Fly in by helicopter to Junction Flat, then paddle the wild East Matukituki out. No walk-in — straight to the good stuff.
The East Branch, reached the fast way. A thrilling 15-minute helicopter flight from Wānaka lifts you over the Matukituki Valley's peaks, hanging glaciers and waterfalls, and sets you down at Junction Flat to begin your paddle — no walk-in, straight to the river.
From the drop-off it's a pristine, glacier-fed run on the East Matukituki (Class II/III−): exciting wave trains, technical rapids and serene emerald pools, in our stable, self-bailing packrafts. It rewards confident paddlers, but your Grade 3-qualified guides read the day and scale it to your group.
You'll paddle beneath iconic glaciers like Avalanche and Rob Roy, with Tititea Mt Aspiring on the skyline, deep in Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage country — remote enough to spot pīwakawaka and kākāriki in the beech forest. Along the way your guides share the valley's Māori heritage, glacial geology and Lord of the Rings history.
Built for small private groups — your party, your day. It's also a favourite with agents putting together premium, off-the-beaten-track South Island itineraries. Prefer to earn it on foot? See the walk-in East Branch Expedition.
Good to know: A heli-access full day for confident paddlers who can swim. Ages 14+. Run for small private groups. The helicopter flight is weather dependent.
Helicopter from Wānaka to Junction Flat, then a full day paddling the East Matukituki out. Run as a private trip for your group.
Best suited to confident paddlers — a guide assessment applies. Ages 14+, must be able to swim. The heli flight is weather dependent; if conditions don't allow we'll work with you on alternatives.
Available to the trade as a premium, small-group inclusion. Get in touch for net rates and availability.
Email info@wanakajet.nz to enquire — private and agent bookings, pricing on enquiry.
Confident paddlers who can swim, in small private groups, ages 14+. You fly in rather than walk in, so the day is all about the paddle. A guide assessment applies, and your guides scale the run to your group.
The flight is weather dependent. If conditions don't allow the heli-access version, we'll work with you on alternatives, including the walk-in East Branch trip or another date.
Adventure activities carry inherent risk, and rarely, serious injury. Our guides are highly trained, we're Qualmark endorsed and Maritime NZ certified, and safety is the start of everything we do. Read our full risk disclosure before you travel.
For this trip we confirm your date, price and cancellation terms by email when you book. As a guide, our standard policy is a full refund for cancellations made 48+ hours before departure; if we ever have to cancel for weather or low numbers, we'll rebook you or refund you in full.
More questions? See all FAQs or call +64 3 443 4416.
Heli departs Wānaka; paddle-out ends back near the Wanaka i-SITE, 99 Ardmore Street.
✓ Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure, and a full refund if we cancel for weather.
You'll confirm live availability and pay on our secure booking system (RTBS).
Demo note: calendar availability is simulated. The live version reads real availability from RTBS.
