May 1 - 10, 2026
10 days / 9 nights
$8,950 USD
All Inclusive
New Zealand. Aotearoa. Land of the long white cloud. No matter what you call it, New Zealand will leave you speechless with the beauty of its pristine beaches, lush forests, unique rock formations, and glacier-carved mountains. Join seven other adventurous photographers on the trip of a lifetime through the dramatic landscapes of the northern half of New Zealand’s South Island. From the stunning grandeur of Arthur’s Pass and Nelson Lakes National Parks to the unreal coastal splendor of Golden Bay and the West Coast, this 10-day New Zealand Photography Tour will provide photographic opportunities on an epic scale. The photography will be incredible, the scenery breathtaking, and the memories will last a lifetime.
The name of the trip says it all: Scenic Wonders. We meet in Christchurch before immediately heading for Kaikoura, where snow-capped coastal mountains meet an ocean teeming with wildlife. From there we head north into the sublime and serene Marlborough Sound area with its endless bays before venturing inland to stunning Nelson Lakes National Park, where massive mountains rise from beautiful alpine waters. Next we visit some of the most unique and beautiful coastal areas in the world in Golden Bay and the West Coast. Then we finish the trip off with a helicopter flight over the most rugged mountains and glaciers in the country, before heading back to Christchurch via the stunning Arthur’s Pass National Park.
On this trip we experience the landscapes like few others do: from land, sea, and air.
Tuition includes:
Secure your spot with a $2950 deposit.
Josh Cripps – Chief Sand Fly Squisher
Josh has been visiting New Zealand since 1998 and cumulatively has spent over two years of his life traveling through, exploring, and photographing this amazing island nation. He even lived for a short time in the far north town of Kaitaia. He’s been chased by seals at Arnott Point, eaten the best whitebait sandwich in the country, and explored ice caves in the west coast glaciers. Josh thinks New Zealand’s South Island is quite possible the most beautiful chunk of land on the planet and relishes every minute he spends there.
Daniel Murray – Professional Kiwi Photographer
For as long as I can remember I’ve been in love with wild places and epic scenery. Capturing and sharing the beauty of the world constantly motivates and inspires me.
I’m based near Christchurch, New Zealand. Living in this country is truly a privilege. Although there are many beautiful places around the world, there’s something very special about this little corner of the planet. We have almost every type of landscape you could possibly imagine, all tucked into a space encompassing less than 0.2% of the Earth’s land area. Within a 200 km radius (as the kea flies) of where I live I can stroll along the beach of an ocean (Pacific) and a sea (Tasman), wander among glaciated mountains towering nearly 4,000 metres high, and explore dense rainforest with an annual rainfall which can exceed 18 metres (not a typo). And here I am typing this in a location which is flat for miles in all directions and receives just enough rainfall to avoid desert classification!
Arthur’s Pass National Park is a dramatic landscape of towering peaks, deep valleys, and lush native forests. The park features a striking mix of alpine and rainforest environments, often shrouded in moody mist or dusted with snow. Waterfalls tumble through steep gorges, and the iconic Otira Viaduct snakes through the mountains, offering spectacular views. For photographers, the constantly shifting weather, dramatic light, and wild, rugged terrain provide endless opportunities for compelling and atmospheric landscape images.
Nelson Lakes National Park, nestled at the northern tip of the Southern Alps, is known for its pristine alpine lakes, beech forests, and rugged mountain backdrops. Lake Rotoiti offers mirror-like reflections, especially during calm mornings and golden hour light. We will explore its serene beauty, diverse compositions, and the striking contrast between tranquil waters and towering peaks.
New Zealand’s wild West Coast is a dramatic landscape where lush temperate rainforests meet towering glaciers and rugged mountains. Iconic features like Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers descend into the temperate rainforest, creating rare opportunities to capture ice and jungle in a single frame. The area also boasts reflective lakes, wild coastlines, and dense native bush teeming with textures and moody light. Photographers love it for its surreal contrasts, dynamic weather, and raw, untamed beauty.
A helicopter flight over New Zealand’s Southern Alps offers a breathtaking aerial journey through jagged peaks, vast snowfields, and ancient glaciers like Fox and Franz Josef. From the air, the dramatic scale of the landscape becomes clear, with sheer cliffs, turquoise meltwater lakes, and deep crevasses unfolding below. The shifting light and fast-changing weather create dynamic scenes perfect for capturing powerful, ephemeral moments. For photographers, it’s a rare chance to shoot inaccessible alpine terrain from unique perspectives, where every turn offers a new, awe-inspiring composition.
