Below you will find everything you need to know about the trip, from logistics, to packing lists, to photographic prep. Please review everything in detail and let us know if you have any questions at all.
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There is arguably nothing more important to having a satisfying photographic experience than shooting from a standpoint of zero expectations. At every location we will be on the lookout for many kinds of scenes and compositions, from grand to intimate. Therefore, not having a fixed idea of what “the best shot” is for each location will allow you to be more fully open to the various opportunities we encounter.
I will be pointing out the shots that I see at each location, the things I noticed, and how to approach capturing each image.
Pick one or two things you’d like to learn and focus on those. Don’t try to learn astrophotography, and abstracts, and macro, and luminosity masking all at once. You’ll overload yourself and your progress in each of those things will be much slower. Instead, choose the one thing you are most interested in and work toward that.
It’s also imperative that you make your goal specific with a clear outcome: For example, these are all great photography goals:
Notice how you can say definitively yes or no if you have achieved these goals. That’s the key of making a good photography goal. There’s a measurable, clear outcome.
You should avoid generic goals like “I want to be better at photography,” because there’s no clear outcome. The more specific you are with your goal, the easier it will be to achieve.
This is your opportunity to dig into the nitty gritty of landscape photography with your guides. Don’t be shy! We’re here to help.
We will do our best to guide everyone in the field, but we’re not mind readers: asking specific questions lets us know what we can help you with.
Don’t feel that you need to be shooting every moment of every excursion. This can be utterly overwhelming and can create a strong sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) if you are not actively photographing.
We actively encourage you to take time to simply be in the landscape and enjoy it, without your camera up to your eye. Appreciate what makes this place special to you, relax, and unwind your mind. This trip should be as restorative as it is inspiring.
The Plan: Meet for a breakfast in Queenstown and have a tour orientation and introduction. We will then depart for Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
After checking into our hotel we will have an early dinner then head out for our first photography excursion in the park, photographing snow-clad mountains and glacial lakes.
Physicality: A short beach walk in the morning. A walk of up to 45 minutes each way in the evening. Tracks in Aoraki Mt. Cook national park are excellently maintained with up to a 300 foot elevation change. Some short steep sections, stairs, and swing bridges possible.
Approximate Travel Time: 3.5 hrs from Queenstown to the National Park, plus photography and toilet breaks.
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: for two solid days we will explore Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park, where stunning mountains, glaciers, and rivers are all easily accessible. Shooting locations and times will be weather dependent. During a good weather window we will take off for a magnificent scenic flight around the Southern Alps and landing on the Tasman Glacier.
Physicality: Walks between 30 to 90 minutes round trip. Tracks in the national park are excellently maintained with up to a 300 foot elevation change. Some short steep sections, stairs, and swing bridges possible.
Approximate Travel Time: Drive times between 5 minutes and 1 hour.
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: One final sunrise shoot in the national park, followed by breakfast. Then we leave this amazing place and drive to Wanaka, making a stop at beautiful Lindis Pass along the way. In the evening we will photograph a stunning location along Lake Wanaka.
Physicality: Walks between 30 to 60 minutes round trip with up to 300 feet elevation change. Some steep sections, stairs, and swing bridges possible.
Approximate Travel Time: 3 hours from the Park to Wanaka, plus Lindis Pass and toilet stops.
Accommodation: The Edgewater, Wanaka
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Sunrise at the world famous Wanaka Willow. In the afternoon we will head out for an exciting excursion to a spectacular location in the lake.
Physicality: 5 minute walk on gravel in the morning, up to a 30 minute walk each way on a good track in the afternoon.
Approximate Travel Time: Short drives within the Wanaka area.
Accommodation: The Edgewater, Wanaka
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Another morning shoot in Wanaka, followed by breakfast in a charming, historic hotel. Then we’ll drive to Queenstown, making a few cool stops. That evening we will shoot sunset along stunning Lake Wakatipu.
Physicality: Easy walks of <10 min over gravel. Approximate Travel Time: 1.5 hours from Wanaka to Queenstown, plus a fun stop or two. For the evening shoot the drive may be up to 60 minutes each way.
Accommodation: TBD Hotel, Queenstown
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Rest day. Take time for yourself to sleep in, do laundry, walk around Queenstown, and get stoked for the second half of the trip. In the evening we will load up in our private charter plane for our second scenic flight of the trip. This flight will take us over Lake Wakatipu and into Fiordland National Park, where we will experience sights very few photographers ever see!
Physicality: NA
Approximate Travel Time: NA
Accommodation: TBD Hotel, Queenstown
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: We will photograph sunrise at stunning Moke Lake then return to the hotel for breakfast. In the evening we will venture toward Glenorchy, a charming village in an unbelievably beautiful setting, with huge peaks, lakes, and glacial rivers in every direction.
Physicality: Easy walks of <10 min over gravel or boardwalks.
Approximate Travel Time: Drives of up to 1.25 hour each way possible.
