New Zealand
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Overview
Motion picture director Peter Jackson chose New Zealand as the location to film the fantasy world of Tolkien’s “Middle Earth” for a very good reason: the variety of incredible landscapes found in such a small area is simply astounding! Towering mountain ranges, wind-swept coastlines, pristine river valleys, and moss-covered tree fern forests are just some of the scenes we will photograph as we explore the South Island on this unique small-group 15-day journey led by National Geographic photographer Michael Melford, Justin Black, and renowned “Kiwi” landscape photographer Phillip Bartlett.
We wanted to take you to wild places on the South Island which are off the regular tourist path, locations which are seldom-visited, but that offer superb photography. To access these areas we will be travelling by 4WD vehicles, with a maximum of three passengers per vehicle. In addition, private-charter excursions by helicopter and boat provide us access to some truly phenomenal opportunities.
Click “read more” below right to see the itinerary and photo gallery…
Note: In response to frequent requests for small-group experiences, we have elected to offer this itinerary with a limit of six participants, so long as six clients are forthcoming and confirm via registration and deposit by October 1st, 2013. The small group option of course involves a premium in cost. If the small group option doesn’t fill by October 1st, we will increase the group size limit to 10 participants, and correspondingly lower the price to reflect the broader distribution of group costs. We hope you can join us!
Our journey will take us from the Garden City of Christchurch south into the heart of the Southern Alps, where we photograph New Zealand’s highest mountains. We then continue south to Queenstown, home to the aptly-named Remarkables mountain range. To the west are the ice-carved valleys of Fiordland and Milford Sound, which offer ample photographic opportunities in all weather conditions. An off-road foray into the Fiordland National Park follows before we return to Queenstown for a well-earned rest. Revived and ready to go, we travel over to the rugged West Coast and take a private jet-boat charter up into the far reaches of the glaciated Haast River Valley, where few others have photographed before. Farther north at Fox Glacier, we helicopter onto the glacier itself for our exclusively-guided hike to photograph the subtle form and shape of cobalt-blue ice caves and formations. Travelling through mountain passes, we arrive at the coastal town of Kaikoura, where the highlight is a private charter boat trip to photograph the acrobatics of the Dusky dolphins, as well as albatross and other pelagic birds.
ITINERARY
Nov 8th, Day zero – Arrival in CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Fly into Christchurch International Airport (flights and not included) and transfer to our group’s hotel for introductory meeting and orientation, group dinner, overnight in Christchurch.
Day one – CHRISTCHURCH – AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We depart Christchurch early this morning and travel south across the agriculture- intensive Canterbury Plains towards the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Hidden behind the Canterbury foothills are extensive valley basins backed by impressive mountain ranges and we take a diversion to a remote back-country location for our inaugural shoot. Wind- blown tussocks, alluvial-fan basins and ominous mountains provide us with a stunning introduction to the New Zealand landscape and we immerse ourselves in this spectacular environment as the early light fills the valley.
We then continue on to the heart of the Southern Alps and our base for the next two nights: the Aoraki/Mt Cook village. Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3754m and the name Aoraki was given by the Maori and means ‘cloud-piercer’. In the early evening we take a short walk to position ourselves to photograph the last light on the mountains.
Day two – AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
We are out in the field pre-dawn, and drive to a nearby location to photograph the first light in the Tasman Valley. Our subjects are again Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, with this location offering a stunning panoramic perspective. We then return to the village for breakfast. After refreshing, we take a 4WD track up into the mountains to photograph the Southern Alps, before returning to the village for lunch. After lunch there is some time to relax, take a stroll around the village before we meet up again in the late afternoon for a 2.5 hour hike up to a small glacial lake to photograph the last light on Aoraki/Mt Cook. This is an easy walk up the valley, however an alternate location will be arranged for those who do not wish to take the hike.
