Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
You'll meet your group and guide at 2pm outside the Rydges Hotel in Christchurch, then head to Lake Tekapo for your first night. Before settling into camp, there's time to walk around Christchurch city and take a lakefront bike ride to get a feel for the area.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Christchurch City
- Lake Tekapo Lake Front bike ride
Landmarks/POIs Rydges Hotel Christchurch Lake Tekapo - Day 2
Lake Tekapo
This is your free day at Lake Tekapo, so you can choose how to spend it. You could hike Mt John for views across the Mackenzie Basin, check out the Church of the Good Shepherd, or just hang out at camp. Later in the evening, consider soaking in the hot pools nearby or doing some stargazing at Mt John Observatory since you're in an International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mt John Walkway hike
- Lakefront walk
- Cowans Hill walk
- Lake Tekapo Regional Park bike ride
- A2O Cycle bike ride
- Church of the Good Shepherd visit
- Access to Paparoa National Park
Optional Activities
- Tekapo Hot Pools
- Star Gazing at Mt John Observatory
Landmarks/POIs Mt John Church of the Good Shepherd Mt John Observatory - Day 3
Lake Tekapo to Oamaru
You'll travel to Aoraki/Mt Cook and hike to the base of New Zealand's highest mountain via Hooker Valley, crossing swing bridges and seeing the glacier. After that, you'll ride the 13km Alps2Ocean trail, then continue toward the Pacific coast and camp near Oamaru. In the evening, explore the historic town and look for Blue Penguins at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to the base of Mount Cook via Hooker Valley
- Swing bridge crossing
- 13 km Alps2Ocean trail bike ride
- Explore historic Oamaru precinct
- Pacific Ocean viewpoint walk
Optional Activities
- Scenic flights
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Oamaru Penguin Colony
Landmarks/POIs Aoraki/Mount Cook Hooker Valley Moeraki Boulders - Day 4
Oamaru to Te Anau
Start early with a beach walk to see the Moeraki Boulders if the tide allows, then head to Dunedin to check out Scotland's steepest residential street and New Zealand's only castle. From there, continue south to Te Anau on Lake Te Anau. You can bike the lakefront trail, take a leisurely walk, or visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary to spot the endangered Takahē.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Moeraki Boulders beach walk
- Dunedin city exploration
- World's steepest street walk
- Lake Te Anau lakefront walk
- Lake Te Anau Lakefront Cycle Upukerora Trail bike ride
Optional Activities
- Te Anau glowworm caves tour and boat ride
- Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
Landmarks/POIs Moeraki Boulders Dunedin Lake Te Anau - Day 5
Te Anau to Milford Sound and return
You'll travel along one of the world's most scenic roads to Milford Sound, where glaciers carved dramatic valleys during the ice ages. A cruise takes you past waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and wildlife like penguins, dolphins, seals, and whales. The return trip covers the same route. If you're doing the Routeburn Track, you'll be dropped at its starting point instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Milford Sound scenic road travel
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Short walks from Te Anau camp
- Lake to Lake Te Anau trail bike ride
- Lakefront Upukerora trail bike ride
Optional Activities
- Routeburn Track (pre-booking required)
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound Fiordland National Park Routeburn Track - Day 6
Te Anau to Queenstown
If you haven't already, you'll do a morning bike ride on the Lake to Lake Trail, then cross the Devil's Staircase to get your first views of Queenstown. You'll arrive in Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. If you completed the Routeburn Track, you'll rejoin the group here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lake to Lake Trail bike ride
Optional Activities
- Unlimited activities in Queenstown (see website for details)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Devil's Staircase - Day 7
Queenstown
Your full day in Queenstown is open for whatever activities interest you. Grab lunch at the legendary Fergburger if you like. Later tonight, you'll head out to dinner at one of Queenstown's restaurants with your group at your own cost, so there's plenty of time to explore the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Queenstown walks
- Ben Lomond walk
- Lake Wakatipu trail bike ride
- Queenstown trail bike ride
Optional Activities
- Unlimited activities in Queenstown (bungy jumping, hang gliding, paragliding, jetboating, canyon swing, luge, Lord of the Rings tour, white water rafting, and more - see website for details)
Landmarks/POIs Ben Lomond - Day 8
Queenstown to Lake Hawea
You have the final morning in Queenstown for a last walk or bike ride before the group departs at 10am. You'll then travel past mountains toward glacial lakes and calmer shores, viewing Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance as you head to Lake Hawea. You'll camp there with mountain views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Multiple walking options
- Hawea River Track bike ride
- Lake Wanaka to Lake Hawea bike ride
Optional Activities
- Unlimited activities in Queenstown (see website for details)
Landmarks/POIs Mt Aspiring National Park Lake Hawea Lake Wanaka - Day 9
Lake Hawea to Fox Glacier
After relaxing at the lakeside camp this morning, you'll travel north through Mt Aspiring National Park toward the West Coast. You'll walk to Blue Pools, cross the dramatic Haast Pass over braided rivers and glacier-carved valleys, and choose between walks through ancient forests or along beaches where Hector dolphins might appear. You'll reach Fox Glacier on the west coast by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Blue Pools walk
- Ship Creek walk
- Gladstone Track bike ride
- Fox Glacier Cycle Way bike ride
Landmarks/POIs Blue Pools Haast Pass Fox Glacier - Day 10
Fox Glacier to Punakaiki
You'll explore Franz Josef Glacier, one of New Zealand's most unique features descending from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level. Pick either a glacier hike or scenic valley walk, then visit Lake Matheson for mirror-like reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Head to Hokitika to shop for greenstone souvenirs, then continue to Punakaiki where limestone cliffs and Nikau palms create a striking landscape. You'll explore a cavern with glowworms and grab a drink at the local tavern.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lake Matheson sunrise walk
- Lake Matheson trail bike ride
- Bullock Creek trail bike ride
- Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes visit
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike
- Franz Josef Glacier main valley walk
- Peter's Pool walk
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier Lake Matheson Hokitika Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Paparoa National Park - Day 11
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman National Park
This morning you'll explore Paparoa National Park, either walking along the Pororari river or cycling up Bullock Creek Road to visit a cave resurgence. You'll depart mid-morning and travel inland through Buller Gorge to Abel Tasman National Park, one of the sunniest areas with secluded bays and golden sand beaches. You'll spend the next two nights at a camp near the park entrance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pororari river walk
- Bullock Creek bike ride
- Coastal bike ride to camp
- Kaiteriteri bike park ride
- Great Taste Trail bike ride
Optional Activities
- Skydiving
Landmarks/POIs Paparoa National Park Pororari River Buller Gorge Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Abel Tasman National Park
You have a full day to explore Abel Tasman's best beaches and clearest waters in New Zealand. Walk, sail, or kayak around numerous golden bays with clear waters, and watch for dolphins, seals, and possibly orcas. If adventure appeals to you, there's a one-in-a-lifetime canyoning experience available as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Abel Tasman National Park track walk
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Canyoning
- Sailing
- Water taxi
- Additional walks
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park - Day 13
Abel Tasman to Marlborough and Picton
Your final day takes you to Marlborough, home to some of the world's best-known wine regions. You'll enjoy a complimentary wine tasting at one of the region's top vineyards before your tour wraps up in Picton.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting in Marlborough vineyards
Landmarks/POIs Marlborough Wine Region Picton
