Arrive in Christchurch and pick up your rental car to start exploring. Christchurch, New Zealand’s third-largest city, combines modern architecture with historic charm. After recovering from the 2010-2011 earthquakes, the city is now a hub of innovation, street art, and vibrant hospitality. Discover its parks, rivers, and distinctive layout, set against the backdrop of the Port Hills. Beyond the city, the Canterbury region features picturesque towns, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and the towering alps of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

Today, drive from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs for a soak, before continuing on to Kaikoura and the coast.

First up, explore Hanmer Springs, a scenic alpine village 90 minutes from Christchurch, famed for its natural hot pools and adventure activities. Surrounded by mountains and forests, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horse trekking, bungy jumping, and jet boating. Relax in one of 22 thermal pools or indulge in spa therapies. Don’t miss the hydro slides and the Conical Thrill, New Zealand’s largest aquatic ride.

In the afternoon after your soak at Hanmer, continue to Kaikoura, renowned for its marine wildlife and stunning scenery. Kaikoura is located 2.5 hours from Christchurch and is encircled by the wild Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific Ocean. It's your gateway to thrilling whale-watching trips and vibrant seal colonies. Dive into unforgettable marine encounters with whales, fur seals, and dolphins right off the coast.
 

After breakfast, head out for whale watching in Kaikoura with Whale Watch Kaikoura, owned by the local Kati Kuri people. Get up-close encounters with giant sperm whales year-round. Typically, spot 1-2 whales per tour, but the region is home to a variety of marine mammals, including dolphins and orcas. This award-winning tour offers an unforgettable look at New Zealand's incredible marine life.

After whale watching in Kaikoura, drive 2 hours to Blenheim. Follow State Highway 1 through Marlborough’s vineyards, with a possible stop at Lake Grassmere to see the unique vibrant pink salt ponds. Continue through rural landscapes and along the scenic coastal road from Kaikoura. Stop at Ohau Point for stunning Pacific views and a chance to spot New Zealand fur seals. From Blenheim, turn inland to continue another 2 hours to Nelson, your final destination today. 

Nelson, the oldest city in the South Island, boasts golden beaches, forests, and mountains. Known for its sunny climate, it’s a hub for artists, galleries, and artisan markets. Abel Tasman National Park offers stunning scenery with golden sands, clear waters, and lush green forests, making it a natural paradise.

After a number of days on the go, today,  explore Nelson on your own. Start your day in Nelson with breakfast at a café on Trafalgar Street, savoring fresh local flavors. Take a calm stroll through Queens Gardens, then dive into Nelson’s art scene at the Suter Art Gallery or explore the weekly market for artisan crafts. For lunch, enjoy local dishes and wine at a Moutere Hills vineyard. In the afternoon, relax at Tahunanui Beach or visit Founders Heritage Park for a taste of history. Finish the day with a scenic drive to the Centre of New Zealand and dinner at a waterfront restaurant, enjoying fresh seafood and a sunset over Tasman Bay.

Spend the day exploring Abel Tasman National Park. Stroll golden beaches and dive into adventures along the way. Take a water taxi to Medlands Beach, then walk through lush forests of silver ferns, manuka, and beech trees. Cross the Falls River via a swing bridge and discover Torrent Bay, Cleopatra’s Pools, or Pitt Head. Along this guided journey, uncover hidden stories of early settlers, Māori history, and the rich wildlife that thrives here. It’s a perfect mix of adventure and discovery in one of New Zealand’s most stunning natural settings.

Head south from Nelson toward Greymouth today. Travel through the stunning Buller Gorge to Westport, a key West Coast town. If time allows, visit the local mining museum to glimpse the town’s rich history. Continue down State Highway 6, one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes, with breathtaking views over the Tasman Sea from Point Elizabeth and Motukiekie Beach. Upon reaching Punakaiki, take a short 30-minute walk to the famous Pancake Rocks, a loop track through the rainforest, and out to the rugged coast, where 30-million-year-old limestone formations await.

Stay overnight in a beachfront four-star resort in Paparoa National Park, just 300 meters from the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes and a highly scenic 40-minute drive from Greymouth, the largest town on the South Island’s West Coast.

Take a scenic 1.5-hour drive from Punakaiki to Hokitika, then continue 2.5 hours to Glacier Country. Travel south crossing the Arahura River, known for New Zealand jade. Pass through small towns like Ross and Harihari and enjoy views of native bush and farmland. As you near Glacier Country, pass peaceful lakes such as Lake Wahapo and Lake Mapourika before reaching your destination.

In the afternoon, arrive in Glacier Country, nestled in the rugged West Coast wilderness. This remote region, known for its rivers, rainforests, and glaciers, stretches just 50 kilometers and is home to 31,000 people. The Great Coast Road from Westport to Greymouth ranks as one of the world’s top coastal drives. Explore Franz Josef Glacier, named in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast. It's 5 kilometers from town; a 1.5-hour walk gets you within 750 meters of the glacier’s face. For a closer look, opt for a heli-hike or guided ice walk.

Discover the Franz Josef township, where you can unwind at the renowned Glacier Hot Pools. Nearby, explore Fox Glacier, named after former Prime Minister Sir William Fox. This glacier flows from the Southern Alps into lush rainforest, just 300 meters above sea level. Visit Lake Matheson, famous for its mirror-like reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, offering stunning views on calm days.
 

