Cruise · Heritage Expeditions · 9 nights

Ultimate New Zealand Fiordland Expedition

An in-depth exploration of Fiordland
Visit lesser known fiords, like Caswell Sound
Find native wildlife and birdlife

$9,595 pp twin share

9 nights

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Fiordland Sunset

See untamed wilderness and unique wildlife including Bottlenose Dolphins

A truly thrilling wildlife encounter, seeing New Zealand Fur Seals up close

Experience an ultimate 10-day exploration of New Zealand's remote ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords of Fiordland.

Fiordland National Park is now over 1.2 million hectares in size and rightly famous for its epic, grand scale scenery, untamed wilderness and unique wildlife

Fiordland National Park

Heritage Expeditions' has assembled a world-renowned team naturalists, botanists, historians and experts to interpret the natural and human history discovered during each voyage, as well as hosting regular lectures, ensuring guests maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible during their voyage.

Get up close to all the action when you head out with your guide in the Zodiac's

When & how much

Choose your departure

2 departures

Cruise Snapshot

9 Nights

20% off selected cabins

An in-depth exploration of Fiordland
Visit lesser known fiords, like Caswell Sound
Find native wildlife and birdlife

Trip Details

Departs: Sun 14 Mar 2027
Returns: Tue 23 Mar 2027
Embarks: Te Anau
Ship: Heritage Explorer
Operator: Heritage Expeditions

Over 10 days, sail the calm waters of Fiordland in solitude exploring some of the most unique and wild parts of Fiordland on this unforgettable adventure.

The majority of Fiordland's sounds are only accessible by sea, making them among the most remote areas of New Zealand's mainland. Waterfalls, streams, rivers and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go, revealing steep gradients of mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. The isolation of these fiords has been beneficial in ensuring their epic beauty remains unspoiled and historic sites undisturbed.

