Do you only have a short period of time in New Zealand, or maybe wish to combine a photography tour with your independent vacation? Then this 8 day tour taking in the South Island's favourite locations is ideal. Beginning in the charming garden city of Christchurch, our journey takes us into the heart of the Southern Alps, through Otago's Lord of the Rings country and out to the deep fiords of Milford Sound.

The route we travel provides many opportunities to capture some of New Zealand's most loved scenery. Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3754m (12,316ft) mesmerizes visitors, and the accessibility of the Mt Cook National Park makes it possible for us to photograph from a variety of locations. We also include an unforgettable helicopter flight for some breathtaking alpine photography.

At Queenstown, the Remarkables' jagged line of peaks are contrasted beautifully by the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. Nearby are numerous landscape scenes recognisable from the spectacular Lord of the Rings films. An overnight stay at Milford Sound, described as the eighth wonder of the world, ensures we have hours of photographing in the mood-enhancing twilights, and our boat journey through the fiord to the open sea is magical in any weather.

Tour duration: 8 Days
2010 Tour dates: August 8 - 15
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 8-day adventure include:

Click here to view the route map for this tour.

Day one CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive at Christchurch and transfer to our accommodation to freshen up after the long flight before we unpack our cameras and explore this English-inspired city. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner together, a chance to get to know your travelling companions better and discuss with your guide the adventure ahead.
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Day two CHRISTCHURCH - AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We leave early this morning and drive inland towards Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. As we travel through the Canterbury high country, we stop along the way to shoot rural scenes magnificiently backdropped by mountain ranges. Arriving at the Mt Cook Village in the late afternoon we take an easy hike in to the National Park to photograph Aoraki/Mt Cook from the Hooker Valley.
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Day three AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
After a sunrise shoot of the Tasman Valley we spend the rest of the day exploring the Park, and later in the afternoon take a hike into the hills to capture the stunning views, and hopefully a glowing alpine sunset.
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Day four AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK - QUEENSTOWN
We take a helicopter flight this morning up into the mountains for a spectacular high altitude shoot. Later in the morning we start driving south passing through the tussocked hills of the Lindis Pass to the Central Otago lakes district. Along the way we stop to photograph sparkling glacial lakes set amongst the mountains. Our road then leads us along New Zealand's highest sealed alpine pass, giving us glorious vistas of the surrounding peaks and the plains far below. We arrive in Queenstown in the early evening.
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Day five QUEENSTOWN
An early departure for Glenorchy, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, gives us an opportunity to capture this region in the best light. Many locations we visit this morning will be recognised from The Lord of the Rings films and make magnificent subjects for us to shoot. In the afternoon we return to the township where there is an opportunity to relax, do a spot of shopping or for a surge of adrenalin there's the bungy jump and jetboating. Later this afternoon we meet again and set up to photograph the Remarkables mountain range.
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Day six QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND
This morning we leave Queenstown 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 seven MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
After photographing Mitre Peak at sunrise 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. After our cruise we spend the rest of the day photographing at different locations in the Fiordland National Park as we make our way back to Queenstown. 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 eight QUEENSTOWN - CHRISTCHURCH - DEPART
As we prepare to return home, or onward to another destination, there will be time to do some last minute shopping, change your mind about doing the bungy jump or just relax on the lakefront over coffee. A domestic flight from Queenstown to Christchurch connects you with your international flight. 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$4150.00 per person twin share
NZ$590.00 single supplement

Deposit:
NZ$500.00 per person

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