Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and get picked up by private car to head to your hotel. Once you're settled, there's a Welcome Reception where you'll meet your Journey Director and try some local wine with canapes.
- Meals
- Welcome Reception (Local wine and canapés)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception with local wine and canapés
- Day 2
Lake Tekapo - Mt. Cook - Lake Ohau
This morning you'll check out Christchurch's main sights before traveling to Lake Tekapo to see the Church of the Good Shepherd. From there, head to Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat for High Tea with local sparkling wine overlooking Lake Pukaki, and you'll meet owners Kaye and Luke Paardekooper. Later, you'll reach Lake Ohau Lodge for a family-style dinner and wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, High Tea (Complemented by local sparkling wine with majestic views of Lake Pukaki), Dinner (Family-style dinner with wine)
Included Activities
- Explore Christchurch city sights
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd
- High Tea at Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat with local sparkling wine and views of Lake Pukaki
- Meet Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat owners Kaye and Luke Paardekooper
- Family-style dinner with wine at Lake Ohau Lodge
Landmarks/POIs Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Pukaki Aoraki Mount Cook National Park - Day 3
Lindis Pass - Cromwell - Arrowtown - Queenstown
You'll travel through Lindis Pass to Cromwell and stop at Mrs. Jones Orchard to pick up some fresh produce. Then it's on to the Highlands Museum, which is great if you like cars, followed by a wine tasting and lunch at Gibbston Valley's Kinross cellar door. After that, you'll walk through the gold rush heritage village of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch at Gibbston Valley's Kinross cellar door)
Included Activities
- Travel through Lindis Pass
- Visit Mrs. Jones Orchard for fresh produce
- Explore Highlands Museum
- Wine tasting at Gibbston Valley's Kinross cellar door
- Lunch at Gibbston Valley's Kinross cellar door
- Explore Arrowtown
Landmarks/POIs Lindis Pass Highlands Museum Gibbston Valley Arrowtown - Day 4
Queenstown
You have the day to yourself in Queenstown and can do whatever you'd like. Consider taking a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship, over to Walter Peak Station if you want something peaceful. As evening comes around, grab dinner at the Bathhouse, an elegant restaurant right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sumptuous meal at the Bathhouse with vast, serene lakeside views)
Included Activities
- Dinner at the Bathhouse with lakeside views
Optional Activities
- Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Station - Day 5
Devil's Staircase - Te Anau - Fiordland - Milford Sound
You'll journey along the scenic Devil's Staircase toward Te Anau and have lunch at a local farm. From there, head through World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, where you'll see glaciers, mountain ranges, Mirror Lake, and the Homer Tunnel. Tonight you'll stay aboard the Milford Mariner cruise ship with specialist nature guides who'll point out waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and wildlife like seals, penguins, and dolphins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delightful lunch at a local farm immersing in authentic flavors and hospitality), Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by three-course buffet meal), Breakfast (Choice between continental or cooked breakfast)
Included Activities
- Journey along Devil's Staircase
- Lunch at a local farm in Te Anau
- Travel through Fiordland National Park
- View Mirror Lake
- Drive through Homer Tunnel
- Night aboard Milford Mariner cruise ship
- Specialist nature guide commentary on board
- Viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and wildlife
Optional Activities
- Explore the shoreline by kayak or tender
Landmarks/POIs Devil's Staircase Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound - Day 6
Wānaka
You'll leave Fiordland National Park and drive to Wanaka, a town in the Southern Alps right on Lake Wanaka's shore. By evening, you'll have dinner with wine while looking out over the quiet lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delightful dinner with wine set against the tranquil backdrop of Lake Wānaka)
Included Activities
- Dinner with wine overlooking Lake Wānaka
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wānaka Southern Alps - Day 7
Lake Hawea - Makarora - Haast - Franz Josef
Starting from Wanaka, you'll take a scenic drive past Lake Hawea and through Makarora, which is known as a hub for hikers in alpine scenery and temperate rainforest. Continue to Haast and try a jet boat adventure through pristine waterways. Later you'll arrive in Franz Josef and settle at Te Waonui Forest Retreat, then have dinner with wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sumptuous dinner with wine enveloped by the serene ambiance of forest sanctuary)
Included Activities
- Drive through Lake Hawea
- Visit Makarora settlement
- Haast River jet boat adventure
- Dinner with wine at Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Makarora Haast Haast River - Day 8
Franz Josef
Take it slow today and soak in the surroundings of Franz Josef. A local guide will walk around with you and talk about the region's glaciers, rainforests, and different landscapes. After that, head back to Te Waonui Forest Retreat to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Franz Josef region with local guide
- Learn about glaciers, rainforests, and landscapes
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier - Day 9
Hokitika - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
You'll leave Franz Josef heading toward Hokitika and take a walking tour with a local history expert who'll tell you about shipwrecks, gold miners, and pounamu hunters. Then you'll ride the scenic TranzAlpine train from Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch, with great views of the Southern Alps along the way. The day wraps up with a Celebration Dinner in Christchurch where you'll toast your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner in Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Hokitika with local history expert
- Learn about shipwrecks, gold miners, and pounamu hunters
- TranzAlpine train journey from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
- Celebration Dinner in Christchurch
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arthur's Pass Southern Alps - Day 10
Christchurch
Your trip is ending today, so you'll get a smooth transfer to Christchurch Airport. You'll have time to reflect on everything you've seen and done throughout your time exploring New Zealand.
