Home to many of New Zealand's most celebrated landscapes, the South Island is a photographer's delight. This 15-day tour takes us on an incredible journey from coast to coast through four provinces, five national parks and numerous reserves. Cloud-piercing peaks, intriguing limestone coastlines, crystalline glaciers, primeval rainforests, and glacier-carved fiords are just some of the glorious features that await us.

Our route takes us from the garden city of Christchurch, on the eastern seaboard, north to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. In the waters off Kaikoura a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds. We take a boat trip to photograph the playful and acrobatic Dusky dolphins, which are residents in this area.

The road turns west as we drive through the mountains to the untamed West Coast. Beneath lofty mountains, dense rainforest thrives from the doorstep of glaciers to the ocean's edge. We then travel through the Otago lakes district, a region characterised by rugged mountain ranges and brilliant blue lakes. As we explore this area we find ourselves inside landscapes used in the Lord of the Rings films, evoking a sense of the surreal.

The valleys deepen as we continue on through Fiordland to Milford Sound, which has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. While most visitors make this a day trip, we stay overnight to photograph the iconic Mitre Peak, not forgetting The Lion and The Elephant, in the evening and dawn lights. Our boat cruise through the fiord provides stunning photography in any weather.

We then travel north as we make for the highest mountain in New Zealand: Aoraki/Mt Cook. From our base under the shadow of the mighty Southern Alps we explore this inspiring alpine environment and photograph Aoraki/Mt Cook from different locations. Our adventure is almost at an end as we drive back to Christchurch for our last evening together.

Tour duration: 15 Days
2010 Tour dates: April 25 - May 9, July 11 - 25, November 22 - December 6
Group size: Maximum 8 participants. Small group fee applies when less than 5 guests travelling.

The South Island is packed with an incredible range of superb locations
and the highlights on this 15-day adventure include:

Click here to view the route map for this tour.

Day one CHRISTCHURCH - KAIKOURA
We begin our travels this morning, and drive north along the coast to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. Overlooked by majestic mountains, which are snow-capped for many months of the year, this coastal town was once only known for the rock lobster caught here. Now, Kaikoura is famous for the abundance of marine mammals and seabirds found offshore. In the afternoon we visit a seal colony which provides many subjects for us to photograph. As the sun sets we will shoot the magical coastal scenery. 
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Day two KAIKOURA
This morning we join a sea cruise to photograph Dusky dolphins - natural acrobats who seem to enjoy showing off their skills for spectators. Quite often we have encountered pods of over 200 of these photogenic mammals, so there are plenty of chances to capture stunning imagery. In the afternoon we take a break before meeting up for our evening shoot of the mountain-backed coast.
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Day three KAIKOURA - PUNAKAIKI
After a sunrise shoot we leave Kaikoura and head for the famous West Coast and Punakaiki. The force of the ocean has carved the coastline into fascinating rock sculptures, and we arrive in the afternoon at the most unusual of these formations: the Pancake Rocks.
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Day four PUNAKAIKI
Today we explore the Punakaiki area which is renowned for its wild coastline, lush rainforest, with an abundance of nikau palms and tree ferns, and dramatic limestone landscapes. We will be kept busy all day photographing around this superb location. 
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Day five PUNAKAIKI - FOX GLACIER
We turn south along the coast this morning as we head for the glaciers. Under the shadow of the Southern Alps the Franz and Fox Glaciers are the most accessible in New Zealand, and still flow towards the sea. Franz Josef is the first glacier we visit and an easy walk leads us to a magnificent location to photograph. Very shortly after we arrive at the Fox Glacier Village and hike around Lake Matheson where, on a still day, New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Mts Aoraki/Cook and Tasman, are reflected in the dark waters. 
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Day six FOX GLACIER
Today we go up onto the glacier - a great opportunity to shoot the ice patterns up close. After returning from the glacier there is time to relax in the village before we meet again in the afternoon to photograph the mountain surrounds as the sun sets. 
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Day seven FOX GLACIER - QUEENSTOWN
We leave the glaciers and continue driving south. One of our last shoots on the West Coast is at an ancient swamp, filled with New Zealand's tallest growing trees: the kahikatea. We then take the Haast Pass road east, travelling through a valley carved by a glacier. Once over the pass we descend towards the Otago lakes district, photographing the mountain-bordered Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in Queenstown in the evening.
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Day eight QUEENSTOWN
An early start as we set out to capture the sunrise on Lake Wakatipu. We then continue on into the Mt Aspiring National Park. Moss-laden forests, crystal clear rivers and deep valleys provide us with exciting photographic opportunities from detailed macro to sweeping panoramas. In the early afternoon we return to Queenstown for a break before we set off again to photograph the aptly-named Remarkables mountain range. 
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Day nine QUEENSTOWN
We spend the morning photographing the rugged mountains near Queenstown before returning to the town. The afternoon is yours to relax, go jetboating, take the steamboat across the lake, ride the gondola for a panoramic view of Queenstown, do a bungy jump, visit a winery, shop, or just stroll along the lakefront. We meet again for an evening shoot of the mountains.
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Day ten QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND
We leave Queenstown this morning and make our way to Milford Sound. The drive to the fiord is every bit as spectacular as the destination, and visitors are always overwhelmed by the grandeur of the landscape. We stop to photograph dramatic glacial valleys, expansive mountain vistas and forest-fringed lakes. No doubt at one of our stops we will be greeted by the cheeky mountain parrot, the kea. Later in the afternoon we arrive at Milford Sound and shoot the fiord as the sun sets. 
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Day eleven MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU
This morning we take a boat journey along the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. As well as shooting this incredible landscape of sheer mountains, cascading waterfalls and untouched coastline it is possible we will see seals and dolphins. Once back ashore we spend the rest of the day photographing at different locations in the Fiordland National Park as we make our way back to Te Anau. 
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Day twelve TE ANAU - AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
It’s time to head north towards the heart of the Southern Alps and the home of New Zealand's highest mountain: Aoraki/Mt Cook. We arrive at the Mt Cook Village later in the afternoon in time for a twilight shoot of Aoraki/Mt Cook. 
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Day thirteen AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
After photographing sunrise in the Tasman Valley we spend the rest of the day exploring the park, and take a hike up the Hooker Valley to capture the stunning views. Our focus will be on Aoraki/Mt Cook as we photograph it from different angles.
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Day fourteen AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK - CHRISTCHURCH
Another chance to photograph sunrise on the alps this morning before we depart for Christchurch, where our adventure began. We take the scenic route past turquoise lakes and high country rural scenes, stopping to photograph along the way. As tonight is our last night we enjoy a special farewell dinner together; a great time to reflect on the roads travelled, the friendships made and, of course, the sensational photographs captured! 
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Day fifteen CHRISTCHURCH - DEPART
As you prepare for your flight home, or onward to another destination, there will be time for some last minute shopping, a visit to the arts centre, or maybe just a relaxing coffee overlooking the Avon River. We say farewell, trusting that your experience with us will enrich your lives for many years to come. 
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Tour fee:
NZ$6180.00 per person twin share
NZ$1060.00 single supplement

Deposit:
NZ$500.00 per person