New Zealand is famous for a whole range of things – from the flightless kiwi bird and the impressive Maori haka to crystal clear lakes and the Lord of the Rings films. You’ll get to see all of this and more on this exciting tour of the beautiful South Island, with a whale watching cruise, visits to view some of the country’s most interesting wildlife and explorations of fascinating towns and cities. You can even walk on stunning Fox Glacier.

• Travelling - 1 to 3
  

  Fly from the UK to New Zealand, arriving in Christchurch on day 3. Your Tour Guide will be on hand throughout the holiday to show you all that is Kiwiana! They’ll show you the best places to sample a kiwi burger – don’t worry, they’re not made out of the iconic birds, they’re regular burgers with beetroot added! And they can help you find the perfect paua shell jewellery and ornaments for friends and family back home. Overnight Christchurch.

• Get a traditional Maori welcome / See kiwis in the wild - 4
  

  Named after the Oxford college, Christchurch still retains a British air and is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, which you will discover on a tour of the city today. Then no words can prepare you for your visit to the Ko Tane Maori experience, at the heart of Willowbank Nature Reserve. The traditional powhiri welcome begins in a seemingly aggressive fashion, but soon turns into a friendly greeting as you’re invited into the village to discover more about Maori culture and history.

  Willowbank is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can see nocturnal kiwis in their natural environment at night, and an experienced guide will be on hand to answer any questions you have about these quirky-looking flightless birds.

  Dinner this evening will be at Willowbank’s restaurant, which is known to attract the odd inquisitive deer to its windows! We’ll be joined by a representative from the New Zealand Conservation Trust, who will shed light on the country’s wildlife. Overnight Christchurch.

• Go whale watching in Kaikoura - 5
  

  Every single whale watching trip offers its own unique experience. In Kaikoura, the anticipation of seeing the giant sperm whale in its natural environment is incredibly exciting. Keep your eyes peeled for these mighty sea mammals, as well as fur seals, dolphins, humpback whales and more, these waters are a veritable treasure trove of sea life. Overnight Nelson.

• Explore New Zealand's smallest national park - 6
  

  The naturally beautiful Abel Tasman National Park is a dream to explore. Step aboard a boat for a relaxing cruise to Tonga Island, home to a colony of seals, then walk along part of the iconic Abel Tasman Coast Track to Bark Bay in the company of an expert local Specialist Guide. Overnight Nelson.

• Discover Nelson's Victorian history - 7
  

  The small city of Nelson is an ideal place to spend a relaxing day. Wander around its pretty streets of Victorian homes, or join one of the optional excursions available, perhaps visiting a nearby vineyard. Overnight Nelson.

• Walk on a glacier - 8 to 9
  

  Grab a pair of sturdy boots (provided) and drive through rainforest to the glacial valley, where your walk on Fox Glacier begins. In the company of expert guides, you’ll zigzag your way upwards to enjoy spectacular views across the glacier then don crampons for your walk on the surface of the glacier. This is one mystical yet enticing experience that your friends and family at home will be sure to envy, so make sure you don’t forget your camera! You’ll spend about an hour on the ice and will need to have a reasonable level of fitness.Overnight Fox Glacier.

• Cruise the mighty Haast river / Glimpse the past in Arrowtown - 10
  

  Leaving Fox Glacier behind, travel southwards to Queenstown. Part of the journey is a cruise on the Haast River, which runs through the spectacular South West Heritage Area of Te Wahipounamu. Your fully enclosed jet boat is the perfect place from where to admire the untouched landscapes you travel through.

  You’ll also visit the former gold mining town of Arrowtown, where you will have some free time to discover the historic Victorian buildings. Overnight Queenstown.

• Queenstown - 11
  

  Thrill seekers from across the world are drawn to Queenstown, where the adventure sports are legendary. If you don’t fancy bungee jumping, our range of optional excursions will show you another side of the town. Take a cruise on the waters of Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic steam ship TSS Earnslaw, or join a tour of a selection of vineyards, where you will be able to sample a number of local vintages. Overnight Queenstown.

• Marvel at the beauty of Milford Sound - 12
  

  Your cruise on the waters of Milford Sound will leave you breathless – the sheer rock cliffs that tower up from the water’s edge, lush green rainforests and incredible variety of wildlife are simply unbeatable. Whether you’re sailing so close to waterfalls you can feel their spray on your face, or watching seals and dolphins play in the calm waters, you’ll feel like the luckiest person on the planet to be experiencing this. Your day is completed with a visit to the glow worm caves at Te Anau. Cruising across Lake Te Anau, you’ll then enter an underground network of caves lit up by thousands of shimmering glow worms. It’s quite an eerie sight, yet one that simply can’t be missed. Overnight Te Anau.

• Uncover New Zealand's Scottish City - 13
  

  Dunedin’s railway station is a reminder of the city’s Victorian glory days. Built to resemble Edinburgh, Dunedin has some stunning architectural treasures and is home to the world’s steepest road. Overnight Dunedin.

• Observe penguins and albatross up close - 14
  

  The Otago Peninsula is the self-proclaimed wildlife capital of New Zealand. Spend today exploring this scenic cape and its myriad delights. From inside observation huts at the Penguin Place, you’ll be able to observe around 19 breeding pairs of endangered yellow eyed penguins go about their daily business. With a wingspan of up to 3.5m, the royal albatross is a truly impressive sight soaring and swooping through the air. The colony at Taiaroa Head is the only mainland breeding site in the southern hemisphere, and the viewing platform offers an enviable position from where to see royal albatross up close. (Please note: the viewing platform is closed from September to November during the breeding season, but the Taiaroa Experience remains open to visitors and you should be able to see birds soaring overhead.) Overnight Dunedin.

• Travelling - 15 to 16
  

  Fly back to the UK overnight, arriving on day 16.

Accommodation

• Latimer Hotel, Christchurch (4 -Star) - 2 Nights
• Trailways Hotel, Nelson (4.5 Star) - 3 Nights
• Heartland Hotel, Fox Glacier (3-Star) - 2 Nights
• Goldridge Hotel, Or Aspen Hotel, Queenstown (3-Star) - 2 Nights
• The Village Inn, Te Anau (3-Star) - 1 Night
• Mercure Leisure Lodge, Dunedin (4-Star) - 2 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 10:40 am

Includes

Not Included