Which boat will be used for the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise is in this trip? Do we need to bring a walking stick? Can you provide a list of the hotels that are included in this trip?

Your overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound will be aboard the Fiordland Navigator, a purpose-built vessel designed for exploring the fiord. It offers comfortable cabins and a classic New Zealand cruising experience. A walking stick is not essential for this itinerary. Most walks are graded easy to moderate and take place on well-maintained tracks. However, if you prefer additional support for comfort or balance, you are welcome to bring one. The following hotels are typically used on the Premium New Zealand South Island tour: Christchurch: Fable Hotel Christchurch Punakaiki: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki Franz Josef Glacier: Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef Doubtful Sound: Fiordland Navigator (overnight cruise) Wanaka: Edgewater Hotel Queenstown: Millennium Hotel Queenstown Please note that accommodation is subject to availability, but these are the standard properties for this departure.

Premium New Zealand South Island (18 destinations)

10 days

•

From Christchurch to Queenstown

5.0

2 reviews

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Platinum Operator: Intrepid Premium
Nature & Wildlife: Explore untamed landscapes teeming with wildlife
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 12
Ages 15+

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Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch
Meals
Dinner (Three-course welcome dinner at local restaurant featuring Canterbury region produce)
Included Activities
- Leader-led Orientation Walk around Christchurch landmarks
- Welcome Dinner at local restaurant featuring Canterbury produce
Day 2
Christchurch - Greymouth - Punakaiki
Meals
Lunch (Lunch in Moana)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation tour around Christchurch
- Drive through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill
- Lake Brunner nature walk
- Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit in Greymouth
- Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting in Greymouth
Landmarks
Arthur's Pass
Castle Hill
Lake Brunner
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
Punakaiki Beach
Day 3
Hokitika - Franz Josef
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Punakaiki Rocks & Blowhole Visit
- Okarito Plant Project Restoration Activity
Landmarks
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
Okarito
Day 4
Franz Josef
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier Self-Guided Walk
- West Coast Wildlife Centre Access
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
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Included Activities
- Private ranger-guided tour of West Coast Wildlife Centre
- Behind-the-scenes insights into kiwi bird breeding and conservation efforts
- Viewing of rowi kiwi birds and tuatara reptiles
Optional Activities
- Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
- Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
- Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695
- Kayaking Excursion - from NZD149
Landmarks
West Coast Wildlife Centre
Lake Wanaka
Wanaka Station Park
Day 6
Wanaka
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Chef-guided foraging and tasting tour lunch at Criffel Station)
Included Activities
- Criffel Station Lunch Experience with foraging and tasting tour
Optional Activities
- Mt Iron Hike
Landmarks
Mt Iron
Lake Wanaka
Criffel Station
Day 7
Wanaka - Doubtful Sound
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Three-course dinner featuring local produce on Doubtful Sound Cruise)
Included Activities
- Doubtful Sound Cruise
- Three-course Dinner at Doubtful Sound with local produce
Optional Activities
- Kayaking in Doubtful Sound (weather dependent)
Landmarks
Lake Manapouri
Doubtful Sound
Deep Cove
Wilmot Pass
Fiordland National Park
Day 8
Doubtful Sound - Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast (Hearty cooked breakfast on Doubtful Sound)
Landmarks
Doubtful Sound
Lake Manapouri
Southern Alps
Day 9
Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with group)
Included Activities
- Arrowtown Walking Tour
- Gibbston Valley Wine Tasting
- Farewell Dinner with group
Landmarks
Arrowtown
Gibbston Valley
Day 10
Queenstown
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Arthur's Pass
Castle Hill
Lake Brunner
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
Punakaiki Beach

Landmarks
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
Okarito

Landmarks
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Mapourika

Landmarks
West Coast Wildlife Centre
Lake Wanaka
Wanaka Station Park

Landmarks
Mt Iron
Lake Wanaka
Criffel Station

Landmarks
Lake Manapouri
Doubtful Sound
Deep Cove
Wilmot Pass
Fiordland National Park

Landmarks
Doubtful Sound
Lake Manapouri
Southern Alps

Landmarks
Arrowtown
Gibbston Valley

What's Included

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Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Premium

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.4(307 reviews)
Response time: 10 hours
Response rate: 92%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

5.0

Overall rating based on 2 Reviews

Itinerary
4.0
Transport
4.5
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
4.5
Food
5.0
Tour Operator
4.4

