10 Days: Taste of the South
New Zealand’s South Island was chosen by US News as the world’s best place to visit in 2022. With fiords, glaciers, and mountains, this 10 day tour has it all.
We use this itinerary as a starting point to create your perfect bespoke New Zealand luxury vacation.
INCLUDED IN YOUR LUXURY PRIVATE TOUR
Luxury Accommodation with Meals as Listed
Experiences as Listed
Domestic Flight
Expert Local Tour Guides
Luxury Private Transport
Option to Self-Drive in a Luxury SUV
View Map
Day 1: Christchurch
Arrive in the garden city Christchurch
Christchurch New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore the city or easy way to see the sights or ride the historic trams across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the unique cardboard Transitional Cathedral, that's right it is built of cardboard!
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Private Transfer from Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Accommodation
You will be met at the Christchurch airport by the driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.
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The George Hotel
The George is the essence of supreme comfort. The award-winning 5 star hotel is opposite Hagley Park and just a few minutes stroll from the Botanic Gardens. It also has an award-winning restaurant, 50 Bistro onsite.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 2: Christchurch to Mt. Cook
Today you'll tour through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie. Ascending Burkes pass you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo.
Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier fed turquoise blue colour. Continue along the lake to your final destination the Mt Cook Retreat.
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Private Tour
Private guided sight seeing tour to your accommodation with multiple photos stops.
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Mt Cook Retreat
Enjoy luxury accommodation, fine cuisine, exceptional stargazing, and inspiring landscapes. Rest, revive, dine, explore. Your time is your own at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. Private luxury villas. Lake and mountain views. Exclusive lakeside estate.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3: Day in Mt. Cook
A visit to the Mackenzie Region isn’t complete without a pilgrimage to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, the mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook! There are many walking and hiking tracks, most of which are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The Hooker Valley track is one of the most popular with spectacular mountain views, alpine streams and impressive swing bridges.
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Heli Hike
Scenic helicopter flight from Aoraki / Mount Cook Airport over spectacular ice formations, landing on the Tasman Glacier.
Encounter glacial ice formations up close on a professionally guided 2-hour hike with Alpine Guides, Ltd. exploring Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier.
Soar above the Southern Alps and pass the Hochstetter Icefall on your return flight.
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Mt Cook Retreat
Enjoy luxury accommodation, fine cuisine, exceptional stargazing, and inspiring landscapes. Rest, revive, dine, explore. Your time is your own at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. Private luxury villas. Lake and mountain views. Exclusive lakeside estate.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4: Mt.Cook to Dunedin
Today you'll leave Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and travel past Twizel, one of the locations for the Lord of the Rings films. Stretch your legs in Oamaru, known for its white stone buildings constructed with the local Oamaru Stone.
Continue south down the coast to Moeraki, and take a detour towards the beach to see the Moeraki Boulders, a unique geological feature well worth a look. As you arrive in Dunedin, take in the city’s Edwardian and Scottish heritage.
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Private Tour
Private guided sight seeing tour to your accommodation with multiple photos stops.
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Camp Estate at Larnach Castle
A luxurious country house, situated 500m from Larnach Castle. The house is built from blue stone and features a spectacular marble staircase. The rooms are all double glazed and the reception rooms are all heated by open fires and underfloor heating. Staying at Camp Estate offers total privacy, with entry to Larnach Castle and grounds included.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5: Day in Dunedin
From edgy urban street art to adorable penguins, Dunedin is a region full of surprises. Take a walk up the world’s steepest street or enjoy fish and chips at the popular St Claire beach front.
Dunedin is home to rare wildlife. On the Otago Peninsula, you can spot little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions.
You can also visit the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross.
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Penguin Tour with The Opera
Learn about the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguin when you visit The Opera - Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, a private conservation reserve dedicated to ensuring the survival of this unique species. The project is entirely funded by guided tours which allow the conservation team to engage in habitat restoration, predator control, a research program, and an on-site rehabilitation facility.
On your tour, you will learn about the issues the Yellow Eyed Penguin faces, their life cycle, and how the project is carried out. Your experience will begin in a theatre before moving to the rehabilitation center where penguins may be seen up close. You'll take a short bus trip over to the reserve and be led on foot approx 2km by your guide through a system of covered trenches to view hides that allow access to the living and breeding habitat of this very shy bird without disturbing them. There is also an opportunity to meet other animals that reside in the reserve including fur seals, sea lions, and several species of shore and land birds.
