NORTH ISLAND

DAY 1 (23-10-2023). AUCKLAND

Arrival at Auckland Airport (AKL) and transfer to our hotel to rest from the long journey and try to recover from the long trip.

Lodging: The Grand by SkyCity.

DAY 2 (24-10-2023). AUCKLAND

Today we will get up early and after breakfast, we will move north (2h approx), towards the magical caves of glow worms.

These larvae belong to a species of mosquito unique to Oceania, and have the ability to emit a stunning blue light inside the caves. This fascinating feature gives us the opportunity to capture extraordinary and unique images not found anywhere else in the world.

We will then return to Auckland.

Auckland, nicknamed "the city of sails", is situated between two large harbors and has the presence of 48 inactive volcanic cones.

It is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of over 1.3 million, representing approximately one-third of the country's total population. The fusion of its urban elegance and its privileged coastal location has created a lifestyle recognized as one of the ten best in the world.

Lodging: The Grand by SkyCity.

DAY 3 (25-10-2023). AUCKLAND - MATAMATA - ROTORUA (230 KM - 3H)

We will start the day after breakfast, driving to the center of the north island.

Leaving the highway south of the city, we will follow the course of the Waikato River, accompanying us on much of our journey through the picturesque countryside.

Our first stop will be in the town of Matamata, where we will visit the famous Hobbiton (admission included), the picturesque home of the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

On our journey along this route, we will also have the opportunity to admire the beautiful vineyards of Te Kauwhata and the mining town of Huntly, where coal is mined.

Upon arrival in Rotorua, we will discover a city that lies in the middle of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity has shaped its past and present. We will explore the impressive geothermal areas and learn about the unique culture of the New Zealand Maori.

Accommodation: Novotel Rotorua.

DAY 4 (26-10-2023). ROTORUA - TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK (185 KM - 2H)

The road takes us through the geothermal area until we reach Taupo, a town located on the northeastern shore of Lake Taupo, which is a large crater, currently filled with water. With its 616 square kilometers it is the largest lake in New Zealand.

We will follow the road along the eastern end of the lake towards Tongariro National Park.

The Tongariro National Park, which covers almost 80,000 hectares, was given to the nation by Maori chief Te Heuheu Tukino IV in 1887. More than a hundred years later, the park was granted dual World Heritage status.

Emerald lakes, alpine meadows and hot springs surround the largest volcanoes on the North Island, offering an environment of amazing diversity.

Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro are large volcanoes, with 2797, 2291 and 1968 meters respectively. The huge Tongariro massif extends for more than 18 km; the classic cone-shaped Ngauruhoe is actually one of the Tongariro's vents. Ruapehu had the honour of representing Mordor and Emyn Muil in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the almost perfect conical shape of the Ngauruhoe was the basis for Mount Doom.

The mountains of this national park have deep spiritual significance for the Maori people. Legend has it that the high priest Ngatoroirangi froze in a snowstorm while exploring the Tongariro and called upon Hawaiki, the Polynesian homeland of the Maori, for fire. His prayer was answered through the channel we now call the Pacific Ring of Fire and the mountain erupted.

Lodging: Oreti Village Resort.

DAY 5 (27-10-2023). TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

We will enjoy the whole day in this beautiful national park, and among the incredible places we will visit are the Huka Falls.

The Huka Falls are impressive waterfalls located on the Waikato River in New Zealand, near the town of Taupo in the North Island. They are known for the intense turquoise color of its waters and the force with which they rush. The falls are formed by the narrowing of the Waikato River into a gorge 15 meters wide, and the pressure of the water flowing through this narrowness produces an impressive jet of water that rises up to 9 meters high.

Lodging: Oreti Village Resort.

DAY 6 (28-10-2023). TONGARIRO NP - WELLINGTON (330 KM - 4H.)

After a sunrise photo session and breakfast, we will depart south along the Kapiti coast to Wellington, the compact and cultured capital of New Zealand, situated between the harbor and the hills.

We will explore the downtown area on foot and visit attractions such as the Mount Victoria Lookout and the Cable Car, which connects different parts of the city.

Lodging: Oaks Wellington Hotel.

SOUTH ISLAND

DAY 7 (29-10-2023). WELLINGTON - FLIGHT - CHRISTCHURCH

After breakfast, we will drive to Wellington airport for our flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival at Christchurch airport, we will pick up our rental car and transfer to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza Christchurch, an IHG Hotel.