Accommodation: TBD Hotel, Queenstown
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Catch a sunrise near Queenstown then we will drive to Milford Sound, making a number of stops along the incredible drive. That evening we will venture out into the tidal flats to photograph the sunset over stunning Mitre Peak.
Physicality: Easy walks of <10 min over boardwalks, gravel, and small rocks. The tidal flats maybe slippery, mucky, or wet.
Approximate Travel Time: 4.5 hours from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
Accommodation: Milford Lodge Chalets
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: We get to spend this entire day exploring Fiordland National Park, both by sea and by land. After a sunrise at Milford Sound we will board a boat for a scenic cruise through the fjord, photographing waterfalls, soaring peaks, and lounging seals. Later in the afternoon we will enjoy one of the most beautiful, fairytale forests in the South Island.
Physicality: Walks up to 30 minutes round trip, with up to a 200 foot elevation change.
Approximate Travel Time: Up to 1 hour each way in the coach for our afternoon shoot.
Accommodation: Milford Lodge Chalets
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Leave Milford Sound early in order to enjoy more breathtaking photography on the drive to Manapouri, where we embark on our overnight Doubtful Sound adventure. This is always a highlight of the trip. At this point there’s nothing left to do but drink in the amazing scenery and tranquility of Doubtful Sound for the next 24 hours.
Physicality: Easy walks up to 10 minutes round trip. Optional kayaking or swimming in Doubtful Sound, weather dependent.
Approximate Travel Time: 2.5 hours from Milford Sound to Manapouri, plus toilet and quick shooting breaks.
Accommodation: The Fiordland Navigator Ship
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks
The Plan: Wake up on board the Navigator and enjoy a final sunrise as the boat cruises the fjord on its way to an incredible place known as the Hall Arm. We then head to the bus for our journey back to Queenstown.
Physicality: None, unless you count eating a delicious buffet breakfast as exercise…
Approximate Travel Time: 2.5 hours from Manapouri to Queenstown, plus lunch and toilet stops.
Accommodation: None provided.
Meals Provided: Breakfasts, Snacks
*Please note that this itinerary may change at any time due to conditions, weather, or circumstances beyond our control.
For reference, here’s what a typical day will look like. Sunrise is around 6:20 am, and sunset is around 8:40 pm.u00a0
5:05 am – meet in the hotel parking lot and drive 15-30 minutes.
5:20 am – walk 15- 30 minutes over good terrain to our shooting location.
5:50 am – arrive on location 30 minutes prior to sunrise and begin exploring and shooting.
6:20 am – sunrise.
8:00 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.
5:00 pm – meet for an early dinner.
5:30 pm – leave for afternoon shooting session. Drive 30 minutes.
6:00 pm – hike 15-45 minutes over good terrain.
6:30 pm – arrive on location 2 hrs before sunset to explore, see the landscape, and shoot.
8:40 pm – sunset.
9:00 pm – wrap up evening shoot, and return to the coach.
9:30 – 10:00 pm – arrive back at hotel.
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 goal is have fun, and to keep your energy levels up throughout the tour, so we do not set an extreme pace. Our longest walks are in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, they will be approximately 30-45 minutes each way. It is possible we will have a single day in the park where we walk up to 6 miles in total, spread out through the course of the day. Most days will be 1-2 miles walking total.
In general we will select our shooting locations based on the group’s abilities and energy levels. On days where we’ve had long morning walks, we will aim for a shorter evening walk. If we have a longer sunset hike, the next morning we will do shorter walks. We will make adjustments as we go on so that each day is fun and challenging, but not exhausting.
Please arrive in Queenstown prior to 8 am. We highly recommend arriving the day before. Please contact us for lodging recommendations.
On the 2nd, we will return to Queenstown at approximately 4 pm. Please don’t book your flights out any earlier than 6 pm this day.
October 22nd at 8 am – Please meet in the lobby of the Queenstown Novotel Lakeside with your bags. We will have an introduction, load the van, then go for breakfast before setting out on our adventure.
Meeting Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qSotAC9ijnTSi9Vk8
I recommend taking a Super Shuttle from Queenstown airport into the city center. It costs about $25 USD one way for a shared ride, and the shuttle will drop you at your hotel. This is also a good way to get back to the airport after the tour.
Before the tour please download WhatsApp to your phone. This is how we will communicate and share photos during the trip.
Any factory-unlocked smart phone will work in New Zealand. You can buy a local sim card (Vodaphone NZ has great options for travelers). If you don’t have an unlocked phone it will still be possible to place calls and send messages over WiFi, using Skype or WhatsApp.
High speed WiFi is available at all our hotels (except the final night on the Fiordland Navigator ship). Cell reception is generally good in our locations, with the exception of Fiordland.
New Zealand’s electrical standard is 230/240 Volts AC, 50 hz. Please make sure your electrical items like chargers and laptops can accept this standard. Otherwise you will need an adapter. Their plug is two or three angled, flat pins:
New Zealand has new rules regarding foreign travelers.
