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Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the 5-starSt. Moritz Hotel. This evening, join your guide and fellow guests for a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel. Meals D
This morning’s excursion to Glenorchy finds you on the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in a region of towering mountain ranges and old beech forests. Setting out in comfortable and maneuverable 4WD vehicles with skilled professional drivers, you’ll have ample time to take in these magnificent landscapes, including several sites that were featured in theLord of the Ringsfilm trilogy. After lunch Canyon Brewing Company, enjoy a thrilling jetboat ride through the picturesque canyons of the Shotover River promises an unforgettable afternoon adventure. Later the Skyline Gondola will take you to the top of Bob's Peak, nearly 1,500 feet above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. This is the steepest cable car ascent in the Southern Hemisphere and offers breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peaks and, of course, Queenstown. Meals B+L
After breakfast, you’ll spend this day exploring Queenstown and its surrounding countryside. At the Kiwi Bird Park, you’ll have a chance to observe and learn about some of New Zealand’s indigenous wildlife including the Brown Kiwi, Tuatara Lizard, and the colorfully plumed Rainbow Lorikeet. Next up is historic Arrowtown. Founded in the heady days of the Gold Rush, this charming leafy town is nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River. Take some time to stroll along Buckingham Street with its heritage buildings and old miners’ cottages – many of them now home to inviting galleries, shops and cafes. Next, we head into spectacular Kawarau Valley, home to the famous Bungy Bridge where two daring adventurers launched the worldwide bungee jumping craze in 1988. Later this afternoon, you’ll board the TSS Earnslaw, a turn-of-the-century steamer, for a cruise across beautiful Lake Wakatipu. Step off at a working high-country homestead where you’ll see highly trained sheep dogs in action and enjoy a delightful lakeside dinner with fine New Zealand wine. Meals B+D
This morning’s drive begins along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and takes you through the amazing Homer Tunnel that opened in 1953. Continue through the spectacular glacier-carved Eglington Valley into Fiordland National Park to embark your overnight cruise aboard the comfortable Milford Mariner. As you journey the full length of Milford Sound, our ship’s expert naturalists are on hand to explain the history and geology of the region and to answer your questions. You’ll have plenty of time to take in the fjord’s pristine waterfalls, rainforests and soaring mountain peaks - and with sharp eyes, you might observe seals and possibly even dolphins and penguins. Anchoring in a sheltered cover, you’ll be able to join our naturalist guides to explore in the Mariner’s tender or by kayak. Featuring two levels of open decks and comfortable public spaces with panoramic picture windows, the Mariner is designed to surround you with the beauty and sounds of nature! You’re encouraged to take advantage of these inviting public areas as staterooms are small and simply furnished; there is a rectangular porthole so you won’t miss a bit of the scenery even when you spend time in your cabin. Tonight after a delicious carvery buffet, you can relax in the company of your fellow passengers or hit the deck to observe the constellations of the Southern Sky. Meals B+D
After breakfast onboard the Mariner, disembark at approximately 9:30AM and make your way to the Punanga Manu o Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Te Anau. This peaceful reserve is one of the best places to observe New Zealand’s unique birdlife—much of which is elusive in the wild. At your own pace, stroll the sanctuary’s paths and watch for colorful forest parrots, lively warblers, graceful fantails, melodic bellbirds, and striking paradise shelducks. The highlight is often the rare, flightless takahe, once thought extinct but now thriving thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Informational displays throughout the sanctuary share the stories of the birds and explain its ongoing breeding and rehabilitation programs, designed to reintroduce healthy species into their native habitats. Afterward, enjoy lunch in the charming lakeside town of Te Anau. Relax over a meal while taking in the surrounding mountain views before beginning your return journey. This afternoon’s 2.5-hour drive carries you north through the spectacular Kawarau Valley, where rugged cliffs rise above the turquoise Kawarau River. Continue east toward Clyde—about a one-hour drive—where your day concludes at Oliver’s Hotel, a boutique property set within an authentic 19th-century homestead. With its lovingly restored stone buildings, leafy gardens, and warm hospitality, Oliver’s reflects the character of Central Otago’s Gold Rush heritage while offering modern comforts. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure Meals: B+L
