Day 1:    Arrival early into Auckland then transfer to your short flight to Wellington. Enjoy the afternoon visiting Wellington’s cafes, shops and restaurants. (2 nights Wellington)

 

Day 2:    This morning you’re off to discover Wellington and the best way to do that is on a city highlights tour. This is an unforgettable journey around the city's dramatic highlights, during which clients will travel around the earthquake-scarred South Coast to see the site of the Wahine ferry disaster and the distant ranges of the South Island, overlooked by coastal houses perched on the steep, rocky hills. Enjoy views of the harbor from the top of Mount Victoria and ride the steep cable car up to an incredible, far-reaching panorama. Visit significant sites before visiting the national museum of Te Papa to experience the extraordinary mix of Maori and European history, amid the nation's natural and cultural treasures.  After lunch you have a private guided tour of Te Papa Museum, New Zealand’s innovative and interactive national museum. Explore selected highlights of Te Papa's exhibitions on this informative and engaging tour. This tour will introduce you to natural environment, history, and Māori culture collections.  Explore Te Papa more on your own after your tour has finished.

 

Day 3:    Leaving Wellington today you’re off to the beautiful and serene Marlborough Sounds.  A transfer to the Wellington Ferry Terminal and from there you take the Interisland Ferry to Picton.  From Picton a water taxi will take you to Bay of Many Coves, a five-star secluded luxury resort in the Marlborough Sounds.  (2 nights Bay of Many Coves)

 

Day 4:    Day at Leisure at Bay of Many Coves.   Enjoy resort activities including a sounds cruise, fishing charter, kayaking and SUP, swimming with dolphins, bird watching, sailing and hiking.  

 

Day 5:    Today you leave Marlborough Sounds and head to Kaikoura. You’ll go via Blenheim where you will enjoy a Marlborough wine tour.  During the tour you will visit 4 cellar doors and taste wines along the way with an opportunity to wander through the vines. After your wine tour you’ll continue your journey to Kaikoura. (2 nights Kaikoura)

 

Day 6:    Kaikoura is famous for whale watching and this morning you get to take a scenic flight over Kaikoura's rocky peninsula, lush farmlands and Seaward Ranges. Kaikoura's distinctive coastline and picturesque township, with its mountainous backdrop is the perfect landscape for those wanting to experience a different perspective. See sperm whales and up to 500 dusky dolphins on this 30 minute flight.  You’ve seen dolphins from the air, now swim and watch the dusky dolphins in their natural habitat this afternoon.

 

Day 7:    Leaving Kaikoura this morning you get to enjoy a scenic transfer to Christchurch. Spend the afternoon at leisure wandering through the Botanic Gardens or ride the Gondola for spectacular city views.  Ride the Tram and see the most central attractions, get on and off as you please.

 

Day 8:     Lord of the Rings fans and anyone interested in spectacular scenery will enjoy today’s tour into middle-earth and visit the beautiful Mt Potts High Country Station, home of Mt Sunday. They transformed this peaceful mountain into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breath-taking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh mountain air.

 

Day 9:   Today you’re off to Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.  Spend the afternoon walking the beautiful trails and this evening you get to experience a Big Sky Stargazing tour. Trained guides show you the beautiful southern night sky using the naked eye, state of the art astronomy telescopes and binoculars at the outdoor viewing platform or if the weather is not favorable then 'live' under their high definition digital dome planetarium. Unleash your imagination as you discover the neighborhood in the universe including the Southern Cross, seasonal ecliptic objects, planets, star clusters, moons, distant galaxies and even their very own galaxy, the spectacular Milky Way. (1 night Aoraki/Mt Cook)

 

Day 10:  It’s all about glaciers today on a Tasman Glacier hike. Combine the excitement of walking on New Zealand's biggest glacier with the thrill of breath-taking scenic helicopter fly-bys of New Zealand's largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. You fly in to your drop off point on a remote part of the glacier. Then you'll go exploring the amazing ice formations, following your guide as they cut steps in the glacier, using skills handed down from New Zealand's mountain pioneers. Your trip finishes with another spectacular scenic flight back to our Aoraki/Mt Cook base.  This afternoon you leave Aoraki/Mt Cook and head to Queenstown. (3 nights Queenstown).

 

Day 11:  Today you get to experience a half day tour to famous Milford Sound.  During the 35 minute flight, enjoy panoramic views of spectacular alpine scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest. Land at Milford Sound Airport and transfer to the Visitor Terminal for a leisurely nature cruise the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. View spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and towering peaks and keep a look out for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. Afterwards you will be transferred back to Milford Airport for a scenic return flight to Queenstown.  

 

Day 12:  You’re going deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park today on a half day wilderness jet adventure. You’ll experience a unique combination of breath-taking scenery and an exhilarating ride as you follow the braided, glacier-fed rivers by jet boat. Your guides talk about the area’s rich history, the Greenstone trail and countless Maori legends. You also get to walk amongst the ancient beech tree forests – an atmosphere you may recognize from The Lord of the Rings films. It’s a complete Queenstown to Glenorchy experience in an untouched natural wonderland.

 

Day 13:  Begin your journey home with a transfer to Queenstown Airport and a flight to Auckland for your outbound flight. Return home with many photos and memories to share.