Australia · Adventure & Landscape
New Zealand South Island Escape
Queenstown · Milford · Aoraki · 10 nights
Ten nights from Queenstown to Aoraki / Mount Cook, paced around the days that matter.
The Journey
Ten nights across three stops: Queenstown for four nights, Milford Sound for three and Aoraki / Mount Cook for three. Every transfer between them is private and timed around the day's plan.
The days are built around Lake Wakatipu and the Gondola, Milford Sound by Water, Hooker Valley Track and Central Otago Wine and Arrowtown. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.
The defining moment of this route: heli-picnic on a glacier plateau above Aoraki. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.
Signature Highlights
- Heli-picnic on a glacier plateau above Aoraki
- Lake Wakatipu and the Gondola, Queenstown
- Central Otago Wine and Arrowtown, Queenstown
- Glenorchy and the Dart Valley, Queenstown
- Milford Sound by Water
- Milford Road and Short Walks, Milford Sound
Your Experiences
Moments shaped just for you
Lake Wakatipu and the Gondola, Queenstown
The Skyline gondola to Bob's Peak, the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw across the lake to Walter Peak, and the town's lakefront.
Central Otago Wine and Arrowtown, Queenstown
Pinot Noir tastings at two Gibbston or Bannockburn estates, the gold-rush streets of Arrowtown and the original bungy bridge at Kawarau.
Milford Sound by Water
A cruise the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, past Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. It rains here most days, which is exactly when the temporary waterfalls are at their best.
Milford Road and Short Walks, Milford Sound
The road itself is the attraction: Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek and The Chasm, with a kayak paddle on the fiord if conditions allow.
Day by day
Your Itinerary
- 01Day 1 · Queenstown
Arrival in Queenstown
Arrive at Queenstown airport, about 15 minutes by road to the town centre and transfer privately to your base. Time today to walk the lakefront to the gardens and take the gondola up for the first view.
- Private transfer via Queenstown airport
- Walk the lakefront to the gardens and take the gondola up for the first view
- Time to settle in before dinner
Meals:D - 02Day 2 · Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu and the Gondola
The Skyline gondola to Bob's Peak, the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw across the lake to Walter Peak, and the town's lakefront.
- Skyline gondola
- TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak
- Queenstown Gardens walk
Meals:BL - 03Day 3 · Queenstown
Central Otago Wine and Arrowtown
Pinot Noir tastings at two Gibbston or Bannockburn estates, the gold-rush streets of Arrowtown and the original bungy bridge at Kawarau.
- Two Central Otago wineries
- Arrowtown historic centre
- Kawarau bungy bridge (watch or jump)
Meals:BL - 04Day 4 · Queenstown
Glenorchy and the Dart Valley
The road along the lake's northern arm to Glenorchy, with a jet boat into the braided Dart River or a walk into the beech forest at Routeburn's start.
- Glenorchy lake road
- Dart River jet boat
- Routeburn Track first section
Meals:B - 05Day 5 · Milford Sound
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Drive the Milford Road from Te Anau, stopping at Mirror Lakes and The Chasm. On arrival, travel in through the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau valley to the fiord.
- Drive the Milford Road from Te Anau, stopping at Mirror Lakes and The Chasm
- Travel in through the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau valley to the fiord
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:B - 06Day 6 · Milford Sound
Milford Sound by Water
A cruise the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, past Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. It rains here most days, which is exactly when the temporary waterfalls are at their best.
- Fiord cruise to the Tasman Sea
- Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls
- Fur seals, with dolphins if you are lucky
Meals:BL - 07Day 7 · Milford Sound
Milford Road and Short Walks
The road itself is the attraction: Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek and The Chasm, with a kayak paddle on the fiord if conditions allow.
- Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
- The Chasm walk
- Fiord kayaking (weather dependent)
Meals:B - 08Day 8 · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Milford Sound to Aoraki / Mount Cook
Drive up the Tasman valley past Lake Pukaki's glacial blue water. On arrival, walk out from the village towards the Hooker valley in the evening light.
- Drive up the Tasman valley past Lake Pukaki's glacial blue water
- Walk out from the village towards the Hooker valley in the evening light
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:B - 09Day 9 · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Hooker Valley Track
The ten-kilometre return walk over three swing bridges to the Hooker glacier lake, facing New Zealand's highest mountain the whole way. Mostly flat and the best walk in the park.
- Hooker Valley Track and swing bridges
- Hooker glacier lake icebergs
- Alpine Memorial viewpoint
Meals:BL - 10Day 10 · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Tasman Glacier and Dark Sky
A boat among the icebergs on the Tasman glacier terminal lake in summer, and stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve after dark.
- Tasman Glacier lake boat (October-May)
- Blue Lakes and moraine walk
- Dark sky stargazing
Meals:B - 11Day 11 · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Departure from Aoraki / Mount Cook
A clear alpine morning before the drive out. Private transfer to Christchurch or Queenstown airport, three to four hours by road, in good time for your onward flight.
- A clear alpine morning before the drive out
- Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
- Private departure transfer
Meals:B
Inclusions
- Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
- Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
- Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
- Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
- 24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk
Not included
- International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
- Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)
Transfers
- Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
- Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
- Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer
Visa & Documentation
- Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
- Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
- Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible
Common Questions
How many days for the South Island?+
Nine to ten days covers Queenstown, Milford Sound and Aoraki / Mount Cook. Two weeks adds the West Coast glaciers or Kaikōura.
Should we self-drive or take a driver?+
Self-driving is easy and very rewarding. Private drivers and guides are available if you prefer to relax.
Can we see snow in summer?+
Yes, on a scenic flight with a snow landing on the glaciers, and the peaks stay snow-capped most of the year.
Is it suitable for older travellers?+
Yes. Cruises, scenic flights, gondolas, vineyard visits and short walks mean the scenery is accessible without strenuous hiking.
Is vegetarian food available?+
Queenstown has many restaurants including Indian. In smaller places, lodges prepare vegetarian meals with notice.
How far in advance should we book?+
Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.
Speak to a Curator
Let's shape this journey around you.
Share a few details and one of our curators will get in touch, usually within a working day, with a bespoke proposal and pricing.
Prefer to talk?
+91 98117 66362
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