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Our currency converter is based on weekly exchange rates and is provided to give you an idea of the itinerary prices in your local currency. The final cost for itineraries can be confirmed by our team of consultants.
Scenic beauty, world-renowned wine and incredible mountainscapes in the South Island. Taking you from Christchurch to Queenstown via glaciers, wineries, lakes and fiords, this 10-day Premium guided coach tour showcases the natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene in New Zealand’s South Island. Forage for fresh ingredients with a local chef in Otago, cruise the quiet waters of Doubtful Sound and come face to face with endangered species – including New Zealand’s rarest kiwi bird – at a wildlife centre on the West Coast. With a knowledgeable local leader to guide the way, you’ll get to know the history and stories of landscapes shaped by the elements over thousands of years.
Premium: Intrepids best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and their most experienced leaders. Group size: 1 to 12
Physical Rating: 2 out of 5 = Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.
Check out why we love Intrepid here and read their booking terms and conditions here.
Welcome to New Zealand! When you arrive in Christchurch, you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a welcome dinner at a restaurant featuring produce from the Canterbury region. Enjoy a three-course dinner celebrating local producers at a restaurant that champions sustainability.
Special information – It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you’re going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Take an orientation tour with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Then, set off for Punakaiki on the West Coast, driving through Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings movies were filmed here. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner – the largest lake in the South Island. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then, continue to Monteith’s Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon – in Paparoa National Park, this resort lies next to Punakaiki Beach and the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Special information – Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming town of Hokitika and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre – home of the official breeding program for the world’s rarest kiwi bird, the rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara (a reptile endemic to New Zealand). Arrive in Franz Josef in the late afternoon, where you’ll have a free evening.
Special information – Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier – one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to the glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
+ Optional activities – Franz Josef – Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise, Waiho Hot Tubs, Heli-Hiking Tour, Kayaking Excursion
Special information – Your trip leader has a rest day today, as per NZ legal requirements. Your trip leader will ensure you’re ready to enjoy your time in Franz Josef, before taking a 24-hour break. They will be available in case of emergencies. Some walking paths around Franz Josef Glacier are currently closed due to heavy rain. Your leader can provide updates, or you can visit the Westland Tai Poutini National Park website.
Depart Franz Josef for the resort town of Wanaka – the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makarora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust – an organisation that strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist. Look out for endangered birds as you learn about how they’re working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon and settle into your home for the next two nights. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you’ll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this popular town has to offer.
Special information – Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Enjoy a sleep-in this morning or start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you’ll visit the spectacular deer station of Criffel Station. Here, you’ll be shown around the farm by the family before doing a chef-guided foraging and tasting tour, followed by a delicious lunch.
Say farewell to Wanaka after breakfast and begin the journey to Doubtful Sound / Patea – a lesser-known but stunning part of Fiordland National Park. Drive to Lake Manapouri where you’ll hop on a ferry for a one-hour journey across the water, followed by a scenic drive to Deep Cove via Wilmot Pass – a subalpine road surrounded by dense rainforest. Here, you’ll board your vessel and meet the crew for your Doubtful Sound Cruise. This Premium Exclusive Experience includes a delicious three-course dinner featuring local produce, and a resident naturalist who’ll share insights about the fiord’s history, flora and wildlife – including dolphins, seals and penguins. With fewer boats on the water than in Milford Sound and a more peaceful atmosphere, there’s a higher chance these creatures will pop up to say hello! If weather conditions allow, you might also like to explore by kayak.
Special information – Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours. Your leader will not be joining you on the overnight cruise, but they will be available by phone if you need to contact them.
Start your day with a hearty cooked breakfast as the mist rolls over the cliffs, then get ready to explore some of the other nooks of the fiord this morning. After, return to Deep Cove to take the ferry back to Lake Manapouri and continue to Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is free to relax or explore this resort town, famed for its picturesque scenery and dramatic location on the edge of the Southern Alps.’
Special information – Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Soak up a free morning in Queenstown and wander at your own pace. Then, head to Arrowtown in the afternoon. This historic gold mining town is known for its heritage town centre and autumn festival – and perfect to explore on foot. Learn about the town’s history on a leader-led walking tour and browse its shops and cafes. Then, head to Gibbston Valley to sample some of Central Otago’s famous drops at a well-known winery. Tonight, maybe go for a farewell dinner with your group and say cheers to an amazing adventure.
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends little time in Queenstown, it’s recommended that you spend an extra day or two if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your consultant will be happy to book additional accommodation for you, just get in touch ahead of time.
Book this 10-day small-group Premium tour to experience the South Island’s glaciers, fiords, lakes, and vineyards up close, with unforgettable wildlife encounters, handpicked experiences, and the warmth of local stories guided by an expert leader.
Packed with lots of tips, highlights, activities and helpful information of our diverse country.
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