Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 - Dunedin

Meet at Dunedin airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be then transferred to the Fable Dunedin Hotel 5*.

Check in, afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Dunedin

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy some free time to relax or to discover the city on your own, before your mid-morning hotel check-out.

Lunch will be at leisure.

You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel :

Built in 1862, the Fable Dunedin 5* is housed in a beautifully renovated and elegant Victorian-era building. It is located in the heart of Dunedin, just a short walk from the Octagon city centre and the many shops and restaurants. The hotel has 50 luxurious guest rooms and suites and a café-style restaurant offering regional cuisine. It features a modern and contemporary style, with luxury amenities.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes :

·        1-night accommodation in a Superior room at the Fable Dunedin 5*, local standard (or similar), breakfast included.

·        Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include :

·        All meals.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Tips for the drivers and the guide. 

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note :

·        It is imperative that you provide the details of your arrival flight to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the correct private transfer.

·        Dunedin is a very hilly city. Passengers are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes.

·      Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Contact of your hotel :

Fable Dunedin (Wains) Hotel 5*

310 Princes Street
Dunedin , New Zealand
Telephone : +64 3 477 1145

For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Between lakes, gorges and mountains, take advantage of three days in Queenstown and discover the natural beauties of the Southern Alps and their wondrous landscapes. This discovery-rich programme will be the ideal prelude to your journey.

Day 1 – Queenstown

Meet at the airport - Arrival Hall (look for PONANT sign).

You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT, or any other flight.

You will be directly transferred by coach to the hotel Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa 5*.

Queenstown is a sophisticated holiday resort set in the magnificent landscapes of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
Settled as a  gold mining camp in the 1860s, Queenstown now has a compact and sophisticated downtown area tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It is dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, which means amazing views from everywhere. There is also a permanent buzz in the downtown area, where you will find a lively café and bar scene as well as excellent shopping.

This region has captured hearts and imaginations since the first Maori came here in search of pounamu (greenstone) and the giant Moa bird. More recently, gold miners, adventurers, filmmakers, wine enthusiasts, Hollywood stars and US Presidents have all been drawn to this magical region and its intense alpine energy.

Check-in at the hotel and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 – Mount Aspiring National Park

After breakfast, you will head to the Mount Aspiring National Park, which is around a 2-hour drive away. Named after Mount Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, this park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. After an extremely picturesque journey, you will go on a 1-hour walk through valleys and forest to the blue pools, which are deep, crystal clear and flow into the Makarora River. You will enjoy this moment of tranquillity!

After a 90-minute drive, you will take a tour and have lunch in an artisan distillery. You will discover the secrets to artisan spirits and see where the malt is milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured before you embark on a tutored tasting.

On the way back to Queenstown, you will stop in Arrowtown, an historic goldmining town, which still looks the way it did over 100 years ago, when Chinese goldminers settled in the area. You will see where they lived and hear about their history. You will also have some free time to do some shopping and explore the area.

The rest of the day and the dinner will be at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 – Te Anau

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a 2-hour drive, you will experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms !

Your trip will begin with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau. This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. The caves are 12,000 years old and they are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall.

Deep inside the caves, you will be taken on a small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will take on a beautiful road trip through the backroads for a quintessential Kiwi experience. Dive into the high country, where you will see fabulous scenery and big landscapes everywhere you look.

You will then see a demonstration of sheep shearing and dog handling at a local and welcoming farm. Sheep farming is a significant industry in New Zealand; it was established by the 1850s and has played an important role in the country’s economy ever since. For several decades, wool accounted for more than a third of New Zealand's exports by value.

After a scrumptious barbecue dinner at the homestead, you will cross the Wakatipu Lake aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, the oldest passenger-carrying steamship in the Southern Hemisphere. What a blissful way to appreciate the magnificent alpine scenery!

Transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 4 – Queenstown / Dunedin

After breakfast and check out, you will take the beautiful Central Otago Route, which will lead you to Dunedin.

The Central Otago Touring Route is a journey through spectacular landscapes full of natural wonders, from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean via the beautiful Strath Taieri and Maniototo Plains. You will enjoy the jaw-dropping views and quaint villages. 

