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.
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch - Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Start by checking out Christchurch's main city sights, then head toward Lake Tekapo where the water is an incredible bright blue. You'll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, and later meet Angie, the Pavlova Queen, for afternoon tea at her lakeside home where she'll show you how pavlova is made. By evening you'll be at Lake Ohau Lodge in the Mackenzie High Country, where dinner is served family-style.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge)
Included Activities
- Christchurch city sights tour
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea and pavlova demonstration at Angie Taylor's lakeside home
- Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge
Landmarks/POIs 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)
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/POIs 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
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride
- Visit Kiwi Park
Landmarks/POIs 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)
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/POIs 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)
Landmarks/POIs 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
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/POIs 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)
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/POIs 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.
