The Southern Alps are even more spectacular in the winter and you'll be immersed in their snowy splendor. Soak in a ski lodge hot tub under the Southern Cross stars, hike to remote backcountry surrounded by dramatic peaks, witness Aoraki Mt Cook and an iceberg-filled lake, cruise Milford Sound with waterfalls plunging into deep fjords, and finish with a mulled wine in the stunning ski resort of Queenstown.
Start - End: Christchurch - Queenstown
Total trip: 8 days
Average group size: 12 people
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Over eight unforgettable days, you’ll journey through alpine landscapes few travelers see in their most dramatic season. Explore snow-dusted trails through the Southern Alps, hike beneath the icy grandeur of Aoraki/Mount Cook, and drift past glaciers and waterfalls on a breathtaking Milford Sound cruise.
After a day of crisp mountain air and invigorating hikes, unwind in cozy lodges with roaring fires and steaming hot tubs beneath a sky glittering with Southern Cross stars. From scenic flights and remote backcountry walks to shared laughter over mulled wine in Queenstown. This is winter adventure the way it’s meant to be: wild, soul-stirring, and wonderfully Kiwi.
Kepler Track
Follow the sweeping ridgelines of the Kepler Track, where snow-dusted peaks, mirror-like lakes, and untouched wilderness remind you just how wild and wonderful Fiordland truly is.
Mt Aspiring National Park
Wander through the still beauty of Mt Aspiring National Park, where snow-capped peaks rise above ancient forests and the cool mountain air fills you with quiet exhilaration.
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Trace the valley floor beneath Aoraki/Mt Cook, feeling the crunch of frost underfoot and the vastness of New Zealand’s highest mountain reflected in icy blue lakes.
Wanaka
Pedal along Wanaka’s serene lakeshore, the winter light dancing on the water and the surrounding peaks dusted in white. It's a picture-perfect slice of South Island life.
Cruise on Milford Sound
Sail through the majestic stillness of Milford Sound, surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, as mist drifts across the water and seals bask on the rocks. Experience pure Fiordland magic.
Explore Queenstown
Wrap up your adventure in Queenstown, where cozy cafés, local wines, and crisp alpine air invite you to relax and relive the magic of your winter journey.
Explore Lake Te Anau glow worm caves
Drift through a hidden underground world on Lake Te Anau, where thousands of tiny glowworms light the dark caverns like a starry night sky reflected on water.
Click on the map below for a close-up view of your eight days packed with snow-covered adventure.
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Leaving the city behind, we'll head to Lake Tekapo for a hike along the lakeshore before emerging above the treeline on Mt. John for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Then we’ll carry on to the remote and beautiful Lake Ohau Lodge. The lodge is tucked in beside an alpine lake, with stunning views stretching across to Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps – the ideal spot to soak in the hot tub and star gaze! Today is a relaxed introduction to New Zealand. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably find jetlag is no big deal. For instance, it’s a 12 to 13-hour direct overnight flight from the west coast of the USA to Auckland so you’ll appreciate the gentle start to your New Zealand adventure.
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge, Lake Ohau
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5 miles (8 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,080 feet (330 meters) ascent, 1,080 feet (330 meters) descent
After a late breakfast on the balcony overlooking Lake Ohau, we’ll take an impressive hike at the head of Lake Pukaki, up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake complete with icebergs! This is a great spot for lunch and on a clear day, the views of Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, are stunning.
We’ll return to the lodge where we’ll enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge, Lake Ohau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 328 feet (100 meters) ascent, 328 feet (100 meters) descent
After breakfast we’ll head south, driving through the tussock-country of Lindis Pass to Wanaka, the fourth largest lake in New Zealand and surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains. We’ll venture up the Matukituki Valley and hike two to three hours into Mt. Aspiring National Park to reach our home for the evening – a spacious mountain hut nestled in a valley in the middle of nowhere. The track meanders past majestic peaks, fresh mountain streams, and natural beech forest. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and some food, so your pack won’t weigh much more than a regular day pack. The scenery is off the charts with Mt. Aspiring rising 9,951 feet (3,033 meters) into the blue sky. It’s amazing how far you’ll feel from civilization after this relatively short walk! Tonight your guide will whip up dinner in the backcountry kitchen while you relax by the fire.
Accommodation: Mt Aspiring Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 197 feet (60 meters) ascent
We have a leisurely start today, enjoying breakfast and a cuppa while admiring the view, before hiking back to the trailhead. Along the way, we might encounter the cheeky kea – they’re really inquisitive and like to get pretty close at times!
We'll head out for a bike ride along the lakeshore, and then it’s a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, our base for the next couple of days.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel or Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 197 feet (60 meters) descent
Biking: Up to 6 miles (10 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here, including horse trekking, a gondola, fishing, winery tours, a historic steamship, bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere by the fire at one of the local cafés or pubs.
Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today. Alternatively, you can go skiing or snowboarding for the day at one of four nearby ski areas.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel or Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Queenstown
Meals: No meals
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Lake Te Anau to hike the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’. Unlike most of the other ‘Great Walks’, which evolved from Maori greenstone trails or pioneer exploration routes, the Kepler Track was custom-made and built for pleasure rather than necessity. The track has been carefully crafted to show walkers all the very best features of Fiordland, from the prolific bird life and tussock high country to the huge mountain ranges and vast glacier-carved valleys.
This evening we’ll take a boat journey across Lake Te Anau to a glittering grotto of glow worms. These fascinating bugs light the way in a 200-meter system of caves, underground waterfalls, sculpted walls, and swirling pools. From the darkness of the glow worm caves, we’ll head back into the light of Te Anau where we’ll stay the night.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent
This morning we’ll head towards Milford Sound on one of the most dramatically scenic drives in the world. We’ll pass through the Eglinton Valley, and wind our way through the mountains of Fiordland. Our drive takes us through the Homer Tunnel, an astounding feat of human engineering which must be seen to be believed. Once we arrive you’ll have the opportunity to explore Milford Sound and hopefully spot some friendly fur seals and dolphins.
We’ll jump on board a boat cruise, where you’ll gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around, and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord. This afternoon, we’ll explore the Fiordland wilderness on foot to check out some of its endemic flora and fauna, like the kea (Nestor notabilis), New Zealand’s notoriously cheeky and intelligent alpine parrot, and the kotukutuku (Fuchsia excorticate), the world’s largest fuchsia.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise: 2 hours
Today, we’ll be making the scenic journey past beautiful rolling farmland and around the edge of Lake Wakatipu where you’ll finish your journey with us ends in Queenstown.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
Discover the kinds of lodgings you'll be staying in, and what to pack for your wintery adventure, and much more...
On the first morning of the trip, please meet us outside reception at the Merivale Manor at 9:00am, our designated departure point for all guests on your trip. Please make your own arrangements to get there. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Christchurch - that's up to you. Be prepared with your daypack and hiking boots, ready for this afternoons hike up Mt John.
Your trip ends when we arrive back to Queenstown, with a drop-off at either the Queenstown Airport (ZQN) in time for flights below or anywhere in Central Queenstown around 12pm.
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Christchurch the day before your trip begins, or earlier, to accommodate potential flight delays and give you time to explore the city before your adventure starts.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Queenstown after 2pm for domestic and 3pm for international flight departures. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.
We’ve selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel. We prefer to stay in quaint, comfortable bed and breakfasts, lodges and apartments, some of which have private bathrooms and some shared bathrooms. You may be sharing a two bedroom apartment or bathroom with other group members at some stage. Some places are fairly basic - like when we stay at Mt. Aspiring Hut on our overnight hike - and the true Kiwi experience makes it all worthwhile. Where you’ll be staying each night is detailed on the trip itinerary above. Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may stay somewhere different, which will always be a similar standard and just as comfortable.
If you've selected a single supplement for your trip, the overnight hike is not included as no single rooms are available in the huts, and the single supplement price takes this into account.
We recommend bringing enough clothing so you don't have to do laundry during your trip.
Getting from one breathtaking destination to the next in New Zealand means road travel is essential. That’s why having comfortable, reliable transport plays a big role in making your adventure vacation enjoyable.
We own and operate our very own fleet of medium-sized coaches — perfectly suited for New Zealand’s unique roads. They’re ideal for accessing the country’s iconic highlights and venturing off the beaten track to the lesser-known places most travelers miss.
So sit back, relax, and let us take the wheel. Your New Zealand adventure is calling — and we’ll make sure you travel in comfort and style.
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.
*Terms and conditions apply - read more here.
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Our passion for exploration is rooted in a strong connection to the natural beauty of our home, New Zealand, and the drive to venture beyond its shores to discover a world different to our own.
We believe the best journeys don’t just take you places, they inspire you and ignite your spirit. Our unique and thoughtfully designed itineraries ensure you'll experience the very best of each destination.
Feel the heart and soul of each place you visit with our local people on the ground and knowledgeable guides, who take great care to ensure a truly authentic and immersive experience. This is the real deal.
We take the time to get to know you to ensure you have the very best experience on our trips. Our small group adventures are big on flexibility. No matter what your version of "active" is, we have options on each trip to suit every individual.
Traveling solo, as a pair, or as part of a group? No worries, you'll be comfortable on our trips. Every trip is personalized with care by our team so everyone feels supported and free to enjoy their unforgettable adventure.
Imagine a vacation that's fully guided, and everything is taken care of and included in the trip price — all accommodations, activities, transport on-trip, most meals, and more! Effortless and value-packed.
New Zealand might feel like a world away, but it’s closer than you think — just a 12-hour direct flight from the Pacific Coast of North America. Major airlines, including Air New Zealand (our national carrier), offer non-stop flights to Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island from cities like New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Vancouver.
Need a hand with your travel plans? Like to arrange a tropical stopover? Our trusted partners atFuzion Travelare here to help make getting to and from New Zealand hassle-free and easy.
