New Zealand Landscapes and the Night Sky of the South Island

Leave home today for New Zealand, flying across the Pacific. A day is lost en route as you cross the International Date Line. Flights are to be booked roundtrip to (CHC) Christchurch. OVERNIGHT CHRISTCHURCH (meals on plane)

You will have the day to yourself today. Be prepared to meet Kathy and your local guide in the hotel lobby at 6PM. You will have a brief introductory meeting and enjoy your welcome dinner. OVERNIGHT CHRISTCHURCH (D)

Be sure to rise early for breakfast as you will need to be packed, and checked out of the hotel ready to begin your program. You will be driving to Mount Cook, exploring arid landscapes around the lakes before we get there – including Tekapo. Arrive in time to do afternoon and sunset light on the mountains.

The next day enjoy sunrise photography and have the day to enjoy the sheer majesty and grandeur of the place, the alpine vegetation, and the results of recent and continuing glaciation with the Mueller and Hooker Glaciers. We will devote the morning to a two-and-a half-hour walk through the moraine of Hooker Valley, with magnificent views of the glaciers. Enjoy free time after lunch or perhaps a photo discussion, followed by late afternoon light on the Alps again. OVERNIGHT TWIZEL (B, L, D; B, D)

After travelling east from Fiordland the road follows the upper Mataura Valley. In this valley are located several high-country sheep stations, the backbone of the New Zealand wool industry. This morning experience the workings of such a farm – enjoy watching the mustering, shearing and the renowned sheepdogs at work. This is no tourist farm, but a family owned and run working farm. You will also explore the wonderful tussock lands of the upper Nevis Valley at the back of the farm, as you are guided by the farmer. Midafternoon continue on to Dunedin.

The next morning drive north of Dunedin to visit and photograph the famed Moeraki Boulders. This afternoon there will be additional photography on the spectacular Otago Peninsula or if you prefer the Victorian architecture of historic Dunedin. OVERNIGHT DUNEDIN (B, L both days)

Turn inland and travel through the mountainscape, orchards and vineyards of Central Otago. Late afternoon continue to Wanaka. OVERNIGHT LAKE WANAKA (B, L, D)

We travel alongside Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and continue up over Haast Pass with stops for waterfalls, forest scenes, and more along the way, arriving in Fox Glacier this afternoon. The next day early morning sunrise photography at Lake Matheson; afternoon will be additional photography hike, or you can take an optional helicopter ride over Fox Glacier & Franz Josef, perhaps with excellent views of Mt. Cook. We’ll take a drive up to Okarito Lagoon for sunset photography with mountains reflected in the lagoon (today or tomorrow depending on weather). OVERNIGHT FOX GLACIER (B, L, D; B)

Depart today for Arthur’s Pass. Your accommodations are amidst the spectacular upper Waimakrariri Valley and surrounded by forest and mountains. This lodge is the perfect setting for your final day in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will be a full day of discovering the scenic grandeur of this mountainous region, the high-country sheep station, reflections on Lake Pearson, and the forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park. OVERNIGHT ARTHUR’S PASS (B, L, D both days)

Enjoy sunrise photography this morning around the hotel. Depart in time to make your way back to Christchurch for afternoon flights home at 4 or 5PM. (B)