Itinerary
- Day 1
Wellington
You'll arrive in Wellington and connect with your Travel Director and the rest of the group. Head up to Mount Victoria's peak where you'll get 360-degree views across the harbour and city sprawling below. Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, is there if you want to check it out on your own and see the Maori history exhibits. Later on, you'll have drinks with the group and then sit in on a briefing about what's coming up in the South Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Cook Grand Chancellor)
Included Activities
- Mount Victoria orientation tour with 360-degree views of Wellington harbour and city
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks Mount Victoria Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) 
- Day 2
Wellington to Blenheim
This morning you'll cross the Cook Strait on a cruise from the North Island to the South, passing through Queen Charlotte Sound with its scenic arms and inlets. You'll dock in Blenheim, which happens to be New Zealand's sunniest town. From there, head to Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to see an incredible collection of World War I and II aircraft plus memorabilia that Weta Workshop restored.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Marlborough)
Included Activities
- Cook Strait cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre visit with World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia
Landmarks Cook Strait Queen Charlotte Sound Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Day 3
Blenheim
Marlborough is yours to explore however you'd like today. You can either take a wine tour through the local vineyards that produce well-known Sauvignon Blanc, or board the iconic Mail Boat for a scenic cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound where it delivers mail and supplies to residents. Wildlife spotting is part of the experience with the boat option.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Marlborough)
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of local Marlborough vineyards (own expense)
- Mail Boat cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound with scenic views and wildlife encounters (own expense)
Landmarks Marlborough Wine Region Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 4
Blenheim to Kaikoura
Travel inland to Kaikoura, which sits on dramatic beaches and serves as New Zealand's marine wildlife centre. You might spot sea lions or sperm whales out in the water from shore. Your Travel Director can point you toward the best dinner spots in town for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Landmarks Kaikoura - Day 5
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo to Lake Ohau
Start by walking through Christchurch's city center and checking out the main sights, then drive inland toward the Mackenzie Basin. You'll reach Lake Tekapo by mid-morning where the Church of the Good Shepherd sits right on the water's edge, a small but iconic spot for photos. After that, head to a local home for afternoon tea and meet the Pavlova Queen, who'll show you how to make this New Zealand dessert while sharing stories about farming life in the region. Later, continue on to Lake Ohau Lodge (about 1,500 meters elevation) where the evening brings a family-style dinner around the fire, letting you settle in for the night surrounded by the Mackenzie High Country.
- Meals
- Dinner (Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lake Ohau Lodge)
Included Activities
- Explore Christchurch city sights
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea at local home with Pavlova Queen Angie
- Pavlova demonstration and explanation of trans-Tasman pavlova controversy
- Farming stories from local farmer Stan Taylor
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Lake Ohau Mackenzie Basin - Day 6
Lake Ohau to Queenstown
Cross the Lindis Pass toward Cromwell and stop at the Jones Family fruit stall for fresh local produce. Highlands Motorsport Park Museum comes next if you like cars and speed. Then move on to Arrowtown, the old gold rush village with character, before reaching Queenstown for the night. Grab lunch on your own at Fergburger, the famous spot known for gourmet burgers and its lively atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Fergburger in Queenstown)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Jones Family fruit stall visit in Cromwell
- Highlands Motorsport Park Museum visit
- Lunch at Fergburger in Queenstown
Landmarks Lindis Pass Cromwell Highlands Motorsport Park Museum Arrowtown 
- Day 7
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to spend as you like today. If high-energy activities appeal to you, try a jet boat ride where you'll feel the wind and water. Nature lovers can head to Kiwi Park to see New Zealand's native birds. Both activities are optional and at your own cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride in Queenstown (own expense)
- Kiwi Park visit (own expense)
Landmarks Kiwi Park - Day 8
Queenstown to Milford Sound
The day begins with a dramatic run down Devil's Staircase to Te Anau, then through Fiordland National Park, which is on the World Heritage list. You'll see glaciers and mountains en route to Mirror Lake, pass through the hand-carved Homer Tunnel, and board the iconic Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise. Wake up in one of the world's most beautiful spots with time to watch waterfalls, see rainforest and mountains, and spot fur seals and seabirds. Kayak or take a tender to explore the shoreline, and listen to the nature guide. The ship has spacious viewing decks, a dining room with bar, and an observation lounge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by three-course buffet meal on Milford Mariner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Milford Mariner)
Included Activities
- Devil's Staircase scenic drive
- Fiordland National Park journey with glacier and mountain sightings
- Mirror Lake visit
- Homer Tunnel drive
- Milford Sound cruise on Milford Mariner
- Kayak or tender boat exploration of Milford Sound shoreline
- Specialist nature guide presentation
Landmarks Devil's Staircase Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound 
- Day 9
Milford Sound to Wānaka
Leave Fiordland and travel to Wanaka, a country town surrounded by the Southern Alps and sitting on the shores of Lake Wanaka. Your hotel is right in the village center, a short walk to the lakefront and all the cafes and restaurants around it.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Cooked breakfast on Milford Mariner before departure)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wanaka Hotel)
Landmarks Lake Wānaka Southern Alps - Day 10
Wānaka to Fox Glacier
Drive north from Wanaka past Lake Hawea's quiet waters and Makarora, which hikers use as a base in the alpine scenery and temperate rainforest valleys. Cross the Haast Pass to reach Fox Glacier. You can book an optional scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, and if the weather cooperates, the plane might land on the glacier itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Heartland Fox Glacier)
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere with possible glacier landing (own expense)
Landmarks Lake Hawea Makarora Haast Pass Fox Glacier Franz Josef Glacier - Day 11
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
The drive north takes you through lush rainforests and rugged coastlines to Hokitika, a town known for greenstone and its relaxed, artistic atmosphere. From there, head inland through the Southern Alps. As you climb toward Arthur's Pass, the rainforest gives way to steep peaks, rocky gorges, and rolling tussock plains. Keep watch for kea, the world's only alpine parrot and fairly cheeky characters. Once over the pass, wide Canterbury plains open up as you head toward Christchurch. Have dinner in town, marking the end of your time in New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in Christchurch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Included Activities
- Hokitika visit
- Arthur's Pass scenic drive
- Dinner in Christchurch
Landmarks Hokitika Arthur's Pass Canterbury Plains - Day 12
Christchurch Departure
It's time to head home, looking through photos from the past two weeks. The real souvenirs are the memories from spending time in wild natural landscapes and experiencing the local culture.
