Wanaka itinerary – How to Spend 1, 2, 3 or 5 Days in Wanaka New Zealand

Two full days is the sweet spot for most Wanaka itineraries, but there is one important catch: two nights often give you only one full day once you account for arriving and leaving. If a major hike, Mou Waho Island or a weather-dependent adventure matters to you, book three nights and give yourself two complete days.

I visited Wanaka once and it was enough for me to fall in love with it. This little lakeside town brings together mountain hikes, clear water, cozy restaurants and enough adrenaline to completely derail a supposedly relaxing road trip.

This guide includes realistic itineraries for one, two, three or five days in Wanaka, starting with the shortest plan and building up. You can follow each itinerary exactly, and there are decision points for different fitness levels, weather and travel styles because trying to squeeze Roys Peak, a lake cruise and four wineries into the same afternoon is not an itinerary. It is an administrative error.

About this guide: This Wanaka itinerary was written by Giorgia Vicedomini after exploring New Zealand and falling hard for Wānaka. Zi has since updated the routes, driving times, trail information, hotels and booking options to keep the guide accurate and relevant.

How Many Days in Wanaka?

Allow at least two full days in Wanaka. That gives you one day for a major hike or longer adventure and another for the lakefront, town and a bookable activity. Three full days is better if you want Mou Waho Island, a major hike and a slower day without betting the entire trip on perfect weather.

One day still works as a scenic stop on a South Island road trip, but choose one substantial activity. Five days makes sense when Wānaka is one of your main bases rather than a quick pause between Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown.

Time	Nights to book	What you can realistically do	Verdict
1 day	1–2 nights	Mount Iron, the lakefront and either the jet boat, Lavender Farm or another short activity	A good road-trip stop, but you must choose
2 days	3 nights for two complete days	One major hike or Mou Waho, plus town, lake, Lavender Farm and a short adventure	Best minimum for most trips
3 days	3–4 nights	A major hike, Mou Waho, town, food, wine and a weather buffer	Best overall balance
5 days	5–6 nights	Everything above plus Haast Pass, a second hike or a full adventure day	Best for hikers and outdoor travelers

Book These Wanaka Experiences in Advance

You do not need to pre-book the lakefront or hiking trails, but fixed departures and weather-dependent activities can disappear long before your motivation does.

• Mou Waho Island: The guided Mou Waho cruise and nature walk is the strongest all-round choice. It combines the lake cruise, conservation story, Buff Weka and the lake-on-an-island viewpoint.
• Short adrenaline option: The Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat fits into one-, two- and three-day itineraries without taking over the entire day.
• Waterfall climb: Book Wildwire Level 2 if you are active, comfortable with heights and want a half-day challenge. Choose the shorter beginner waterfall cable climb for a less intense introduction.
• Wine: The boutique Wanaka wine tour is the best fit for a three- or five-day itinerary because transport is included and nobody has to negotiate the least enjoyable designated-driver election.
• Big final-day adventure: Compare the 15,000-foot Wānaka skydive, Wānaka 4×4 Explorer and Wānaka–Hāwea bike experience.

Only Booking One Experience?

Book the Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk. It is the experience that adds something you cannot simply recreate by driving to a viewpoint or walking along the lake.

Where to Stay in Wanaka

For these itineraries, stay in central Wānaka or on the nearby western lakefront. Central accommodation is easiest for restaurants, bars, the waterfront and most cruise departures. Edgewater is quieter and gives you direct access to the lakeside trail, but it is not the best choice if stumbling home from the bars is part of your transport strategy.

One Day in Wanaka Itinerary

Route: Doughbin Bakery → Mount Iron Track → Wānaka town center → lunch → one afternoon activity → Wānaka Tree → dinner

Book ahead: Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat or Puzzling World combo ticket

Getting around: You can walk around town and along the lakefront. Mount Iron, the Lavender Farm and Puzzling World are easier by car. Allow roughly 5–7 km (3–4.3 miles) of walking, including Mount Iron.

If you have only one day in Wanaka, do not try to sample the entire five-day itinerary before dinner. This route gives you a short hike, the lakefront and one proper afternoon activity.

