15 Day South Island Natural Discovery

This 15 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

Explore and enjoy some of New Zealand's unique flora, fauna and scenery on this 15 day South Island tour. You begin with an alpine guided walk in Mt Cook National Park, were Sir Edmund Hillary trained for his Everest adventure. In Dunedin you'll enjoy a full day encounter with the unique marine life that inhabits the Otago Peninsula before heading south towards Fiordland National Park. Experience the Sound of Silence with an overnight cruise in the remote untouched wilderness of Doubtful Sound. No South Island trip is complete without time spent in the alpine playground of Queenstown, spend some time here before continuing to the beautiful West Coast. Here you'll marvel at the glaciers during your on-ice adventure, before crossing the Southern Alps on board the world famous TranzAlpine scenic train back to Christchurch. In the evenings you will relax in tranquil luxury lodges situated in secluded locations for the ultimate wilderness experience.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch International Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Franz Josef Glacier Helihike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch Train Station to Accommodation

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Glacier Explorers

Included activity: Mountain High Scenic Flight with The Helicopter Line

Included activity: Dinner at Camp Estate, Larnach Castle

Included activity: Wildlife Peninsula Encounter Tour and Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

Included activity: Dinner at Camp Estate, Larnach Castle

Included activity: Doubtful Sound Fiordland Navigator Overnight Cruise

14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners, 2 special dinners

Itinerary summary for: 15 Day South Island Natural Discovery

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch City
Accommodation: Hotel Montreal

Day 2: Your rental car is delivered then travel south to Mt Cook National Park, A World Heritage Area
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium Plus

Day 3: Enjoy a guided exploration of Mt Cook National Park
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium Plus

Day 4: Travel to Twizel and visit the very rare Black Stilt visitor hide. Continue to Dunedin, the 'Edinburgh' of the South
Accommodation: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle

Day 5: Explore Dunedin Peninsula and visit one of the world's rarest birds, the Yellow Eyed Penguin
Accommodation: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle

Day 6: Drive through Southland farmland scenery to Te Anau, Gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Accommodation: Fiordland Lodge

Day 7: Today embark on a 24 hour adventure to Doubtful Sound. Explore the area and spend the night in this pristine wilderness
Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator Overnight Boat in Doubtful Sound

Day 8: You return to Manapouri at midday then head north to Queenstown
Accommodation: Azur Lodge

Day 9: Explore and enjoy Queenstown at leisure today
Accommodation: Azur Lodge

Day 10: Queenstown to Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki

Day 11: Explore the flora and fauna of this unique West Coast Lodge
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki

Day 12: Lake Moeraki to the West Coast Glaciers
Accommodation: Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef

Day 13: Explore Franz Josef and the glaciers with an exciting Ice Explorer tour
Accommodation: Legacy Te Waonui Hotel Franz Josef

Day 14: Head north to Greymouth before catching the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch
Accommodation: The George Hotel

Day 15: Depart Christchurch today