In the afternoon, you can consider some of these activities to get to know the city of Christchurch:

• Walk through the Christchurch Botanic Garden: this beautiful garden is home to an impressive variety of plants, trees and flowers. We can stroll along the shady paths and admire the panoramic views of the city.
• Explore downtown Christchurch: the city center has a wealth of stores, cafes and restaurants, making it a perfect place to stroll around and enjoy the urban atmosphere.
• Visit the Canterbury Museum: If you are interested in history and culture, the Canterbury Museum is a must-see. The museum houses an impressive collection of Maori and European artifacts, as well as interactive exhibits that allow you to learn about the history of the region.
• Food tour of the city: Christchurch is known for its excellent food and drink, so you might consider a food tour of the city to sample some of the local specialties.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Christchurch, an IHG Hotel.

DAYS 8 & 9 (30 & 31 -10-2023). CHRISTCHURCH - LAKE TEKAPO

After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Tekapo (250km), where we will spend the next two days.

After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Tekapo, a popular destination for photography enthusiasts. The drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo is approximately 3 hours (250 km), but well worth it for the breathtaking views of the Mackenzie Basin and the Southern Alps.

Over the next two days, we will have the opportunity to explore the Lake Tekapo area and capture some spectacular photographs. Here are some suggestions:

• Photographing the Church of the Good Shepherd: this church is one of New Zealand's most iconic sights and is located on the lakeshore. The church was built in 1935 and is in an ideal location to capture the sunrise or sunset with the Southern Alps mountain range as a backdrop.
• Enjoy the view from Mount John: Mount John offers breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It can be accessed via a hike or drive to the observatory.
• Visit the Earth and Sky Observatory: if you are interested in astrophotography, the Earth and Sky Observatory is a must visit. They offer night tours to see the stars and take pictures of the Milky Way.
• Take photos of the local flora and fauna: Lake Tekapo and its surroundings are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, such as lupines, alpacas and native birds. It is an ideal place to capture some photos of the local wildlife.

Lodging: Galaxy Boutique Hotel.

DAY 10 (01-11-2023). LAKE TEKAPO - AORAKI / M COOK NATIONAL PARK

We will start the day early to capture the sunrise on the shore of Lake Tekapo. We will be able to enjoy the views of the lake with the mountains of the Southern Alps on the horizon, and capture some stunning photos of the morning light.

After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Lake Pukaki, which is located 80 km away. This lake is known for its stunning turquoise blue color and for offering a spectacular view of Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand.

We will then drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, where we will stay at the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge. This area is the source of New Zealand's highest mountains and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Southern Alps.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Tasman Lake, where we can capture the sunset over the glacier. Tasman Lake is one of the largest glacial lakes in New Zealand and offers spectacular views of the Tasman Glacier and the Southern Alps.

After enjoying the sunset, we will return to our accommodation in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.

Lodging: Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge.

DAY 11 (02-11-2023). AORAKI / MT COOK NATIONAL PARK

We will start the day early to capture the sunrise on the shores of Lake Pukaki, where we will have breathtaking views of Mount Cook. We will be able to take stunning photos of the mountain illuminated by the morning sun and the surface of the lake reflecting the colors of the sky.

After breakfast and some rest, we will embark on a moderate 1.5 hour trek that will take us to Hooker Lake, where we will be able to see icebergs floating in its waters, as well as panoramic views of the Southern Alps and the glaciers that feed them. This trek is considered one of the best in the area and will give us the opportunity to capture incredible photos of nature.

After the trek, we will return to our accommodation in Aoraki Mount Cook Village to rest and refresh ourselves before continuing with our photography session. We will have free time to enjoy the area and explore its unique landscapes.

In the afternoon, we will head to a prime location to capture the sunset, overlooking Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. This is a perfect time to take advantage of the golden sunset light and capture some breathtaking photos of nature.

Lodging: Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge.

DAY 12 (03-11-2023). AORAKI MOUNT COOK - NORTH OTAGO

After the sunrise session and breakfast, we will drive to Oamaru on the Otago coast (210km).