R
Renate
March 14th, 2026
Our guide was excellent. The itinerary was very comprehensive, we saw a lot, more than we expected, and were taken to...
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Traveled in February 2026
Reply from: Intrepid Premium
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review Renate! We're so glad to hear you had an awesome time on our Premium New Zealand South Island trip, and we appreciate the constructive feedback about the trip to Milford Sound. Thank you again and we hope to have you travel with us again soon!
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G
Gerald
April 30th, 2024
Impressive instructive
Traveled in April 2024
Reply from: Intrepid Premium
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are pleased to see that you rated your experience 5 stars and are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable and informative experience. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon.
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What our customers ask about this tour

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E
Erin
Asked on December 23rd, 2025
Which boat will be used for the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise is in this trip? Do we need to bring a walking stick? Can you provide a list of the hotels that are included in this trip?
Accommodation
Tour Details
- Intrepid PremiumOperator•Written December 2025
  Your overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound will be aboard the Fiordland Navigator, a purpose-built vessel designed for exploring the fiord. It offers comfortable cabins and a classic New Zealand cruising experience.
  
  A walking stick is not essential for this itinerary. Most walks are graded easy to moderate and take place on well-maintained tracks. However, if you prefer additional support for comfort or balance, you are welcome to bring one.
  
  The following hotels are typically used on the Premium New Zealand South Island tour:
  
  Christchurch: Fable Hotel Christchurch
  Punakaiki: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
  Franz Josef Glacier: Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef
  Doubtful Sound: Fiordland Navigator (overnight cruise)
  Wanaka: Edgewater Hotel
  Queenstown: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
  
  Please note that accommodation is subject to availability, but these are the standard properties for this departure.
- E
  Erin
  Traveler•Written January 2026
  Thanks for your email reply. I do have one more question when looking over the followed trip detailed document after the booking, it mentioned a Milford afternoon cruise, instead of the overnight cruise on the Navigator toward the end of the 10 day trip.
  
  For the trip I had purchase departing March 20 to March 29th, please confirm the Fiordland visit; is it an overnight cruise at Doubtful sound or just an afternoon cruise in Mildford sound.
- Intrepid PremiumOperator•Written January 2026
  To clarify, the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise operates seasonally and closes at the end of April. For departures on 30 April 2027, 15 May 2027, and 11 June 2027, the overnight cruise is replaced with an overnight stay at Milford Sound Lodge and a Milford Sound day cruise.
  
  However, for your Premium New Zealand South Island trip departing 20–29 March, the itinerary includes a Milford Sound day cruise, as shown on Day 8 of your itinerary, and does not include an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.
  
  The itinerary document you received is therefore correct for your departure date.
- E
  Erin
  Traveler•Written January 2026
  Will it be possible that you can help us to extend our booking at Millennium Hotel Queenstown after the tour check out date (29th)? We will be staying Queenstown for an additional 3 nights, and if possible we rathe stay at the same hotel.
  
  If so, let us know, the rate and availability.
- Intrepid PremiumOperator•Written January 2026
  Regarding your post-tour stay in Queenstown, we're happy to assist. Once you confirm your preferred dates, we'll arrange the hotel quotes and availability for you.
- E
  Erin
  Traveler•Written January 2026
  So for our booked premium South Island trip starting March 20th and ends on March 29, it does include an overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound. Was confused by the earlier email exchange, and want to confirm my understanding. Thank you.
- Intrepid PremiumOperator•Written January 2026
  Yes, for March 20th departure an overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound is included in the Itinerary.
- E
  Erin
  Traveler•Written January 2026
  Please advise if you can help us to book;
  - one night at Fable Hotel Christchurch on March 19th (a day before our premium south island trip starts on the 20th).
  - Also need additional hotel booking at Millennium Hotel at Queenstown from March 29th (at the end of the tour) to April 3rd.
- Intrepid PremiumOperator•Written January 2026
  We can definitely assist you in booking pre and post accommodations at our joining and ending hotel, please see below a price quote.
  
  The Fable Christchurch - Twin Room - USD $160 per person per night
  
  Millennium Hotel - Twin Room - The price for this is still being loaded into our system but it's anywhere from USD $180 - $217 per person per night.

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Premium New Zealand South Island (18 destinations)

No departure dates available

Itinerary

Christchurch

Included Activities

Christchurch - Greymouth - Punakaiki

Included Activities

Hokitika - Franz Josef

Included Activities

Franz Josef

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Franz Josef to Wanaka

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Wanaka

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Wanaka - Doubtful Sound

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Doubtful Sound - Queenstown

Queenstown

Included Activities

Queenstown

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What's Not Included

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Premium New Zealand South Island (18 destinations)

No departure dates available

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

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