You will then enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at a local vineyard. At 45 degrees south, the Otago region is the world’s southernmost wine-growing region, which means unique soil and climate conditions, with over 200 vineyards.

You will then be transferred to Dunedin pier to embark on your ship.

Your hotel:

Located in the heart of Queenstown, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa 5* offers accommodation with a blend of French luxury and art de vivre. It offers 82 luxuriously appointed bedrooms and suites, featuring Left Bank Café open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 1789 Wine & Jazz Lounge and Jervois Steak House. Enjoy the tasteful combination of French antique elegance and local avant-garde design !

Your programme includes:

·        3-night's accommodation in Superior room at the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel 5* (or similar).

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers and sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        The dinners, except on day 3.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Tips for the driver and the guide.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that you provide the details of your arrival flight to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the correct private transfer.

·        Sheep shearing is part of New Zealand culture and traditions, and it does not affect animal welfare. However, in the event you do not feel comfortable with the demonstration, you will be allowed to take a stroll around the farm, as there is a farmyard of other animals to see.

·        Some activities may be postponed or cancelled depending on weather conditions.

·        Regarding the barbecue dinner, a vegetarian option is available on request.

·        It is highly recommended that you bring good walking shoes, warm clothing and a windbreaker.

·        This program is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

·        Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Contact of your hotel:

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa 5*
8 Duke Street
Queenstown 9300
New Zealand
Telephone : +64 3 450 0045

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Dunedin

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

You will board your coach for a day in Dunedin discovering its must-see landmarks on a 3-hour sightseeing tour. Dunedin, the South Island’s second-largest city, was settled by a Scottish contingent. The city proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage and is fondly referred to as the Edinburgh of the South; incidentally, the local people  still speak with a Scottish accent. Dunedin has many fine Edwardian stone buildings and is also blessed with a generous green belt and beautiful harbour, which adds to the city’s appeal.

You will stop at the first Botanic Garden in New Zealand, where there are more than 6800 species of plants on about 28-hectare ground.

Then you will reach the city centre to take a picture of Baldwin street, one of the steepest streets in the world. If time allows it, you will also get the chance to discover some street art.

You will stop at the stunning Dunedin Railway Station, which is one of the city’s most prominent architectural landmarks, taking pride of place in the central city. Dating back to 1906, this magnificent Flemish Renaissance-style edifice features white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt rock, giving it a dramatic air and its characteristic ‘Gingerbread House’ appearance. It claims to be the country’s most photographed building.  Fitted out in the lavish style of the times, the booking hall alone features a mosaic floor of almost 750,000 tiles of Royal Doulton porcelain. The sheer size, grandiose style and rich embellishments of the station earned architect George Troup the nickname of Gingerbread George. Inside you will stop by the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1990, which commemorates New Zealand's greatest sporting triumphs and celebrates the best national sporting heroes’ achievements.

Then you will enjoy free time in Dunedin to do some shopping.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

After a 20-min drive, you will visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. Offering an insight into Victorian culture, it was one of several castles built in Dunedin but the only one to survive and be on display. Built from 1871, by William Larnach, a merchant banker and politician, Larnach Castle showcases master craftsmanship, New Zealand antiques and the Victorian lifestyle. You will learn about Larnach's three wives and six children as well as his eventual scandalous suicide in Parliament Buildings. The Castle has been beautifully restored and interestingly interpreted by the Barker family, who have owned and cared for the Castle since 1967. Its stunning gardens have recently been rated as  a Garden of International Significance.

You will be then transferred to the Fable Dunedin Hotel 5*.

Check in, afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 - Dunedin

Breakfast followed by check-out.

Day and meals at leisure.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.

Your hotel :

Built in 1862, the Fable Dunedin 5* is housed in a beautifully renovated and elegant Victorian-era building. It is located in the heart of Dunedin, just a short walk from the Octagon city centre and the many shops and restaurants. The hotel has 50 luxurious guest rooms and suites and a café-style restaurant offering regional cuisine. It features a modern and contemporary style, with luxury amenities.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes :

·        1-night accommodation in a Superior room at the Fable Dunedin 5*, local standard (or similar), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers and sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include :

·        Dinner on day 1.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Tips for the drivers and the guide. 