Time	Plan
Early morning	Breakfast from Doughbin Bakery, then Mount Iron Track
Late morning	Wānaka lakefront and town center
Lunch	Big Fig for something fast or Edgewater for a slower lakefront lunch
Afternoon	Choose the jet boat, Lavender Farm or Puzzling World
Sunset	Walk to the Wānaka Tree
Evening	Dinner in town; add Cinema Paradiso only if the screening time fits

Breakfast and Mount Iron Track

Start with a pie, pastry or coffee from Doughbin Bakery, then drive to Mount Iron before the middle of the day. The approximately 4.5 km (2.8-mile) loop usually takes 1.5–2 hours and gives you a 360-degree overview of Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, the Upper Clutha basin and the surrounding mountains.

I like Mount Iron for a one-day itinerary because it gives you a genuine hike without sacrificing the rest of the day. The track is exposed, so bring water and sun protection in summer. After rain it can be muddy, and in winter the upper sections may be icy.

Lake Wānaka and the Town Center

Return to town and walk along Ardmore Street and the lakefront. Wānaka’s center is compact, with cafes, boutiques, restaurants and the water all within a few streets. Grab lunch at Big Fig when time matters, or head toward Edgewater for a slower meal by the lake.

Choose One Afternoon Activity

Choose the jet boat for adrenaline: The Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat leaves from the waterfront and takes around 1.5 hours. It is the cleanest way to add a proper adventure without losing the evening.

Choose the Lavender Farm for a slower afternoon: The farm is around a 10-minute drive from central Wānaka. The gardens are most colorful in summer, but the animals, shop and lavender products make it more than a single-season photo stop.

Choose Puzzling World in bad weather or with children: Reserve the Puzzling World combo ticket for the illusion rooms and Great Maze.

The Wānaka Tree, Dinner and Cinema Paradiso

Walk west along the lakefront to the Wānaka Tree in the late afternoon. The light is softer and the walk is more enjoyable than rushing straight to the tree, taking one photograph and leaving as though the willow has stamped your passport.

Have dinner in town. Bistro Gentil works for a special meal, while Burrito Craft is much easier when you want something casual. End at Cinema Paradiso if the current screening time fits. The vintage couches, old car and freshly baked intermission cookies make it feel more like somebody’s unusually ambitious living room than a standard cinema.

Choose and book your Wānaka afternoon:

Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat
Best if you want to fit a proper adrenaline hit into one day without sacrificing the lakefront, town or evening.

Puzzling World combo ticket
Best for families, questionable weather or anyone who would rather tackle illusion rooms and a giant maze than get thrown around in a jet boat.

Two Days in Wanaka Itinerary

With two full days in Wanaka, use the first for town, the lake and a shorter activity. Day 2 is your decision day: either commit to a major hike or take the Mou Waho Island cruise and add only a short walk afterward.

Day	Main plan	Tickets and tours to book
Day 1	Lakefront, Wānaka Tree, town, Lavender Farm and jet boat	Clutha River jet boat
Day 2A	One major hike: Roys Peak, Isthmus Peak or Rob Roy Glacier	None for independent hiking; check current track and road conditions
Day 2B	Mou Waho Island plus Mount Iron or a lakefront walk	Mou Waho cruise and guided walk

Day 1: Lake Wānaka, Town and a Short Adventure

Route: Wānaka lakefront → Wānaka Tree → town center → lunch → Lavender Farm → jet boat → dinner

Book ahead: Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat

Getting around: Walk around town and the lakefront; drive to the Lavender Farm. Keep the car parked once you return for the jet boat and dinner.

Start beside the lake and walk west to the Wānaka Tree before continuing back through the town center. Grab coffee, explore the small shops and have lunch before driving to the Lavender Farm.

Return to the waterfront for the Clutha River jet boat. Hold on as the boat crosses part of Lake Wānaka and runs through the river’s fast water, rapids and narrow channels. This was always one of the article’s strongest booking options, and the compact duration is genuinely useful.

For dinner, choose Bistro Gentil for a slower meal or Burrito Craft for tacos and burritos at the food-truck market. Cinema Paradiso is there if you still have energy and the film schedule cooperates.

Book your Day 1 Wānaka adventure:

Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat
This compact adventure crosses part of Lake Wānaka before speeding through the Clutha River’s fast water, rapids and narrow channels.

