A full day to explore the “Garden City” of Christchurch and the surrounding area. Stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens or take a boat ride “punting” on the Avon River. 

Your hotel is nestled in the vibrant Cathedral Square, a prime location in the heart of the city. Take a moment to relax, settle in, and enjoy all that Christchurch has to offer.

Embark on your 9-hour tour to Akaroa, traveling across the stunning Banks Peninsula, shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions. The high summit route offers breathtaking views of Lyttleton and Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, the distant Southern Alps, and secluded bays and farmlands. Swim with the dolphins and fully immerse yourself in the natural habitat of the world’s smallest and friendliest dolphins and enjoy the unique experience of swimming with these beautiful marine mammals up close.

Wander around the charming 175-year-old French harborside village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers’ history, art and craft shops, studios, cafes and wine bars.

Depart Christchurch and travel across the Canterbury Plains through fields and farms. The longest bridge in New Zealand takes you across the Rakaia River, a typical New Zealand ‘braided river’ where numerous channels of water flow across a wide gravel bed. The river originates in the Southern Alps, which can be seen to the west as you continue over the flat land through Ashburton, center of this large sheep and wheat farming area. Shortly after crossing the Rangitata River, turn inland to Geraldine – the gateway to the lakes in the central Mackenzie Basin. This is the perfect place to stop for a coffee. Travel onward over undulating sheep country to Fairlie and further ascend to the settlement of Lake Tekapo, where the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd perches on the lakeside. Continue through a landscape of scrub and tussock to Lake Pukaki and drive up the western shore, following the Tasman River to Mt Cook village. This portion of the drive, hugging the edge of the lake for for most of the way up the Tasman Valley, is particularly stunning.

You will stay 2 nights stay within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. This hotel is the perfect base for your adventures, be it an intrepid journey through glacial valleys or a mouth-watering culinary dining experience, and discover why this region has endeared itself to adventure seekers.

Next up – Evening Big Sky Stargazing

Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of the night sky, home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about. Resident astronomy guides will take you on a 1-hour tour of the night sky through high-powered telescopes. They share their knowledge about the night sky in an informative and approachable way, answering any questions you may have as they go. Guests will be shuttled to the base and are treated to homemade hot chocolate and sweet treats, before stepping outside to witness the darkness as it comes alive with the stars.

Today enjoy a high adventure on this 3.5-hour experience. With your professional mountain guide, you will fly high onto the white ice of New Zealand’s longest glacier – the mighty Tasman. Check in at Mt Cook Airport for a safety briefing and equipment check before embarking on a thrilling helicopter flight into the mountains. You will land at 1,200 metres above sea level and spend up to two hours on a guided interpretative ice trek. The gently undulating terrain is an amazing landscape of fluted ice, runnels, moulins, and sinuous winding streamlets. The helicopter will return you to Mt Cook Airport, flying close by the massive 1,000-metre-high (3,200 feet) Hochstetter Icefall below Aoraki Mount Cook to finish this amazing adventure.

Leave Aoraki Mount Cook, following the Tasman River and the shoreline of Lake Pukaki into the Mackenzie Country.

Set off on an exhilarating journey from Aoraki Mount Cook, tracing the Tasman River along the stunning shoreline of Lake Pukaki into the enchanting Mackenzie Country. Traverse the rugged high plains, passing through scrub and tussock, before conquering the dramatic Lindis Pass. Follow the Lindis River through the charming town of Tarras to reach Cromwell where your luxurious PurePod awaits.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the Pisa Range, offering a profound sense of serenity and pristine beauty. This is a special type of location and accommodation that promises both excitement and peace, wrapped in nature’s splendor.

Cromwell is just an hour’s drive from the adventure hubs of Queenstown and Wanaka.

Today’s journey will take you through the rugged, beautiful Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley. The latter is regarded as one of the world’s finest Pinot Noir wine regions and is also home to the world’s first commercial bungy jump. Take a stop at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge to watch the bungy jumpers from the observation deck or take a jump yourself. The final leg of your drive takes you past Lake Hayes to the popular resort town of Queenstown, situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.​

Settle into your lakeside Queenstown accommodation before exploring the variety of wonderful eateries this small alpine town has to offer.

