7.5km
Track Distance
3-4 hrs
hike duration
Mod-High
Fitness level
5hrs
total adventure duration
heli siberia hike overview
Welcome to your ultimate New Zealand outdoor adventure. A day to experience the unique beauty and ruggedness of the Mt Aspiring National Park and the Siberia Valley.
This beautiful, unguided freedom hike in the Mt Aspiring National Park takes you from the Siberia Valley into the Wilkin Valley.
What to expect
The Heli Siberia hike is 7.5km total from where you will be dropped by the helicopter to where you will meet the jet boat. The track is well maintained as an unguided freedom track.
FITNESS LEVEL
The Heli Siberia is designed for individuals with moderate to high fitness levels and reliable balance. The unguided hike spans 7.5km in total on a well-marked track. While there is a 2.5km uphill stretch, the remainder of the route is a steep descent over roots and rocks through the picturesque Wilkin Valley and levels out along the valley floor.
DURATION
The total duration of the Heli Siberia is approximately 5 hours for the whole adventure. The helicopter ride is between 15 – 25 minutes, the hike is 7.5km which usually takes hikers around 3-4 hours to complete, and the jet boat experience is 30 minutes.
SAFETY
The track is an unguided hike on a well-maintained alpine DOC track. This is a remote adventure in the New Zealand wilderness so hikers need to ensure they are prepared for changing conditions.
Have a question about any of our Heli Siberia Wilderness Adventures or want to know more about the hike, Siberia Valley or the National Park? Please read over our frequently asked questions here.
HELI SIBERIA ADVENTURE MAP
About
Step off of your helicopter and plant your feet onto the valley floor, where you’ll experience the untamed force of nature in the stunning Siberia Valley. Landing on the track side of the river, after a short briefing by your pilot, you will bid farewell, leaving you to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the surroundings and enjoy the peace and hum of Mother Nature.
You’ll begin your hike by heading south through native beech forest, taking in the impressive canopy overhead and bush around you that New Zealand is renowned for. As you ascend out of Siberia Valley to the track’s highest point, you’ll be greeted by the immense solitude of a remote alpine environment.
From here, the trail descends via switchbacks and you’ll make your way over roots and rocks into the Wilkin Valley. Towards the end of your journey, you’ll encounter a sign signaling a 20-minute hike to where the jet boat will pick you up.
Here, you’ll meander along the grassy stretch of valley, following the crystal river with majestic mountain peaks all around. Once you have reached the designated meeting point along the braided Wilkin River, you’ll board the jet boat, ready for the final leg of your adventure.
Hop aboard and enjoy the thrilling journey back to base, surrounded by native beech forest, pristine river valleys, and majestic ice-capped mountains.
Race through the historic river valleys and snow-capped peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park, a World Heritage Site. Experience the pinnacle of shallow-water jet boating, gliding mere inches above the riverbed on the powerful Wilkin and Makarora Rivers.
Your knowledgeable local jet boat driver will share insights into the area’s history and geology along the way back to base.
Hop aboard and enjoy the thrilling journey back to base, surrounded by native beech forest, pristine river valleys, and majestic ice-capped mountains.
Race through the historic river valleys and snow-capped peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park, a World Heritage Site. Experience the pinnacle of shallow-water jet boating, gliding mere inches above the riverbed on the powerful Wilkin and Makarora Rivers.
Your knowledgeable local jet boat driver will share insights into the area’s history and geology along the way back to base.