South Island Voyager

Day 1: Christchurch - Welcome to New Zealand!
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival at the Christchurch International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand and the hub of the stunning Canterbury region, as well as the world's aerial gateway to Antarctica. Known as the “Garden City” for its countless public parks and gardens, this is a place for fresh new experiences. You will have the rest of the day free to relax or explore this sparkling city. (No Meals)

Day 2: Christchurch - Explore Christchurch
After a hearty breakfast this morning, you will enjoy a four-hour guided sightseeing tour, during which you will learn a great deal about the city’s history and culture. Later this afternoon, experience life the way it should be – relaxed, tranquil and thoroughly enjoyable! Sink back into the velvet cushions of your boat as the Edwardian punter gently glides you down the Avon River, through the beautiful historic inner city of Christchurch. You will sit back and float past gardens, weeping willows, and historic buildings. You will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore some of the city’s many museums, galleries, and shops, before returning to your hotel for your overnight. (B)

Day 3: Christchurch to Kaikoura - Explore Kaikoura
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your AAW guide/driver will privately transport you to Kaikoura. This beautiful town is nestled between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the snowcapped Seaward Kaikoura mountains. It is one of the most famous places in the world for whale watching, due to its landmass meeting the ocean abruptly, resulting in very deep-water areas close to the shoreline. In addition, Kaikoura, meaning “meal of crayfish” in Maori, is renowned for its delicious seafood - crayfish (lobster) in particular. You will have the afternoon and evening free to relax and explore the town. (B)

Day 4: Kaikoura - Whale Watching Cruise
Today, you will be transferred to the Whale Watch Depot in the center of town for your whale-watching cruise (approx. 3.5 hours). You will depart Kaikoura by boat and travel offshore to enter the world of the magnificent giant sperm whale. This majestic mammal is the largest toothed animal in the world and also has the largest brain of any animal. You are also likely to see seals, dolphins, and the endangered albatross. Please note that this tour operates subject to weather and sea conditions.  After returning to town, you will have the remainder of the day free to spend at your leisure. (B)

Day 5: Kaikoura to Abel Tasman - Abel Tasman National Park
After breakfast, you will be driven to the beautiful beach town of Kaiteriteri, which rests at the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. Though it is New Zealand’s smallest national park, Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and coast track. You will take a water taxi to your luxurious hotel deep in the heart of the park. From here, you will be able to “tramp” along the coastal track, enjoying the spectacular scenery surrounding you. (B)

Day 6: Abel Tasman to Punakaiki - Explore Punakaiki
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in a water taxi and transferred back to Kaiteriteri and on to Punakaiki. This tiny coastal town is best known for its pancake rocks and blowholes – a must see for any visitor. (Pancake rocks are columns of limestone resembling stacks of pancakes. At high tide, with a heavy swell running, seawater is forced upwards through the blowholes, creating a magnificent demonstration of the sea’s power.) It is also the center for Paparoa National Park – 30,000 ha of varied landscape from mountains to lush rainforest to rugged beaches. There are countless activities here for you to choose from, including horseback riding, canoeing, caving, trekking, and rafting. (B)

Day 7: Punakaiki to Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier
Continuing down the West Coast with your driver/guide today, you will travel through Greymouth and Hokitika, the two largest towns in the area. The Arahura River, which enters the sea 8 kilometres north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone) for the Maori people and still yields a large proportion of the Coast's continuing supply. Several shops in Hokitika sell expertly crafted greenstone jewelry and sculptures. The region is also popular with other craftspeople, including gold jewelers, wood turners and potters. You will have the opportunity to visit their shops and peruse their handiwork.  After arriving at Fox Glacier, you will check into your hotel and spend the remainder of your day at leisure. Fox Glacier is one of New Zealand’s dynamic duo of glaciers on the West Coast; Franz Josef to the north and Fox Glacier to the south.  Nowhere else in the world, at this latitude, do glaciers flow down into a temperate rainforest so close to sea level. Fox Glacier is fed from a catchment of four high alpine glaciers. The terminal face is a short drive from the township of Fox and is reached via a riverbed walk from the road end.  Also nearby is Lake Matheson, the jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s scenic icons. Early morning is the best time for unsurpassed views of Mts Cook and Tasman, reflected in the mirror-like lake surface. Another highlight is a visit to Gillespie’s Beach to visit the seal colony and view the jagged white peaks of the main divide. (B)

