Lush forest & volcano walking – old world elegance – harbour & lake cruising – award winning T

Tranquil, serene and dramatic all rolled into one best describes today. We’ll begin the day by seeing the Sounds from the perspective of a boat on our journey to Punga Cove. Your definition of beautiful may well change as we venture deeper into the inlets of the Sounds. We’ll walk the forested coves and bays around to the end of Endeavour Inlet before taking our boat back to the sanctuary of Portage Resort.

No need to rush this morning. Soak in the final morning in the Marlborough Sounds in style. Late in the morning we’ll journey along the stunning Keneperu Sound Road out of the Sounds and inland to the head of the Rai Valley. We’ll stretch our legs on a forested trail around the Pelorus and Rai rivers before heading a short distance to a jewel in the South Island’s crown – Abel Tasman National Park.

Why hurry? You’re in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, so it makes sense to slow down and take it all in. The morning birdsong here is the soundtrack to breakfast before we hit the trail again, passing a string of gorgeous beaches, not to mention incredible rainforest. A highlight for the day is a diversion to Cleopatra’s Pool – where the crystalline ‘Torrent’ stream flows over smooth granite into a dreamlike plunge pool. Take a dip – it’s refreshingly cold, but well worth it. We’ll take time later in the day to revel in the comfort of Awaroa Lodge.

From golden sand and coastal rainforest to an alpine playground – we’ll hop on a flight to Queenstown. The rugged peaks of the Remarkables Mountain range rise sharply out of the crystal clear waters of Lake Wakatipu on one side. Turn 180 degrees and the spectacular views carry on as far as the eye can see – simply stunning. What better way to kick thing off here than by venturing down the Kawarau River Gorge to a local winery. The Central Otago region is New Zealand’s finest producer of Pinot Noir. We’ll taste, tour and immerse ourselves in the wine making process, before relaxing in Queenstown with views of the Remarkables and the surrounding peaks

Elegant, exciting, welcoming, compact and always beautiful, Queenstown is a place for anyone and anything. On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by stunning peaks, you’ll find a quiet sanctuary indoors or outdoors here, or an activity to get the adrenaline flowing. Dine, indulge, drink, walk, fly, float, ride – just let your guide know how you’d like to spend your time here. Be sure to soak in the many moods of the lake and forget about the world outside this amazing place.

As we drive into Fiordland National Park, ‘glorious’ is just one word that will pop into your head. As the granite peaks become steeper, higher and more imposing, the rainforest flanking them grows ever thicker and the rivers ever clearer. We’ll walk to a viewing point on the Routeburn Track, before dropping down into Milford Sound and discovering what the words ‘beautiful’ and ‘dramatic’ really mean. Here, you’ll see waterfalls like nowhere else in the world. This place receives over 21 feet of rain a year, so it might well be raining during your time here – and if it is, you’ll experience this place REALLY come alive! Later today, we’ll board a boat for a scenic cruise of Milford Sound for a unique perspective on this glorious wilderness area. If you’re feeling brave, an exhilarating swim in a hidden cove, before cruising back to land is a great idea. Today is a day to immerse yourself in an area unique to New Zealand and a balm for busy minds and bodies.

Awaken your senses this morning – you’re in for the experience of a lifetime with a helicopter flight from Milford Sound, up the coast and into Martins Bay on the edge of the Hollyford Track. Mountainous, wild, isolated and breathtakingly beautiful – the view of this World Heritage area is pure magic. Land on Martins Bay, have lunch in style, and take in the wild coast as it meets the high granite peaks and rivers flowing on to the beach. Later, we’ll head to Martins Bay Lodge.

Fiordland National Park outdoes itself today. A leisurely start with a delicious breakfast will make it hard to leave Martins Bay Lodge, but once we’re underway, this part of Fiordland shows itself off in fine form. A jet boat ride across Lake McKerrow, brings us to the confluence of the Hollyford River, where we’ll walk the undulating trail through stunning beech and podocarp forest and cross one of the longest swing bridges in New Zealand. Later, it’s back to “civilization” in Queenstown for a final evening in the elegant South.

All good things come to an end, unless you’re wanting to stay on for some more time in Queenstown of course – we’ll be happy to help you out with many options here. If you’re heading home, you’ll take with you the beauty of the South Island’s most stunning coastal, forest and mountain areas.