Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll be met at Christchurch airport and transferred to your hotel. Later this evening, join your group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a three-course dinner at a local restaurant featuring Canterbury's best produce and sustainable farming.
- Meals
- Dinner (Three-course dinner at restaurant featuring Canterbury region produce and sustainable producers)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at local restaurant featuring Canterbury region produce
- Leader-led Orientation Walk around Christchurch landmarks
- Day 2
Christchurch - Punakaiki
Start with an orientation tour of Christchurch, then drive toward Punakaiki via Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill with spectacular mountain scenery. You'll have lunch in Moana and stop at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the South Island. From there, visit a jade studio in Greymouth and take a tour of Monteith's Brewery for a tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon next to the beach and Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Christchurch orientation tour with leader
- Lake Brunner nature walk
- Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio visit in Greymouth
- Monteith's Brewery tour and tasting
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Castle Hill Lake Brunner Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Monteith's Brewery - Day 3
Hokitika - Franz Josef
After breakfast, you'll explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes before driving to Franz Josef. Along the way, stop in Hokitika for a treetop adventure walk through ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees. In the afternoon, join a private ranger-guided tour at the West Coast Wildlife Centre to learn about the rare rowi kiwi bird and spot tuatara. You'll arrive in Franz Josef late afternoon with a free evening ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes visit
- Hokitika West Coast Treetops Walk
- West Coast Wildlife Centre private ranger-guided tour
Landmarks Punakaiki Rocks West Coast Wildlife Centre - Day 4
Franz Josef
Begin with a self-guided walk to the Franz Josef Glacier, one of New Zealand's steepest glaciers. If you're feeling adventurous, optional activities include heli-hiking tours, kayaking, scenic cruises on Lake Mapourika, or soaking in the hot tubs.
Included Activities
- Self-guided walk to Franz Josef Glacier
Optional Activities
- Heli-hiking tour (from NZD695)
- Kayaking excursion (from NZD149)
- Lake Mapourika scenic cruise (NZD125)
- Waiho Hot Tubs (from NZD89)
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 5
Makarora - Wanaka
Depart Franz Josef for Wanaka, stopping in Makarora to visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust. Take a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist, learning about endangered birds and conservation efforts. You'll arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon and settle into your accommodation on the shores of Lake Wanaka for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Aspiring Biodiversity Trust visit and lunch
- Guided flora and fauna walk with local ornithologist and ecologist
Landmarks Mount Aspiring National Park Lake Wanaka 
- Day 6
Wanaka
Sleep in or start early with a hike up Mt Iron for views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Visit the Criffel Station deer farm where the family shows you around, followed by a chef-guided foraging and tasting tour and lunch celebrating the region's food and wine culture.
- Meals
- Lunch (Chef-guided foraging and tasting tour at Criffel Station deer farm)
Included Activities
- Criffel Station farm tour with chef-guided foraging and tasting experience and lunch
Optional Activities
- Mt Iron hike for views of Lake Wanaka and surrounding peaks
Landmarks Mt Iron Criffel Station - Day 7
Wanaka - Doubtful Sound
Leave Wanaka after breakfast and head to Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. Drive to Lake Manapouri and ferry across for one hour, then take a scenic drive via Wilmot Pass through dense rainforest to Deep Cove. Board your vessel and meet the crew for your Doubtful Sound cruise, which includes a three-course dinner featuring local produce and a resident naturalist sharing insights about the fiord's wildlife including dolphins, seals and penguins. Kayaking is available if weather permits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Three-course dinner featuring local produce on Doubtful Sound Cruise)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing at Lake Manapouri
- Scenic drive via Wilmot Pass
- Doubtful Sound Cruise with Premium Exclusive Experience
Optional Activities
- Kayaking exploration of Doubtful Sound (weather dependent)
Landmarks Lake Manapouri Doubtful Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 8
Doubtful Sound - Queenstown
Wake up to a hearty cooked breakfast as mist rolls over the cliffs. Spend the morning exploring more of the fiord's nooks and corners. Return to Deep Cove to ferry back to Lake Manapouri, then continue to Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is free to relax or explore this resort town on the edge of the Southern Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty cooked breakfast aboard Doubtful Sound Cruise)
Included Activities
- Morning fiord exploration on Doubtful Sound Cruise
Landmarks Doubtful Sound 
- Day 9
Queenstown - Arrowtown
Enjoy a free morning in Queenstown at your own pace. In the afternoon, head to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town with a charming heritage centre. Join a leader-led walking tour to learn about the town's history, then browse shops and cafes. Head to Gibbston Valley to taste Central Otago wines. Tonight, consider a farewell dinner with your group.
Included Activities
- Arrowtown leader-led walking tour
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner with group
Landmarks Arrowtown Gibbston Valley - Day 10
Queenstown
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. If you'd like to spend more time exploring Queenstown, contact your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
