DAY 1  |  Arrive CHRISTCHURCH, South Island. LYTTLETON HARBOUR
I'll meet your morning flight into Christchurch, get you to our hotel for a bit of recuperation, and the trip will commence just after midday with lunch near our hotel. Then out for panoramic shots of the Christchurch skyline, followed by a trip over Dyer's Pass for photography around Governor's Bay and Diamond Harbour. This is the Banks peninsula, and we'll explore small shoreline communities for images of harbors, boats, old jetties, an 1860's church, shells, birds, and vistas around the harbor topped by the surrounding peaks. Dinner with the harbor in view, and back to Christchurch via some colorful late light.
CHRISTCHURCH, 1 night

DAY 2  |  To MOERAKI
Breakfast at our hotel, then off down the Canterbury plain on the lookout for wild California Poppies in the Selwyn River. We'll connect with the Pacific Ocean near St. Andrews, and cross the Waitaki River before detouring into the white-stoned town of Oamaru for a large chuck of Victoriana. On to our accommodations near Moeraki for dinner, and late photography based upon the available light.
Near MOERAKI, 1 night

DAYS 3 and 4  |  To the OTAGO PENINSULA
The round Moeraki Boulders face east, so we’ll have the best possible dawn light right at sea level on this morning. We’ll take breakfast after the shoot is over, then head to nearby Moeraki harbor and lighthouse for a series of images. Then we’ll be off down the coast to Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of the south’ since being established by Scots in 1848. Photography around the Octagon, and historic railway station in central Dunedin prior to moving on to Portobello for a two-night stay. Day 4 is set aside for the Otago peninsula where the highlights will include coastal and agricultural scenes, rustic boat houses, and wildlife including Albatross and other species in flight at Taiaora Head. In the late afternoon we'll detour for an excursion to the Yellow-Eyed Penguin colony, plus more.
PORTOBELLO, 2 nights

DAYS 5, 6 and 7  |  To TE ANAU  |  MILFORD SOUND
Early light photography out at Taiaora Head followed by breakfast, then on south one last time to Purakaunui Falls and Nugget Point lighthouse. As we approach the lighthouse we’ll be on the lookout for Yellow-Eyed Penguins and Sea Lions. Then on west through the pastoral scenes surrounding the Kaihiku mountain range, and the town of Gore. Shooting as we go, the Southern Alps will loom in the west, and we'll find ourselves in Te Anau by late afternoon. Photography along the shoreline of Lake Te Anau before settling in for our 3 night stay.
On day 6 or 7 – weather will dictate the choice of day - grandeur in a most spectacular sense awaits us in Fiordland National Park as we depart prior to dawn for Milford Sound. I’ll time our arrival for the first light on Mitre Peak, and in case you weren't aware of it Milford Sound is photographically superb! The post-dawn light will find us photographing along the eastern shore of the sound, and following breakfast we’ll take a boat cruise under the towering peaks with waterfalls tumbling from vertical cliff faces. Dolphins and Seals have been photographed on previous trips. Subjects on the return home will include close-ups of the Kea bird, spectacular vistas in all directions, old growth forest studies, waterfalls, Lake Gunn and more.
Day 7 is somewhat of a rest day after the exertions of Milford Sound, and besides free time, we'll spend half a day exploring Lake Te Anau, Rainbow Reach, Lake Manapouri and pastoral scenes of sheep and mountain ranges.
TE ANAU, 3 nights

DAY 8  |  To QUEENSTOWN
A last look at Lake Te Anau prior to heading on toward Queenstown today. Via Mossburn and the Kingston Flyer railway line to get our first look at Lake Wakatipu from underneath the shadow of the Remarkables mountain range. On to Queenstown to check in, and then we'll follow the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy with many a stop as we go. Further west is remote Paradise where some 'Lord of the Rings' scenes were filmed, and where we’ll rendezvous with the late light.
QUEENSTOWN, 1 night

DAY 9  |  To WANAKA
Back to the shores of Lake Wakatipu for the early light followed by breakfast, and more area photography as we make our way to Wanaka. We’ll go via Arrowtown and the Kawarau Bridge from where the Kiwi origins of bungee jumping sprang. As we climb onto Cardrona Pass, we’ll pause for shots back into the Kawarau basin. Photography as we go including historic and colorful Cardrona, then on to Wanaka for late light photography on the southern shore of Lake Wanaka. The abundance of wild Lupines will provide all the color you could ask for from wildflowers.
WANAKA, 1 night

DAYS 10, 11 and 12  |  To TWIZEL. MOUNT COOK
Sunrise on Lake Wanaka and following breakfast we’ll go via Tarras over Lindis Pass into 'Lupine alley' for a number of stops among the fabulous displays of color. Via Omarama, and shots of the Ahuriri River to Lake Pukaki which affords magnificent Mount Cook views, the tallest peak in all of Australasia at 12,316 feet. The mountain is Aoraki to the Maori. On days 11 and 12 will be out early and late to explore Mount Cook National Park with a side trip into the Tasman valley, and a short hike for magnificent views of Mount Cook thrown in for good measure. Early and late shots down Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook, and free time around the middle of the day to recharge.
TWIZEL, 3 nights

DAY 13  |  To CHRISTCHURCH
A last look at Mount Cook in the morning before we go via more Lupine studies to the shores of Lake Tekapo. There stands the Church of the Good Shepherd complete with classic church window view of the glaciated blue water of Lake Tekapo and peaks of Mt. Cook National Park. Via Burkes Pass then on east across the Canterbury Plain with many sightings of the sheep which outnumber the locals 20 to 1. This will be our last full day of what you will find a richly rewarding photographic experience. On to Christchurch for hotel check-in and a short break. To round off your New Zealand experience you'll attend a Maori 'Ko Tāne' which you'll find to be rich in photo opportunities!
CHRISTCHURCH, 1 night

DAY 14  |  Flights home
Please arrange your departing flight from Christchurch for 10 a.m. or later if at all possible. Connecting flights via Auckland or Sydney etcetera will place you back in North America on the same calendar day

Photographer/Leader John Baker