Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll land in Christchurch and have time to kill before the 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive with hours to spare, the Botanic Gardens are right there if you want to walk around, or the Canterbury Museum covers the area's history and Maori culture. The welcome meeting gets everyone together with your group leader, and afterward you can head out to dinner with the other travelers if that sounds good.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Visit Canterbury Museum
Landmarks Christchurch Botanic Gardens Canterbury Museum 
- Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Start with a tour through Christchurch to see the city's recovery from the 2011 earthquake, including the striking cardboard cathedral. From there you'll drive inland toward Lake Tekapo, stopping in Fairlie for lunch (think mince pies and cheese rolls). The Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the lake shore and you'll check that out, then the afternoon opens up. You can head up Mount John for stargazing or relax at the hot pools depending on your mood.
- Meals
- Lunch (Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls in Fairlie)
Included Activities
- Christchurch City Tour
- Fairlie - Southland Style Lunch
- Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
Optional Activities
- Stargaze from Mount John summit
- Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
Landmarks Christchurch Cathedral Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Mount John 
- Day 3
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
Drive to Queenstown and take the Skyline Gondola up for views across Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountains, and Lake Wakatipu. After you come back down, you'll hop on a luge for an adrenaline rush racing through the hillside. Dinner happens at Fergburger, a famous local burger spot that's basically a hole in the wall but worth it. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Queenstown's bars and nightlife.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Fergburger)
Included Activities
- Queenstown - Skyline Gondola
- Queenstown - Luge
- Queenstown - Fergburger
Optional Activities
- Explore Queenstown nightlife
Landmarks Coronet Peak The Remarkables Lake Wakatipu 
- Day 4
Queenstown
You've got the full day to yourself around Queenstown and the surrounding region. Want adrenaline? Jet boating down the river, kayaking, or a 4WD tour to Lord of the Rings filming locations are all options. If you'd rather take things slower, walk around Lake Wakatipu or take a day trip out to Milford Sound. It's completely up to you how you spend it.
Optional Activities
- Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
- Nevis Bungy - NZD395
- Time Tripper - NZD20
- Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
- Canyoning - NZD239
- Canyon Swing - from NZD295
- Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
- Dart River Funyaks - from NZD495
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
- Walk around Lake Wakatipu
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu 
- Day 5
Queenstown to Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley to Queenstown
Head to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town with old buildings and hillsides that look great throughout the day. You'll walk through town and learn about the gold rush era. Next you'll drive through Kawarau Gorge where the river carved this scenic path through the landscape. Then it's on to Gibbston Valley for wine tasting in the region's oldest vineyards, which happen to be housed in caves. Back to Queenstown by evening for your last night there.
Included Activities
- Arrowtown - Village visit
- Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
- Gibbston Valley - Wine Tasting
Landmarks Arrowtown Kawarau Gorge Gibbston Valley - Day 6
Queenstown to Makarora to Franz Josef Glacier
Spend the morning walking the Makarora Blue Pools Track through native forests, crossing a swing bridge and walking along a boardwalk. The pools are a striking blue and you'll see large trout in them, plus learn about the river gorge and how the ecosystem works. After that you'll travel to Franz Josef Glacier and have the rest of the day to explore the area at your own pace once you arrive.
Included Activities
- Makarora - Blue Pools Track
Optional Activities
- Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
- Quad Biking - NZD244
- Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
- Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
- Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695
- Carve your own Pounamu Necklace - NZD94
Landmarks Makarora Blue Pools Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 7
Franz Josef Glacier
The morning hike starts at the Franz Josef Glacier Forest Walk, taking you through rainforest and along the Waiho River past waterfalls and peaks. By the end you'll reach views of the Franz Josef Glacier itself. The afternoon is flexible. You could kayak on Glacier Lake, carve your own Pounamu necklace, or soak in the Waiho Hot Tubs depending on what appeals to you.
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier - Forest Walk
Optional Activities
- Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
- Carve your own Pounamu Necklace - NZD94
- Waiho Hot Tubs - from NZD89
- Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - NZD125
- Quad Biking - NZD244
- Heli-Hiking Tour - from NZD695
Landmarks Waiho River Franz Josef Glacier Glacier Lake - Day 8
Franz Josef to Punakaiki to Westport
Drive along the coast to Punakaiki and explore the limestone pancake-shaped rock formations and the blowholes where water surges through. You'll walk through coastal forest and learn about the local birdlife and how these weird rock shapes formed over 30 million years. After that you travel to Westport, and there's an option to stop at nearby glow worm caves on the way. Optional surfing lessons are available if you want them. Tonight the group gathers for a traditional Kiwi barbeque.
- Meals
- Dinner (Kiwi BBQ Dinner)
Included Activities
- Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit
- Westport - Kiwi BBQ Dinner
Optional Activities
- GlowWorm Cave Adventure (Charleston) - NZD165
- Underworld Cave Rafting (Charleston) - NZD245
- Surfboard Hire (Westport) - NZD45
- Surfing Lesson (Westport) - NZD90
Landmarks Punakaiki Rocks - Day 9
Westport to Abel Tasman National Park
Start with a short walk to see seals at Tauranga Bay. Then visit the Museum of Kawatiri in Westport to see what's on display about Maori heritage in the Buller District. Later you'll travel to Abel Tasman National Park, famous for fur seals, little blue penguins, and bottlenose dolphins. Walk through the park when you get there, take in the views, or just relax at your accommodation.
Included Activities
- Westport - Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay
- Westport - Kawatiri Experience
Optional Activities
- Walk through Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Tauranga Bay Abel Tasman National Park - Day 10
Abel Tasman National Park
You've got the full day to enjoy Abel Tasman however you like. A full day sailing adventure takes you out on the water to explore the national park from a different angle. Alternatively, walk sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track for panoramic views of beaches and bays, try skydiving for thrills, or take a gentle walk if you want to slow down and take it easy.
Optional Activities
- Cruise and Anchorage Walk - NZD138
- Canyoning - from NZD319
- Full Day Sailing - NZD213
- Skydiving - from NZD280
- Walk along Abel Tasman Coast Track
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park Abel Tasman Coast Track - Day 11
Abel Tasman National Park to Picton to Wellington
Drive to Picton and board the ferry heading through the Marlborough Sounds, which is basically an intricate network of sea-drowned valleys at the South Island's northern tip. From the boat you'll see forested hills, sheltered inlets and sandy bays, and if luck is on your side you might spot a dolphin. You'll arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, known for its food, coffee, and art. Join the group for dinner and drinks to wrap up the trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Celebration dinner with group)
Included Activities
- Picton - Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Wellington - Botanic Garden (Free)
- Wellington - Cable Car (return) - NZD12
- Wellington - Te Papa Museum - NZD35
- Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout (Free)
- Wellington - Weta Workshop Tour - NZD45
- Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary - NZD26
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Wellington Botanic Garden Mount Victoria Lookout Te Papa Museum 
- Day 12
Wellington
This is your last day and there's nothing scheduled. You can leave whenever you're ready. If you want to extend your stay in New Zealand, reach out to your booking agent beforehand to work out the details.
