Kimi-Atau Expedition

This expedition his the result of years of planning, scouting and curating. We've finally landed on something that allows us to demonstrate all that is great and good about packrafting for a first time paddler.

We start with a days training to get everyone up to speed in a front country setting. Whilst it's useful to start with a days training to test gear out before we commit to the expedition, this is certainly not the end of our learning. There are few better qualified or experienced guides in the world and so you'll be picking up hints and tips everyday you spend with them.

Partnering up with True South Scenic Flights to gain exclusive access to the upper reaches of the river, give the arrival a powerful sense of occasion as well as views you'll never forget. Once on the ground, we'll lighten our loads by creating a small gear cache before heading up stream with our packrafting gear. After lunch, we transition into packrafting mode and make our way back down the valley towards our gear and then onwards to our campsite for the night. Whilst we might be on an adventure into the wilderness, we have made efforts to ensure we some front country comforts such as a long drop toilet at all of our campsites.

The next day is a full day on the water. The gravity of flow of the water provides the majority of the effort as we explore and the manageable and fun rapids that punctuate our day deliver plenty of entertainment. Mcleods bluff, 19km down stream from our starting point, will be our final camp spot on the river.

Our final day of the expedition sees us travel back in time with plenty of gold mining relicts from the 1860's gold rush along the river. Mount Aurum is thought to have been the geological home for the seam of the gold that saw Queenstown and the surrounding areas population boom. As Mount Aurum disappears behind us and the canyon walls rise impressively above us, the evidence of the gold rush can be seen at serval turns in the river. The rapids also become more plentiful. The Kimi-Atau's paddling gets better every day which is matched by increasing confidence and skill levels. We leave the river behind at Deep Creek and enjoy the epic skippers road, build into cliff faces to service the gold miners. Perhaps sad to see the trip finish, but excited at the prospect of cold beers and warm showers back in Queenstown.

The Kimi-Atau Expedition is beginner friendly but it is also an authentic and rewarding adventure offering elements of challenge and excitement, but also restorative relaxation as we soak in the lesser-traveled wilderness.