Satori Photo Tours
NEW ZEALAND
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP WITH
MARK DENNEY
About this tour
New Zealand’s South Island is home to some of the world’s most spectacular and accessible landscapes. It goes without saying that this makes it the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts keen on photography. Mesmerising fjords, pristine glaciers, rugged mountains, and plenty to see and do on a smaller scale make this photography workshop a bonafide once in a lifetime experience that you’ll treasure forever.
Alongside our professional photo guides, you’ll capture the astonishing views while developing your skills in the best possible environment. Our itinerary will take in the finest sights the scenic South Island can throw at us, and we’ll have plenty of time to focus on all the hidden gems we are bound to encounter as we go.
Beginning in Christchurch, we’ll head to the South Island’s unrivalled west coast. There we’ll enjoy the heady sights of the Aoraki National Park, eventually moving on to the wondrous photography haven of Fiordland, with much more in between!
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In an epic photo adventure we will see the range of natural diversity that inspired Peter Jackson to film his Lord of the Rings trilogy here, from the peak of Mount Cook to the magical lakes of Tekapo, Wanaka and Pukaki.
Other highlights on this New Zealand photography tour include a scenic cruise along Milford Sound, a shoot at the eerie alien rock formations of Moeraki.
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Day 1
Christchurch to Tekapo: A Picturesque Beginning
This tour has been designed to fly into Christchurch this day. We will arrange a group dinner this evening and a hotel has been booked for the group in Christchurch.
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Day 2
Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook: Alpine Landscapes and Glacial Beauty
Setting off from Christchurch, we make our way inland across the Canterbury plains, heading towards Lake Tekapo where we will photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd. We will depart for our next destination, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, for New Zealand's finest alpine surroundings, including our largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt. Cook. This evening, we will photograph the sunset in the Tasman Valley, where occasionally, icebergs float gracefully in lakes below the mountains.
Day 3
Aoraki/Mt Cook: Sunrise, Aerial Photography, and Hooker Valley Exploration
The day beings with the option to shoot sunrise. Watching the first light hitting the summit of Mt. Cook from right outside our hotel is a stunning photographic opportunity. This morning you have the option (at additional cost), to take a skipplane flight over Aoraki/Mt. Cook and land to photograph the glacier. For sunset tonight, we will head into the Hooker Valley, with New Zealand's highest peaks.
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Day 4
Aoraki/Mt Cook to Queenstown: Diverse Landscapes and Lakeside Tranquility
We will catch the early light over Mt. Cook again at sunrise this morning. After breakfast, we will depart for Queenstown, stopping at one of the best Bannockburn wineries for lunch and a wine tasting. Once in Queenstown, we'll capture the sunset from a stunning high vista above Lake Wakatipu.
Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
This morning, we'll head to the top of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, where we'll shoot sunrise over the lake, mountains and iconic jetty before exploring picturesque Glenorchy. This region offers a glimpse into the heart of Middle Earth, world-famous for film locations from the Lord of the Rings movie. We head south to Te Anau this afternoon, passing through diverse landscapes and stopping to capture unique places. Tonight, we photograph the sunset over the lake, with a vast array of mountains beyond.
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Day 6
Milford Sound
Today, we will venture out early to Milford Sound for sunrise. Its granite peaks soar skywards more than a mile above the dark waters of the fiord. Huge waterfalls cascade into the sea, giving the area a scale and grandeur that has to be seen to be believed. We will cruise on the fiord this afternoon to capture this magical place from the water before returning to the Milford Highway towards the Eglington Valley. Our journey winds through the mountains, past dark, brooding lakes and mossy beech forests lining to impossibly steep slopes.
Day 7
Te Anau to Tanaka
This morning, you can photograph the sunrise over Lake Te Anau in front of the hotel. After breakfast, we will go to the historic Arrowtown, a beautiful old riverside village from the Goldfish era, nestled beside forest-clad mountains. From here, we travel to Wanaka for the afternoon to shoot a sunset over the lake.
Day 8
​Wanaka: Famous Tree and Tussock-Covered Landscapes
Today, you will have a free day to explore Wanaka., a quaint mountain town nestled beside the lake. The famous Wanaka Tree is a 5-minute lakeside walk from our hotel, and the early morning light is the perfect time to capture it against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. Today you have the option (at additional cost) to take a helicopter flight to land on an iconic Wanaka peak, where you'll have the chance to photograph from the summit at sunrise.
Day 9
Wanaka to Fox Glacier: Waterfall Vistas and Aerial Glacier Views
With the sunrise as our backdrop, we depart from Wanaka for the remote West Coast community. As we traverse the scenic Haast Pass, we'll pause to capture the mesmerizing beauty of countless waterfalls. Our destination for the night is the quaint town of Fox Glacier, known for its awe-inspiring glacial landscapes. Upon arrival, we offer an optional aerial photography session (at additional cost) over the magnificent glacier.
Day 10
Fox Glacier to Punakaiki: Reflective Lakes and Unique Geology
Our morning begins with a photography session at Lake Matheson, renowned for its mirror-like reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman - New Zealand's tallest peaks. In the afternoon, we journey north to Punakaiki, celebrated for its unique pancake rocks. Along the way, we'll stop to capture the vibrant turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge.
Day 11
Punakaiki: Limestone Landscapes and Dynamic Coastlines
We dedicate this morning to exploring the extraordinary limestone and river landscapes of Paparoa National Park. The rest of the day is spent discovering the region's remarkable coastline. As the sunset approaches, we'll venture onto beautiful beaches to capture the final light of the day illuminating the coastline and crashing waves.
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Day 12
Punakaiki to Christchurch: Mountain Views and Forest Waterfalls
Bidding farewell to the stunning West Coast, we journey inland once more, taking the renowned Arthur's Pass route. Along the way, we'll stop to photograph the breathtaking mountain vistas and embark on a forest walk leading to an impressive waterfall. Our adventure concludes as we return to Christchurch, enriched by the unforgettable photographic experiences.
Expedition Leaders
Dates
1-12 December 2026
Difficulty Level
Easy
Group Size
Maximum of 12 participants
Registration
Deposit US$2000
Price
$8900 Double occupancy
Single supplement will vary depending on room choice
Full payment
6 months before tour starts
Ready to join this Photo Adventure?
Use the button below to pay deposit by credit card (credit card fees apply).
Please e-mail us at: travel@satori-photo-tours.com
if you prefer to pay using Zelle, Venmo, check or bank transfer or if you have any questions with regards to this workshop.
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