A whale and dolphin watching cruise in Kaikōura offers an unforgettable experience where towering mountains meet deep ocean trenches teeming with marine life. Sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and even orcas can often be seen surfacing dramatically against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The crisp coastal light and close encounters with wildlife create extraordinary opportunities for both action shots and serene compositions. Kaikōura is known for its rare convergence of ocean and alpine scenery, offering dynamic and awe-inspiring frames unlike anywhere else in the world.
Golden Bay, tucked away at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is a sun-soaked coastal region known for its golden sands, turquoise waters, and relaxed atmosphere. At its western edge lies Wharariki Beach, a remote and windswept stretch of coastline famous for its towering sea stacks, swirling sand dunes, and dramatic sunsets. During low tide, shallow pools reflect the sky and rocks, creating surreal, mirror-like compositions. In this area we will enjoy ethereal light, sculpted landscapes, and the sense of untouched wilderness that makes every visit feel like a hidden discovery.
Who is this Photo Tour for?
This New Zealand South Island photo tour is for upbeat, adventurous photographers who appreciate a wide array of landscapes and scenes. If you love intimate details of ferns as much as grand landscapes, then this trip is for you. There is a wonderful range of subjects and scales to explore through the South Island of New Zealand, and photographers open to all kinds of different shots will find great joy on this trip. This trip experiences a huge variety of scenery, from glaciers and mountains, to rainforest, to mirror-smooth beaches, to stunning rock formations, and everything in between.
Photography Experience Level
This tour is for photographers of all experience levels, from pros to novices. That being said, you will get the most out of this trip if you understand the basics of exposure and composition.
One of the most important things you can do to prepare is to know your camera. Understand how to change the settings, how to zoom in to 100% on Live View and on Playback, and how to quickly access the histogram and menus. When the good light is changing rapidly, simply knowing how to work your gear quickly and efficiently will set you up for success.
Drones
Please do not bring your drone on this trip. Drones in New Zealand are highly regulated and it is extremely difficult to get the necessary permissions to fly them in the locations where we will be photographing.
Group Dynamics
This is a group trip, and morale is a key factor to everyone’s enjoyment. Our favorite kinds of photographers:
If this describes you, we’d love to have you aboard this tour. Negative, complain-y, or high-maintenance “everything needs to be my way” photographers need not apply.
In short, this tour is for anyone who wants to explore and photograph stunning scenery with a fun group of like-minded people. The trip is limited to 8 participants for a small, personal feel.
About New Zealand’s South Island
Photographers will find NZ’s South Island to be a land of stunning beauty and wonderful photographic opportunities. The landscapes are dramatic, varied, and accessible. We will photograph marvelous glaciers, soaring snow-capped peaks, breathtaking sounds, lush rain forests, and rugged coastlines. On top of the scenery itself, the light in New Zealand is truly mesmerizing. The weather in New Zealand is constantly changing and interacting with the country’s unique geology in a way that produces absolutely beautiful conditions. While this is not a guarantee of anything, I will say that I’ve seen more double rainbows in New Zealand than everywhere else in the world put together. 🙂
In addition to the photography, you will find New Zealand to be a charming country that’s easy to explore. The Kiwis are an extremely friendly people who are in love with their wonderful land. Prepare yourself for incredible scenery, stunning photos, and memorable experiences with our New Zealand photography tour.
I truly enjoyed every moment of touring New Zealand with the group, and the camaraderie we shared was wonderful. I am profoundly grateful for your kindness, generosity, and expert guidance. You both led us to the perfect locations at the ideal times, allowing us to capture the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand in all their glory. Thank you for making this experience so memorable! I am looking forwards to joining your other tours in near future.
This was the best photography tour in which I have participated.
This New Zealand photo tour is appropriate for photographers who have good mobility and hiking experience. You should have good balance and be able to navigate uneven terrain like boulders and streambeds. Hiking is approximately 2-4 miles total each day (though it can be more), with walks each day of up to 45 minutes each way to reach certain shooting locations.
