6 DAYS · Christchurch → Queenstown

South Island Essentials: Glacial Lakes & Fiordland · 6 Days

From NZD $1,099 per person

Includes licensed commercial vehicle, driver-guide service, fuel and the driver-guide’s accommodation and meals while working. Guest accommodation, meals, entry tickets and activities are not included. Final pricing depends on your group size, dates and itinerary. Get in touch for a quote.

Six days linking Tekapō, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Wānaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound.

Ask about this journey ↗

South Island Essentials: Glacial Lakes & Fiordland · 6 Days

THE JOURNEY

Short on time but dreaming of the South Island’s great landscapes? This journey brings together luminous alpine lakes, the towering peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook, lakeside Wānaka and Queenstown, and the dramatic scale of Milford Sound. There is room to spend time in the mountains as well as experience the road into Fiordland. Six days make for a focused journey, with a full day to the fjord and a free day to enjoy Queenstown in your own way.

✦ Iconic lakes, mountains and fjord landscapes in one focused journey✦ Time among the alpine scenery of Aoraki / Mount Cook✦ A dedicated day to experience the road into Milford Sound✦ Finish with a free day to make Queenstown your own

DAY BY DAY

DAY 01

Arrive in Christchurch

Christchurch

Overnight: Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch and settle into the journey at your own pace. Depending on your flight time, take a gentle first look at the city or simply rest and prepare for the days ahead. Tomorrow the road leads inland, toward the South Island’s lakes and mountains.

Arrive in ChristchurchSettle in and restPrepare for the journey ahead

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

DAY 02

Into the Mackenzie and Lake Tekapō

Christchurch → Tekapō

Overnight: Tekapō

Leave Christchurch behind and travel inland across the open Canterbury landscape. As the road reaches the Mackenzie Basin, the horizon widens and Lake Tekapō’s distinctive blue comes into view, framed by distant mountains. Take time to enjoy the lake and the high-country atmosphere before settling in Tekapō.

Depart ChristchurchCross into the Mackenzie BasinLake TekapōStay in Tekapō

Colourful lupins and lake view at Tekapō

Lupins at the Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd and snowy peaks

The Church of the Good Shepherd among lupins

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

DAY 03

Lake Pukaki and Aoraki / Mount Cook

Tekapō → Lake Pukaki → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Twizel

Overnight: Twizel

Follow the luminous blue waters of Lake Pukaki toward the Southern Alps, with Aoraki / Mount Cook rising ahead. Today leaves time to experience the alpine landscape: look across glacial valleys and consider a walk in Hooker Valley or a scenic helicopter flight, depending on your interests and the conditions. Continue to Twizel for the night.

Lake Pukaki and mountain viewsTime in Aoraki / Mount Cook countryPossible walk or scenic flightContinue to Twizel

Hooker Valley walking depends on track and weather conditions. Helicopter flights are optional, arranged separately and subject to weather and operator availability.

Aoraki / Mt Cook from a Lake Pukaki lookout

Hikers crossing a Hooker Valley suspension bridge

Glacial ice on Hooker Lake beneath snowy peaks

Icebergs on Tasman Glacier terminal lake

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

DAY 04

From the high country to Queenstown

Twizel → Wānaka → Queenstown

Overnight: Queenstown

Leave Twizel and travel through the open high country toward Wānaka. Pause by the lake and enjoy the mountain-town atmosphere before continuing to Queenstown, where Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding peaks offer a different lakeside setting. Settle in and look forward to tomorrow’s journey into Fiordland.

Depart TwizelLake Wānaka and mountain-town sceneryContinue to QueenstownSettle in by Lake Wakatipu

Snowy peaks and a lakeside walker at Wānaka

The Remarkables from Queenstown waterfront

Queenstown street beneath pink sunset clouds

Snowy peaks from TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

DAY 05

A full day to Milford Sound

Queenstown → Milford Sound → Queenstown

Overnight: Queenstown

Set out from Queenstown for a full day into Fiordland. The road to Milford Sound is part of the adventure: forest, valleys and mountain walls build anticipation before the fjord opens before you. Spend time experiencing its immense scenery, with a cruise possible if arranged, then return to Queenstown. This is a long day on the road, but the changing landscapes make the journey memorable.

Depart QueenstownTravel through FiordlandExperience Milford SoundReturn to Queenstown

This is a long return journey; road access and any cruise arrangements depend on weather, road conditions and operator availability.

Cruising Milford Sound beneath sheer peaks

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

DAY 06

A free day in Queenstown

Queenstown · Independent day

The guided part of the journey has ended, leaving the day free for you to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace. Wander by the lake, browse the shops, enjoy a leisurely meal or simply rest before your onward travel.

Free time in QueenstownShopping, lakeside walks or restThe guided journey has ended

No driver-guide service is provided on this independent day; activities and local transport are arranged separately.

A street pianist on the Queenstown waterfront

Visitors at Queenstown Bay with snowy peaks

TSS Earnslaw at Queenstown Wharf at dusk

The Perky's Floating Bar on Lake Wakatipu

Queenstown Bay waterfront and floating dock

Scroll or use arrows to see more photos

Final pricing depends on your group size, dates and itinerary. Get in touch for a quote.

Ask about this journey ↗← All journeys