With fruit orchards, meandering waterways, and rolling hills, Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s loveliest and most bountiful agricultural regions. After breakfast, begin your exploration in Cromwell, a charming and historic town founded during the Gold Rush era of the 1800s. Continue to a local orchard, where you can enjoy some of the region’s fresh seasonal fruit. Then make your way to a nearby vineyard estate for a guided tour, wine tasting, and a leisurely lunch surrounded by scenic mountain and vineyard views. In the mid-1800s, this region witnessed New Zealand’s first major gold rush, drawing fortune seekers from around the world. This afternoon’s visit to the Goldfields Mining Centre brings that dramatic history vividly to life. Follow paths along the rugged Kawarau Gorge to historic mine shafts excavated more than a century ago, and see landscapes sculpted by powerful ground-sluicing operations. Gold can still be found in the soil today, and you may even try your luck with a bit of gold panning. Return to Clyde this evening for a congenial dinner and another tranquil night in this historic Central Otago town. Meals: B+L+D
Departing Clyde this morning, our first stop of the day will be theMaori Point Vineyard. Against a lovely mountain backdrop, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the estate as we learn about the viticulture traditions of Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s premier wine-producing areas. Paired with local products including dried fruits, nuts, pâté, artisanal cheese and freshly baked bread, we’ll sample four of their award-winning wines including Pinot Noir and a desert wine to finish. Then we’ll continue through the Lindis Pass at an altitude of 3,800 feet and make our way through the Mackenzie Basin – a land of powder blue lakes and wide-open grasslands set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Arriving in the beautiful Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, you’ll check in to the comfortable Hermitage Hotel in time for an available Mt. cook flightseeing adventure, and the thrill of seeing New Zealand's highest peak from the air. Later visit the Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Center and enjoy a narrated planetarium discussion of the Southern Constellations. Meals B+D
After breakfast, you'll have some free time to enjoy the delightful setting of our hotel. A pleasant stroll on the landscaped grounds or through the surrounding alpine meadows would offer a chance to take in the fresh mountain air and marvelous views of the soaring terrain. Later, you’ll depart the National Park to journey over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. With its lovely parks and handsome Gothic buildings, there's a delightful, very English ambience to Christchurch. In contrast, the Cardboard Cathedral designed by Shigeru Ban in 2011 is a marvel of 21st-century architectural design and ingenuity, constructed of paper tubes, re-purposed shipping containers and a lightweight outer skin. Upon arrival, you'll set out to see the town's architectural landmarks and the Botanic Gardens - founded in 1863 with the planting of a single English oak tree. From this humble beginning, the garden has grown to encompass mature trees, expansive lawns and 10 different gardens set within a loop of the gently flowing Avon River. This evening, we’ll take you to one of our favorite restaurants here in Christchurch for a Farewell Dinner featuring fresh locally-sourced fare. Enjoy a glass of New Zealand wine and raise a toast to your traveling companions and new friendships. Then retreat to our luxury boutique hotel on the Avon River for your final night. Meals B+D *Guests traveling from October 17, 2026 onward will stay at The Observatory Hotel in Christchurch.
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Or continue your adventure with our 12-day Small Group Journey to Australia. Meals B
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Start: January 24, 2026 End: February 1, 2026 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: February 5, 2026 End: February 13, 2026 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: February 25, 2026 End: March 5, 2026 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: March 19, 2026 End: March 27, 2026 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: April 1, 2026 End: April 9, 2026 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: January 21, 2027 End: January 29, 2027 Price: $8,799 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: April 15, 2027 End: April 23, 2027 Price: $8,599 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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