Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/541568
16-day Whio Tour 29 DAY 8: Aoraki/Mt. Cook & Queenstown (B) Awaken to the a view of Mt. cook, "the cloud piercer" doing exactly that. then, take an early morning stroll in the valleys before driving down the Mackenzie basin, over the golden grass of the lindis Pass, and through the kawerau gorge into Queenstown. A ride on the skyline gondola provides a scenic overview of the area and the hotel you'll be staying at, only minutes from town and the many restaurants you'll be free to choose from tonight. DAYS 9 – 10: Milford Sound & Queenstown (B) find yourself deep in fiordland National Park today via Milford road, a panorama of high mountains and deep valleys studded with glaciers, falls, and mirror lakes. upon arrival in Milford, a boat and nature guide will be waiting to lead you through this majestic fjord to the tasman sea, where seal colonies take in the sun. your return to Queenstown will be by air, flying over the southern Alps and lake wakatipu. you'll have a full day to explore on your own the next day, with optional tours that can include a jet boat ride along the dart river or a hobbit-themed trip to Paradise. the nightlife and fine dining will bring you back to this world in style, with the option to shop the boutiques, walk the botanic gardens, or whitewater raft down the shotover river. DAY 11: Cardrona Valley (B, L) gold mining history comes alive in Arrowtown, the first stop on the road to wanaka, where you'll be staying. on your way there, relax as views of the gibbston Valley pass you by, and make two stops: one at the cardrona hotel, a mining-era hotel, and another at a wanaka homestead for a private lunch. your hotel's lakeside location beside a bike trail and walkway provide a great way to spend your free time. DAY 12: Haast Pass & Franz josef (B) drive beside lakes hawea and wanaka and into the river scenery of the haast Pass in Mt. Aspiring National Park. tracks through native beech forests lead to waterfalls and trout pools. Next is the rainforest of westland world heritage Park, where you'll stop at ship creek for a beach stroll. before arriving at your hotel in franz Josef, where you'll spend two nights, you'll also view fox glacier and lake Matheson. DAY 13: okarito Lagoon (B) explore the tiny, remote okarito settlement, then kayak or take a boat cruise on the lagoon's shallow waters. keep an eye out for the rare white heron, which breeds in the nearby waitangi roto Nature reserve. optional ways to enjoy this world heritage park include a helihike on the glacier or a soak in hot pools fed by glacial water. DAY 14: Hokitika & Punakaiki (B, D) Artisan craft galleries with pounamu (greenstone) carvings, glassblowing, wood, and copper goods await in hokitika, your first stop before heading down the coastal road built on ancient native trails to Punakaiki. the Pancake rocks and—when the tide is right—its blowholes are not to be missed. this evening, a dinner celebration at Punakaiki resort's Jacob's grill ends your day. DAY 15: Arthur's Pass & Christchurch (B) retrace your steps to drive up the otira gorge back into Arthur's Pass. stretch your legs in the beech forests by the village, and later on the limestone rocks at castle hill. descend Porter's Pass to reach christchurch, the country's second-largest city, by late afternoon. DAY 16: Departure (B) enjoy a leisurely breakfast before being transferred to the airport, or catch up on last-minute shopping for classic goods such as merino wool at places like the re-start container shopping mall. begin planning your return to New Zealand!