Day 1: Christchurch to Franz Josef
Nau mai, haere mai (welcome)! Your journey kicks off when we depart Christchurch in the morning for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains and over the famous Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast. Around almost every corner there is a picturesque backdrop to enjoy so have your camera ready as we stop often for walks and photo opportunities. We visit Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) before our day ends in the quaint little West Coast town of Franz Josef, home to Franz Josef Glacier. We stop for the night in a hostel close to all the attractions.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Full day at Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to get out and explore the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. Navigate the maze of ice and explore the incredible landscape on a guided glacier tour, which we highly recommend (own expense). There are also many excellent bush hikes available in the region. Tonight you self-cater, giving you the opportunity to dine at one of the local cafes and restaurants in town or make use of the self-catering kitchen at our hostel accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Franz Josef to Makarora
Today we head down the West Coast towards Mount Aspiring National Park, stopping to take in some breathtaking scenery at the amazing mirror-like Lake Matheson, NZ’s most photographed lake. See waterfalls as we travel through the mountainous Haast Pass towards Makarora then visit the stunning Blue Pools. On arrival in Mount Aspiring National Park we go jet boating to experience the best in shallow water boating skimming just inches from the riverbed, see pristine waterways, snow-capped peaks and native bush. We overnight in unique mountain chalets!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Makarora to Doubtful Sound
Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, with stunning ice-carved fiords, valleys, lakes and mountain scenery; it is our first port of call today. Within Fiordland we visit Doubtful Sound, the deepest of all the fiords, surrounded by towering peaks and huge waterfalls. We will board a purpose-built boat and enjoy complimentary afternoon tea while cruising past fur seals, penguins and dolphins. There are also sea kayaks available to paddle in the fiord. Tonight, we stay on a boat, anchored within a secluded bay in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
We depart Doubtful Sound around midday, leaving behind the stunning Fiordland to head for the ‘adventure capital of the world’ Queenstown. For your first evening here, Queenstown offers an optional big (make that huge!) night out with many excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Accommodation for the night is a lodge located close to town with awesome views.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Full day in Queenstown
You have two free days to fully explore everything on offer. Queenstown is a great place to spend a few days, no matter what your past-time of choice is. Options include bungy jumping, zipline tours, canyoning, Shotover River jet boating, skiing, sky diving, a walk around Ben Lomond or Queenstown hill for amazing views, or just enjoy the stunning scenery and do nothing. So you can make the most of the activities, our accommodation is a lodge located close to town with awesome views.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Full day in Queenstown
You have two free days to fully explore everything on offer. Queenstown is a great place to spend a few days, no matter what your past-time of choice is. Options include bungy jumping, zipline tours, canyoning, Shotover River jet boating, skiing, sky diving, a walk around Ben Lomond or Queenstown hill for amazing views, or just enjoy the stunning scenery and do nothing. So you can make the most of the activities, our accommodation is a lodge located close to town with awesome views.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Queenstown to Mount Cook
We’ll jump back on the bus for a short drive to Wanaka, where we’ll spend the morning biking some of New Zealand’s most scenic lakeside trails. After lunch, we head over the Lindis Pass through the picturesque Mackenzie region to the base of the country’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. There is time for a hike through the Hooker Valley for breathtaking views of the dramatic mountain landscape, or opt to take an alpine scenic flight (own expense). This is also one of the best places in New Zealand to join an evening stargazing tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Mt Cook to Christchurch
Today we make our way through a landscape made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings' films. We’ll take a break for a stroll around Lake Tekapo, iconic for its historic church and turquoise waters. Between Tekapo and Christchurch there is an option for thrill seekers to hop-off and join a top-notch Grade 5 white water adventure on the Rangitata River (own expense). Those not rafting will continue on to Christchurch, where your driver guide will point out the highlights of the South Island’s largest city. The rafters will rejoin the group in Christchurch this evening. This is where your tour comes to an end – we hope you had a blast on your New Zealand journey!
Meals: Breakfast
