We’ll begin the day with a drive to the West Coast. Along the way, we’ll wind through Arthur's Pass and into the Kuru Tawhiti Conservation Area—home to the world’s only alpine parrot, the kea. We’ll meet with an expert from the Kea Conservation Trust, who will teach us about the endangered birds, the challenges they face, and how we can help to monitor the species throughout our journey. While we're in the area, we’ll explore Castle Hill’s enormous, wind-worn limestone boulders reminiscent of castle ruins—Castle Hill was once recognized by the Dalai Lama as the spiritual center of the universe. The Māori once met here to hunt the now-extinct, giant moa, once the world’s tallest bird, for its prized feathers and bones. Tonight, we’ll head to our coastal accommodations for a relaxing night by the ocean. Take a stroll by the water, relax on the beach, or rest up before tomorrow’s adventure.

We’ll start the day with a walk along the Truman Track, journeying through dense rainforest until we emerge at the Pancake Rocks. These aptly named limestone formations have been sculpted by pounding waves and wind into what appear to be sky-high stacks of pancakes. We’ll aim to arrive at high tide, when the water shoots out of the formations’ many blowholes. Later in the day, we’ll make our way farther down the coast toward the small town of Hokitika, a magnet for creatives. Though we'll be visiting just after the town's annual Driftwood & Sand festival, take a wander down to the beach to see if you can find any driftwood sculptures left standing, or try your hand at making your own. We'll visit a bone carver’s studio to learn about traditional Māori carvings—pendants and knives made from moa bones. We’ll carve our own pendant (though not out of moa bone) using some of these techniques, then carry on to the town of Franz Josef. Tonight, we’ll set out to catch a glimpse of the otherworldly light emitted by nearby native glowworms and listen for the haunting hoot of the nocturnal morepork owl.

This morning, you’ll have the option to hike along the Alex Knob Trail in search of kea, adding them to our tracking program as we go. Alternatively, at an additional cost, you'll have the option of taking to the skies via helicopter. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the mountains below before landing atop a glacier for a hike across the ice alongside an expert. Later in the day, we’ll regroup and head a little further down the coast to the tiny township of Makarora. We’ll stop here for the night, staying in charmingly quirky chalets at the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park.

We’ll meet with scientists from the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust before heading into the national park to help out in the field. What we do today will vary depending on bird migration patterns and the needs of the program, but it could entail anything from tracking species to planting native trees and clearing areas for breed-and-release programs. After a busy day in the field, we’ll drive along the Crowne Range—New Zealand's highest road—heading toward our home for the night: Queenstown. Often referred to as the adventure capital of the world, this small town packs a powerful punch when it comes to things to do and see. In addition to the countless adrenaline-inducing events you can engage your sympathetic nervous system in, there’s a vibrant culinary scene worth exploring. Consider checking out Blue Kanu for a taste of “polynasian” cuisine, or head to the world-famous Fergberger—though be prepared to wait up to an hour; lines for this beloved burger joint can be egregiously long. Before we head to dinner, we’ll have the pleasure of virtually meeting with Francesco van Eerd, a North Island–based perfumer with a curious tale to tell about a bird-centric scent project he worked on recently.

After a leisurely morning, we’ll head to the Kiwi Birdlife Conservation Park, where we’ll get our hands dirty helping with the park’s conservation initiative of planting 5,000 native trees. We’ll also get an introduction to the endangered kiwi—a small, fluffy, burrowing bird with immense cultural importance. The park we’ll be visiting today runs several breed-and-release programs, meaning each kiwi housed here will eventually be returned to its natural habitat. After we finish our fieldwork, we’ll have some time to explore Queenstown at our own pace. Our guides will be more than happy to recommend activities based on what tickles your fancy. (If you’re unable or prefer not to participate in the fieldwork portion of the day, you’re welcome to spend all of today exploring the city.)

This morning, we’ll head into one of the most remote corners of the planet: Fiordland National Park. We’ll cruise across Lake Manapouri, then drive over Wilmot Pass, taking in sweeping views of the mountains that surround us. Once we arrive in Deep Cove, we’ll board the Fiordland Navigator for our overnight expedition through Doubtful Sound, a massive wilderness area. Doubtful is often overlooked for its better-known sibling, Milford Sound, because it’s trickier to get to—but once we arrive, you’ll see why it’s well worth the journey. Tonight you’ll have the chance to take a kayak out on the water or hop aboard a smaller craft for a guided exploration of the fjord with a nature guide. Keep an eye out for the yellow-crested Fiordland penguin, characterized by its forward-leaning gait and golden tufts of spiky plumage. We’ll be one of the few boats out on the fjord tonight, so enjoy the quiet evening and venture out to the deck of the boat for a stunning view of the Milky Way.

After breakfast amid a misty fjord, we’ll make our way back to shore and head toward Milford Sound—stopping first at the Fiordland Cinema. We’ll pop in for a screening of Ata Whenua, the passion project of local filmmaker, Dave Comer, who built the cinema for the sole purpose of screening it. The short, unnarrated documentary lets the visuals speak for themselves; shot entirely from a birds-eye view, the film takes you soaring through the skies and over Milford Sound. Tonight, we’ll pass through the Homer Tunnel, a notorious kea hangout, and settle in at our cozy, quiet chalets—the only accommodations in all of Milford Sound.

Wake up in the middle of tranquil Milford Sound. You’ll have the option of taking a kayak out onto the water this morning with a partner, or you can hop into a boat for a guided cruise around the park. No matter the kind of boat you’re in, you’ll have the chance to see several of the park’s hundreds of tumbling waterfalls up close and search for waddling penguins, chattering dolphins, and basking seals. We’ll leave Milford in the afternoon, spending the rest of the day relaxing in Te Anau before tucking into a delicious home-cooked meal with our guides.

The Department of Conservation Birdlife Sanctuary in Te Anau takes care of injured and aging birds that would struggle to survive in the wild. We’ll have the opportunity to visit the sanctuary, seeing some of New Zealand’s rarest birds up close—including the infamous, flightless takahē. Once believed to be extinct, this prehistoric-looking bird was rediscovered in the national park in 1948. Over breakfast (both for us and for the takahēs!), we’ll chat with a Department of Conservation ranger about the birds we’ve encountered here. In the afternoon, take an optional, guided hike along Kepler Track—one of New Zealand's most iconic walks—keeping our eyes peeled for the ever-elusive South Island robin.

We’ll say farewell to Fiordland and begin our journey back to Queenstown this morning. Along the way, we’ll stop at Peregrine Winery, a family-owned winery with an iconic architectural canopy designed to emulate the wing of its namesake. Peregrine Winery works closely with a few native bird conservation programs, and occasionally breeds birds for release. We’ll talk birds, sip some local wines, and raise a glass to the winged wonders we’ve witnessed on our journey together. Then, it’s off to the airport (we can drop you off downtown or at the airport) or on to your next destination. Take to the skies safely!