The Siberia Valley Wilderness option is designed for those that would like to experience true remoteness in this stunning area. If you like the idea of staying in a rustic mountain hut this might be the option for you! We’ll be carrying everything we need in with us in large backpacks. While your guides carry the lion’s share of the load you’ll still need to carry your own gear (sleeping bag, dry clothes and some toiletries) and a portion of the group’s food. Any excess gear is stored securely in our vehicle for you. It’s an easy 15 minute wander from the airstrip across to the Siberia Hut, our humble home for the night, where you will drop the bulk of your gear before departing for Lake Crucible! We will hike up the valley further, following the Siberia river before crossing to ascend a steep, forested section of the trail, a tangle of roots requiring the use of your hands. Once we have reached the hanging valley above we will hike toward the Lake, with a last burst up the steep morraine to reach it! There is an elevation gain of 550 metres (1,800 feet) and the views are worth it! The hike is a good challenge and is a return hike on the same trail. The following day it’s a three hour hike (6.5 kilometres /4 miles) through to the next valley with your backpack, to meet the jet boat.
You’ll start with a jaw-droppingly beautiful scenic flight up the Wilkin and Siberia Valleys to land on an air strip virtually right at the foot of Siberia Hut, your humble home for the night. After dropping your overnight gear off at the hut, you’ll then decide what to do for the afternoon – hike up to glacier-fed Lake Crucible, go for a swim in the waterfall or chill out at the hut with a book. This evening you’ll be treated to a mountain-style candle-lit dinner. The following morning you’ll set off on a three hour hike downstream, and then it’s time to catch a ride on a jet boat for a thrilling trip back to Makarora.
While in Siberia Valley you’ll be sleeping in Department of Conservation (DOC) owned mountain huts. While this unique hut is located in a very remote area (with amazing scenery) it doesn’t have any private rooms, electricity, hot water, phones or flushing toilets - however it’s warm, dry, comfortable - and view from the outhouse is second to none! It’s not possible to pre-book this hut, so you will probably get to meet other mountain adventurers during your stay.
If you’d prefer a little more privacy than the huts can provide, then you can opt to camp in the field outside Siberia Hut. You’ll be provided with a 2 person tent and a foam roll sleeping mat to carry in your backpack. You can pitch your tent wherever you choose (we can help!) and you’ll still be able to use all hut facilities. If camping sounds appealing, that’s great! Just bear in mind that you’ll need to pack the 2-3kg (4-6lbs) tent out the following day.