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New Zealand 8 nightsNatureCulture

Southern Lakes and Fiordland

Eight nights on the South Island, with lake stays and a Milford Sound cruise.

  1. 1Christchurch
  2. 2Lake Tekapo
  3. 3Aoraki / Mount Cook
  4. 4Queenstown
  5. 5Te Anau
  6. 6Milford Sound

From, per person~US$3,140

Designed by @snuck Shaped around your dates No payment to ask

Best Nov to Apr

By @snuckUpdated 11 November 2026

Travel from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Basin to Queenstown, then spend your final two nights beside Lake Te Anau. A private driver handles the road journeys, with time by the lakes between mountain walks, stargazing and a Milford Sound cruise.

Length
8 nights
Route
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook…
Best time
Nov to Apr
Ideal for
First-time visitors who want scenery and fewer hotel changes

Why you'll love it

  1. Two nights beside Lake Tekapo
  2. Aoraki mountain views and short walks you can choose
  3. Guided stargazing in the Mackenzie Basin
  4. Three nights in Queenstown
  5. Visit Milford Sound from nearby Te Anau

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Christchurch

    Meet your driver and settle into a central hotel with historic character. If you arrive in time, walk beside the Avon River before an early dinner.

    • Stay: Boutique heritage hotel in central Christchurch
    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, approximately 20–30 minutes

  2. Day 2

    Drive to Lake Tekapo

    Drive across the Canterbury Plains, stopping for lunch in a small country town. Reach Lake Tekapo with time for a shore walk and a rest in your room.

    • Stay: Premium lake-view hotel or boutique suite in Lake Tekapo
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 3 hours driving; allow 4–4.5 hours with stops

  3. Day 3

    Aoraki Views and Stargazing

    Drive beside Lake Pukaki towards Aoraki / Mount Cook for mountain views and a short walk suited to the conditions. Return for a long afternoon rest before guided stargazing after dark.

    • Stay: Premium lake-view hotel or boutique suite in Lake Tekapo
    • Getting there: Private car to Aoraki / Mount Cook, approximately 1.5 hours each way

  4. Day 4

    Drive to Queenstown

    Travel through the Lindis Pass and Central Otago, stopping for lunch and photos. Check into your Queenstown hotel and keep the evening free.

    • Stay: 4–5 star lakeside hotel in Queenstown
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 3.5–4 hours driving; allow 5–6 hours with stops

  5. Day 5

    Cruise Lake Wakatipu

    Take your time over breakfast before a sightseeing cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The afternoon is free for lakeside cafés or a rest at your hotel.

    • Stay: 4–5 star lakeside hotel in Queenstown
    • Getting there: Shared scenic cruise, approximately 1.5 hours; private wharf transfers if required

  6. Day 6

    Walk Around Arrowtown

    Visit Arrowtown with your private driver and take an easy walk through its historic streets and riverside paths. Return after lunch, with the afternoon free to enjoy Queenstown as you like.

    • Stay: 4–5 star lakeside hotel in Queenstown
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 25–30 minutes each way

  7. Day 7

    Arrive at Lake Te Anau

    Leave Queenstown after breakfast and follow the lake south towards Te Anau. Arrive for lunch, then spend a quiet afternoon by the water before tomorrow’s Fiordland visit.

    • Stay: Boutique lodge or premium lakefront hotel in Te Anau
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 2–2.5 hours driving; allow 3 hours with a stop

  8. Day 8

    Explore Milford Sound

    Follow the Milford Road, stopping for valley views and short roadside walks. Join a shared cruise through Milford Sound, then return to Te Anau for a quiet evening.

    • Stay: Boutique lodge or premium lakefront hotel in Te Anau
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 2–2.5 hours each way before stops; cruise 1.5–2 hours; allow 8–9 hours overall

  9. Day 9

    Fly from Queenstown

    After breakfast, your driver takes you directly to Queenstown Airport. Choose an afternoon or evening flight, and leave enough time for any connecting international flight.

    • Getting there: Private car to Queenstown Airport, approximately 2–2.5 hours, plus airline check-in time

Where you'll stay

  1. 1 night · day 1Boutique heritage hotel in central Christchurch
  2. 2 nights · days 2 to 3Premium lake-view hotel or boutique suite in Lake Tekapo
  3. 3 nights · days 4 to 64–5 star lakeside hotel in Queenstown
  4. 2 nights · days 7 to 8Boutique lodge or premium lakefront hotel in Te Anau

When to go

  1. Jangood time to go
  2. Febgood time to go
  3. Margood time to go
  4. Aprgood time to go
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Novgood time to go
  12. Decgood time to go

Best from Nov to Apr. Other months work too; we'll tell you what to expect for your dates.

Included

  • Eight nights in premium hotels and small stays with character
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private airport transfers and planned road journeys
  • Private day trip to Aoraki / Mount Cook
  • Guided stargazing with a shared group
  • Shared sightseeing cruise on Lake Wakatipu
  • Private half-day visit to Arrowtown
  • Private Milford Road trip with a shared cruise

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees and visitor levies
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Optional activities and personal expenses
  • Applicable Indian taxes and TCS

Good to know

  • The starting price is an estimate per person, with two people sharing a room, excluding flights. It covers premium stays and a private driver instead of shared coaches.
  • Mountain walks, access to Milford Road and stargazing depend on conditions. Activities may need to change.
  • Fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown. Avoid an early flight from Queenstown on the last day.

Before you go to New Zealand

Capital:
Wellington
Languages:
English, Maori, New Zealand Sign Language
Currency:
NZD

Questions

How many days is the Southern Lakes and Fiordland trip?

8 nights and 9 days: Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown.

How much does it cost?

From ₹2,95,000 per person, twin sharing, without international flights. We confirm the price for your dates.

When is the best time to go?

Nov to Apr.

What is included?

Eight nights in premium hotels and small stays with character, Daily breakfast, Private airport transfers and planned road journeys, Private day trip to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Guided stargazing with a shared group, Shared sightseeing cruise on Lake Wakatipu, Private half-day visit to Arrowtown, Private Milford Road trip with a shared cruise.

What is not included?

International and domestic flights, Visa fees and visitor levies, Travel insurance, Lunches and dinners, Optional activities and personal expenses, Applicable Indian taxes and TCS.

Can the trip be changed?

Yes. A trip designer shapes the pace, stays and length with you before you book.

Make it yours.

Change the pace, the stays or the length. A trip designer shapes it with you, and we confirm the price for your dates.

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From ~US$3,140