The first day is dedicated to arrival, rest, and gradual acclimatization after a long flight. Recharge your batteries, because your adventure of a lifetime starts tomorrow!

Today will take you to one of the wildest and most vibrant corners of the South Island - to Kaikoura, where encounters with wildlife await you at every turn. A hike awaits you along the rugged coastline, where dramatic cliffs meet the ocean and gulls frolic all around you, where they have their nests, so you have the chance to see their cute dark-feathered young. You will walk through a seal colony, where random encounters with casually lounging seal families await you. You can also look forward to a whale and dolphin watching trip, which is one of the most powerful natural experiences on the trip.

That's a nice start to the journey, what do you say! And you're only at the beginning 😉

*Depending on the time of booking the whale watching tour, swap the individual activities as needed.

Today, you'll be traveling from the coastal town of Kaikōura to the mountains of Arthur's Pass National Park. The journey itself is beautiful - you'll pass through narrow valleys, past wild rivers and picturesque mountain ridges, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot some of the wildlife that inhabits this area. After arriving at the parking lot, you have a choice of two types of mountain adventures, depending on your fitness level and preference:

Avalanche Peak Route - for experienced hikers: a more challenging, steep climb will reward you with stunning panoramas of mountains and valleys, ideal for those who want to include a physical challenge in their itinerary with a reward in the form of breathtaking views.

Alternative for less demanding: Devils Punchbowl Waterfall - a comfortable, easier hike along forest trails to an impressive waterfall that rises to a height of over 100 m. An ideal choice for families, beginners, or those who want to enjoy the beauty of the mountains without a steep climb.

Both routes allow you to return the same way and can be easily planned into one afternoon, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the mountains and nature of Arthur's Pass at the same time.

Today we leave the mountains of Arthur's Pass and head towards the West Coast. The journey will take you through narrow mountain valleys, wild rivers and picturesque villages before you reach the iconic Pancake Rocks, natural phenomena resembling pancakes in a pile. This place offers not only an unusual spectacle of strange natural shapes, but also sea geysers gushing through the rocks into the heights. We will end the day in Hokitika, where you can enjoy the sunset over the ocean and a relaxing dinner by the sea.

Start your day with an authentic Maori pendant making workshop, continue with a visit to the picturesque Hokitika Gorge, and meet the famous symbol of New Zealand, the flightless kiwi bird.

*Activities can be swapped depending on the workshop reservation time.

Today, you will travel to the glacier region of the South Island's west coast, where you will encounter the unique mountain glaciers Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. This area offers a combination of adrenaline and relaxing experiences, from helicopter flights directly onto the glacier, to glacier tours, to free, easy hiking trails. Everyone will find their type of adventure according to their fitness and taste. After a full day of adventure, you will move to accommodation in the town of Haast, where you will have the opportunity to absorb the experiences overnight and gather strength for further adventures.

Today, you will move from the west coast of the island to the interior. More specifically, to a picturesque town called Wanaka, which is an ideal place to combine relaxation and iconic tourist experiences. 

Today is for those who want to experience adrenaline and try something truly exciting. Wanaka offers a wide range of activities, so everyone can choose according to their courage and fitness level.

This is one of those unforgettable days. In the morning, you'll head to the heart of the Southern Alps, where the landscape dramatically changes – mountains rise before your eyes, the air cools, and the colors are sharper than anywhere else. The Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park offers some of the most beautiful scenery in all of New Zealand. A combination of the Tasman Glacier Lake, the iconic Hooker Valley Track, and a subsequent transfer to Queenstown, a town where nature meets adrenaline, awaits you.

Today, you're moving to a place where fear turns into euphoria and where it's almost impossible to remain just an observer. You're headed to Queenstown - the adventure sports capital of the entire planet! This day has no fixed itinerary. Everyone chooses their own limit, their own jump, their own challenge. Some will cross their comfort zone for the first time, others will fulfill a long-held dream. But one thing is certain - in the evening, you'll have a common theme, shaky hands, and a smile that won't come off your face.

After dramatic mountains and blue lakes, you will cross from Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. The road is scenic, so even the transfer turns into a window into the enchanting landscape of the South Island – forests, hills, lakes and rivers that appear around every corner. In the afternoon, a magical world awaits you, which looks more like a fairy tale than reality. Glowworm Caves are a place where darkness comes to life and thousands of natural lights illuminate the cave like a night sky. 

Today, one of New Zealand's most iconic experiences awaits you – a trip to Milford Sound, where nature will reveal itself in all its wild beauty. You'll drive through dramatic mountain passes, admire steep cliffs, endless forests, and waterfalls cascading directly into the fjord.

Today you will cross to the rugged and beautiful south coast of the South Island, specifically to its southernmost point in the town of Bluff (the southernmost town in New Zealand). You are now leaving relative civilization and heading to where the road ends, the wind never sleeps, and the ocean has the last word. The landscape is raw, open, and beautiful in a way that forces you to slow down and just look. If you're up for it, now is the moment to take your adrenaline level up a few notches. You'll have the opportunity to dive in a cage with great white sharks! Is that too much for you? No problem, you can replace the great sharks with a visit to the great Cathedral Cave, one of the 30 largest sea-eroded caves in the world. Everyone will take away a feeling of an amazingly spent day.

Start at Purakaunui Falls, a three-tiered waterfall cascading amidst lush green forest, offering an ideal spot for a short walk and stunning photos. Then, Tunnel Beach awaits, where you'll be enchanted by the dramatic rock formations and a narrow sandy beach accessed by a small path through the cliffs. End your day at Sandfly Bay, a beach known for its tranquil atmosphere and the chance to spot wild seals.

Today, you'll start with a visit to Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only true castle. Its elegant architecture and extensive gardens offer a glimpse into the Victorian era and panoramic views of the surrounding hills and fjords. After the castle tour, you will move to the Otago Peninsula, where a walk through sheep paddocks will lead you to dramatic cliffs and  peaceful bays. In the afternoon, you will travel to Oamaru, where a unique opportunity awaits you to watch penguins as they return from the ocean to the shore after dark. 

The last day of the trip is dedicated to a gentle but unforgettable conclusion to the entire adventure. In Akaroa, swimming with Hector's dolphins awaits you, the smallest and one of the rarest dolphins in the world. After returning, we will transfer back to Christchurch, where you have the last hours for a light city program, a short walk, coffee, or souvenir shopping. The day is at a relaxed pace - no rush, no great performances. Just the echoes of the journey, reflection, and a quiet farewell to the South Island before flying home.

Today your 17-day adventure around the South Island comes to an end. This day is entirely up to you - pack your bags, prepare for departure, return the car, and fly home. If you have time before your flight, take one last breath of New Zealand air and head to the airport. Have a safe trip home.