Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch this afternoon and have time to settle into your accommodation. After freshening up, you'll meet the other travelers for wines and canapés to start off the trip together.
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch city
- Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
This morning begins with a guided tour of Christchurch, stopping at the Cardboard Cathedral and the library. Then you'll drive across the Canterbury Plains toward Lake Tekapo. Local retired farmers will welcome you for afternoon tea at their home, and you'll see the Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake's edge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Christchurch tour including Cardboard Cathedral and library
- Be My Guest afternoon tea at Lake Tekapo (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience)
- View Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
Landmarks/POIs Cardboard Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo - Day 3
Lake Tekapo to Dunedin
You'll head to Oamaru to walk through Victorian streetscapes, shops, galleries and local crafts. From there, continue to Dunedin with its green hills and stone buildings. The afternoon is free, so you can visit Speight's Brewery or check out Larnach Castle if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Oamaru Victorian streetscapes
Optional Activities
- Visit Speight's Brewery
- Explore Larnach Castle
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Victorian District Larnach Castle Speight's Brewery - Day 4
Dunedin to Lake Manapouri
You're heading into Fiordland National Park with its gorges, glaciers and lakes. You'll visit Pomona Island on a conservation experience, then take a jet boat ride down the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. There's an optional cruise to the Glowworm Caves if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jet boat ride down Waiau River to Lake Manapouri (conservation contribution included)
- Pomona Island visit (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience)
Optional Activities
- Cruise to Glowworm Caves
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Pomona Island Lake Manapouri Waiau River Glowworm Caves - Day 5
Lake Manapouri to Te Anau
After leaving Te Anau, you'll travel deep into Fiordland through rainforests and beech forests, passing Mirror Lakes. Later, you'll cruise on Milford Sound where you can see fur seals, waterfalls and misty cliffs. A naturalist will explain the local plants and animals as you go.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruise with naturalist guide
- Scenic drive through Fiordland National Park
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Mirror Lakes Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 6
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore however you like today. Consider jet boating if you want action, or take a cellar door tour through Central Otago's pinot noir vineyards. By evening, you'll reunite with your group for a historic steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu, followed by a gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw steamship
- Gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- Central Otago cellar door wine tour
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm Central Otago wine region - Day 7
Queenstown to Franz Josef
You'll drive through countryside past the Remarkables mountains to Arrowtown, where you can walk through tree-lined streets with 19th-century gold-rush buildings. Stop at a roadside fruit stand run by local Mrs Jones. Continue to Franz Josef to see the glacier, and there's an optional helicopter flight available for closer views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Arrowtown
- View Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere from scenic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with optional glacier landing
Landmarks/POIs The Remarkables Arrowtown Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 8
Franz Josef to Punakaiki
Start with a walk along Hokitika's West Coast shoreline, then head to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes where waves crash through earth cracks. You'll settle into your beach eco-resort accommodation for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk along Hokitika West Coast shore
- View Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - Day 9
Punakaiki to Christchurch
You'll explore Ponaumu Pathway, a cultural journey about New Zealand's greenstone and its spiritual significance to Māori, created with Weta Workshop. Grab lunch at Monteith's Brewery, then board the TranzAlpine train from Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch. The scenic route takes you through tunnels and over viaducts with views of peaks, rivers, beech forests and gorges. You'll arrive in time for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at legendary Monteith's Brewery), Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour Pounamu Pathway cultural experience
- Lunch at Monteith's Brewery
- TranzAlpine scenic train journey through Southern Alps
Landmarks/POIs Ponaumu Pathway Monteith's Brewery Arthur's Pass Southern Alps - Day 10
Depart Christchurch
Your New Zealand adventure ends today. You'll depart Christchurch with your new friends, full camera memory cards, and the memories from your 10-day tour.
