Stargazing at Lake Tekapo - Witness the Southern Hemisphere's clearest night skies
Self-Drive Through Haast Pass - A scenic road trip filled with breathtaking stops
Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch & Leisure Time
Arrive at Christchurch International Airport, pick up your rental car, and check in to your hotel. Spend the day at leisure, exploring Hagley Park, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and New Regent Street. Take an optional Avon River Punting Tour for a relaxing start to your trip.
Day 2: Christchurch to Kaikoura – Whale Watching Experience (180 km, 2.5 hrs)
Drive north along the scenic coastline to Kaikoura, a paradise for marine life lovers. Upon arrival, embark on a whale-watching cruise, where you can spot sperm whales, dolphins, and seals. Afterward, visit Point Kean Viewpoint to see the Kaikoura Seal Colony. Enjoy fresh seafood for dinner before checking into your hotel.
Day 3: Kaikoura to Punakaiki via Lewis Pass (300 km, 4 hrs) – Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
Drive through the spectacular Lewis Pass, one of New Zealand’s most scenic alpine routes, en route to Punakaiki. Upon arrival, visit the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes, a natural wonder where waves crash dramatically through limestone formations. Enjoy a peaceful evening by the rugged West Coast beaches.
Day 4: Punakaiki to Franz Josef – Glaciers & Rainforests (220 km, 3 hrs)
Head south along the stunning West Coast to Franz Josef, home to one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools or taking a short rainforest walk to Tatare Tunnels.
Day 5: Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike & Leisure Time
Experience an unforgettable helicopter ride & glacier hike on Franz Josef Glacier, where you’ll explore stunning ice caves and crevasses. The rest of the day is at leisure—opt for a quad biking adventure, a scenic flight over both Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers, or a relaxing soak in hot pools.
Day 6: Franz Josef to Queenstown via Haast Pass (350 km, 5 hrs)
Drive through the breathtaking Haast Pass, stopping at scenic waterfalls and lakes before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure—stroll along Lake Wakatipu or take a Skyline Gondola ride to Bob’s Peak for sunset views.
Day 7: Milford Sound Cruise & Fiordland National Park (Full-Day Excursion)
Embark on a full-day self-drive adventure to Milford Sound, one of the most stunning fjords in the world. Enjoy scenic stops at Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel before boarding a Milford Sound Cruise, where you’ll witness Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and playful dolphins. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Day 8: Leisure Day in Queenstown
Spend the day at your own pace, choosing from a range of activities such as jet boating on the Shotover River, a wine-tasting tour in Gibbston Valley, or a scenic lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Alternatively, relax at a lakeside café or go shopping in Queenstown’s charming town center.
Day 9: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo (250 km, 3.5 hrs) – Stargazing & Church of the Good Shepherd
Drive to the breathtaking Lake Tekapo, home to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd and the Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best stargazing locations in the world. Spend the evening at the Mt. John Observatory, witnessing a breathtaking night sky filled with constellations.
Day 10: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch & Departure (230 km, 3 hrs)
After breakfast, take a scenic drive back to Christchurch, stopping at Lake Pukaki for stunning views of Mt. Cook. Return your rental car at the airport before catching your departure flight, concluding an unforgettable New Zealand road trip.