If you are from a visa-waiver country (most countries included the USA), you need to obtain a New Zealand electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA). You will need to pay the processing fee ($17-23 NZD), plus an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which is $100 NZD. I recommend getting your NZeTA at least a week prior to the trip due to processing times. Obtain your NZeTA here:
If you are from a non-visa waiver country, you will need to check your traveler requirements on the NZ Immigration Website here:
Travelers are no longer required to fill out a covid-19 declaration form or provide proof of vaccination before visiting NZ. That being said, COVID-19 still presents a risk while traveling. If you contract COVID-19 while in New Zealand you will be required to isolate for 5 days. Therefore, trip insurance is required for this tour. See the Health and Safety section for more details.
Bottomless Snacks
On the coach we will have bottomless snacks like fruit, cookies, crackers, popcorn, chocolate, chips, and other nibbles throughout the tour. If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know.
Breakfasts
A full, cooked breakfast is included every morning of the tour.
Lunch
Most people will find they are too full from our delicious breakfasts to eat a full lunch. But we will organize stops for food as needed. Lunch is not included as part of the tour.
Dinner
Included every day during the trip. However, alcoholic drinks are not.
Your food on board the Fiordland Navigator is also included in the tour. Enjoy delicious 3-course meals courtesy of the chefs on the ship.
Approx. Food Costs (1 NZD = 0.65 USD)
Common courtesy is king. Don’t leave your bags or tripods lying around. Ask others if you can walk in front of them. Communicate politely when someone gets in your shot. It’s bound to happen, so just be nice about it.
Transportation is provided throughout the tour in our own private coach, starting on the first full day, and ending on the day we arrive back in Queenstown.
During the tour we will follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles:
Due to variable conditions, we recommend bringing multiple layers of non-cotton clothing (Merino wool and synthetics are highly recommended). Specifically you should pack:
Please do not overpack. The Sprinter van has enough space for all of us to bring a SINGLE large suitcase plus a camera bag and another small bag like a laptop.
At this time of year the weather is typically excellent for photography, with lots of mixed clouds and sun, which means great light. Expect temperatures between 30°F and 70°F (-1°C – 21°C). Also, don’t forget that even though a 50° morning doesn’t sound very cold, it can be downright chilly when you are standing still for an hour doing photography. This goes 2x if the wind is blowing.
Be sure to check the updated forecast for Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Mt Cook National Park before you travel, and be prepared for wind, rain, and even snow.
New Zealand has two kinds of large wildlife: birds, and aquatic animals. We’ll see birds for sure, and in Mt. Cook and Fiordland it’s very likely that we’ll encounter two of my favorites: the kea (mountain parrot), and the fantail. In terms of sea life there’s an almost 100% chance we’ll see New Zealand fur seals in Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. If we’re really lucky we may also see some dusky dolphins or penguins.
In some areas we will encounter sandflies, New Zealand’s pesky flying insect. These flies are small and silent but can produce very itchy bites. In general sandflies are attracted most to ankles, wrists, and dark clothing. The best defense is to cover up completely with light-colored garments and have a hood or hat to protect your head. Sandflies won’t come out in the cold, the wind, or after dark.
Strong bug repellent (available widely in New Zealand) is also effective at keeping sandflies at bay. Sandflies are most prominent in low-lying gravelly or coastal areas, such as Milford Sound and areas of Mt. Cook National Park. In these areas I try to cover up from head to toe and am almost never bothered. But it is important to note that sandflies can be annoying if you are not prepared.
For more information on sandflies please visit this webpage: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/page-1.
If you are especially susceptible to or frustrated by insect bites, you may wish to purchase an inexpensive head net, though personally I don’t find them necessary: http://www.bestglide.com/Basic_Head_Net_Info.html
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.
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.
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.
Our tour runs in accordance with a fully audited and Department of Conservation-Approved 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:
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.
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to cover your costs in case of cancellation or withdrawal.
If you have a personal emergency 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.
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 in place for 5 days or until your symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.
Trip insurance is REQUIRED on this trip and will give you peace of mind in case of sickness.
Please download and sign this form, and bring it with you to the initial meeting. You can also email us a digital signed copy.
During this workshop we may take behind the scenes photos and videos of the participants. These photos are used to share among the group, as well as for promotional purposes on our website or other marketing materials. If you would prefer to not have your image appear in these materials, please let us know.
Joshua Cripps is a renowned landscape photographer who has garnered worldwide acclaim for his breathtaking images of our planet’s wild places. His photos have been published by the likes of National Geographic, NASA, CNN, BBC, and Nikon Global.
The Mt. Whitney Gallery was founded in 2023 by Joshua Cripps as a way to share his passion stunning landscapes of the Sierra Nevada and beyond.
Set at the foot of the breathtaking Sierra with a view of the range’s highest peaks, the gallery features large format, museum-caliber fine art prints of Josh’s signature photographs.
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