Itinerary
- Day 1
Wellington
You'll arrive in Wellington and meet your Travel Director along with the rest of the group for an orientation. Head up Mount Victoria to catch 360-degree views across the harbour and city below. If you're interested, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand is available to explore on your own before joining everyone for drinks and getting to know your fellow travelers before heading south.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Cook Grand Chancellor)
Included Activities
- Mount Victoria orientation tour with 360-degree views
- Orientation tour of Wellington
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand - entrance fee applies
Landmarks Mount Victoria Te Papa Museum of New Zealand 
- Day 2
Cook Strait to Blenheim
The group crosses Cook Strait by cruise, traveling through Queen Charlotte Sound to reach Blenheim, which sits in one of New Zealand's sunniest spots. The area is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines. Later you'll visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to see their collection of World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia from both conflicts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Marlborough)
Included Activities
- Cook Strait cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre tour
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre - Day 3
Marlborough
This is your day to choose how you spend your time in Marlborough. You can join a wine tour through the local vineyards, or if that's not your thing, there's the Mail Boat cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound. The boat delivers mail and supplies to residents while you take in the scenery, spot wildlife, and hear stories from the crew about the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Marlborough)
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of local vineyards - own expense
- Mail Boat cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound - own expense
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound - Day 4
Kaikoura to Christchurch
You'll head toward Kaikoura, New Zealand's marine wildlife hub, known for dramatic beaches and chances to see sea lions and sperm whales offshore. After that, continue south to Christchurch, which has transformed considerably over recent years. Dinner this evening is at one of the town's standout restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Optional Activities
- Wildlife viewing at Kaikoura
Landmarks Kaikoura 
- Day 5
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Your day starts in Christchurch with time to check out the city's main attractions and get oriented. After that, you'll head south toward Lake Tekapo, where the water's that striking turquoise color that makes it so distinctive. Once you arrive, there's a stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, a small but iconic structure right on the water. In the afternoon, you'll head to a lakeside home for tea and meet a local known as the Pavlova Queen, who'll share stories about farming life in the region. Later, you'll continue on to Lake Ohau Lodge for the evening, settling into the Mackenzie High Country where the landscape really opens up around you.
- Meals
- Dinner (Family-style dinner at Lake Ohau Lodge)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lake Ohau Lodge)
Included Activities
- Explore Christchurch's city sights
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Afternoon tea at lakeside home with Pavlova Queen Angie and Stan Taylor
- Pavlova demonstration and explanation of the trans-Tasman pavlova controversy
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Lake Ohau 
- Day 6
Lindis Pass to Queenstown
Travel through Lindis Pass to Cromwell, stopping at the Jones Family fruit stall for fresh local produce and the Highlands Museum for car lovers. After that, continue to Arrowtown, a charming village with gold rush history, then press on to Queenstown. Lunch is at your leisure at Fergburger, a local favorite known for gourmet burgers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at world-famous Fergburger in Queenstown)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Highlands Museum visit
- Lunch at Fergburger in Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Jones Family fruit stall visit
Landmarks Lindis Pass Highlands Museum Arrowtown 
- Day 7
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore at your own pace. Thrill-seekers can take a high-octane jet boat ride, while nature lovers might visit Kiwi Park to see New Zealand's native birds. Between those activities and everything else available in town, you'll find plenty to keep busy or just relax as you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride - own expense
- Kiwi Park visit - own expense
Landmarks Kiwi Park - Day 8
Devil's Staircase to Milford Sound Cruise
You'll travel along Devil's Staircase heading toward Te Anau, then pass through World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park where glaciers and mountain ranges dominate the landscape. You'll go through Mirror Lake and the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel before boarding the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise. Spend the night in Milford Sound, where you can explore the fiord's waterfalls, rainforest, and mountains by kayak or tender boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hors d'oeuvres followed by three-course buffet meal aboard Milford Mariner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Milford Mariner)
Included Activities
- Devil's Staircase scenic drive
- Fiordland National Park scenic drive
- Mirror Lake viewing
- Homer Tunnel drive
- Milford Sound cruise aboard Milford Mariner
- Kayak or tender boat exploration of Milford Sound shoreline
- Specialist nature guide commentary
- Viewing deck and observation lounge access
Landmarks Devil's Staircase Te Anau Fiordland National Park Mirror Lake Homer Tunnel Milford Sound - Day 9
Milford Sound to Wānaka
Leaving Fiordland National Park behind, head toward Wanaka, a country town on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps. Your hotel sits right in the village center, just a short walk from the lakefront with cafes and restaurants nearby, so you'll have easy access to everything the town offers.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Cooked breakfast aboard Milford Mariner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wanaka Hotel)
Landmarks Lake Wānaka - Day 10
Wānaka to Fox Glacier
Start with a scenic drive from Wanaka past Lake Hawea and Makarora, a hub for hikers surrounded by alpine scenery and rainforest valleys. Continue over Haast Pass to Fox Glacier. If you want, you can book a scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers with the possibility of landing on a glacier, depending on weather conditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Heartland Fox Glacier)
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers with optional glacier landing - own expense
Landmarks Lake Hawea Makarora Haast Pass Fox Glacier Franz Josef Glacier - Day 11
Fox Glacier to Christchurch
Drive north through rainforests and rugged coastlines to Hokitika, a laid-back town famous for greenstone. Then head inland through the Southern Alps toward Arthur's Pass, where the scenery shifts from rainforest to peaks, rocky gorges, and tussock plains. Watch for kea, the world's only alpine parrot. After crossing the pass, you'll emerge onto the Canterbury plains heading back to Christchurch. Dinner tonight marks a nice finish to your New Zealand journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in Christchurch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wyndham Garden)
Included Activities
- Dinner in Christchurch
Landmarks Hokitika Arthur's Pass - Day 12
Departure from Christchurch
It's time to head home after two weeks exploring New Zealand's landscapes and culture. You can depart anytime from Christchurch Airport, taking memories and photos from your time traveling through the country.
