Join Ken Wright and Glen Howey on this winter 4WD adventure with a small group of only 6 photographers. You will have the opportunity to capture the South Island's iconic mountains and the Southern Alps at its wintery best.
The itinerary takes you inland through Mt White Station where we have exclusive access to the private high country station set deep in the Southern Alps, here you will then find yourself immersed in the majestic beauty of the mountains and rolling pastoral landscapes. From here we will journey to the Ashburton lakes area, which has the most stunning winter landscapes, everything from high mountain views, alpine lakes, beautiful rivers to elegantly placed trees in the landscape. Our last leg will be to Aoraki Mt Cook, we couldn’t have a mountains photography tour without a stop in at Mt Cook. Here we will be staying at the luxurious Hermitage, and will explore the National park which contains our iconic highest peak. This location offers some great wintery photographic opportunities and is a fabulous way to finish off the tour.
Day 1 - Christchurch - Mt White Station
After early morning breakfast, we make our way inland and enjoy a beautiful variety of scenery as we travel deep into the Southern Alps, and will stop for some fantastic photo opportunities along the way. We will be staying in the majestic Mt White Station for 2 nights, and will enjoy our first night with a sunset shoot out on the station.
Day 2 – Mt White Station
The day begins with an early sunrise shoot before returning to the lodge for breakfast, The rest of the day will be taken up alternating between locations to capture the best of the light, then heading out in 4WDs to capture sunset over the terraced high country landscape with mountain backdrop.
Day 3 - Mt White Station - Ashburton Lakes
After sunrise today we head for Ashburton Lakes. This is a remarkable area of placid lakes and high country wetlands, all set in the huge basin between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, both of which drain the central Southern Alps. Much of the area is protected as the Hakatere Conservation Park, and it is the home to such rare species as the Crested Grebe and other wetland birds. Sunset will be spent photographing Lakes Clearwater and Camp, arguably the finest of all the Ashburton Lakes.
Day 4 - Ashburton Lakes
After an early breakfast, we return to the Ashburton Lakes, hoping for a good frost to photograph, and perhaps even some ice on the lakes. At sunset, we may visit Lake Heron, to photograph this large lake with the distinctive Mt Sugarloaf beyond it.
Day 5 - Ashburton Lakes to Aoraki/Mt Cook
Departing Ashburton Lakes, we head to the iconic Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. After assembling at the Hermitage Hotel, our home for the next two nights, we will head out to explore locations in the park and have an evening shoot in the Tasman Valley.
Day 6 – Aoraki/Mt Cook
This morning we will have the chance to do some aerial photography (see optional extras below), taking a flight over Aoraki/Mt Cook and landing on the Tasman glacier to capture high alpine views across the Southern Alps. The rest of the day will be taken up by visiting locations in the Tasman and Hooker valleys, including alpine lakes, sweeping river vistas, and views of New Zealand’s highest peaks. All the locations we visit are within easy walks along well-graded tracks on the valley floors.
Day 7 – Aoraki/Mt Cook - Queenstown
The day begins with a sunrise shoot capturing the alpine glow on the summit of Aoraki/Mt Cook acoss a stunning glacier lake before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. We then leave Aoraki/Mt Cook and drive to Queenstown arriving in time for late afternoon flights.
7 days’ photography guiding & tuition
6 nights accommodation - twin share (single upgrade available, limited availability)
6 cooked breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
Use of Benro filters kits
4WD Transport during the tour
Christchurch pickup & drop off
DOC concession fees
Donation to our Conservation Fund
Native tree planting to Carbon Offset your Tour
Thank you for your booking on NZ Winter Landscapes Tour, we know that you’ll want to begin planning your trip, please find below some helpful information and details you will need for your booking with us.
Essential Guide
Here is a link to our new Essential Guide, this PDF has lots of useful information for your trip with us, please take the time to read it.
Recommended Flights
You will need to fly into Christchurch the day before your Tour starts as we will be leaving early (7-8am) in the morning and flights on the day can be problematic if delayed. On the first day of the tour we can pick you up from any centrally located (or close to the airport) accommodation.
Recommended Return Flights
We will be arriving at Queenstown Airport airport at 3pm for domestic flights no earlier than 4pm. Please do not book flights earlier than this or you will not make it to the airport on time. For International flights please check your own flights check in times.
Post Tour Accommodation
If you need post tour accommodation, we can help you sort this please email us if you would like us to sort this for you.
Single Room Upgrade
If you would like to have your own room for the duration of the trip you can add the single room upgrade to your booking, if you didn’t do this at the checkout, just send us an email we can add this for you. Please note if we do not hear from you about this we will assume you wish to share a room with another tour participant.
Online Course
As a part of this tour you will receive complimentary access to the online course, this will be sent out 30 days prior to departure so that you are camera ready for your trip.
Once you have booked your flights and made your travel plans please let us know what these are and where you would like to be picked up from to join the tour.
Thanks again for booking with us, we will be in touch again closer to your departure date.
We look forward to having you on tour with us soon!
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