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Camp Estate at Larnach Castle
A luxurious country house, situated 500m from Larnach Castle. The house is built from blue stone and features a spectacular marble staircase. The rooms are all double glazed and the reception rooms are all heated by open fires and underfloor heating. Staying at Camp Estate offers total privacy, with entry to Larnach Castle and grounds included.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6: Dunedin to Te Anau
The tour to Te Anau takes you through classic Southland farming scenery. Head off-the-beaten-track today and follow the coastline instead of the inland route. Go through The Catlins area and be sure to take a detour to Kaka Point to view its majestic cliffs and pounding surf. Continue through Invercargill to Riverton and Colac Bay, and then head north to Manapouri. From here you can embark on a day or overnight cruise to the remote Doubtful Sound, renowned for its natural beauty. Just a short way further will bring you to your lakeside destination of Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Parkand Milford Sound.
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Private Tour
Private guided sight seeing tour to your accommodation with multiple photos stops.
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Fiordland Lodge
Set in a World Heritage area Fiordland Lodge offers the discerning traveller comfort and privacy. The elegance and splendour of the Lodge is mirrored in the breathtaking views of Lake Te Anau and Fiordland. Private and serene, the Lodge is perfect for relaxation, or as a base for your Fiordland experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 7: Day in Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins.
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Private Tour to Milford Sound
Take an unforgettable journey from Te Anau through the stunning Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.
Travel along the shores of Lake Te Anau and into Fiordland National Park, emerging from native beech forest into the picturesque Eglinton Valley, one of only a few road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand. Take advantage of the photo opportunities on offer at the stunning Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly reflected in the still waters. After passing through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km passageway drilled into solid rock, you’ll arrive at Milford Sound.
Here you’ll board a luxury vessel for a 2 hour cruise around the fiord, exploring the region that Rudyard Kipling called the eighth wonder of the world. See iconic Mitre Peak rising dramatically from the depths to a height of 1,692 metres above sea level, glide past glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below. Lush native forest clings to steep cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins are regular visitors to the icy waters.
After your cruise, return to Te Anau
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Fiordland Lodge
Set in a World Heritage area Fiordland Lodge offers the discerning traveller comfort and privacy. The elegance and splendour of the Lodge is mirrored in the breathtaking views of Lake Te Anau and Fiordland. Private and serene, the Lodge is perfect for relaxation, or as a base for your Fiordland experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8: Te Anau to Queenstown
Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’ Today you’ll cross vast tussock lands on your way to Queenstown. Pass through Mossburn, the deer capital of the nation. Continue on through the Southland countryside where the road begins to hug the lake edge and the Remarkables mountain range towers over your approach into the adventure capital of New Zealand.
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Private Tour
Private guided sight seeing tour to your accommodation with multiple photos stops.
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Accommodation - Azur Lodge
It's hard to imagine a more perfect view than the one from Azur Lodge, this luxury accommodation offers amazing vistas of Lake Wakatipu & the surrounding mountains. As well as the luxury guest villas, there is a main lodge for guest use, breakfast dining room & stunning guest lounge.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 9: Queenstown
Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders.
And after all of that if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for take your pick from the Shotover Jet, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or Heli-ski.
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Private Central Otago Wine Tour
The Classic Full Day Wine Tour that explores the scenery, history, food and wines of Central Otago. Enjoy an unhurried amble through six of the region's finest wineries, pausing only to admire the ever-present views. Savour the unique atmosphere of the arts, crafts and history of Old Cromwell Town and share the unforgettable indulgence of a gourmet lunch.
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Accommodation - Azur Lodge
It's hard to imagine a more perfect view than the one from Azur Lodge, this luxury accommodation offers amazing vistas of Lake Wakatipu & the surrounding mountains. As well as the luxury guest villas, there is a main lodge for guest use, breakfast dining room & stunning guest lounge.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 10: Queenstown to Christchurch
It’s time to say goodbye with a domestic flight back to Christchurch
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Private Transfer Azur Lodge to Queenstown Airport