Day 1:    Arrive early into Auckland and transfer to your flight to Queenstown.   You will be met at the airport for a private transfer to your accommodation (2 nights Queenstown)

 

Day 2:    Making the most of your Queenstown visit today you have a morning tour that combines essential Queenstown activities.   The trip features the world famous Shotover Jet experience where you take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons and hold on tight for Queenstown's only exhilarating full 360 degree spins. Next, climb on board for a custom Nomad Safaris 4WD off road tour and experience a personalized adventure tour in the New Zealand backcountry in specialized 4x4 vehicles. Explore the abandoned gold mining area of the Arrow River and film locations used in Lord of the Rings'. Travel the rugged road and experience true off-roading as you explore the pioneer trails guided by the professional adventurers. Try your hand at gold panning.  This afternoon relax on a tour of Central Otago’s scenic wine country. Enjoy tastings at three cellar doors within the Gibbston region, take a guided tour through New Zealand's largest wine cave, sample local cheeses and relax with a glass of premium wine.

 

Day 3:   Leaving Queenstown you collect your rental car this morning and drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook. Stop at Omarama and enjoy the scenic hot tubs on route. (2 nights Aoraki/Mt Cook). 

 

Day 4:   This morning you’re on a scenic adventure that includes a glacier snow landing.  Fly up the Tasman Valley over the breathtaking blue glacier lake. See the Hochstetter Icefall and the cloud-piercing Aoraki/Mount Cook before landing on the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier. Take time to enjoy this unique alpine environment before swapping aircraft and returning to Mount Cook Airport.   This afternoon you could hike the Hooker Valley trail (2-3 hour return) or relax in the scenic beauty surrounding your accommodation.

 

Day 5:   Drive from Mt Cook to Christchurch (4 hours) (2 nights Christchurch)

 

Day 6:   Enjoy a leisurely morning then head to the Christchurch Gondola. Experience stunning 360° views from the summit, across the cityscape of Christchurch and over the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. To the south and east are dramatic views of Banks Peninsula, Lake Ellesmere and Lyttelton Harbour formed in a sunken volcanic crater. Looking north the beaches of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean unfold to the distant Kaikoura Peninsula. Tonight, you have a unique restaurant reservation. Board the Tramway Restaurant to experience the luxury of a 36 seater air-conditioned, colonial-style dining Tram and be treated to fine service, cuisine and beverages. Combine fabulous dining with Christchurch City heritage - truly a mix of the old and the new.

 

Day 7:   This morning you’ll be picked up from your accommodation to commence a full day Akaroa day tour with dolphin swim. Travel to the picturesque French settled town of Akaroa via a scenic drive over Banks Peninsula. Join Akaroa Black Cat Cruises for a swim with Hectors Dolphins, the world's smallest dolphin. Enjoy lunch in a quaint seaside café before heading back to Christchurch.

 

Day 8:   Drive from Christchurch to Dunedin via Moeraki to view the famous Moeraki Boulders.  The boulders are located on Kaokohe Beach. (2 nights Dunedin).

 

Day 9:   It’s all about wildlife and scenery today.  You’ll be picked up to begin with a scenic bus tour of the beautiful Otago Peninsula out to the Royal Albatross Centre, where you can view the majestic Royal Albatross in their natural environment. Next is a guided land tour of a Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve to see the rarest penguin in the world - found only on the south-east coast of New Zealand.   Afterwards, experience a fully guided tour of Larnach Castle - New Zealand's only castle, originally built in 1871. Finish the day with a wildlife cruise aboard the M.V. Monarch to see what cannot be seen from the land: NZ Fur Seals and up to 20 species of bird and marine life. You may also see dolphins and even some sea lions.

 

Day 10:  Drive from Dunedin to Te Anau (5 hours).  This evening you cruise across Lake Te Anau on a luxury catamaran to the western shore and join a specialist nature guide for a glow worm cave experience.

 

Day 11:  You get to experience Doubtful Sound today on an overnight cruise. You’ll cruise the full length of Doubtful Sound, all the way to the Tasman Sea.  Staying overnight onboard with dinner and breakfast. There is a nature specialist onboard and there are plenty of opportunities for wildlife view.  You can also explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat. (1 night Doubtful Sound)

 

Day 12:   Your Doubtful Sound Cruise returns to Te Anau at midday. From here drive back to Queenstown (1 night Queenstown)

 

Day 13:   Return your rental car at the airport and depart for your flight home.