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Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Due to the small properties we use there is only a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
3. The Doubtful Sound overnight cruise does not operate all year round. As a result, the following departures will instead spend the night at Milford Sound Lodge and enjoy a day cruise on Milford Sound: 30 April 2027, 14 May 2027, 11 June 2027.
4. Porterage is not available at all hotels on this trip and you will be required to handle your own luggage.
Before you book a trip with Intrepid, please take the time to read and understand what terms and conditions apply to your booking. For most of our trips, you will be booking directly with Intrepid so our Standard Booking Conditions and any applicable Special Conditions will apply. Please note that there are three versions of the Standard Booking Conditions depending on what location you are booking from.
Welcome to New Zealand! When you arrive in Christchurch, you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a welcome dinner at a tiny restaurant and natural wine bar featuring produce from the Canterbury region. Enjoy a three-course dinner celebrating local producers at a restaurant that champions sustainability.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Take an orientation tour with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Then, set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings movies were filmed here. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner – the largest lake in the South Island. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then, continue to Monteith’s Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon – in Paparoa National Park, this resort lies next to Punakaiki Beach and the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre – home of the official breeding programme for the world’s rarest kiwi, the Rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara (a reptile endemic to New Zealand). Arrive in Franz Josef in the late afternoon, where you’ll have a free evening.
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier – one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to the glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
Some walking paths around Franz Josef Glacier are currently closed due to heavy rain. Your leader can provide updates, or you can visit the Westland Tai Poutini National Park website.
This morning, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre – home of the official breeding program for the world’s rarest kiwi bird, the rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara (a reptile endemic to New Zealand). During your visit, your expert ranger will share behind‑the‑scenes insights into the conservation efforts taking place on the West Coast including how eggs are incubated and chicks are raised before being released into the wild. Then depart Franz Josef for the resort town of Wanaka, arriving by late afternoon. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you’ll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this popular town has to offer.
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Enjoy a sleep in this morning or start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you’ll visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch.
Say farewell to Wanaka after breakfast and begin the journey to Doubtful Sound / Patea – a lesser-known but stunning part of Fiordland National Park. Drive to Lake Manapouri where you’ll hop on a ferry for a one-hour journey across the water, followed by a scenic drive to Deep Cove via Wilmot Pass – a subalpine road surrounded by dense rainforest. Here, you’ll board your vessel and meet the crew for your Doubtful Sound Cruise. This Premium Exclusive Experience includes a delicious three-course dinner featuring local produce, and a resident naturlist who’ll share insights about the fiord’s history, flora and wildlife – including dolphins, seals and penguins. With fewer boats on the water than in Milford Sound and a more peaceful atmosphere, there’s a higher chance these creatures will pop up to say hello! If weather conditions allow, you might also like to explore by kayak.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
Your leader will not be joining you on the overnight cruise, but they will be available by phone if you need to contact them.
Start your day with a hearty cooked breakfast as the mist rolls over the cliffs, then get ready to explore some of the other nooks of the fiord this morning. After, return to Deep Cove to take the ferry back to Lake Manapouri and continue to Queenstown, arriving in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is free to relax or explore this resort town, famed for its picturesque scenery and dramatic location on the edge of the Southern Alps.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Soak up a free morning and early afternoon in Queenstown, making the most of your time in this scenic city. Wander at your own pace, then head out in the late afternoon with your group. You’ll board the TSS Earnslaw – an iconic, century-old coal-fired steamship. Cruise along Lake Whatkatipu to Walter High Peak Country Farm, taking in the scenery of the lake as you go. When you arrive, take a tour of the working farm, then sit down with your hosts for their famous gourmet barbeque dinner. Maybe say a cheers to an amazing adventure, then cruise back to Queenstown as the sun sets.
Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends little time in Queenstown, it’s recommended that you spend an extra day or two if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you, just get in touch ahead of time.
From AUD $8,735 per person, twin share · 10 Days
Prices are per person, twin share, in AUD and can change at any time. Tap a departure to enquire.
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Refund policies vary by operator and depend on how far in advance you cancel. Many offer partial refunds, while others may charge cancellation fees.
Date changes depend on the tour operator’s policy and availability. Fees may apply for last-minute changes.
Most tours include accommodations, transportation, a guide, and select meals or activities. Check the itinerary for specific inclusions and exclusions.
Extras like airfare, optional activities, meals not listed in the itinerary, personal expenses, and tips are usually not included.
There are group tours, private tours, self-guided tours, luxury tours, adventure tours, cultural tours, and more. Choose one that matches your interests and budget.
Book 3–6 months in advance for popular destinations or peak seasons. Last-minute bookings are possible, but availability may be limited.
Group Tour: You travel with other participants on a fixed itinerary. Private Tour: The tour is tailored for you and your companions, offering more flexibility and personalized attention.
This depends on the tour operator’s policies. Some allow it with prior arrangements, but you may still need to pay the full tour price.
Day Tour: A single-day excursion focusing on one or a few attractions. Multi-Day Tour: Covers multiple destinations over several days and includes accommodations.
Tips are usually not included. Check the operator’s policy and be prepared to tip guides, drivers, and other staff if not covered.
Yes, many operators offer accessible tours with accommodations for mobility aids. Check with the company for specifics.
Pack according to the tour type and destination. Essentials often include comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, travel documents, and personal items.
Some meals are usually included, especially breakfasts. Check the itinerary to know which meals are provided and which are not.
From $8,735.00
From $8,735.00
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