Itinerary
- Day 1
Wellington
You'll land in Wellington and connect with your Travel Director for an orientation covering the city layout and highlights. Head up to Mount Victoria for 360-degree views across the harbour and cityscape. If museums interest you, Te Papa has excellent Māori history exhibits worth your time. Later this evening, you'll meet up with fellow travelers for drinks before the South Island portion kicks off.
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wellington
- Mount Victoria visit with 360-degree views of harbour and city
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies)
- Drinks with fellow travel companions
Landmarks/POIs Mount Victoria Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) - Day 2
Wellington to Blenheim
The Cook Strait cruise takes you through Queen Charlotte Sound with all its winding arms and inlets, bringing you to Blenheim. It's a scenic crossing that sets the tone for what's ahead. This afternoon you'll check out the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to see World War I and II aircraft, plus memorabilia crafted by Weta Workshop artisans.
Included Activities
- Cook Strait cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound to Blenheim
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre visit - Knights of the Sky & Dangerous Exhibitions
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Day 3
Blenheim
You have flexibility today in Marlborough. Choose between a wine tour through the local vineyards or the Mail Boat cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, where the boat delivers supplies to residents and you get wildlife spotting and local commentary along the way.
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of local Marlborough vineyards
- Mail Boat cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound delivering mail and supplies to local residents with scenic views and wildlife encounters (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 4
Blenheim to Kaikoura
Travel to Kaikoura, known as New Zealand's marine wildlife centre. You might spot sea lions and sperm whales offshore, depending on conditions. Your Travel Director will point out the best restaurants in town for dinner tonight.
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting at Kaikoura beaches
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura - Day 5
Kaikoura to Lake Tekapo
Start in Christchurch checking out the city sights, then head toward Lake Tekapo and its brilliant blue waters. The Church of the Good Shepherd from 1935 sits right on the water. Afternoon tea happens at Angie and Stan Taylor's lakeside home, where Angie teaches about pavlova-making and Stan shares farming stories. You'll finish at Lake Ohau Lodge in the Mackenzie High Country with a family-style dinner.
- Meals
- Afternoon Tea (Afternoon tea at the lakeside home of Angie and Stan Taylor with pavlova demonstration), Dinner (Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge)
Included Activities
- Christchurch city sights exploration
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea at Angie and Stan Taylor's lakeside home with pavlova demonstration
- Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd - Day 6
Lake Ohau to Queenstown
Drive through Lindis Pass to Cromwell, stopping at Jones Family fruit stall for fresh produce. The Highlands Museum appeals to car enthusiasts. Arrowtown comes next, a charming village with gold rush history. You'll reach Queenstown by lunch, where Fergburger is famous for its gourmet burgers and lively vibe.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at world-famous Fergburger in Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Jones Family fruit stall visit at Cromwell
- Highlands Motorsport Park Museum exploration
- Arrowtown village visit
- Lunch at Fergburger in Queenstown
Landmarks/POIs Highlands Motorsport Park Museum Arrowtown - Day 7
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to shape. Adventure seekers can try a high-octane jet boat ride, while nature lovers might visit a wildlife centre to see New Zealand's birds. The choice depends on what draws you most.
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride (own expense)
- Wildlife centre visit to discover New Zealand's feathered friends (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu - Day 8
Queenstown to Milford Sound
The Devil's Staircase route takes you to Te Anau and into Fiordland National Park, where you'll see glaciers and mountains. Mirror Lake and the Homer Tunnel are highlights before you board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise. Wake up in this remarkable setting with waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and wildlife like fur seals. Dinner is a three-course buffet with specialist nature guide commentary.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by three-course buffet meal on Milford Mariner), Breakfast (Delicious cooked breakfast on Milford Mariner)
Included Activities
- Drive through Devil's Staircase
- Journey through World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park
- Mirror Lake viewing
- Homer Tunnel drive
- Overnight cruise on Milford Mariner
- Kayak or tender exploration of Milford Sound shoreline
- Specialist nature guide experience on board
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound - Day 9
Milford Sound to Wānaka
Leave Fiordland behind and travel to Wānaka, a country town on the shores of Lake Wānaka surrounded by the Southern Alps. Your hotel sits in the village centre, within walking distance of the lakefront and local cafes and restaurants.
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wānaka - Day 10
Wānaka to Fox Glacier
Drive from Wānaka past Lake Hawea and Makarora, which sits amid alpine scenery and temperate rainforest valleys. You'll go over Haast Pass to reach Fox Glacier. A scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier is available if weather cooperates, and you might even land on a glacier.
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Lake Hawea, Makarora, and Haast Pass
- Franz Josef Glacier viewing from panoramic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glacier with possible glacier landing (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Haast Pass Franz Josef Glacier - Day 11
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
Head north through lush rainforests and rugged coastlines to Hokitika, known for greenstone and its artistic character. The route then cuts inland through the Southern Alps with shifting landscapes, rocky gorges, and tussock plains. Watch for kea, the alpine parrots. After Arthur's Pass, the land opens to Canterbury plains and Christchurch. Dinner tonight marks the end of your New Zealand journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Drive through Fox Glacier to Hokitika along rainforest and coastline
- Journey through Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass
- Dinner in Christchurch
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arthur's Pass - Day 12
Christchurch
It's time to head home after two weeks in New Zealand. You'll carry memories of untamed landscapes, cultural encounters, and the diverse experiences you've had. The real souvenirs are the moments and stories from your time here.
