until 1992 less than a dozen foreigners had been to Mustang. Now, in an effort to protect this culture, access is limited with less than 800 trekkers making the journey each year. The requirement to pay high restricted-area fees, travel with an organised group and take a Liaison Officer, together with difficult access continue to make the Kingdom of Lo an uncommon destination. …

A trek to the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang in the restricted regions of Nepal

That same site has a nice overview of Himalayan trekking for those who have never been:

In 1965 Colonel Jimmy Roberts introduced the world to trekking. As a former Gurkha Officer and Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Kathmandu he had spent years of his life walking the hills of Nepal. His idea, revolutionary for the time, was to provide tents together with Sherpas, to guide and cook.

This made Nepal and the Himalaya available to a wide community and was an immediate success.

Nowadays the formula is well established; groups travel through the hills, walking for five to six hours each day with all their equipment carried by porters or yaks; good quality meals are provided along with warm sleeping bags and comfortable tents; the trekker carries a personal pack with camera, day clothing and snacks. …

photo – Jimmy Roberts in 1996 a year before his death.

read more – What is Trekking?

At this rate, I may need to wait until independent hiking is allowed.