Day three – AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK – QUEENSTOWN
Another chance to photograph sunrise on Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps before we depart and travel south towards Queenstown. Along the way we go off-road and drive deep into a mountain valley, where we explore this rugged terrain and capture images where few other travellers ever venture. When then continue on south through the unusual Lindis Pass, as we travel down into the Central Otago region. We arrive at Queenstown in the late afternoon and after dinner make our way to the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with the aptly-named Remarkables mountain range in the background.
Day four – QUEENSTOWN
We leave the hotel pre-dawn and travel up towards Glenorchy for our sunrise shoot looking over Lake Wakatipu, which is surrounded by mountain ranges. After breakfast in Glenorchy we drive up to the Mt Aspiring National Park, where the landscape is reminiscent of scenes from the Lord of the Rings films. Dense beech forests, crystal-clear rivers and towering peaks dominate this sensational location. We then return to the township where there is time to relax before we meet again in the late afternoon for our last light shoot.
Day five – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND
We leave Queenstown this morning and make our way to Milford Sound, which is located in the northern part of the Fiordland National Park. While most visitors make this a day trip, we stay overnight to take best advantage of the evening and morning light. The drive to Milford Sound passes through breath-taking glaciated valleys and we make stops to shoot the dramatic landscapes. We arrive at Milford Sound in the late afternoon in time for our evening shoot of Mitre Peak and the fiord.
Day six – MILFORD SOUND – TE ANAU
After our sunrise photo session of the fiord and surrounding mountains we take a boat journey along the length of Milford Sound and out to the Tasman Sea. As well as shooting this incredible landscape of sheer mountains, cascading waterfalls and untouched coastline it is possible we will see seals and dolphins. Once back ashore we take a break over brunch before journeying back through the mountains to the lake town of Te Anau. If the weather permits we will take a short hike into the forest in Fiordland to photograph the moss-covered forest interior. Arriving at Te Anau in the late afternoon, we take an early dinner before photographing at the lake.
Day seven – TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN
We are on the road early this morning as we have an hour’s drive to get up into a wilderness area in the mountains. Part of the Fiordland National Park, this expansive area is seldom-visited and we take a short hike to an area which offers breath-taking views of the mountains. We will spend most of the morning photographing here before travelling back up to Queenstown. Please note that as this is a mountain location, the road may be closed if weather conditions are not favourable. If this is the case we will photograph at a different location.
Day eight – QUEENSTOWN
Today is intended as an opportunity to take a break from the intense itinerary, rest up, explore at your own pace, shop, etc.. This morning we will go out for a sunrise shoot, before returning to the town. The remainder of the day, you have the option of taking a break at your leisure, or joining Justin for an organized outing. Enjoy a coffee on the lakefront, take the steamboat journey across the lake, the gondola ride up the mountain, catch up on your emails or maybe just stroll around the town. We’ll meet for dinner that evening.
Day nine – QUEENSTOWN – HAAST
We turn west this morning as we head for West Coast. Our road takes us through a valley carved by glaciers, and we stop along the way to shoot waterfall, forest and river scenes. We arrive at Haast, on the West Coast, in the early afternoon, where we board a jet-boat for our exclusive trip deep into the South Westland wilderness. This unique journey is about 4 hours duration and we will make stops to photograph the forest and mountain scenery. The only way into this area is by boat, and there is only one outfit licensed to operate on the river. It feels as though we truly are in the farthest corner of the world.
Day ten – HAAST – FOX GLACIER
We continue north today and arrive at Fox Glacier in the late morning. After refreshing, we will photograph the glacier from a close perspective before returning to the township. A nearby forest offers wonderful macro opportunities of moss-covered trees and ferns. For the last light we will take the hike around Lake Matheson where, on a still day, New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Mts Aoraki/Cook and Tasman, are reflected in the dark waters.
Day eleven – FOX GLACIER
An early breakfast this morning, before we take a short helicopter ride up on to the middle part of Fox Glacier . We have arranged for an exclusively-guided hike for our group and will spend the entire morning photographing blue ice-caves and formations. Please note that this is weather-dependent for the helicopters to operate. In the afternoon we will take a well-earned rest before re-grouping for our evening shoot of the mountains.
