Day by day
Day 1
Arrive in Christchurch
We meet you at the airport. A gentle afternoon in the Botanic Gardens.
Day 2
Over the Southern Alps by train
The TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps by Arthur's Pass to Greymouth, about five hours. Then about half an hour's drive to Hokitika.
Day 3
Hokitika to Franz Josef
The blue water of Hokitika Gorge, then about two hours south to Franz Josef. An afternoon walk up the glacier valley.
Day 4
The glaciers
A helicopter flight and a walk on the glacier, or a scenic flight over the peaks, when the weather allows. Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier for the mirror view of the mountains.
Day 5
Over the Haast Pass to Wanaka
About four hours down the coast and over the Haast Pass, with stops at waterfalls and the Blue Pools.
Day 6
Wanaka to Queenstown
A morning by the lake in Wanaka, then the Crown Range road and Arrowtown on the way to Queenstown.
Day 7
Queenstown
A free day: the gondola, a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, or the drive to Glenorchy at the head of the lake.
Day 8
Milford Sound
A full day to Milford Sound and back, about four hours each way, with a cruise on the sound.
Day 9
Fly home from Queenstown
A free morning, then the airport.
