East Branch Expedition

What you're in for

Loved our West Branch trip and found yourself wanting more river, fewer people and a bigger day? This is that trip. The East Branch Expedition takes experienced-beginner and intermediate paddlers deep into the upper East Branch of the Matukituki — a remote, rarely-paddled valley in the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park.

The day starts with a wilderness walk-in up the riverbed to a hidden put-in below the Kitchener confluence — this is a trip you earn. From there it's continuous, low-volume Grade 2 whitewater through narrow rocky channels, with the famous Rollercoaster — a long Grade 2+ rapid — as the optional challenge for those feeling confident. (One Grade 3 rapid on the run is always portaged: a short walk, a good look at serious whitewater, and a story for later.)

This is genuinely remote country. That's exactly why we keep it small — six paddlers per guide — and staff it with Grade 3-qualified raft guides who train for this river specifically, with helicopter support from our partners at Aspiring Helicopters. Self-bailing packrafts, full safety systems, and the kind of wilderness that most visitors to Wānaka never see.

New this season. The East Branch Expedition is our guided walk-in trip — you earn the rapids on foot. Prefer to skip the walk? We also run a separate heli-access version, flown to the put-in by Aspiring Helicopters — ideal for small private groups (and available through agents). See the East Branch Heli-Access trip.

Highlights

• Remote upper East Branch — far beyond the day-trip crowds
• Continuous Grade 2 whitewater with an optional Grade 2+ challenge rapid
• Guided wilderness walk-in to a hidden put-in below the Kitchener confluence
• Max 6 paddlers per guide — Grade 3-qualified, rescue-trained

Good to know: An advanced full day for confident, fit paddlers who can swim. Ages 14+. Small groups (max 6 paddlers per guide). Physically demanding, with a wilderness walk-in to the put-in.

Schedule & need-to-know