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note :

·        It is imperative that you provide the details of your arrival flight to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the correct private transfer.

·        Dunedin is a very hilly city. Passengers are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes.

·        This program is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

·        As respecting the environment is important to us, we highly recommend you take your filled Ponant water bottle with you after your cruise, so you can use it on shore and avoid the use of plastic bottles whenever it is not strictly necessary.

·        Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Contact of your hotel :

Fable Dunedin (Wains) Hotel 5*

310 Princes Street
Dunedin , New Zealand
Telephone : +64 3 477 1145

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

 

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Enjoy 3 days of visits in Dunedin and its surroundings and discover beautiful coasts full of incredible wildlife including rare and protected species, such as sea lions, albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins. This is a true natural paradise!

Day 1 – Dunedin

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative. You will board your coach for a day in Dunedin discovering its must-see landmarks on a sightseeing tour. Dunedin, the South Island’s second-largest city, was settled by a Scottish contingent. The city proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage and is fondly referred to as the Edinburgh of the South; incidentally, the local people  still speak with a Scottish accent. Dunedin has many fine Edwardian stone buildings and is also blessed with a generous green belt and beautiful harbour, which adds to the city’s appeal.

You will stop at the stunning Dunedin Railway Station, which is one of the city’s most prominent architectural landmarks, taking pride of place in the central city. Dating back to 1906, this magnificent Flemish Renaissance-style edifice features white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt rock, giving it a dramatic air and its characteristic ‘Gingerbread House’ appearance. It claims to be the country’s most photographed building. 

Fitted out in the lavish style of the times, the booking hall alone features a mosaic floor of almost 750,000 tiles of Royal Doulton porcelain. The sheer size, grandiose style and rich embellishments of the station earned architect George Troup the nickname of Gingerbread George. Inside you will stop by the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1990, which commemorates New Zealand's greatest sporting triumphs and celebrates the best national sporting heroes’ achievements.

After a 20-min drive, you will visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, where you will think you have landed in Scotland. Offering an insight into Victorian culture, it was one of several castles built in Dunedin but the only one to survive and be on display. Built from 1871, by William Larnach, a merchant banker and politician, Larnach Castle showcases master craftsmanship, New Zealand antiques and the Victorian lifestyle. You will learn about Larnach's three wives and six children as well as his eventual scandalous suicide in Parliament Buildings. The Castle has been beautifully restored and interestingly interpreted by the Barker family, who have owned and cared for the Castle since 1967. Its stunning gardens have recently been rated as  a Garden of International Significance.

Lunch will be served at Larnach Castle's restaurant.

You will be then transferred to the Fable Dunedin Hotel 5*.

Check in, afternoon and dinner at leisure.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 - The Catlins

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in the Catlins to discover a coastline featuring rarely seen wildlife. The Catlins area is home to special and protected New Zealand wildlife, such as sea lions, Hector’s dolphins and yellow-eyed penguins, all of which are on the endangered list.

You will enjoy the untamed beauty of the coastal area, a remote and untouched final frontier and a true natural paradise. This full-day tour will allow you to discover the natural wonders of the Catlins, with its pristine beaches, the Southern Ocean,  native rainforests and waterfalls like Purakanui Falls… while you learn about the history of the area.

After a gourmet packed lunch, you will head to Cannibal Bay, which is a long, rugged, barren sandy beach and the favourite haunt of New Zealand sea lions. The wild weather, the relentless pounding ocean and the numerous seal tracks in the sand make this a very special place.

You will discover Nugget Point, an iconic panoramic platform with one of the country’s oldest lighthouses perched above the famous rocks named by Captain Cook because they looked like pieces of gold. From here, it is a short stroll to the Tokata lighthouse, with sensational views of the big blue beyond. If you look down onto the rocks below the lighthouse, you might see a colony of fur seals frolicking in the surf. It is also home to some of the world’s rarest penguins and one of the only places you might see seals, sea lions and elephant seals in the same area. There are also sooty shearwaters, spoonbills and a breeding colony of gannets.

