Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch this afternoon and get settled into your accommodation. After freshening up, you'll meet the other travelers in your group over wines and canapés to start things off right.
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch at leisure
- Day 2
Lake Tekapo
This morning you'll check out Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral and the gleaming library. From there, the drive takes you across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you'll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. Later in the afternoon, you'll head to a local farm home for tea and hear some stories about life on the land.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Christchurch city 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 Canterbury Plains - Day 3
Dunedin
You'll travel through Oamaru and walk around its Victorian streetscapes, browsing shops, galleries, and local crafts. After that, you're heading to Dunedin, often called the 'Edinburgh of the South.' The afternoon's yours to explore at your own pace, or you can opt to visit Speight's Brewery or check out Larnach Castle if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Oamaru Victorian streetscape exploration
Optional Activities
- Speight's Brewery tour
- Larnach Castle visit
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Victorian Streetscape Larnach Castle Speight's Brewery - Day 4
Lake Manapouri
Leaving Dunedin, you'll head into Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage site. A thrilling jet boat ride takes you down the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri, and you'll help with a local conservation project on Pomona Island. If you're interested, there's an optional cruise to the Glowworm Caves for an additional cost.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jet boat ride down Waiau River to Lake Manapouri (Make Travel Matter Experience with conservation contribution)
Optional Activities
- Glowworm Caves cruise
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Lake Manapouri Pomona Island Glowworm Caves - Day 5
Milford Sound
You're traveling deep into Fiordland from Te Anau, going through native rainforests, Mirror Lakes, and mountain passes. The day includes a cruise on Milford Sound where a naturalist guide helps you spot fur seals, waterfalls, and the dramatic escarpments throughout this World Heritage area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruise with naturalist guide
Landmarks/POIs Fiordland National Park Mirror Lakes Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 6
Queenstown
Queenstown is yours to explore however you like. You can do high-energy activities like jet boating or visit wineries in Central Otago for cellar door tours. By evening, you'll board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, finishing with a gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Included Activities
- Lake Wakatipu cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw
- Barbecue 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 - Day 7
Arrowtown - Franz Josef
You'll check out Arrowtown with its tree-lined streets and 19th-century gold-rush buildings. Stop by a local roadside stall to grab some fresh stone fruit, then drive to Franz Josef to see Franz Josef Glacier. There's an option for a scenic helicopter flight over the glacier with a possible landing (extra cost applies).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arrowtown exploration
- Franz Josef Glacier panoramic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with possible glacier landing
Landmarks/POIs Arrowtown The Remarkables Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 8
Punakaiki
Heading west to Hokitika on the windswept West Coast, then on to Punakaiki. There you'll see the dramatic Pancake Rocks and Blowholes where waves thunder through cracks in the earth. You'll stay overnight at an eco-resort right on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pancake Rocks and Blowholes visit
- Hokitika West Coast exploration
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - Day 9
Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
Start with a self-guided walk at Pounamu Pathway, learning about Māori history at the Mawhera Pā settlement (created with Weta Workshop). Grab lunch at Monteith's Brewery, then board the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps. You'll pass through tunnels and over viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks, forests, and gorges before arriving in Christchurch for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Monteith's Brewery), Dinner
Included Activities
- Pounamu Pathway cultural experience (self-guided journey)
- Lunch at Monteith's Brewery
- TranzAlpine scenic train journey from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
Landmarks/POIs Pounamu Pathway Mawhera Pā Monteith's Brewery Arthur's Pass - Day 10
Depart Christchurch
Your 10-day New Zealand adventure wraps up today. You'll depart Christchurch with new friends and plenty of memories from the journey.
