Enjoy nine days of scenic splendor and diverse landscapes as your local guide helps you experience the natural wonders and heritage of this diverse and magical land – Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.

You will meet the local people, walk along deserted beaches, through ancient rain forests, view Pacific Island glaciers and experience the stillness in the magnificent Milford Sound. Go where the large tour groups do not venture and visit wild and remote places. Visit National Parks and the South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, all in the shadow of the Southern Alps and their rugged snow capped peaks.

Highlights include the High Country, Arthur's Pass National Park, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Lake Moeraki, Queenstown and Milford Sound".

Day 1
Christchurch and Welcome
After an introduction tour of Christchurch, you will travel west across the vast Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Here in the heart of the “High Country” is the Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge where you will stay for the first two days of your South Island adventure.

Accommodation
Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass
Included meals: AT, D

Day 2
High country, Sheep, Valleys and Keas
Discover the real high country where you can explore alpine plants, animals and the mountains. Experience the workings of a sheep station, explore Arthur’s Pass National Park in the heart of the Southern Alps and view the wide braided river system. Walking, mountain biking or relaxing are options available at the lodge.

Accommodation
Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass
Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D

Day 3
Mountains, Moas, Pioneers and Ice
Travel through the Arthur’s Pass National Park and cross the pass created as a gold rush link. View great mountain valleys, learn about the history of the region and visit the home of the kea – the world’s only alpine parrot. Travel down the incredible Otira Gorge to the West Coast and “Glacier Country” and take a walk to view the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. 

Accommodation
Te Weheka, Fox Glacier (or similar)
Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D

Day 4
Geology, Ice Age and Podocarps
This is the day to explore the Fox region.  Walking is the best way to experience this incredible glacial area. Take a tranquil walk to Lake Matheson – the beautiful lake famous for its alpine reflections or to a remote beach for views of the Southern Alps.

Accommodation
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Included meals: B, MT, AT, D

Day 5
Wilderness, Wildlife and Rainforests
Lake Moeraki is known for its magnificent and rugged beaches that are home to the crested penguins and New Zealand fur seals and untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain from the snow capped Southern Alps.

Accommodation
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Included meals: B, MT, L AT, D

Day 6
Coastline, Explorers, Tussocks and Gold
Moving on, you will cross the Alps over the Haast Pass where the forests give way to golden tussock grasslands. Pass through Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, ancient glacial lakes and then travel over the Crown Range to Arrowtown, an old gold-miners’ village. See the bungee (or jump it yourself) and then travel into Queenstown where you will stay for the next three nights at a superior lodge.

Accommodation
Millbrook Resort
Included meals: B, MT, AT, D

Day 7
Adventure in the mountains
Choose your own optional adventure – bungee jumping, a backcountry safari, jetboating, kayaking or a cruise on the historic steamship Earnslaw. For a change a pace, enjoy shopping, golf, wineries, an arts and craft trail or just relax and take in the beautiful mountain setting.

Accommodation
Millbrook Resort
Included meals: B 

Day 8
Milford, glacial lakes, Alps and Fiords
Travel to magnificent Milford Sound and cruise on the fiord. You will see deeply carved glacial valleys, ancient forests and incredible scenery – truly magnificent.

Accommodation
Millbrook Resort
Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D 

Day 9
Queenstown and farewell
After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in some pampering with some of health and beauty facilities at Millbrook. Take some time for that last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Your guide will transfer you to the airport or car rental office as required.

Included meals: B

Meal codes
B = Breakfast; MT = Picnic morning tea; L = Lunch;
AT = Picnic afternoon tea; D = Dinner

• Fully escorted small group tour with informative commentary

• Guided by local licensed guide

• Travel by deluxe 4WD minicoach

• Spectacular scenery

• Milford Sound cruise

• Guided nature & forest walks

• 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners

• Delicious picnic morning and afternoon teas

• 8 nights superior accommodation

• Airport transfer at Queenstown

• Warm wind/waterproof jacket

• Sturdy walking shoes, preferably hiking boots/shoes

• Sunglasses

Their aim is simple…

• To present guests with the best possible experience of New Zealand that time permits

• To provide magical personal small group and exclusive private tours to show guests the wonders of the South Island.

• To offer tours for those who do not want to be part of large groups or who do not want to self drive, with first class service and the comfort that should be expected.

They do this by

• Taking small groups of independently minded travelers to the heart of what makes New

   Zealand unique.

• Designing their tours to encompass those things that make New Zealand truly unique – it's ecology and natural history, the Maori mythology and history, the European history and of course, its incredible scenery.

• Believing in quality over quantity and so accordingly, our tour participation is usually limited to six to eight guests per tour

• Providing a highly personalized, interactive and spontaneous experience

• Sharing the genuine hospitality of real New Zealanders – priding themselves on thoroughness, personal touches and attention to detail.

• Operating their tours as “deluxe safaris"

Journeys of learning, discovery and adventure.