8 Days • 7 Nights
Milford Sound & the Southern Alps
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll cruise the majestic Milford Sound in the heart of Fiordland, explore the lakes and peaks around Wanaka and Queenstown, and travel to Aoraki/Mount Cook, the country's highest mountain, with its glaciers and famous dark skies. Scenic flights, jet boats and golden-hour vistas fill the days.
With comfortable hotels, scenic touring and the key experiences arranged, it is the South Island's greatest landscapes in one spectacular week.
Trip Highlights
- A cruise on the majestic Milford Sound
- The adventure capital of Queenstown
- Lakeside Wanaka and the Crown Range
- Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak
- The turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie Country
- The dark skies of the Mackenzie reserve
- Scenic flights and jet boats
- The finest South Island scenery
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive in the adventure capital on Lake Wakatipu and settle in, with a welcome dinner.
The Skyline Gondola, a TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak, and your choice of adventure — jet boat, bungy or wine.
A full-day journey to the majestic Milford Sound, cruising beneath its cliffs and waterfalls, overnighting in Te Anau.
Return to Queenstown via Arrowtown and a Gibbston Valley wine tasting.
Drive over the scenic Crown Range to lakeside Wanaka, with a walk and the famous lone willow tree.
Travel through the Lindis Pass and the Mackenzie Country, past the turquoise Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, to Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Explore Aoraki/Mount Cook — a valley walk to the glacier lakes, an optional scenic flight with a snow landing, and the famous dark skies at night.
A scenic drive to Christchurch for your onward flight, with a final breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and scenic touring throughout
- 3N Queenstown, 1N Te Anau, 1N Wanaka, 2N Mount Cook
- Daily breakfast and a welcome dinner
- A Milford Sound cruise and Queenstown sightseeing
- The Skyline Gondola and a TSS Earnslaw cruise
- Lakeside Wanaka and the Crown Range drive
- Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Mackenzie lakes
- All listed activities and entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from New Zealand
- NZeTA and International Visitor levy fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities and adventure experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Visitors from visa-waiver countries must obtain an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) online before travelling, which includes the International Visitor levy. Others need a visitor visa; we can advise
- Currency: The currency is the New Zealand Dollar. New Zealand is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere
- Driving: New Zealanders drive on the left. Roads are scenic but often winding, and distances take longer than they look, so we build in realistic drive times (or you can self-drive)
- Seasons reversed: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so summer is December to February and winter (with skiing in the south) is June to August. Spring and autumn are quieter and beautiful
- Four seasons in a day: The weather changes quickly, especially in the mountains, so pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer, along with strong sun protection for the intense UV
- Biosecurity: New Zealand has strict biosecurity, so declare all food, plant and animal items on arrival and clean any hiking boots or camping gear to protect the country's unique nature
- Sandflies: The West Coast and Fiordland (including Milford Sound) have persistent sandflies, so bring insect repellent for those areas
- Best time: New Zealand is a year-round destination; summer is best for hiking and the outdoors, winter for skiing in the south, and autumn for golden landscapes and wine country
- Tipping: Tipping is not customary or expected in New Zealand, which keeps things simple
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM or eSIM gives good coverage in towns and along main routes. Power is 230V with the Australian-style type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Maori hangi feast or a wine-country lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy New Zealand's superb food and wine.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, scenic touring and activities are arranged for you, with the option of private guides, coach touring or a self-drive itinerary to suit your style.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Visitors from visa-waiver countries need an NZeTA, applied for online before travel. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer (December-February) is ideal for hiking and the outdoors, winter (June-August) for skiing in the south, and autumn for golden colours and wine. New Zealand is beautiful year-round.
Should we do a self-drive or guided tour?
Both work wonderfully — self-drive gives freedom and flexibility on New Zealand's scenic roads, while a guided or private tour takes care of everything. We can tailor either to you.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, islands, activities and hotels can all be tailored, and we can add Milford Sound, a glacier, wine country, adventure sports or luxury lodges. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between the islands?
By a short scenic flight or the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait between the North and South Islands — both included and arranged as your route requires.
Is Milford or Doubtful Sound better?
Milford Sound is the most famous and dramatic, easily reached from Te Anau, with sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Doubtful Sound is larger, quieter and more remote — we can arrange either or both.
Can we take a scenic flight over Mount Cook?
Yes — a scenic flight over Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, often with a snow landing, is a spectacular optional highlight, weather permitting.
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