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. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The snow-covered mountains of the Southern Alps
• The braided Waimakariri River
• Lakes Heron & Clearwater
• Frosty high-country landscapes

CHRISTCHURCH - QUEENSTOWN 

• Mt White Station Photography Experience
• Ashburton Lakes
• Mt Cook

ITINEARY 

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 

  • Mt White Station Photography Experience

  • Copy of Pocket Guide to Landscape Photography

  • 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