PRemium luxury tour
THIS TOUR IS 8 DAYS AND 7 NIGHTS
This is our flagship tour
This is a private, all inclusive, scenic adventure through the magnificent landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island.
Guests are driven and guided through the peaks and valleys, rivers, lakes and coastline of the Southern Alps. Travelling through mountain villages and UNESCO World Heritage national parks, stay in distinguished, luxury accommodation. Beginning and ending in Queenstown, this tour explores the surrounding region.
Never spending more than three hours a day driving, our comfortable and modern transport combined with experienced driver and guide will ensure your time on the road is a special way to soak up the exquisite vistas.
ACCOMMODATION
Our boutique, luxury accommodation has been carefully selected based on comfort, style, and the underpinning environmental practices of the establishment.
FOODThis tour takes you on a culinary exploration of the South Island of New Zealand. Dining experiences showcase the finest farm and garden to table dining of each region we visit.
ADVENTUREThere are many ways to explore. From the relaxing comfort of a boat cruise to the fun of an off road buggy, or get your heart going with e-biking or walking, we help you get to the heart of the landscape in a way that suits you. On booking with us we can custom tailor the daily activities of the trip.
DAY 1
Lake Hawea Station
Your guide meets you in Queenstown at 9am. After a few introductions and a briefing, you board the comfortable vehicle and take the short drive over the scenic Crown Range and down the valley to Lake Hawea Station.
The station is an active sheep and cattle station, boasting luxury accommodation. Practising a strongly regenerative approach to agriculture, the farm is highly distinguished, leading in our country as a certified, carbon positive operation.
After your picnic and tour, you check into the onsite, luxury Lake House which will be your accommodation for the night. Here you get to relax and unwind into the evening. Take a wander to meet some animals or simply put your feet up.
Dinner on this first night is privately catered in the Lake House by a world class local chef who specialises in preparing a banquet of local, seasonal, produce.
That evening there is the opportunity to join a local astronomy specialist for some, extraordinary, most unspoilt, star gazing. Sitting above the lake, nestled in the grandeur of the mountains all around, it is hard to believe this could all be real. Note, the star gazing is limited to days with shorter light hours, and cloudless nights.
DAY 2
Makarora – Mount Aspiring National Park
This morning we are in no hurry, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before embarking on the lakeside drive out to Makarora.
Enger, the co-founder of Tiaki Tours, joins you for this part of the journey. She shares her local knowledge of local Māori (the indigenous peoples) history, the traditional legends and way of life in the area.
This is our forest immersion part of the tour. Gentle and accessible bush walks with a local nature guide allows you to explore world famous destinations like the iconic Blue Pools as well as learn about the flora, fauna and conservation efforts in this area.
Enjoy a pre-prepared picnic lunch before heading into Wanaka township.
Wanaka is a thriving alpine resort village. Winter sees it pulsing with snow fanatics and in the summer it is a holiday hotspot for all things water. Boating, fishing, water sports, you name it.
This afternoon we have the option to go for a cruise out to an island on the lake, take an e-bike tour of the area or check out the galleries and design stores in the town.
We stay in Wanaka for two nights. Allowing us to connect in and really enjoy this special place.
Our accommodation here is the beautiful Edgewater resort.
Dinner tonight is at one of the towns finest restaurants.
DAY 3
Cellar Door Tour
We take you for a tour around the wider Central Otago region, learning about the history of the area and stopping in at our favourite cellar doors, including biodynamic and organic vineyards.
We explore the distinctive regional characteristics of our local beer, wine and gin.
For our last evening in Wanaka we dine at the Edgewater Restaurant, where local, in-season produce features on the menu.
DAY 4
Glenorchy, The Headwaters Eco Lodge
Glenorchy is the access point to another UNESCO World Heritage area.
On this tour the main feature of this location is the internationally recognised Headwaters Eco Lodge, where you can experience complete off-grid, carbon positive hospitality in luxury.
The dining experience here is in their garden to table restaurant with world class onsite chefs.
DAY 5
Explore and Adventure
Here you have the option to begin your day with a complimentary yoga session. Or take it easy and order a fully cooked breakfast of your choice with a barista made espresso in the lodge restaurant.
Now you partake in your chosen adventure for the day. There are many ways to explore this world heritage area. E-buggy to a Lord of the Rings film location, horse ride, river raft, or even jet boat up the famous Dart River.
We then have one more night enjoying the hospitality of the Eco-Lodge.
DAY 6
Te Anau – Fiordland
The day begins with breakfast at our accommodation. We then head off into the deep south. With plenty of scenic stops along the way, this drive transports you into one of the most remote and incredibly scenic parts of the world.
We arrive in Te Anau in time for an afternoon adventure across the lake to visit ancient caves filled with glow worms.
Tonight we stay in five star lakefront accommodation. Radfords on the Lake. We want you to rest up in comfort before embarking on your very exciting adventure the next day.
DAY 7
Doubtful Sound Overnight Boat Cruise
Your last night on this tour, and we have saved the best till last. Embark upon this once in a lifetime journey into the heart of the Fiords.
This journey takes you across a lake, a short ride over a peninsula into the remote Doubtful Sound. Here you board a cruise vessel where you have your own private cabin with ensuite. The trip is fully catered and knowledgeable guides are aboard the vessel.
While on this cruise you glide through soaring Southern Alps as they plummet into the deep fjords. On this trip you have the opportunity to fish, kayak, swim and explore onshore, fully immersed in this untouched wilderness.
DAY 8
Wake Up In Wonderland
Wake up to the dawn chorus of this pristine natural environment.
Enjoy your on board breakfast before returning to Te Anau, where you will be transported back to Queenstown for your flights or continuation of your holiday.