On this 12.5-hour tour from Queenstown, travel in a custom-made 16-seater Mercedes touring vehicle. This premium way of touring offers extended legroom, leather interior, panoramic windows and glass roof for the best views. Enjoy personalized commentary from your experienced guide as you travel to and from Milford Sound.

As spectacular as the destination, the journey on the Milford Road offers an inspiring experience. From Queenstown, the road follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu and weaves through Southland farmland to Te Anau. From here, your journey continues into the heart of Fiordland National Park, taking you on a remote touring experience, with many scenic highlights, including glacier-carved valleys, blue lakes and native bush, as you cross the Southern Alps. Once in Milford Sound, join a stunning 1-hour-45-minute small boat nature cruise on the fjord and see waterfalls, fur seals, penguins and occasionally dolphins.  On completion of your cruise, your driver-guide will take you back to Queenstown.

Today is free to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Queenstown and its surrounds are a true outdoor playground with much to offer for adrenaline-seekers, the active, wine lovers, and families alike.

Known as the adventure capital of the world, thrill-seekers have an abundance of options to choose from. Queenstown is ground zero for commercial bungy jumping anywhere in the world. Choose between Kawarau Bridge, where it all started, or head to the Nevis Bungy site for the most daring and highest bungy jump in the world (134m high!) – or go for a combination of the two and supplement it with a canyon swing or catapult experience. Experience the excitement of a high speed jet boat ride: skim across the water, whizz round corners and shoot through narrow rocky gorges!

A busy soft-adventure playground is located on top of Bob’s Peak, high above town. It can be reached by the iconic Skyline Gondola and offers activities like the lugeing (part go-kart, part toboggan), ziplining (flying fox), dining with a view and stargazing.

There is no better way to appreciate Queenstown’s location amid the Southern Alps than from a bird’s eye perspective. Take a scenic helicopter flight, paraglide flight or take to the skies with a tandem skydive.

If you feel more comfortable on the ground, activities are plentiful, too. Cycling tours and mountain biking trails in Queenstown are a great way to explore and discover remote parts of this beautiful region! Or take to one of the many walking and hiking trails along the lakeshore or up the many hills and mountains.

For heritage-lovers, a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the iconic vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw is a must, as is a visit to historic Arrowtown, a gold-rush village.

A little further afield lies scenic Glenorchy, which can be reached by a 45-minute drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The views are spectacular and Glenorchy itself offers a range of activities, including walks, scenic jetboating, horse-riding and film locations from Lord of the Rings and Narnia. These are best be visited by 4×4 tour.

Wine devotees should not miss a trip out to nearby Gibbston Valley, home to some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, to explore cellar doors and restaurants to find your favourite vintage. This can be done independently by car or bicycle or as part of a guided tour.

In winter, Queenstown transforms itself into a ski resort. Ski fields like The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona offer options for experienced skiers and snowboarders and novices alike. Or, if you would like to try something new, why not head out for a snow shoeing experience?

Today marks the end of your holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand. We trust you have made lasting memories and hope to welcome you back in the future.

Land package pricing based on 4-star accommodation starts at $3,299 per person, prices may vary depending on season. Sample price shown is for May 2025 arrival.

Inclusions:
• Accommodation as per itinerary
• Meet & Greets and assistance at airport upon arrival
• Transfers / Transportation as per itinerary / Car rental and insurance as noted
• Tours, Admissions & Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Government Goods & Services Tax (G.S.T.)

Exclusions:
• International and Domestic Airfares & Departure Taxes – unless specified in the itinerary
• Meals & Beverages – unless specified in the itinerary
• Optional Tours, Admissions & Sightseeing
• Items of a personal nature i.e.; laundry, telephone, etc.
• Tips & Gratuities
• Hotel Porterage