Walking in the mountains can be strenuous at elevation and we recommend preparing for the trip by walking at least a few miles per week leading up to the tour. All participants are expected to carry their own camera, personal gear, and water during the tour.
This is a photo tour, meaning that we are focused on getting you to the right places at the right times to create amazing images, rather than drilling deep into one specific topic of skill. This trip is about having the best possible experience in New Zealand’s stunning South Island. That means in addition to shooting we are also enjoying meals together, learning the ecology of these areas, and allowing for down time so that you can stay rested and excited. We set a relaxed pace during the tour so that you will enjoy each day, rather than feeling exhausted, burned out, or mentally fatigued. This trip is FUN, not boot camp.
We are here to help, without overwhelming you.
In the field your guides are always available to answer questions, provide guidance and feedback, and give you ideas of how to approach your photography. In short, if you have questions, we’re here for you. At the same time, it’s important to avoid spending every field session cramming your brain full of as much photography knowledge as possible, as this only leads to overwhelm, burnout, and an inability to retain anything.
Your guides will also be shooting photos during the trip, both to provide examples and ideas, and so that you can see the scene through their eyes, get inspiration, and learn about their approaches to photography.
6:00 am – meet in the hotel parking lot and drive 15-30 minutes.
6:30 am – walk 15- 30 minutes over good terrain to our shooting location.
6:45 am – arrive on location 30 minutes prior to sunrise and begin exploring and shooting.
7:20 am – sunrise.
8:30 am – wrap up morning shoot, and walk back to the coach.
9:00 am – breakfast.
10:00 am – check out of hotels as applicable.
Midday – lunch, rest, import photos, transportation between locations, and fun side trips.
3:00 pm – leave for afternoon shooting session. Drive 30 minutes.
3:30 pm – hike 15-45 minutes over good terrain.
4:00 pm – arrive on location ~ 90 minutes before sunset to explore, see the landscape, and shoot.
5:40 pm – sunset.
6:30 pm – wrap up evening shoot, return to the coach and hotel.
7:30 pm – dinner.
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Note that these times are given as a general sense of what to expect. Exact meet times, drive times, and hiking distances will vary day to day. Some drives are as short as 5 minutes, some are as long as 60+ minutes. Some hikes are 2 minutes, some are 45 minutes. We do our best to spread out the long drives and hikes, but we always let the conditions guide us to the best spots each day.
Our itinerary is organized to visit some of the most spectacular locations on the northern half of New Zealand’s South Island. The tour is 10 days total. We’ll set a relaxed pace on the trip, with emphasis on shoots during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, with breaks in the middle of day for meals, optional side-trips, or transit between hotels. NZ is a small country and most of our hotel locations are less than a 3-hour drive apart.
We will meet for breakfast in Christchurch then load up in our private transportation and head to Kaikoura to photograph the stunning coastline.
After a morning wildlife cruise we will hit the road for Nelson and the beautiful Golden Bay.
On this day we’ll head for the Eye of the Kiwi, the far north beach of Wharariki, one of the most stunning beaches in the world.
From the coast we’ll move into the mountains to enjoy the pristine serenity of Nelson Lakes National Park.
After our mountain therapy it’s back to the coast to photograph the fascinating Pancake Rocks.
We’ll enjoy a calm day in Punakaiki this day, photographing the coast and beautiful forests nearby.
On day 7 our group will move down the coast to Fox Glacier, where we’ll enjoy incredible glaciers, lakes, and forests.
A mellow day in Fox, where we’ll explore the best of the nearby coast and waterfalls.
From Fox Glacier we begin to move back across the island, traveling to dramatic Arthur’s Pass National Park where towering mountains and alpine Kea are plentiful.
On the final day we will have a last shoot in Arthur’s Pass then make our way back to Christchurch to end the trip.
*The itinerary may change due to weather, conditions, or circumstances beyond our control.
This New Zealand photography tour meets and disbands in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. Participants are responsible for their flights to and from the Christchurch Airport, the local transfer to our first hotel, and the local transfer back to the airport once the tour has finished. We will provide hotel recommendations for Christchurch upon receiving your registration.
Transportation is provided throughout the tour, from our first hotel until our return to Christchurch. Transportation during the tour will be in a comfortable, private Sprinter van capable of holding the entire group plus our photo gear and luggage.
