Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Punakaiki
- Start point
- Christchurch International Airport (CHC), Durey Rd., Christchurch, Canterbury 8053, New Zealand (On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Merivale Manor in Christchurch at 10.30am, or at the Christchurch airport (CHC) in front of the Help Desk (near door 7) at 11am.)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk among limestone tors at Castle Hill, Kuru Tawhiti Conservation Area
- Relax or walk along Punakaiki Beach
Landmarks Castle Hill Punakaiki Beach 
- Day 2
Punakaiki
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Inland Pack Track through temperate rainforest and limestone canyons
- Hike Truman Track to rocky cove
- View Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Landmarks Pancake Rocks Inland Pack Track - Day 3
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Point Elizabeth track through native coastal forest
- Explore art galleries in Hokitika
- Visit pounamu-carving workshops in Hokitika
- Hike through lush coastal forest or along black sand beach in Okarito
Optional Activities
- Search for glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) and listen for native birdlife after dark
Landmarks Hokitika Okarito Beach Franz Josef Glacier - Day 4
Franz Josef
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to historic Tartare Tunnels
- Hike to Franz Josef Glacier terminal face viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier with specialist guides, including crampons and ice axes (extra fee applies)
Landmarks Tartare Tunnels Franz Josef Glacier Mt Aspiring National Park - Day 5
Makarora to Queenstown
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike Rocky Mountain track through glacial terrain
Optional Activities
- Hike alternative loop trail (2.5 kilometres, 1 hour) instead of main Rocky Mountain track
Landmarks Rocky Mountain Track Wanaka Cardrona Saddle Lake Wakatipu - Day 6
Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Horse trekking
- Fishing
- Winery tours
- Historic steamship cruise
- Bungy jumping
- Jet boating
- Skydiving
- Hiking
Landmarks Queenstown - Day 7
Queenstown to Milford Track or Doubtful Sound
- Day 8
Milford Track Guided Walk
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Day 7: Boat ride across Lake Te Anau to Milford Track start
- Day 7: Easy walk to Glade House
- Day 8: Hike through beech forest to Hirere Falls
- Day 8: Cross prairie and climb to Pompolona Lodge
- Day 9: Climb switchbacks to McKinnon Pass with views of Arthur Valley
- Day 9: 90-minute round trip hike to Sutherland Falls (fifth highest waterfall in world)
- Day 10: Final hike through varied terrain to Sandfly Point
- Day 10: Short cruise across Milford Sound to Mitre Peak Lodge
- Day 11: Full-length cruise of Milford Sound with views of waterfalls and wildlife
Optional Activities
- Day 11: Scenic helicopter flight back to Queenstown (approximately US$650 per person)
Landmarks Lake Te Anau Clinton River Hirere Falls McKinnon Pass Arthur Valley Pass Hut Sutherland Falls Sandfly Point Milford Sound Mitre Peak Arthur River Lake Ada 
- Day 9
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise & Great Walks
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Day 7: Boat cruise across Lake Manapouri
- Day 7: Drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove
- Day 7: Overnight cruise on Fiordland Navigator in Doubtful Sound
- Day 7: Kayaking or guided tender craft exploration of Doubtful Sound
- Day 8: Hike part of Routeburn Track through beech forest and sub-alpine shrub land
- Day 8: Visit Key Summit with views of three valleys (Hollyford, Eglinton, Greenstone)
- Day 8: Drive through Homer Tunnel
- Day 8: Descent to Milford Sound
- Day 9: Early morning opportunity to photograph Mitre Peak
- Day 9: Boat ride across Milford Sound
- Day 9: Hike from Sandfly Point to Giant Gates waterfall on Milford Track
- Day 9: Two-hour nature cruise of Milford Sound
- Day 9: Hike lesser-known tracks in eastern Fiordland
- Day 10: Visit Department of Conservation birdlife park in Te Anau
- Day 10: Hike section of Kepler Track through beech and podocarp forest
- Day 11: Gondola ride to Bob's Peak
- Day 11: Alpine hike with views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
Optional Activities
- Day 7: Upgrade to private ensuite room aboard Fiordland Navigator
- Day 11: Optional hike to Ben Lomond summit for views of Mt Earnslaw, Mt Aspiring, and Aoraki/Mt Cook
Landmarks Lake Manapouri Wilmot Pass Deep Cove Doubtful Sound Routeburn Track Key Summit Homer Tunnel Milford Sound Mitre Peak Sandfly Point Giant Gates waterfall Arthur River Lake Ada Te Anau Takahe Bird Park Kepler Track Lake Te Anau Lake Wakatipu Bob's Peak Ben Lomond Ben Lomond saddle Mt Earnslaw Mt Aspiring Aoraki/Mt Cook 
- Day 10
Queenstown to Lake Ohau
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Sam Summers Track at Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve
- Visit local winery with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Soak in hot tub at Lake Ohau Lodge
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve Sam Summers Track Lake Ohau Aoraki/Mt Cook - Day 11
Lake Ohau to Aoraki/Mt Cook
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to main ridge above Mueller Glacier with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and surrounding peaks
Optional Activities
- Hike up to glacial lake with icebergs at base of Hooker Glacier if Mueller Ridge hike not possible
Landmarks Aoraki/Mt Cook Mueller Glacier Mueller Ridge Mt Cook lily Hooker Glacier Aoraki Mt Cook National Park - Day 12
Aoraki/Mt Cook to Christchurch
- End point
- Christchurch International Airport (CHC), Durey Rd., Christchurch, Canterbury 8053, New Zealand (On the last day of the trip we can drop you off at the Christchurch airport in time for the flights below, or anywhere in central Christchurch about 3pm.)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- 11-day Ultimate North Island Adventure extension (5-day options also available)
Landmarks Christchurch
