Joining the Expedition. We will arrange for a complimentary shuttle bus to pick you up from your Te Anau accommodation and transfer you to the heliport to join a helicopter transfer to the head of Long Sound (Preservation Inlet). On arrival you will be welcomed aboard the Strannik where you will be introduced to the team and the vessel. We plan to get underway for the lower reaches of Preservation Inlet to begin our exploration shortly thereafter.

We continue the journey we started yesterday making our way north, enjoying and exploring each of the individual Fiords, or Sounds as they are commonly referred to on most charts. We will linger at the most spectacular locations and areas of cultural and natural history, anchoring overnight in some of the most spectacular anchorages anywhere in the world. We plan to visit the following Fiords and highlights: Preservation Inlet: Pre-European history, the site of one of New Zealand’s earliest whaling stations, gold mining relics, Puysegur Point lighthouse, the abandoned Tarawera smelter and Long Sound. Chalky Inlet: Edwardson and Cunaris Sounds, North and South Ports. Dusky Sound: Pre-European and early European history (Captain Cook, Sealing Gangs), New Zealand’s first shipwreck, Resolution and Anchor Islands and the current conservation work, Dusky Bay track, examine the history of moose in New Zealand. Breaksea Sound: Gateway to the Acheron Passage, Broughton and Vancouver arms, Acheron Passage and Wet Jacket arm. Dagg Sound: Anchorage arm. Doubtful Sound: Transit through on our way north. Thompson Sound: Northern Gateway to Doubtful Sound, Secretary Island. Nancy Sound: One of the least known and visited Fiords.Charles Sound: Gold and Emelius arms.Caswell Sound: American – New Zealand 1949 Fiordland expedition hut and track to Lake MarchantGeorge Sound: Alice Falls, the terminus of the George Sound Track, Southwest arm.

Breakfast aboard the Strannik anchored in Milford Sound, then sadly it’s time for our farewells, before joining a private transfer to Te Anau and your accommodation, or using your own transport arrangements. 

This is the northbound itinerary operating 8 - 21 August. 22nd August - 5th September operates in reverse going southbound.