Day 2: Choose a Major Hike or Mou Waho Island

Route: Choose either one major Wānaka hike or Mou Waho Island followed by Mount Iron or an easy lakefront walk

Book ahead: Reserve the Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk if choosing Option B. Independent hiking trails do not require tickets, but check current track alerts, weather and seasonal closures before leaving.

Getting around: A car is strongly recommended for the major trailheads. The Mou Waho trip departs from central Wānaka, so you can walk to the departure point if you stay in town.

Important: Do not combine Mou Waho with Roys Peak or Isthmus Peak. Choose one substantial plan and leave the evening flexible.

Do not combine Mou Waho with Roys Peak. The island trip takes around three hours and Roys Peak is a demanding 16 km (10-mile) hike. Treat these as separate versions of Day 2.

Option A: One Major Wanaka Hike

Choose Roys Peak for the famous Lake Wānaka panorama, Isthmus Peak for views over both Wānaka and Hāwea, or Rob Roy Glacier for forest, waterfalls and glacier views. Leave the rest of the day deliberately loose. After a six-hour hike, dinner is an achievement; it does not need a supporting cast of vineyards and optical illusions.

Option B: Mou Waho Island and a Short Walk

Book the Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk. The cruise crosses Lake Wānaka before the guided climb to Arethusa Pool and the lookout above it.

It is basically a lake on an island, on an island in a lake, on an island in the ocean. LOL. The island is also a predator-free reserve where you may see the rare flightless Buff Weka.

After returning, have lunch and choose Mount Iron only if you still want another climb. Otherwise, walk or cycle part of the lakefront trail and take the win.

Choose and book your Day 2 plan:

Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk
Choose this for the Lake Wānaka cruise, Buff Weka, Arethusa Pool and the wonderfully ridiculous lake-on-an-island viewpoint.

Compare Queenstown Airport rental cars
A car gives you the easiest access to Roys Peak, Isthmus Peak, Diamond Lake and the remote Rob Roy Glacier trailhead.

Three Days in Wanaka Itinerary

Three days in Wanaka is my favorite version for a first trip. You have time for the town and lake, one substantial hike and Mou Waho Island without turning every meal into something eaten while locating the car keys.

Day	Route	Tickets and tours to book
Day 1	Lakefront, Wānaka Tree, town, Lavender Farm and jet boat	Clutha River jet boat
Day 2	Choose one major hike	None for independent hiking
Day 3	Mou Waho Island, then wine or a slower lakefront afternoon	Mou Waho guided trip and, only if times align, the boutique wine tour

Day 1: Wanaka Essentials

Route: Lake Wānaka → Wānaka Tree → Edgewater lunch → Lavender Farm → jet boat → town center

Book ahead: Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat

Getting around: Walk the lakefront and town; use a car for the Lavender Farm.

Start your first day beside Lake Wānaka. There is something magical about the early light on the water and the mountains standing in the distance. Walk west to the Wānaka Tree, then continue toward Edgewater or return to town.

Have lunch at Edgewater if you want to stay beside the lake, then drive to the Lavender Farm. Wander through the gardens, meet the farm animals and try one of the lavender-infused treats before heading back.

Your afternoon gets louder with the Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat. End with drinks and dinner in the town center as the evening light spreads across the lake.

Book your first-day Wānaka adventure:

Lake Wānaka and Clutha River jet boat
It fits neatly between the Lavender Farm and dinner, adding a proper adventure without consuming the entire day.

Day 2: Choose Your Wanaka Hike

Route: Your accommodation → selected trailhead → hike → Burrito Craft

Book ahead: No ticket for independent tracks. Check the current DOC track alert, alpine forecast and access-road conditions before leaving.

Getting around: A car is strongly recommended. Rob Roy Glacier involves a long drive including unsealed road; check your rental agreement before committing.

Today is about waking up your inner child and letting yourself feel the excitement of discovery again. Choose one hike based on your fitness, the weather and seasonal closures rather than whichever photo currently has the strongest grip on Instagram.