$9,595

pp twin share

Enquire

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Day by day

Itinerary

1
Te Anau/Preservation Inlet
Make your way to the designated meeting point in Te Anau, then take in the grand views and awe-inspiring scenery as you enjoy a spectacular helicopter transfer to join Heritage Explorer in Preservation Inlet. The captain and expedition leader will welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin. Settle into life aboard before setting sail along Long Sound and enjoy your first impressions of the fiords and the unrestrained landscape of Southern Fiordland. Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.
Heritage Explorer
2
Preservation Inlet
Today is dedicated to exploring Preservation Inlet, rich in history, delving into the gold mining and forestry attempts that once made this now quiet waterway a bustling hub of activity. The area's natural bounty saw more than 2,500 gold miners and saw millers flock to the region in the late 1890s. This early settler history at the mining towns of Cromarty and Te Oneroa, now reclaimed by nature, can still be observed, none more spectacularly than at the failed Tarawera Mine and Smelter. Preservation Inlet can also lay claim to having New Zealand's first whaling station at Cuttle Cove and the location of one of the country's most remote lighthouses at Puysegur Point, which began operation in 1879. A great coastal walk, formerly a telegraph track built to connect the lighthouse, leads to the old landing shed at Otago Retreat.
Heritage Explorer
3
Chalky Inlet
The entrance to Chalky Inlet is guarded by the impressive limestone cliffs of Chalky Island, the inspiration behind Captain Cook's naming of the fiord. One of several important predator-free islands in the inlet, Chalky Island is home to some of New Zealand's most critically endangered bird species, including the Little Spotted Kiwi and Kakapo. The protected harbours at North and South Port offer much to explore, with North Port the final resting place of the rusting hulk of purposely grounded GSS Stella while South Port reveals an industrial past with the remnants of once prolific sawmilling activity. Sailing to the head of the fiord the surrounding mountains envelop you with their majesty.
Heritage Explorer
4
Dusky Sound
Expedition cruise through Dusky Sound visiting some of the most significant historical and conservation sites in New Zealand as well as marvelling at the majestic scenery as you sail deep into the heart of Fiordland. Predator-free Anchor Island homes half of the world's population of Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi and is also the location of historic Luncheon Cove and several New Zealand firsts, including New Zealand's first sealing gang, the building of New Zealand's first European homestead and first European designed ship, the 16-metre Providence built here and launched in 1795. On nearby Pigeon Island learn the history of Richard Henry and his pioneering live transfer of birds to island refuges.
Heritage Explorer
5
Acheron Passage/Breaksea Sound
A navigation through Acheron Passage, which separates Resolution Island from the mainland, is sure to be one of the highlights of your time in Fiordland. This iconic scenic waterway is an area where Bottlenose Dolphins are often spotted. Explorations here may include venturing into Wet Jacket Arm, where the crew of Cook's Resolution ended up with wet jackets during their survey work. The extensive sheltered waters of scenic Breaksea Sound is also the location of Breaksea Island, an iconic site in New Zealand conservation history as one of the first large islands declared rat free in 1988.
Heritage Explorer
6
Doubtful Sound
Experience some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Fiordland – Doubtful Sound, or the sound of silence as it's also known. Spanning some staggering 40 kilometres and holding the title as New Zealand's deepest fiord, Doubtful Sound with its cloud-scraping wilderness-cloaked mountains, sheer stone cliffs, waterfalls, inlets, quiet coves and wildlife, presents nature on a scale so grand it's off the chart. Photographic opportunities abound and your time spent here could include ship cruising Blanket Bay, the Shelter Islands, Pandora River, Deas Cove and Open Bay.
Heritage Explorer
7
Charles and Caswell Sounds
One of the southernmost of the northern fiords, Charles Sound branches into Emelius and Gold Arms at its head, with Gold Arm being home to one of the most extensive marine reserves in the inner fiords (Kahukura Marine Reserve). Your captain and expedition leader will find a suitably sheltered anchorage for Heritage Explorer, where activities could include kayaking or joining your expedition guides in a coastal exploration by Zodiac. Another rarely explored fiord, Caswell Sound is home to the last physical remains of the 1949 New Zealand–American Fiordland scientific expedition, a primitive hut standing on the banks of the Stillwater River. Walks include a nature-filled stroll along Stillwater River towards Lake Marchant.
Heritage Explorer
8
George Sound
Today, plan to navigate to the largest of the Northern Fiords, George Sound. Stretching 26 scenic kilometres, George Sound is the longest of the Northern Fiords, with several arms branching from the fiord offering multiple options. The spectacular sight of Alice Falls, flanked by dense forest and tumbling over boulders as it thunders out of Lake Alice at the head of the fiord, is always a strong draw. It was at the head of George Sound that Wapiti/elk were introduced to New Zealand in 1905, part of the herd being gifted by American President Theodore Roosevelt.
Heritage Explorer
9
Milford Sound
Enter the magnificent Milford Sound this afternoon and enjoy a leisurely final cruise of this unforgettable location. Enjoy your final night aboard in the protected waters beneath the towering peaks of Milford Sound and revel in the sensational scenery as you celebrate this unforgettable adventure with a farewell dinner.
Heritage Explorer
10
Te Anau
After a final breakfast and farewells, head ashore where a transfer to Te Anau, via the historic Homer Tunnel and the lowland beech forests and golden tussocks of scenic Eglinton Valley, awaits. In case of unexpected delays, please do not book any onward travel from Te Anau until after 3 pm this afternoon.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Pre cruise helicopter transfer and post cruise coach transfer
All on board ship accommodation with meals
All shore excursions and activities.
House drinks
Expert on board naturalist guides.
Landing fees

Not included

International & domestic flights
All items of a personal nature, laundry, extensions & travel insurance

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Heritage Explorer combines the ultimate in comfort with unique itineraries and a personalised experience, with a maximum of just 18 guests on board. With a dining room boasting spectacular 180-degree panoramas and theatre capabilities; a lounge and bar featuring a flight of inclusive regional New Zealand wines, beers and spirits; and a well-stocked local library. Outside, guests can enjoy plenty of covered space on the Bridge Deck, or adjourn to the Sun Deck, perfect for wildlife spotting, sunrises and sunsets, or simply enjoying watch your voyage unfold. Kayaks and fishing equipment are available for use during the voyage, while two tenders allow for deeper exploration and the unforgettable wildlife encounters synonymous with all Heritage Expeditions adventures.

Buller's Cabin - Located on the Lower Deck, the Buller’s cabin features one bunk (one upper and one lower berth), ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en-suite and a porthole.

Salvin's Double Cabin - Located on the Lower Deck, Salvin’s Double cabins feature a double bed, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en-suite and a picture porthole.

Salvin's Twin Cabin - Located on the Lower Deck, Salvin’s Twin cabins feature two lower berths, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en-suite and a picture porthole.

Wandering Cabin- Located on the Lower Deck, Wandering cabins feature one lower single berth, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, TV, PABX satellite telephone, private en-suite and a porthole.

Royal Cabin - Located on the Bridge Deck, our Master Suite features a spacious bedroom with a queen-sized bed, ample storage with wardrobe and drawers, mirror and washbasin, private en-suite, personal climate control, TV, PABX satellite telephone, window and French doors opening out on to the covered Bridge Deck.

Heritage Explorer is a 30-metre, 4-deck New Zealand flagged vessel built in 2004 by the renowned wooden boat building family Carey's Boatyard in Picton.

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