- South Island
- Wine regions of Marlborough & Otago
- Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps
- Queenstown
- Milford Sound
Dates
February 24 – March 10, 2025
Highlights
- Beautiful inns / multi-night stays throughout the trip
- Local culinary specialties; delicious local wines
- Geographic variety: semi-arid Marlborough; the southern Alps; the balmy West Coast; the lakes, mountains, and fjords of Southland
- The ultimate explorers vibe
Trip Description
It’s time for a return to one of Earth’s greatest blends of nurtured scenic beauty, enlightened living, fascinating layers of culture and history, and relatively few people or commercialism. Welcome to New Zealand – known by the native Maori as Aotearoa. Our primary adventure will be a long embrace of the South Island. We’ll stay in outstanding lodges (multi-night stays throughout the trip) – known for their hospitality and locations that showcase stunning geography, local nature highlights, and local history and culture. We’ll begin our adventure in Marlborough – one of the world’s great wine-producing regions, exploring from our base in a 19th century estate home-turned-inn. We’ll then drive through Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps, and along the lush west coast, bordering the Tasman Sea (Pacific Ocean). Features of our “central adventure” will include life on a sheep station, high peaks and rivers, unique flora and fauna (and experts to tell about it), and delicious local food and drink. We’ll emerge in Otago (another important wine region), and the world’s adventure sports capital – Queenstown. We’ll relocate once more – to the scenic “outpost” of Te Anau: jumping off point for a visit to Milford Sound. We’ll fly from Queenstown back to Auckland, just ahead of our international flights home.
Itinerary
February 24
Depart the US today; with our crossing of the International Date Line, we’ll skip a day en route to Aotearoa landing on February 26!
After landing in Auckland, we’ll take a short flight to Blenheim, capital of the Marlborough region on the South Island. We’ll shuttle by comfortable high-roofed van to the nearby Ugbrooke Estate in the scenic Awatare River valley. Relax and unwind: You’re on a lovely 19th century settler estate, on a hillside adjacent to some of the most famous sauvignon blanc grapes in the world. Welcome to New Zealand! Dinner and overnight at the Ugbrooke Estate.
February 27
Delicious breakfast at Ugbrooke, followed by exploration of our immediate surroundings: lovely Paripuma Gardens, with walking paths to the beach; drives in the Awatare Valley – to the historic Taylor’s Pass Cemetery; and a visit to massive Yealands wine estate, featuring to-die-for views of the Pacific, stretching east toward Cape Campbell. Dinner and overnight, Ugbrooke Estate.
February 28
Enjoy a delicious and leisurely breakfast in the company of our delightful hosts at the Ugbrooke. Today, we’ll explore Blenheim and the Wairau valley, with lunch at a lovely local favorite. We’ll enjoy a mixture of wineries and historic sites tucked into the valley, with lovely mountains as our backdrop. Dinner and overnight in Marlborough.
March 1
We’ll bid our hosts farewell, and begin our drive south. We’ll round the coast to Kaikoura, then chart a route to Arthur’s Pass in the southern Alps. Our home for the next two nights will be the Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass. Enjoy upscale lodging and dining on the site of an historic high-valley sheep farm. We’ll also enjoy guided activities on the farm and in the adjacent forest; and options to hike or explore in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Dinner and overnight, Arthur’s Pass.
March 2
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a late-morning guided activity. In the afternoon there will be options for further exploration of the high country. Dinner and overnight, Arthur’s Pass.
March 3
We’ll drive the West Coast today, entering a region of lush rainforest, where the weather pushes from the Pacific against the high alps. Snow-capped mountains in the distance; pretty towns; and spectacular ocean views. We’ll arrive at the Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki, for two nights. Dinner and overnight, Lake Moeraki.
March 4
Our lovely lodge is located directly along the Moeraki River, as it emerges from the lake. Nearby we have lush forest – and our own naturalist to tell us about it on a gentle walk. About one mile away are the completely natural sand beaches and rocky points of Monro Beach – ours for exploring. Dinner and overnight, Lake Moeraki.
March 5
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll ascend the dramatic valley of the Haast River to Haast Pass, where we’ll enter Otago Region – known for delicious pinot noir grapes, and for one of the most beautifully-set cities in the world, Queenstown. Our hotel is set near the waterfront on Lake Wakatipu: the city center to the north side; and the lovely Queenstown Gardens an easy walk to the south. Dinner and overnight, Queenstown.
March 6
Today we’ll enjoy a classic adventure: We’ll board the vintage 1929 TSS Earnslaw steamship for a trip across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak farm and estate. Our backdrop features the Remarkables Range (east), and the Eyre and Tooth Mountains to the west. The estate provides lunch or tea; and opportunities to enjoy the lovely spaces, with expert commentary by staff on the history and life of the farm itself. Upon our return to Queenstown, enjoy “down time” to relax or explore on your own. Dinner and overnight, Queenstown.
March 7
We’ll depart beautiful Queenstown today, driving to Te Anau in Southland Region. Along the way, we’ll have stunning lake views, as we skirt Lake Wakatipu’s southern arm; and we’ll encounter historic “prairie villages” that lined the railroad into the South Island’s most interior places. After arriving in Te Anau, we’ll enjoy a very scenic boat ride to the Waitamo Glowworm Caves. It’s a unique experience, showcasing the region’s natural beauty – we’ll see practically no signs of human intrusion on much of our journey along Lake Te Anau. Dinner and overnight, Te Anau.
March 8
Today we’ll drive through the beautiful Eglinton River Valley on our approach to Milford Sound. We’ll squeeze through the Darran and Wick Mountains before descending to the sea, along one of Earth’s most entrancing places. We’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch, then board our ship for a lovely cruise past Mitre Peak to Fox Point, where the fjord opens into the Pacific. We’ll return to Te Anau for dinner and our overnight.
March 9
This morning we’ll return to Queenstown, where we’ll board our flight to Auckland. In Auckland, enjoy the city vibe, our pretty hotel, and an optional visit to the National Museum. Dinner and overnight, Auckland.
The following day, March 10, fly home to the US, arriving later on the same day ( . . . oh, the wonders of air travel!).
What's Included
Comfortable ground transportation
Accommodation for 12 nights
Breakfast, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
All activities / admissions per the itinerary
Guide and concierge service throughout the trip
Trip Price
$9,383 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $2,395)
What's Not Included
Price does not include airfare, alcohol, other meals, optional activities, or optional trip insurance.
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