• Mount Iron: 4.5 km (2.8 miles), approximately 1.5–2 hours. Best short option.
• Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain: approximately 7 km (4.3 miles), 2.5–3.5 hours. Best middle-ground option.
• Roys Peak: 16 km (10 miles), approximately 5–7 hours with 1,228 m (4,029 ft) of climbing. Best iconic panorama. Closed 1 October–10 November each year.
• Isthmus Peak: 16 km (10 miles), approximately 5–7 hours with around 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of climbing. Best views over two lakes. Closed 20 November–20 December.
• Rob Roy Glacier Track: approximately 10 km (6.2 miles), usually 3–4 hours walking plus the long access drive. Best glacier-and-forest day.

After the hike, Burrito Craft hits the spot without any need to dress up. Pick your burrito, taco or quesadilla, claim a table in the food-truck area and let your legs quietly reconsider their life choices.

Day 3: Mou Waho Island and Wine

Route: Wānaka waterfront → Mou Waho Island → lunch → wine tour or independent lakefront afternoon → Bistro Gentil or Cinema Paradiso

Book ahead: Mou Waho cruise and guided nature walk. Add the boutique wine tour only after confirming the current departure and return times leave a safe buffer.

Getting around: Both tours include the relevant transport. Stay central so you can walk to the waterfront departure point.

Start with the Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk. The boat ride, guided climb, Arethusa Pool and native birds make this one of the most complete Wānaka experiences.

If the morning trip returns with enough time for lunch and the current wine-tour pickup, join the boutique Wanaka wine tour. It visits several Central Otago vineyards with transport and tastings included.

If the times do not align, do not force them. Have a slow lunch, walk the lakefront, visit one nearby tasting room independently or see a film at Cinema Paradiso. Bistro Gentil is the dinner choice when you want French food and a quieter final evening.

Book your final-day Wānaka experiences:

Mou Waho Island cruise and guided nature walk
The strongest all-round Wānaka experience, combining a lake cruise, native wildlife, a guided walk and the Arethusa Pool viewpoint.

Boutique Wānaka wine tour
Add this only if the current pickup time leaves a comfortable buffer after Mou Waho. Otherwise, move the wine tour to another afternoon rather than manufacturing a small scheduling crisis.

Five Days in Wanaka Itinerary

Strap yourself in because this five-day Wanaka itinerary adds a scenic Haast Pass road trip and a final choose-your-own-adventure day to the three-day route.

Follow the three-day itinerary above for Days 1–3. Use the two additional days as follows.

Day	Plan	Main decision	Tickets and tours to book
Day 1	Lake, town, Lavender Farm and jet boat	Adventure or a slower first day	Jet boat
Day 2	Hiking day	Short, moderate or major hike	None for independent trails
Day 3	Mou Waho and optional wine	Guided wine tour or slow afternoon	Mou Waho and optional wine tour
Day 4	Lake Hāwea and Haast Pass	Blue Pools turnaround or continue to waterfalls	Rental car
Day 5	Adventure day	Wildwire, skydive, 4×4, bike or second hike	Book your selected activity

Day 4: Lake Hāwea and Haast Pass Road Trip

Route: Wānaka → Lake Hāwea → The Neck → Blue Pools → Fantail Falls → Gates of Haast → Thunder Creek Falls → Wānaka

Driving: Approximately 190 km (118 miles) return to Thunder Creek Falls, plus detours. Allow 5–7 hours with walks, photographs and lunch.

Book ahead: Nothing, but you need a car. Compare rental cars before arriving, especially in summer and ski season.

Important: Check the weather, road report and current track alerts. Never stop on the road for photos; use proper pullouts.

The road toward Haast passes Lake Hāwea, The Neck and the northern edge of Lake Wānaka before entering thicker forest. The drive feels like somebody slowly changing the scenery channel from dry alpine landscape to West Coast rainforest.

Blue Pools

The rebuilt Blue Pools Track is approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) return and takes around one hour. The water is clearest after a spell of dry weather; after heavy rain, the pools can be brown rather than the electric blue shown in every brochure.

Fantail Falls, Gates of Haast and Thunder Creek Falls

Fantail Falls is reached by a very short forest walk. Gates of Haast is a roadside bridge viewpoint rather than a walking destination, so park only in the designated area and watch traffic. Thunder Creek Falls is another short walk and a good practical turnaround point from Wānaka.

You can continue to Roaring Billy Falls, but the day becomes substantially longer. Pack lunch or stop in Makarora; do not assume a remote alpine road will produce a cafe precisely when you become emotionally dependent on one.

You need a car for today’s Haast Pass road trip:

Compare Queenstown Airport rental cars
A car lets you stop at Lake Hāwea, The Neck, Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Gates of Haast and Thunder Creek Falls without relying on somebody else’s timetable.

Compare prices before arriving during summer and ski season. In winter, check whether snow chains are supplied and whether you understand how to fit them before the weather provides a practical examination.

Day 5: Choose Your Wanaka Adventure

Your final day is intentionally flexible. Choose one activity from the comparison below rather than combining several fixed bookings and spending the day anxiously checking the time.

Adventure	Best for	Time	Book
Wildwire Level 2	Active travelers comfortable with heights	About 4 hours	Book the waterfall climb
15,000-foot skydive	Maximum adrenaline and aerial views	Allow around 3 hours; weather dependent	Book the skydive
4×4 Explorer	Backcountry views without a major hike	About 4 hours	Book the 4×4 tour
Wānaka–Hāwea bike ride	Scenery and gentle exercise	About 4 hours	Book bike or e-bike hire
Second hike	Strong hikers with good weather	2–7 hours depending on track	No booking; check conditions

Book weather-dependent activities early in your stay when possible. That gives the operator more room to move you if clouds, wind or rain interfere. Avoid scheduling a skydive immediately before a flight or a long drive out of Wānaka.

Choose and book one final Wānaka adventure:

Wildwire Level 2 waterfall climb
Best for active travelers who want a proper half-day challenge and are comfortable with heights.

15,000-foot Wānaka skydive
Best for maximum adrenaline and enormous aerial views over the lakes, mountains and wider Southern Alps.

Wānaka 4×4 Explorer
Best for reaching private backcountry viewpoints without committing to another substantial hike.

Wānaka–Hāwea bike or e-bike experience
Best for a scenic final day with lake and river trails, gentle exercise and considerably less vertical suffering.

Which Wanaka Hike Should You Choose?

Wānaka has everything from a short hill loop to exposed full-day climbs. Choose using time, elevation gain, current conditions and access—not only summit photographs.

Track	Distance/time	Choose it when	Know before you go
Mount Iron	About 4.5 km; 1.5–2 hours	You want a short panorama close to town	Exposed to sun and wind
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain	Up to about 7 km; 2.5–3.5 hours	You want more than Mount Iron but less than Roys Peak	Sections can be steep or slippery
Roys Peak	16 km; 5–7 hours; 1,228 m climb	You want the iconic Lake Wānaka viewpoint	Very exposed; winter avalanche terrain; closed 1 Oct–10 Nov
Isthmus Peak	16 km; 5–7 hours; around 1,000 m climb	You want views over Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea	No water; closed 20 Nov–20 Dec
Rob Roy Glacier	About 10 km; 3–4 hours walking	You prefer forest, waterfalls and glacier views	Long access drive with unsealed road and possible fords

Alpine weather changes quickly. Snow and ice can affect high tracks outside the middle of summer, and Roys Peak crosses challenging avalanche terrain in winter. Check the Department of Conservation alert and forecast on the morning of your hike.

What to Do in Wanaka on a Rainy Day

Rain does not automatically ruin a Wanaka itinerary, but low cloud can erase the entire point of a summit hike. Move your hiking day when possible and use one of these alternatives:

• Book the Puzzling World combo ticket for illusion rooms and the maze.
• See a film and eat an intermission cookie at Cinema Paradiso.
• Visit the National Transport & Toy Museum near the airport.
• Have a long lunch, browse the town shops or visit a tasting room.
• Walk the lakefront in light rain, but save exposed trails for safer conditions.

The Wānaka Tree is still there when it rains. It may even have fewer photographers arguing with tripods.

Getting to Wanaka

From	Nonstop driving time	Realistic travel time	What to know
Queenstown Airport	About 1–1.25 hours	1.5–2 hours with viewpoints	Crown Range is scenic, steep and winding; Cromwell is longer but easier in poor conditions
Aoraki/Mount Cook	About 2.5–3 hours	3.5–5 hours with Pukaki, Omarama and Lindis Pass stops	Fuel before remote sections and allow extra time in winter
Christchurch	About 5.5–6 hours	8–10 hours with meaningful stops	Better broken with a night in Tekapo or Mount Cook
Franz Josef	About 4 hours	5–7 hours with Haast Pass stops	Long, winding road; avoid driving tired or after dark

Most international visitors fly into Queenstown Airport and drive to Wānaka. The Crown Range route is the most scenic and usually the fastest in good conditions. In winter or bad weather, check the road report and consider the lower route through Cromwell.

For the easiest road-trip setup, compare rental cars at Queenstown Airport. Check whether snow chains are included in winter and whether the agreement permits unsealed access roads before planning Rob Roy Glacier.

Getting Around Wanaka

Central Wānaka is easy to explore on foot, and staying centrally lets you walk to restaurants, bars, the lakefront and many boat departures. The wider Wānaka region is a different story.

You need a car for the most flexible access to trailheads, Lake Hāwea, the Lavender Farm, Haast Pass and Cardrona. Taxis and shuttles exist, but they do not provide the same freedom for early trail starts or sudden weather changes.

Without a car, stay central and build the trip around the lakefront, Mount Iron, organized activities and operator pickups. The Mou Waho trip, jet boat, wine tour and skydive solve much of the transport problem.

Best Time to Visit Wanaka

My favorite time to visit Wanaka is April. Autumn turns the landscape red, orange and gold, and the town feels calmer than it does during the summer rush.

Season	Best for	Trade-off
Summer: Dec–Feb	Long days, lake activities and hiking	Highest demand, busy trailheads and expensive accommodation
Autumn: Mar–May	Color, cooler hiking and fewer crowds	Shorter days and increasing alpine cold
Winter: Jun–Aug	Skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone	Ice, snow, avalanche terrain and limited access to some hiking plans
Spring: Sep–Nov	Snowy peaks, quieter town and changing landscapes	Unpredictable weather and seasonal track closures

Roys Peak closes from 1 October through 10 November for lambing. Isthmus Peak closes from 20 November through 20 December for fawning. Plan the alternative before arriving rather than discovering the gate with breakfast, trekking poles and a fully developed sunrise fantasy.

Wanaka Itinerary FAQ

Is Wanaka Worth Visiting?

Yes. Wānaka is worth visiting for the combination of lake scenery, hiking, adventure activities and a compact town with good food. It is quieter than Queenstown, although it is no longer a secret.

Is One Day in Wanaka Enough?

One day is enough for Mount Iron, the lakefront, the Wānaka Tree and one short activity. It is not enough for a major hike, Mou Waho Island and a complete town itinerary together.

Should You Spend Two or Three Days in Wanaka?

Choose two full days when Wānaka is one stop on a larger road trip. Choose three when hiking is important, you want Mou Waho Island or you need flexibility for poor weather. Remember that two nights rarely equal two full sightseeing days.

Can You Visit Wanaka Without a Car?

Yes, but stay central and use organized activities for anything beyond town. The lakefront, Wānaka Tree, restaurants and cruise departures are walkable. Major trailheads and Haast Pass are much harder without a car or a dedicated shuttle.

Is Wanaka Better Than Queenstown?

Wānaka is better for a quieter lake town, hiking and a slower evening atmosphere. Queenstown is better for nightlife, sheer activity choice and transport connections. Most first-time South Island itineraries benefit from staying in both rather than forcing one town to win custody of the mountains.

Plan the Rest of Your New Zealand Trip

Wānaka sits naturally between the Mackenzie region, Queenstown and the West Coast, but distances across the South Island are bigger than they look. Use the guides below to connect the itinerary without creating a holiday made mostly from petrol stations and rushed photographs.

New Zealand Travel Insurance

New Zealand’s ACC scheme can help with treatment for accidental injuries, including injuries to overseas visitors. It is not a replacement for travel insurance and does not generally solve illness, disrupted flights, stolen luggage, rental-car excesses or the cost of getting you home.

Check that your policy covers the activities you plan to do. Hiking, skiing, skydiving, via ferrata and other adventure sports may have altitude, equipment or operator restrictions buried in the policy wording exactly where nobody wants to spend an evening looking for them.

Craving Adventure uses Travel Insurance Master to compare policies for a specific trip, age, nationality and activity list.