On the way, we will stop in Twizel to visit Lake Ohau (50 km). This turquoise lake is surrounded by mountains and is home to a large number of waterfowl, such as ducks and swans. You can also hike along one of the nearby trails to enjoy panoramic views of the lake and mountains.

Continuing our tour towards the south coast of the island, we will make a stop to contemplate and photograph the impressive Elephant Rocks. This beautiful valley stands out for its spectacular rock formations of great size, which will undoubtedly take our breath away.

Then, we will continue our journey to Oamaru, a town famous for its white stone architecture, stroll through its streets and discover some of the best preserved historic buildings in New Zealand.

In the afternoon, we will head to Bushy Beach to photograph the largest colony of blue penguins in New Zealand.

Accommodation: The Mews - Highfield Mews QUALMARK

DAY 13 (04-11-2023). MOERAKI BOULDERS - KAKA POINT

After photographing the sunrise at Moeraki Boulders, we can visit the nearby village of Moeraki, where we can stop at one of the local restaurants to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

We will then head to Kaka Point (175 km) to explore the coast and the Nugget Point lighthouse. If we are lucky, we may see sea lions resting on the rocks and seabirds in their natural habitat.

In the evening, we can relax at our accommodation and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. We can also plan a night photography session on the coast to capture the beauty of the Nugget Lighthouse and the stars in the sky.

Lodging: Highway Lodge Motel.

DAY 14 (05-11-2023). NUGGET POINT - TE ANAU

After breakfast and checkout, we will depart early for Catlins, a beautiful coastal region located about 2.5 hours from Nugget Point. In Catlins, we will be able to enjoy a variety of scenery to photograph, including cliffs, waterfalls, sandy beaches and beech forests. Here are some suggestions of places to visit:

• Nugget Point Lighthouse: if you missed the opportunity to photograph the lighthouse at sunset the day before, this is your chance to do it in the morning. The soft morning light can create a very different atmosphere than at sunset.
• Purakaunui Falls: a three-tiered waterfall surrounded by beech forests. If you are lucky, you can find morning mist that creates a magical atmosphere.
• Cathedral Caves: an impressive cave with high ceilings and natural arches, only accessible at low tide. Check tide times before you go.
• Slope Point: the southernmost point of New Zealand's South Island, where Antarctic winds batter the coast and create crooked and twisted trees.

After exploring Catlins, we will drive to Te Anau (about 3 hours), where we will stay for the night.

Lodging: Asure Explorer Motel & Apartments, Te Anau.

DAY 15 (06-11-2023). TE ANAU - MILDFORD SOUND

Today we will get an early start with a sunrise photography session in Milford Sound. We will take full advantage of the morning light and the tranquility of the place to capture the natural beauty of the fjord. After the session, we can enjoy breakfast somewhere nearby to recharge our batteries.

Then, we will take a boat to explore the fjord (not included in the price of the trip). On the boat, we will have the opportunity to photograph the majesty of the mountains, cliffs, waterfalls and marine life that inhabits the fjord. Don't miss the opportunity to photograph the famous Stirling Falls, which is one of the most iconic places in Milford Sound.

At sunset, we can return to the area around Lake Te Anau to capture the beauty of the sunset. This area is known for its spectacular scenery, and is perfect for photographing the last lights of the day over the mountains and water.

After the sunset session, we can return to our accommodation in Te Anau to rest and prepare for the next day of our photographic trip in New Zealand.

Lodging: Asure Explorer Motel & Apartments, Te Anau.

DAY 16 (07-11-2023). TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN

After breakfast, we will drive to Queenstown (180 km). On the way, we can make a stop in the town of Arrowtown, which is famous for its historic buildings and cobblestone streets. Here, we can explore the town and photograph some of the most iconic buildings and sites, such as the Arrow River or the Chinese Settlement.

Later, we will head to Wanaka to photograph the famous and solitary tree on the shores of Roy's Bay, an emblematic place of the South Island. Remember that this tree is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand, so it is important to be patient and look for the best angle to get a unique and spectacular photograph.

To end the day, we can return to Queenstown to enjoy a farewell dinner in one of its emblematic restaurants.

Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown.

DAY 17 (08-11-2023). QUEENSTOWN - FLIGHT - AUCKLAND - RETURN

After breakfast, we will drive to Queenstown airport to fly to Auckland (1h.50m) and connect with our international flight.

End of the Photo Tour: