Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
Your trip starts with a private car taking you to your boutique hotel in central Christchurch, which sits just minutes from North Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. You can choose to walk through the Botanic Gardens or take a ride on the historic Christchurch Tram if you want to get oriented. Later this evening, you'll meet your Travel Concierge for a toast to kick things off.
Included Activities
- Private car transfer to hotel
- Travel Concierge welcome meeting
Optional Activities
- Visit Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Ride Christchurch Tram
Landmarks/POIs North Hagley Park Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
This morning you board the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch heading to Arthur's Pass, watching the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps roll by through big windows during the ride. From there, a coach takes you through dramatic terrain to Hokitika on the West Coast, where you'll take a guided history walk with someone local who knows the area well. By evening you're at your eco-friendly place in Franz Josef, where you can settle in on your private balcony.
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
- Coach transfer to Hokitika
- Guided history walk in Hokitika with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Canterbury Plains Waimakariri River Southern Alps Hokitika - Day 3
Franz Josef
You'll head out on a valley walk at Franz Josef Glacier with a Local Expert guiding you across the brilliant blue ice and deep crevasses. Along the way you're learning about how this glacier sits less than 1,000 feet above sea level and descends just seven miles from the Southern Alps. Around you are rainforest in the distance, mountain peaks, waterfalls, and views of the upper glacier.
Included Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier valley walk with Local Expert
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier - Day 4
Franz Josef to Wānaka
A jet boat takes you down the Haast River in a fully enclosed vessel, passing snow-capped mountains and pristine rainforest within the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Your guide explains the glacial valley as you move through it, whether sunlight is hitting the water or mist and waterfalls are around you. Before reaching your hotel in Wānaka at the lake's edge, you'll pass through lavender fields.
Included Activities
- Haast River jet boat safari
- Experience lavender fields
Landmarks/POIs Haast River Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area Lake Wānaka Wānaka Lavender Farm - Day 5
Wānaka
You're cruising the calm waters of Lake Wānaka to Stevenson's Island for a guided walk where dramatic alpine views and green pastures lead up to Mount Gold. This afternoon you take another leisurely walk through the natural beauty of the region, keeping things relaxed and scenic.
Included Activities
- Lake Wānaka cruise to Stevenson's Island
- Guided walk with Local Expert at Stevenson's Island
- Leisurely afternoon walk
Landmarks/POIs Stevenson's Island Mount Gold - Day 6
Wānaka to Arrowtown
Start by checking out Highlands Motorsport Museum to see high-performance machines, then grab real fruit ice-cream at Mrs Jones's traditional fruit stall with stone fruit. You'll head to Gibbston Valley Wine Region for an exclusive tasting and lunch at Kinross with locally grown and foraged produce on the menu. Finish the day walking around the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley of the Vines at Kinross)
Included Activities
- Highlands Motorsport Museum visit
- Mrs Jones Orchard visit with fruit ice-cream and stone fruit
- Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley at Kinross
- Visit Arrowtown historic gold mining town
Landmarks/POIs Highlands Motorsport Museum Mrs Jones Orchard Gibbston Valley Wine Region Kinross Arrowtown - Day 7
Queenstown
You have options today. Take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw and visit Walter Peak High Country farm to learn about New Zealand conservation and biodiversity, or choose a guided e-bike ride along the lake to find hidden spots and learn local history. Dinner this evening is at The Bathhouse on the lake shore, serving locally grown, foraged and farmed food with regional and international wines.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at The Bathhouse on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, featuring locally grown, foraged and farmed produce with local and international wines)
Included Activities
- Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw
- Walter Peak Eco Experience
- Dinner at The Bathhouse
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike scenic ride along Lake Wakatipu trail
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 8
Manapouri to Doubtful Sound
You'll travel by road to Manapouri, then board a catamaran and coach heading to Doubtful Sound where you'll get on the Fiordland Navigator for an overnight nature cruise. The fiord has ancient valleys, waterfalls and wildlife to see. Your cruise comes with an onboard naturalist, activities, lectures and food made from local ingredients.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious locally sourced cuisine onboard)
Included Activities
- Travel to Manapouri
- Catamaran and coach transfer to Doubtful Sound
- Overnight nature cruise on Fiordland Navigator
- Onboard naturalist activities and lectures
Landmarks/POIs Manapouri Doubtful Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 9
Doubtful Sound to Dunedin
After leaving the overnight cruise, you head by road to Dunedin, stopping for lunch in Te Anau along the way. Your heritage hotel in the city centre has a cosy feel when you arrive. Tonight you're having dinner at Parcels Restaurant with modern takes on traditional local dishes like surf and turf, braised lamb, and the catch of the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Te Anau), Dinner (Dinner at Parcels Restaurant featuring surf and turf, braised lamb, catch of the day, or modern twists on traditional local dishes)
Included Activities
- Disembark Doubtful Sound cruise
- Travel by road to Dunedin via Te Anau
- Dinner at Parcels Restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Te Anau Dunedin First Church of Otago - Day 10
Dunedin
This morning has a relaxed pace before you take a guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers for the 'Bread to Bottle Tour', where owners Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell show how they make botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery items. Next door at OCHO Chocolate you experience a tasting that covers Dunedin's chocolate history and includes a 10-sample bean to bar experience. After that, you can relax or keep exploring Dunedin on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided tour at Dunedin Craft Distillers - Bread to Bottle Tour
- Chocolate tasting at OCHO Chocolate with bean to bar sampling
Optional Activities
- Wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula
- Visit Larnach Castle
Landmarks/POIs Dunedin Craft Distillers OCHO Chocolate Otago Peninsula Larnach Castle - Day 11
Dunedin to Christchurch
You're traveling up the coast through Oamaru and Timaru, then arriving in Christchurch for a sightseeing tour about the city's recovery after the 2011 earthquake. You'll see Canterbury Museum from the late 1800s and New Regent Street with its Spanish Mission style and quirky shops. Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant highlights seasonal ingredients prepared with care.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant highlighting seasonal ingredients with sophistication)
Included Activities
- Travel through Oamaru and Timaru
- Christchurch sightseeing tour
- Visit Canterbury Museum
- View New Regent Street Spanish Mission architecture
- Dinner at Montreal Bar and Restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Timaru Canterbury Museum New Regent Street - Day 12
Christchurch
After breakfast you say goodbye to the other travelers as your New Zealand tour wraps up. A transfer takes you to Christchurch International Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Christchurch International Airport
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch International Airport