Day twelve – FOX GLACIER – GREYMOUTH
We leave our accommodation pre-dawn to be down at Lake Matheson in time for the sunrise, where we hope to capture the famed mountain reflections. After breakfast we depart Fox Glacier and travel north towards the coastal town of Greymouth. Along the way we will take diversions to photograph coastal and forest scenery.
Day thirteen – GREYMOUTH – KAIKOURA
An early start today as we will be travelling from coast to coast, with mountain passes along the journey. Our destination is the peaceful seaside town of Kaikoura, on the east coast. Overlooked by majestic mountains, this coastal town was once only known for the rock lobster caught here. Now, Kaikoura is famous for the abundance of marine mammals and seabirds found offshore. As we travel through the mountains we will take a hike up above the bushline to shoot the mountain scenes, as this will be the last time we will be up in a forested mountain region. We arrive in Kaikoura in the late afternoon and photograph the coastline as the sun sets.
Day fourteen – KAIKOURA
We are on the water pre-dawn this morning on our private boat charter to photograph Dusky dolphins – natural acrobats who can often be seen leaping and flipping. These photogenic animals typically gather in pods in the early morning to socialize and play, so we will be out at sea at the perfect time to capture all the activity. As a special bonus, we will most likely be able to photograph resident albatross and other pelagic bird species that typically approach boats in the area. This is a fantastic opportunity to photograph these enormous birds at close range. Once back on shore we will enjoy a relaxed breakfast before visiting a New Zealand fur seal colony along the coast. After lunch we take a break, and there is an option to join the whale-watch trip to photograph the resident sperm whales for those who are interested. We meet again in the late afternoon for our farewell dinner together to celebrate our journey.
Day fifteen – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH – DEPART
We enjoy our last shoot together this morning along the coast, before we travel south to Christchurch to where our adventure began two weeks earlier. For those departing this afternoon we say farewell and safe travels. Accommodation for tonight can be arranged for guests who are leaving the following day (accommodations this night are not included).
INCLUDED: Accommodation for fifteen nights, based on single occupancy (double-occupancy available at prorated fee). All meals and beverages (with the exception of the lunch on your own in Queenstown on day eight). All in-tour photographic instruction, land transportation, and guide services. Boat excursions: Dolphin watch private charter, Haast Wilderness Safari private charter, Milford Sound photo cruise. Fox Glacier heli-hike private charter. Department of Conservation concession fees. Porterage of one item of luggage per person.
EXCLUDED: All international air travel and domestic transportation within your home country, any other travel services required to arrive at the tour commencement location and all associated taxes, levies and insurances. Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable. Personal items including gifts or other purchases, any paid communications, hotel room service, travel insurance, etc. Optional activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary e.g. bungy jumping, jetboating, helicopter flights.
Instructors
Michael Melford
- National Geographic Photographer Michael Melford has worked with the Society for over 30 years. He has produced 19 feature stories for National Geographic magazine, and over 30 stories for National Geographic Traveler ...
Justin Black
- JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer, writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers (ILCW), a former executive director of the International ...
Phillip Bartlett
- "The great thing about photographing in the digital age is instant feedback. Having the ability to assess each capture, while teaching out in the field, makes it so much ...
Gallery
Pricing
Highlights
- Landscape so amazing that has to be seen to be believed: Alpine peaks, glaciers, ice caves, tree fern forest, fiords, pristine lakes and rivers, dramatic coastline
- Wildlife: acrobatic Dusky dolphins, albatross, and other pelagic birds
- Small group
- An unprecedented level of professional instruction and support by Michael Melford, Justin Black, and Phillip Bartlett
- Local support by Phillip Bartlett, the most highly regarded photo guide in New Zealand
- Creativity and visualization: learn to find new and unexpected compositions
- Advanced field techniques for landscape and wildlife photography
- Breaking through creative block and making great photographs in challenging situations
- Constructive critiques of participant photographs
- All-inclusive from Christchurch
Accommodations
15-nights 4-star single-occupancy accommodation
Travel
New Zealand
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