What is the minimum age for the trip?

Participants must be 12 years or older.

Are helicopter glacier landings always included?

Yes, the itinerary includes a scenic helicopter flight with a glacier landing subject to weather and operator availability.

Is riding suitable for everyone?

Horse riding has a weight limit of 115 kg; alternative activities are arranged if participants do not meet riding requirements.

Do I need experience for glacier boat trips?

No technical experience is required, but you should be comfortable boarding small boats and following safety briefings.

How big are the groups?

This is a small-group trip limited to 2–10 guests for a more personal experience.

Are nights at Lake Tekapo good for stargazing?

Yes, Tekapo’s Mackenzie skies are internationally recognized for dark-sky viewing and stargazing is a highlight on clear nights.

Crown Jewels: 11-Day South Island Adventure from Stewart Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook

From the salt-sprayed shores of Stewart Island to the serrated ridges of Aoraki/Mt Cook, Crown Jewels is an 11-day small-group traversal of New Zealand’s South Island wilderness beginning and ending in Queenstown. This guided itinerary links three of the region’s most dramatic landscapes—Stewart Island and its predator-free sanctuaries, the fjords and beech forests of Fiordland, and the glaciated high country of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tekapo—into a single, carefully paced journey. The trip opens with Oban on Stewart Island, night kiwi-spotting and walks through Golden Bay and Ulva Island, a no-predator bird sanctuary where ruru and tui can appear within arm’s reach. You’ll hike a portion of the Rakiura Track to Māori Beach, then try a local fishing charter that turns your afternoon catch into island fare. From there the route moves north into Te Anau and Fiordland: short Kepler Track sections and a Milford Sound cruise put you beneath sheer schist cliffs and cascading waterfalls that channel alpine ice and ocean weather. The Key Summit and Routeburn viewpoints deliver alpine panoramas of hanging valleys and beech forest, a window into the Southern Alps’ sculpted geology. The second half shifts inland toward Wanaka and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Hooker Valley’s swing bridges and glacial rivers frame Aoraki, while Tasman Lake’s iceberg-strewn waters host a Glacier Explorer boat trip that feels like a close conversation with living ice. A scenic helicopter flight with a glacier landing turns scale into intimacy: blue ice, moraines and crevasse patterns read like pages of geological history. Sealy Tarns’ stair-like ascent rewards the fit with expansive views; a final day in Lake Tekapo mixes hot-pool recovery with a high-country horse trek across tussockland. What sets Crown Jewels apart is the choreography: small groups (2–10 guests), a sequence of truly different ecosystems, and local operators for specialist outings—glowworm cave tours, guided kiwi searches, glacier cruises and horse rides—keep experiences authentic and supported. The itinerary’s pace balances active days and softer ones for stargazing, hot pools and conversation. Practical notes: the trip is best for travelers 12 and up who can manage half- to full-day hikes and uneven terrain; alpine weather changes quickly so layered waterproofs are essential. Expect boats, short flights, a helicopter, and mounted riding—each a chance to see the South Island’s raw elements up close. Book this to connect concentrated highlights of Stewart Island, Fiordland and Aoraki/Mt Cook into a single, unforgettable loop. Guides handle logistics and local bookings, leaving you to focus on scenery, birds and conversation. Single-room upgrades are available for travelers seeking privacy. Weight limits apply to riding; alternative activities are offered when needed. Reserve early for peak-season departures and expect variable weather to shape daily plans. Bring a camera and binoculars.

Crown Jewels: 11-Day South Island Adventure from Stewart Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook

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