Day 8: Fox Glacier to Lake Wanaka - Explore Lake Wanaka
From Fox Glacier the journey with your driver/guide today continues south down the West Coast until you reach Haast and cross the Southern Alps at Haast Pass. The road then travels along Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea before turning back towards Lake Wanaka, your destination for today. Wanaka is a year-round tourist resort on the edge of picturesque Lake Wanaka and surrounded by Mount Aspiring National Park. Originally settled during the gold rush era of last century, today its economy relies heavily on farming and tourism. In the summer, temperatures are high and sunshine hours long.  With its surrounding rivers, Lake Wanaka is a huge aquatic playground providing every water activity imaginable, including jet boating, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing or just swimming in the safe waters.  During the winter months, Wanaka is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders wanting to experience a variety of alpine terrain. Within a short drive are Treble Cone and Cardrona Ski Areas and heliskiing in the Harris Mountains.  Horseback riding, 4WD excursions, wine tasting and excellent fishing and hiking opportunities are also available year round. (B)

Day 9: Lake Wanaka to Te Anau - Explore Te Anau
Today you will journey with your driver/guide to Te Anau - the gateway to Fiordland National Park. After arriving, you will have the remainder of the day free to spend at your leisure. Te Anau is a township of tranquil beauty, nestled at the southern shores of a lake bearing the same name. New Zealand's second largest lake and largest body of fresh water in the South Island, Lake Te Anau covers over 300 square kilometers and has 500 kilometers of uninhabited shoreline.   Activities based at Te Anau include fishing, kayaking, sailing and horse riding, as well as a variety of trips on the lake itself. From here, you can also visit the underground waterfall and glow-worm grotto of the Te Anau Caves.  (B)

Day 10: Te Anau - Milford Sound Tour
Today, you will enjoy a full day tour of the Milford Sound, a fjord located within Fjordlands National Park and the Te Anau World Heritage Site. The road to Milford Sound, through Fiordland National Park, offers exceptional viewing opportunities with dense rainforest, towering mountains, glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. Called the eighth wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling, the Milford Sound is one of the most incredible natural sights you will ever see. The mountains emerge straight from the water, lush rainforests cling to sheer rock wall, and waterfalls cascade into the sea. Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins! You will enjoy a full-day cruise to take in all of the incredible scenery and wildlife that surrounds you, featuring informative commentary and a delicious picnic lunch. After your cruise, you will be driven back to your hotel in Te Anau. (B)

Day 11: Te Anau to Queenstown - Discover Queenstown
This morning, you will be driven to Queenstown. Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is also renowned for its natural beauty and is nestled on a crystal glacial lake between snow-topped peaks. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the center of the city, with a brief driving tour along the way. The rest of the day is free to explore the city or participate in one of the many adventure activities available to you, such as rafting, bungy jumping, jet boating, mountain biking, or horseback riding. If you would like a more laid back activity, there is wine tasting, golfing, shopping, or a Skyline Gondola ride. (B)

Day 12: Queenstown - Forest & Bird Walk
After an early breakfast, you will enjoy a lakeshore forest and bird guided walk. This is a unique nature interpretative experience taken at a leisurely pace through native beech forest, with morning tea/coffee on the lakeshore to the sounds of native birdcalls and surrounded by majestic mountains. The track is good but uneven and winds around the lakeshore with the option of a steeper climb to a lookout with magnificent views in all directions. This walk combines the best of native flora and fauna with magnificent lake and mountain views. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest. After getting up close and personal with New Zealand’s flora and fauna, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure in Queenstown. (B)

Day 13: Queenstown - Off-Roading Adventure
Today, you will enjoy a full-day exclusive charter 4WD adventure to Skippers Canyon and Mace Town. For the first part of your journey today, you will travel the spectacular Skippers Road in ultimate comfort and style. This private half-day tour will take you along this amazing road, which was hacked by hand through solid rock to the historic township of Skippers. See the breathtaking views down to the Shotover River from the comfort of your private Range Rover, while your knowledgeable and experienced guide will show you the stunning features of the Shotover Valley and tell you stories of hardship, luck and fortune that the prospectors faced. Landmarks you will visit include the historic schoolhouse in the township of Skippers, which illustrates these stories through artifacts and photographs. The second part of your journey is a true 4x4 off-road adventure that explores the historic gold mining town of Macetown. Long since it was abandoned after the gold rush, Macetown has now been transformed into a Department of Conservation reserve. Ride the rugged road in the safety of your 4x4s, ensuring excitement and adventure by crossing the Arrow River 25 times each way. Immerse yourself in the history of this precious region by panning for gold and letting your knowledgeable guides teach you about the hardship and exhilaration these miners faced. This evening, you will return to Queenstown and have time to do any last minute shopping or sightseeing before your departure. (B)

Day 14: Queenstown - Return Flight Home
After breakfast, you will be driven to the Queenstown International Airport to catch your return flight home. (B)