You will be transferred to Dunedin; you will be free for the rest of the day and dinner.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3 – Otago Peninsula

After breakfast, you will head to the picturesque Otago Peninsula, a spectacular scenic drive.

Flanking the southern edge of Dunedin's extensive harbour, Otago Peninsula is high and rugged on the ocean side, and warm and sheltered on the harbour side. Volcanic in origin, the peninsula is part of the crater wall of a large, long-extinct volcano.
It is home to an abundance of magnificent and world-famous marine wildlife, namely royal albatrosses, the endangered yellow-eyed penguins/hoihos and blue penguins at Pukekura. There are also many seals, as well as New Zealand sea lions (formerly known as Hooker's sea lion), one of the rarest seal species in the world, the occasional elephant seal and Stewart Island shags in their natural habitat.

You will enjoy a guided tour of the Albatross and Tairoa Centre.
As you will learn, these incredible birds have a fascinating social and family life and, while they seem so ungainly on the ground, are truly magnificent to watch in flight. It is an exhilarating experience have one of these huge albatrosses, with its incredible wingspan of nearly 10 feet, glide smoothly and gracefully close by  you. During this guided tour, you will learn about the albatross breeding cycle and will have a short walk up the hill to the exclusive glassed observatory to view the albatrosses.

You will then continue through the underground fort tunnels to see the fully restored Armstrong Disappearing Gun. This underground fort, built in the 1880s, was a large defence base during WWII. Today, Tairoa Head is  a Nature Reserve and an iconic wildlife attraction. 

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will cross to the opposite side of the peninsular and head for a walk to the beautiful Tunnel Beach.

For centuries, the Southern Ocean and its salt-laden wind have sculpted the sandstone coastline south of Dunedin. The outcome is a line of magnificent high cliffs, arches and headlands that provide endless vantage points for breathtaking views.
You will follow the Tunnel Beach track downhill to the spectacular, rocky coastline. At the end of the track, you will find the hand-carved rock tunnel that gives Tunnel Beach its name. Built in the 1870s, the passage allows access to a beautiful, secluded and sheltered beach at the base of the cliffs.
Be sure to examine the rock along the way, where you may discover shell fragments and possibly a fossil, such as a brachiopod shell or echinoderm (sea urchin), or even the bones of an extinct whale.

You will be then transferred back to Dunedin; you will be free for the rest of the day and dinner.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4 - Dunedin

Breakfast followed by check-out.

Day and meals at leisure.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.

Your hotel :

Built in 1862, the Fable Dunedin 5* is housed in a beautifully renovated and elegant Victorian-era building. It is located in the heart of Dunedin, just a short walk from the Octagon city centre and the many shops and restaurants. The hotel has 50 luxurious guest rooms and suites and a café-style restaurant offering regional cuisine. It features a modern and contemporary style, with luxury amenities.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes :

·        3-night accommodation in a Superior room at the Fable Dunedin 5*, local standard (or similar), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers and sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include :

·        Dinners.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Tips for the drivers and the guide. 

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note :

·        It is imperative that you provide the details of your arrival flight to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the correct private transfer.

·        It is crucial to respect animals in their environment; please follow the guide’s recommendations and instructions while observing them.

·        We do not guarantee the presence of all animals mentioned in the program as this is beyond our control. However, your guide will do his best to show you as many species as possible during your stay.

·        Some activities may be postponed or cancelled depending on weather conditions.

·        The ascent from the Tunnel Beach can be quite difficult, it requires good health conditions.

·        This program is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

·        It is highly recommended that you bring good walking shoes, warm clothing and a windbreaker.

·        As respecting the environment is important to us, we highly recommend you take your filled Ponant water bottle with you after your cruise, so you can use it on shore and avoid the use of plastic bottles whenever it is not strictly necessary.

·        Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Contact of your hotel :

Fable Dunedin (Wains) Hotel 5*

310 Princes Street
Dunedin , New Zealand
Telephone : +64 3 477 1145

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.