Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to New Zealand!

Your tour starts in Queenstown this evening. Your guide will meet you for a tour orientation and then you  will join the group for a fabulous evening dinner. You may choose to arrive in Queenstown earlier to self-explore this vibrant city, aptly described as the adrenaline capital of the world.

Day 2: Fiordland Escape
Pack an overnight back for a night in the fiords. As you travel through the Fiordland National Park, ask yourself how on earth things could get any more beautiful, then find the answer around each new corner. At the fiord, board your vessel for a unique overnight stay, highlighted by cruising, wildlife-spotting, and kayaking beneath the sheer cliffs of the fiord. Get sore pinching yourself.
Day 3: The Land Downunder

This morning we wake to a hearty breakfast as we cruise back to land, rare witnesses to a Fiordland dawn. Our next destination is the city of Dunedin, a lively university town whose architecture and ambience hark back strongly to its Scottish roots, dubbing it the "Edinburgh of the South". Visit Larnach Castle, perched on the highest point of the scenic Otago Peninsula, for a bird's eye view of your domain.

Day 4: Natural  Wonders
Rare, sub-antarctic creatures are your companions today. Local naturalists make the introductions as yellow-eyed penguins, Hooker's sea lions and royal albatross welcome you to the Otago Peninsula. Hike the labyrinth of trails that overlook this stunning coastline.

Day 5: Mountain Splendour
We depart Dunedin in the morning for our journey to Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. We head north along the east coast, then turn inland following the Waitaki River, passing aquamarine, glacial waterways flowing from the magnificent Southern Alps. The alpine setting is spectacular and once settled into our lodging in Mt. Cook village, you will have the chance to investigate your surroundings.

Day 6: Glacier Getaway
Mt. Cook is home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest known glacier outside the arctic regions. This morning, hike to the terminal lake and board a small outboard for a trip to the glacier face. Listen to a wealth of information from your guide as you pass alongside icebergs and watch chunks of ice calve off the glacier. Spend the rest of the day exploring the region's trails on foot, watching for unique alpine flora and fauna. This evening, try to think of yet another word for 'spectacular' when writing in your journal.

Day 7: Scenic Journey
Take a leisurely drive to Christchurch with scenic stops along the way, including the startlingly-blue Lake Tekapo and a lush native forest of stately podocarps.  Tonight, a farewell dinner at one of Christchurch's many award-winning restaurants is our chance to reminisce about our trip and to revel in the friendships we've made.

Day 8: Homeward Bound
On your final morning, depending on your flight schedule, you'll have time to relax and make final purchases before travelling home or to your next destination.

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