Our adventure begins this morning from the garden city of Christchurch. We travel north along one of New Zealand's most scenic coastlines, arriving into Kaikōura in the early afternoon. The small township is situated in a bay overlooked by alpine peaks which tower over the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The spectacular juxtaposition of the mountains and sea offers us wonderful photo opportunites both in the afternoon and morning light.

We photograph the first light on the mountains and coast, and after breakfast depart for Greymouth on the West Coast. Our journey takes us through the expansive high country of the Hurunui District towards the alpine region of the Lewis Pass. We arrive at the seaside town of Greymouth in the early afternoon and take a short break to refresh before heading north along the scenic coast road to Punakaiki, in the Paparoa National Park. This region has the largest remaining lowland coastal forest in New Zealand and the vegetation here is lush and tropical in appearance. At Punakaiki we photograph the bizarre limestone formations which overlook the wild Tasman Sea. Known as the Pancake Rocks, they got their name due to water erosion giving them the appearance of large stacks of pancakes. On our return to Greymouth we dine at our favourite local restaurant.

Today we venture further south along the West Coast as we enter the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, which was established in 1960. Here the mountains rise steeply above the coastal lowlands. Dense rainforest hides scenic lakes created by the retreating glaciers, and turquoise rivers wind their way out to driftwood-strewn surf beaches. We have ample opportunities to photograph as we travel. In the late afternoon we explore a hidden coast location where tall, sculptured Kahikatea trees are backed by the snow-clad Westland mountains. This lowland forest is also home to New Zealand's rarest kiwi: the rowi.

Our lodging for the next two nights is in the village of Fox Glacier and we arrive in the early evening, with a delicious dinner to complete another incredible day's photography.

This morning we leave the lodge pre-dawn and take an easy walk around Lake Matheson to a clearing in the forest where New Zealand's tallest mountains Aoraki/Mt Cook and Horokoau/Mt Tasman are reflected in the tannin-stained waters. This scene is one of New Zealand's most famous landscapes and a wonder to experience. A relaxed breakfast at the nearby café will be very welcome after our early start.

This afternoon there will be a chance to take an optional helicopter flight for aerial photography, flying over the blue-ice formations of the upper Fox Glacier before continuing on to photograph the majestic Southern Alps in all their glory. The will be dependant on the prevailing weather conditions.

We have one more opportunity to photograph first light at Lake Matheson this morning before we depart. After breakfast our journey travels south past the settlement of Haast and then follows the Haast River east through the Mt Aspiring National Park towards the lakes district of Central Otago. Once we are over the Haast Pass the landscapes begin to change as the land east of the main divide is in the rain shadow. We then travel alongside the azure waters of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, before continuing to the heart of Central Otago, a land of expansive tussock plains, rugged hill-country and imposing rock formations.

After breakfast we travel through rolling farm country as we make for the east coast fishing village of Moeraki. We make a stop in the historic town of Oamaru before continuing on, arriving in the early afternoon. Later in the afternoon we drive to the nearby Moeraki Boulders for last-light photography of these other-worldly spherical boulders which are embedded in the beach.

We are at the Moeraki Boulders again this morning to photograph sunrise over these fascinating concretions. After breakfast we continue south to the lake town of Te Anau, which is situated on the fringe of the Fiordland National Park. This is New Zealand's largest national park, covering 1.2 million hectares. Most of the park is only accessible by air or sea, making it the most exclusive landscapes from a photographer's perspective. Also close to Te Anau are other hidden wilderness areas rich in photo opportunities. In the afternoon we drive into the backcountry to photograph the late light on the snow-draped mountains.

We photograph sunrise along the shoreline of the mountain-lined Lake Manapouri, before returning to Te Anau for a late breakfast. In the afternoon we take a private helicopter transfer into the heart of the Fiordland National Park exploring where few, if any, have ventured before, to capture unique and powerful photographs of the grandeur and beauty of New Zealand's most formidable wilderness. This experience leaves even the most seasoned of photographers astounded at the sheer magnitude and raw majesty of the landscapes found here.

Today we explore hidden backcountry areas which are a breath-taking blend of mountains, lakes and sprawling plains. We will choose our locations based on the weather and light conditions.

After breakfast we depart for Piopiotahi/Milford Sound at the northern end of the Fiordland National Park. The journey takes us along what many consider to be New Zealand's most spectacular road and we make stops to photograph dramatic mountains carved out by glaciers, lush rainforest, and crystal-clear rivers. Our last-light photo session will be on the shores of Freshwater Basin at the head of Milford Sound.

Another early start as we return to the shoreline to photograph the grandeur of the iconic Mitre Peak and precipitous mountains of the fiord in the moody blue hour, and as the sun rises. After breakfast we take a two-hour photography cruise through the fiord to experience this awe-inspiring landscape up close. While on the cruise we may also encounter the endangered Fiordland-crested penguins, New Zealand fur seals and dolphins. In the early afternoon we begin the return journey to Queenstown, arriving in the early evening.

Tonight we enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner to celebrate the incredible adventure we have shared together.

We are out early one last time to photograph sunrise together before returning to our hotel for a late breakfast and the parting of the fellowship.