The tour includes 9 nights of best-available hotel lodging throughout the South Island. By default everyone has their own room during the tour. Double occupancy is available upon request for a reduced price.
Wi-Fi is available at all our hotels. Cell phone coverage is generally good in cities and towns, but may not be available everywhere.
We recommend you purchase an eSIM to have cell and data coverage while in NZ.
Due to variable conditions, we recommend bringing multiple layers of non-cotton clothing, like Merino wool, fleece, or synthetic fibers. Specifically you should bring:
This time of year we should experience beautiful fall conditions. Days will be mild and nights may be cool. Kiwis often claim their country can experience all four seasons in a single day, so participants on this tour should be ready for a variety of conditions from rain and snow to warm sun.
Average temperatures at this time range between 30°F lows and 70°F highs (0°C – 20°C). Temperatures throughout the South Island will be relatively similar, with perhaps +/- 10°F (+/- 5°C) differences.
A deposit of $2,950 USD is required to reserve your spot. The balance is due 4 months before the tour. Payment can be made via check, bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal. Payments made via credit card / PayPal incur a 3% fee.
New Zealand is a western, tourism-driven economy, and high travel costs should be expected. Currently the New Zealand dollar is worth about 60 cents US. Conversely, a US dollar is worth about $1.60 NZ. To help you plan your trip, here are some sample items and their cost in NZ dollars:
Breakfasts, dinners, and snacks are included every day on this tour.
We take pains to ensure our activities are 100% above board. We obtain all the necessary permissions, certifications, and insurance required in order conduct our tours.
We are also strong advocates of Leave No Trace (LNT) wilderness ethics. We teach responsible photography practices and never sacrifice the environment for the sake of a photo. Our goal is to leave our tour locations in better shape than the way we found them.
We plant trees to offset the carbon emissions generated by this tour.
Travel insurance is REQUIRED for this trip, which will reimburse you if you need to cancel for any reason, including COVID-19. It can also provide medical coverage, lost luggage coverage, and other benefits while abroad, and policies are generally inexpensive. IMG and Travel Guard are reliable companies.
It is important to note that travel insurance will generally only cover up to a certain dollar amount for high value items like cameras and computers. Therefore please pay close attention to the coverage on your policy. You may need to have your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance cover these items if you wish to have them fully insured. CHUBB provides outstanding camera insurance through the North American Nature Photography Association.
Deposits are non-refundable. Additional payments toward your balance are fully refundable up to 120 days before the tour. If you withdraw from the tour and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payments (including deposit), less a $200 administrative fee and any discounts given to fill the space. If we cancel this tour for any reason, your entire tuition fee will be transferred to another tour or refunded to you at your discretion.
If you have a personal emergency prior to the tour such as a medical emergency or a death in the family, please contact us. We are willing to work with you to reschedule or refund your fee on a case-by-case basis. This tour requires a minimum of 5 participants. In the case of under-subscription we reserve the right to cancel the tour, in which case your registration will be transferred to another tour of your choosing. Or we may conduct the tour with a single instructor.
Unfortunately it does happen. Prior to the tour you should stock up on Vitamin-C, Airborne, or your favorite immune booster. During the tour make sure to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to help prevent the chance of getting sick. We will have hand sanitizer onboard the coach at all times.
Motion sickness may also be a factor on New Zealand’s curvy roads. If you suffer from motion sickness please let us know and we will provide ginger beer as a great-tasting remedy, or seat you at the front of the bus.
Please bring any medication along that you require and advise us of any allergies. In some areas we will be 2-3 hours from the nearest doctor’s office or pharmacy, so be prepared.
New Zealand does not have any COVID vaccine or testing requirements. That being said, if you are sick prior to the tour, please stay home. We will work with you for a trip credit. If you test positive for COVID-19 while on the tour you will be required to isolate for 5 days, or until you are symptom free, whichever is longer.
Trip insurance is REQUIRED on this trip and will give you peace of mind in case of sickness. We have had people get sick and have to leave the tour!
Your guides are first aid / CPR / wilderness first aid certified. They each carry a first aid kit and emergency supplies. Your lead guide carries a GPS locator beacon. In the event of an emergency, get to a safe area, stay put, and call 111.
We take safety very seriously and have developed a complete safety plan that is in full compliance with New Zealand standards and best practices for Alpine Hiking and Tramping. You can view the safety plan documents here:
