Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and meet your Travel Director for a tour briefing. The city itself has a lot to offer with its forward-thinking architecture and a strong dining and bar scene. After getting oriented, you'll have drinks with your travelling companions and settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Landmarks Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Start by walking through Christchurch's city center to get familiar with the main sights, then drive out to Lake Tekapo where the water sits in that brilliant turquoise color that photographs don't quite capture. You'll stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone chapel right on the water's edge that's been there since the 1930s. In the afternoon, head to a lakeside home for tea and meet Angie, who's known locally for her pavlova skills. She'll walk you through her techniques and share stories about how she got into making them. Later, drive to Lake Ohau Lodge further into the Mackenzie High Country where you'll have a family-style dinner with other guests, giving you a chance to swap travel stories over a shared meal.
- Meals
- Dinner (Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lake Ohau Lodge)
Included Activities
- Christchurch city sights tour
- View Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea at Angie and Stan Taylor's lakeside home with pavlova demonstration and farming stories
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Lake Ohau - Day 3
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
After traveling through Lindis Pass, you'll stop at the Jones Family fruit stall in Cromwell and browse the Highlands Museum to see rare vehicles. From there it's on to historic Arrowtown before reaching Queenstown. During lunch you can grab food at your own pace at the well-known Fergburger.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at world-famous Fergburger in Queenstown)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Travel through Lindis Pass
- Visit Jones Family fruit stall
- Explore Highlands Motorsport Park Museum Cromwell
- Visit historic Arrowtown
- Lunch at Fergburger in Queenstown
Landmarks Lindis Pass Cromwell Highlands Motorsport Park Museum Arrowtown Queenstown 
- Day 4
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore at whatever pace suits you. The town is known as the adventure capital, so whether you want high-energy activities or prefer quieter nature walks, you'll find options that match what you're looking for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- Visit Kiwi Park
Landmarks Kiwi Park - Day 5
Queenstown to Milford Sound
You'll travel along the dramatic Devil's Staircase heading toward Te Anau, then drive through Fiordland National Park with its glaciers and mountain ranges. After exploring Mirror Lake and going through the hand-carved Homer Tunnel, you'll board the Milford Mariner for the night. From there you can kayak or take a tender boat along the shoreline, watching for fur seals and seabirds while taking in the waterfalls, rainforest, and surrounding mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by a three-course buffet meal aboard Milford Mariner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Milford Mariner)
Included Activities
- Travel through Devil's Staircase
- Journey through World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park
- View Mirror Lake
- Drive through Homer Tunnel
- Cruise overnight on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi aboard Milford Mariner
- Kayak or travel by tender boat along Milford Sound/Piopiotahi's shoreline
- Specialist nature guide commentary on board
Landmarks Devil's Staircase Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound/Piopiotahi 
- Day 6
Milford Sound to Wānaka
Leaving Fiordland, you'll head 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, just a short walk from the lakefront and close to local cafes and restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Cooked breakfast aboard Milford Mariner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wanaka Hotel)
Landmarks Lake Wānaka Wānaka - Day 7
Wānaka to Fox Glacier
The drive from Wanaka takes you past Lake Hawea and through Makarora, a spot popular with hikers for its alpine scenery and rainforest valleys. You'll cross the Haast Pass and arrive at Fox Glacier. An optional scenic flight is available if weather cooperates, flying over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier with the possibility of landing on the ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Heartland Fox Glacier, Heartland Glacier Country)
Included Activities
- Travel over Haast Pass
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere with optional glacier landing
Landmarks Lake Hawea Makarora Haast Pass Fox Glacier Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 8
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
You'll drive north through lush rainforests and along rugged coastline to Hokitika, known for its greenstone work and relaxed artsy atmosphere. From there it's inland through the Southern Alps and over Arthur's Pass, where the landscape shifts from rainforest to dramatic peaks, rocky gorges, and open tussock plains. Watch for kea, the clever alpine parrots, then continue to the Canterbury plains and back to Christchurch. Dinner with your Travel Director tonight celebrates the end of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Included Activities
- Travel through rainforests and rugged coastlines
- Visit Hokitika
- Travel through Arthur's Pass and Southern Alps
- Dinner with Travel Director in Christchurch
Landmarks Hokitika Arthur's Pass Canterbury Plains - Day 9
Christchurch
Today marks your departure and the chance to head home. You'll have time to organize photos and souvenirs from your trip, taking with you memories of time spent in untamed natural landscapes and experiencing local culture.