On this day, get ready for a thrilling Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Board your helicopter with a small group of travelers, and adrenaline levels start to spike as you fly over jaw-dropping landscapes—an opportunity to take in the full panoramic majesty of some of New Zealand’s highest mountain peaks. After landing on the glacial ice, your highly trained mountain guide will find the safest and most spectacular route available on the glacier. Because the glacier is so fast-moving, its features are constantly changing—you might find yourself sliding through a narrow crevasse or between towering walls of ice, crawling through blue ice tunnels, hanging out in the ice caves, or witnessing the glacier calving. During your hike, your guide will share the story of Ka Roimata and Hine Hukatere, their knowledge of the glacier and surrounding area, and insight into why Franz Josef Glacier is so unique. A short scenic helicopter flight will bring you back to the helipad.
An average fitness level is required, and no mountain climbing experience is required. There will be hiking gear provided, and the entire trip takes about 3 hours, including two and a half hours on the glacier.

In the afternoon, drive from Glacier Country to Wanaka via Haast Pass (4 hrs). From Haast, travel through lush rainforests to the rugged landscapes of Central Otago. Stop at the Blue Pools in Mount Aspiring National Park for a 30-minute walk to stunning crystal-clear pools. Admire views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea from the "Neck" as you approach Wanaka.

Continue 1.5-hours from Wanaka to Queenstown via Cardrona on the stunning Crown Range Road. Pass through the historic village of Cardrona, a gold mining site turned ski destination. Continue uphill through Central Otago's tussock high country to the 1,076-meter pass, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. On your descent stop in Arrowtown, a beautifully preserved gold rush town with a rich Chinese heritage from the 1862 gold discovery.

Start your day with a luxury coach pickup from your Queenstown hotel, heading to Milford Sound through some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes. Journey past Alpine plains, turquoise lakes, and mountain peaks, stopping at highlights like Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, and Mirror Lakes. At Milford Sound, embark on a 1-hour, 45-minute boat cruise to explore the towering cliffs, waterfalls, and iconic Mitre Peak. Watch out for wildlife like fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Weather permitting, you have the option to fly back to Queenstown by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft and take in the grandeur of this special landscape from above (cost on request). Return to Queenstown around 6 pm.
 

On this day, explore Queenstown on your own. Start your day in Queenstown with breakfast at a lakeside café, savoring fresh local produce and coffee with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Next, stroll through Queenstown Gardens, enjoy panoramic lake views, and then ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for stunning vistas. For some fun, try the luge tracks before heading back to the waterfront for a lakeside lunch. Afterward, board a relaxing lake cruise and explore Queenstown’s shops and galleries. Wrap up with dinner at a spot with lake views and enjoy the town’s nightlife or a peaceful lakeside walk.

Queenstown has also been dubbed as the Adventure Capital of the world and with this title comes a plethora of adrenaline-inducing, heart stopping and hair-raising activities such as white water rafting or bungy jumping to name a couple. The region around Queenstown is characterized by jagged mountains, deep canyons, wild cascading rivers, crystal-clear lakes, rainforest, tussock grassland and fresh mountain air. 
 

Experience the thrilling Dart River adventure in Mount Aspiring National Park. Sail along the glacier-fed, braided Dart River for a half-day Wilderness Jet Boat excursion in breathtaking surroundings. This tour takes you far into the UNESCO World Heritage area, up to 90 km in length. Your guides will share stories about the area's rich history and the myths of the Maori people as you explore this energetic environment. With ever-changing landscapes, no two trips are the same, making each adventure unique and unforgettable.

Take a scenic 4-hour drive from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Aoraki/ Mt. Cook today. Pass through the Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley, known for world-class Pinot Noir, then travel through Cromwell, known for its vivid skies and extreme seasons. Continue over Lindis Pass, descending into Lindis Valley, and reaching Omarama. Time permitting, visit the Omarama Clay Cliffs, stunning formations shaped by ancient glaciers. Enter the Mackenzie High Country, with its striking blue waters of Lake Pukaki, where iconic scenes from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were filmed amidst the dramatic Southern Alps backdrop.

Experience the unique glacier tour by boat that Aoraki/ Mount Cook has to offer—the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Cruise across the Tasman Glacial Lake, weaving between massive floating icebergs as you take in the scale of New Zealand's largest glacier. The ever-changing landscape ensures no two days are the same, adding to the magic. Learn about the glacial environment and possibly witness the awe-inspiring moment when an iceberg calves from the glacier. The towering lateral moraines, remnants of the glacier's past, emphasize the grand scale of this breathtaking natural wonder.

Later in the afternoon, proceed from Aoraki/ Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo. Drive into the Mackenzie High Country for breathtaking views and an utterly unique experience. The spectacular Southern Alps frame the high alpine desert-like scenery that changes here. Spend overnight in luxury at Grand Suites Lake Tekapo, offering premium accommodations in the heart of the Mackenzie Basin.

Enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive from Lake Tekapo to Christchurch. Enjoy the mountainous scenery as you make your way out of the high country and towards the big city of the South Island. Stop for a coffee or lunch in Geraldine, a charming town known for its boutique shops and top-quality cheese. Pass through the scenic Rakaia Gorge and rich farmlands of Canterbury before arriving in Christchurch and checking in to your hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, head to the Christchurch Airport, return your rental car, and catch your international flight to begin your journey home.