Day 1 Arrive Christchurch and a private transfer to the Hotel. Here in the center of Christchurch is Hagley Park which makes for a wonderful setting.  

Day 1-3 stay in Christchurch that allows plenty of time to discover this city of Churches. You can go whale watching, swim with the dolphins, explore the French town of Akaroa, or enjoy the many restaurants such as, The Sign of Takahe which has a magnificent surrounding view of Christchurch in an English medieval setting. 

Day 3 Leaving Christchurch behind, travel across the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass for 3 nights. With your car rental stop to enjoy this mountainous region at the midpoint of Arthur’s Pass.

Day 3-5 time to enjoy this nature reserve in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. There are farm activities such as sheep blade shearing, guided night sky walks viewing the Milky Way and Southern Cross, lake canoeing where you visit forested islands for lunch and visit buildings that date from the horse and stagecoach era, or nature walks that range from 1 to 5 hours. 

For moderate fitness level, there is Alpine walk through moss forest, and see the giant red tussock (a high growing grass plant) up into the high Southern Alps. There is also trout fishing, snow skiing from June to October, and all year round hiking and mountaineering.  

Day 5 Leaving the Southern Alps behind, travel west to Greymouth on the rugged West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Turning south towards the Franz Josef Glacier it is here that you will find a subtropical rainforest with bush land that is home to native New Zealand trees, native birds such as the bellbird, tui, and the ever friendly fantail to name a few. Two nights at Franz Josef  accommodation. 

Day 5-6 At Franz Josef enjoy the Westland National Park, West Coast. Here nestled amongst the Southern Alps, enjoy the peacefulness and the surrounding wilderness forest land. 

Day 6 Enjoy a 40 minute helicopter ride over the Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps with time for a landing. Discover the invigorating yet airy silence of the mountainous Southern Alps and perhaps some time to make a snowman. Then time to leave via a flight over the Fox Glacier before returning to the place of departure. 

 Depart Franz Josef and continue southward toward the Haast Pass. Here in the Wilderness Lodge that is located in the midst of native forests, sparkling streams, and with a backdrop of the Southern Alps there is two full days of wildlife discovery. 

Day 6-9 Here discover with naturalists the wildlife of New Zealand. You can see penguins, elephant seals, and hector dolphins. Please note that this is seasonal. For nature there is canoeing, guided forest walks, and guided night walks to see the glow-worms and the stars of the Milky way. – It will seem like not enough days; perhaps an additional stay is in order? 

Day 9 Drive through the Haast Pass from this wilderness paradise of the West Coast towards Lakes Hawea and Wanaka to Queenstown.

Day 9-12, Time to take advantage of this high country lodge and its surrounding region. Helicopter flights for a picnic on a peak, to Milford Sound with a flight over the backcountry glacier, or a helicopter flight into the backcountry for an overnight horseback ride or day experience.

There is also wine exploration guided tours, and for honeymooners there is the secluded accommodations, sauna, and walking tracks. 

For an extension perhaps a 2 nights stay on Stewart Island to experience the wilderness and New Zealand unique birdlife. Take a guided tour of Ulva Island that is totally predator free which really does showcase New Zealand flora and fauna. This option is also available with self drive or Chauffeur driven.

Day 10 Enjoy a drive alongside Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown to the entrance of Fjordland National Park. Here take a 10 minute drive to Manapouri for an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound (seasonal) or Milford Sound (year round). This very secluded Fjord is larger than Milford Sound and is only accessible by boat or aircraft. There is wildlife viewing of bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and at time rear penguins can be seen. On this overnight cruise you can enjoy nature guided kayak and boat rides.

Day 11 Arise in the morning enjoys the chorus of New Zealand song birds, such as the bellbird, tui, and New Zealand wood pigeon. Time for a bit more exploring before returning to Manapouri located just down the road from Te Anau.

Here drive to Te Anau for relaxing or activities of this lodge located in the Fjordland National Park, and the entrance to Milford Sound and the secluded Hollyford Valley.

 Day 11-13 Te Anau is set in the splendor of Lake Te Anau for either relaxation or for outdoor activities such as fly fishing, hiking, nature walking or bird watching. With the accommodation you can also experience scenic flights into Dusky, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Kayak trips on either Doubtful or Milford Sounds.

Day 13 Time to leave Te Anau and Fjordland with your return flight back from Queenstown to the USA.

 

Departure Date	Every day of the Year
Type of accommodation	Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, and Luxury Lodges
Can I have a mixture of accommodation	Yes
Touring Options	Self Drive, Coach, and Helicopter
Can the Itinerary be altered	Yes
What is the cost	Depends on variables, please inquire