Intrepid Travel - Premium New Zealand South Island

Itinerary:

Day 1: Christchurch
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. Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: 1 x The Fable Christchurch or similar

Included Activities:

• Christchurch - Welcome Dinner
• Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Day 2: Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki
Take a morning stroll 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. Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 1 x Scenic Hotel Punakaiki or similar

Included Activities:

• Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting
• Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit
• Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Lake Brunner - Nature Walk

Day 3: Hokitika / Franz Josef
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. Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 1 x Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar

Included Activities:

• Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk
• Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger
• Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit

Day 4: Franz Josef
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. Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 1 x Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut or similar

Optional Activities:

• Franz Josef - Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise - 125NZD
• Franz Josef - Waiho Hot Tubs - from - 89NZD
• Franz Josef - Heli-Hiking Tour - from - 695NZD
• Franz Josef - Kayaking Excursion - from - 149NZD

Day 5: Makaroa / Wanaka
Depart Franz Josef for the resort town of Wanaka – the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust – an organisation that strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided flora and fauna walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist. Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand’s rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon and settle into your home for the next two nights – a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. 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. Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Accommodation: 1 x Edgewater Hotel or similar

Included Activities:

• Makaroa - Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Lunch
• Makaroa - Guided Flora and Fauna Walk with Local Ornithologist

Day 6: Wanaka
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. Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Accommodation: 1 x Edgewater Hotel or similar

Day 7: Wanaka / Gibbston Valley
Soak up a free morning in gorgeous Wanaka, then take the short drive to Arrowtown – known for its heritage town centre and autumn festival, this leafy community is perfect to explore on foot. When you arrive, you’ll take a leader-led walking tour through the cute shops and cafes, then head on to your Feature Stay accommodation at Kinross Winery in the Gibbston Valley. This working vineyard near Queenstown features on-site hot tubs and mountain scenery. During your stay, you’ll have a wine-tasting session followed by a 3-course group dinner featuring local, fresh produce. Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Accommodation: 1 x Kinross Winery (Feature Stay) (1 night)

Included Activities:

• Gibbston Valley - Wine Tasting
• Arrowtown - Walking Tour

Day 8: Gibbston Valley / Milford Sound / Queenstown
Today is all about the gorgeous scenery of the South Island! Say goodbye to the vineyard after breakfast and start your journey to the iconic Milford Sound – surrounded by mountains and, depending on the season and rainfall, hundreds of waterfalls, this place is well-acclaimed for a reason. When you arrive at the port, you’ll take a Premium day cruise to try to spot the local wildlife, waterfalls and amazing scenery from the water. Enjoy drinks and canapes on board, as well as in-depth commentary. After the cruise, head on to Queenstown for dinner. Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 1 x Ramada Queenstown Central or similar

Day 9: Queenstown
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. Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Accommodation: 1 x Ramada Queenstown Central or similar

Included Activities:

• Queenstown - Walter High Peak Country Farm visit and BBQ dinner
• Queenstown - Lake Whakatipu Steamboat Cruise

Day 10: Queenstown
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. Meals: Breakfast