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Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour with Peter Hillary

Duration: 15 Days

Price: NZ$25,995

Departure From: Christchurch

Departure Date: 14 January 2027

Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Meal Plan: Most meals

Physical Grading: 2/5

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The Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour is an exclusive 15-day luxury journey through New Zealand’s South Island, hosted by Peter Hillary and reserved for a select group of discerning travellers.

Inspired by one of the greatest and most iconic adventurers of our time, the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer invites you on an epic journey by rail and luxury coach through the majestic South Island of New Zealand.

The Pinnacle Tour is the ultimate expression of luxury, legacy, and discovery — a once-in-a-lifetime journey hosted by Peter Hillary, son of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary. With places strictly limited, this exclusive experience combines world-class comfort with rare personal insight, creating a travel experience that is truly without equal.

Across snow-dusted alpine passes, shimmering glacial lakes, and dramatic coastlines, guests are immersed in the South Island’s most breathtaking landscapes, travelling aboard iconic rail journeys and in premium, business-class style coaches. Handpicked four- and five-star accommodations, fine dining, and seamless service ensure indulgence at every stage, while special experiences — from scenic flights to intimate cultural encounters — are curated to elevate this journey well beyond the ordinary.

What sets the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour apart is the presence of Peter Hillary himself. His reflections, stories, and personal connection to his father’s extraordinary legacy transform this luxury holiday into an unforgettable voyage of inspiration. Refined, rare, and remarkable — this is not just travel, it is the pinnacle of exploration. Click Here for the full range of Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tours.

“Adventure for the sake of a dream, for the pleasure of searching”

Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour map
Sir Edmund Hillary Explore tour map

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour – Introducing your host, Peter Hillary

“Hello, my name is Peter Hillary and I will accompany the 15 day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle tour around the South Island of New Zealand.

My father Sir Edmund Hillary is famous for making the first ascent of Mt Everest in 1953 with his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay but it is the Southern Alps of New Zealand where he learned the skills of mountaineering that he loved the most. He took his family into the mountains and around the coasts of the South Island and we all fell in love with this part of this beautiful country. Now I have done the same with my family and there are three generations of Hillary’s who know and love the amazing landscapes of the south and that is what I want to share with you on the unique Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour.

Peter Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour
Your host on the exclusive Pinnacle Tour is Peter Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour by Rail & Luxury Coach.

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour includes Hillary’s life highlights including travelling through Marlborough, where Edmund was trained for the air force during the Second World War and where he made some daring ascents of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. In Christchurch, learn more about his team’s expedition crossing Antarctica using converted farm tractors at the International Antarctic Centre. At Aoraki/Mt Cook, a visit to the museum dedicated to Edmund’s adventurous spirit and his achievements is a must.

The first week of your journeys leads you on a circuit of the South Island’s highlights, enjoying experiences such as the TranzAlpine train, the West Coast Glaciers, and the wonders of Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound. You will cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw and ride on the Kingston Flyer. Onward to Invercargill and Dunedin where you will enjoy another iconic rail journey, The Tiaeri Gorge, an epic rail trip over white water rapids, towering viaducts and tunnels.

Mountain country then beckons and you will enjoy a two night stay at the prestigious Hermitage Hotel overlooking Aoraki/Mount Cook and a visit to the excellent Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour
Sir Edmund Hillary stands proud at the Hermitage Hotel

We return back to Christchurch and take a visit to Akaroa, a wonderful settlement set on Bank’s Peninsula where we enjoy a nature cruise in the expansive natural harbour. We return to Christchurch one final time to join The Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand’s railways. Throughout this scenic experience, you will meander along the Pacific coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breath-taking beauty to Kaikoura.

From Kaikoura through to Marlborough, we board the Coastal Pacific again departing Kaikoura’s dramatic mountain backdrops onwards to the Marlborough winelands region. The coastal route heads inland, crossing the historic railroad bridge at Seddon and bursting out to the Awatere Valley, then through the Dashwood Pass to Blenheim followed by a flight to Auckland the next day.

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour Highlights

  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey – A world-renowned train ride through alpine peaks and deep valleys.
  • Taieri Gorge Railway – Traverse spectacular canyons and viaducts on this historic rail line.
  • TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Homestead – Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard a vintage steamship to a historic high-country estate.
  • Arrowtown Lakes District Museum – Discover gold-rush heritage in a charming historic village.
  • Kingston Flyer – Ride a lovingly restored steam locomotive from a bygone era.
  • Milford Sound Cruise – Sail beneath soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls in Fiordland.
  • Fiordland Flightseeing – Return flights Qeenstown to Milford Sound by light aircraft. The views are simply spectacular.
  • Take a ride on an exclusive charter train, The Mainlander
  • Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre – Celebrate adventure at the foot of Aoraki/Mt Cook.
  • International Antarctic Centre – Experience the thrill of Antarctic life in interactive style.
  • View Dolphins on an Akaroa Nature Cruise
  • Visit Hinewai Nature Reserve
  • Coastal Pacific Scenic Train – Glide along a dazzling coastline where mountains meet the sea.
  • Omaka Aviation Centre – A brilliant museum featuring the wonder of WW1 and WW2 aircraft and the stories behind
Take a ride on the TSS Earnslaw Queenstown on the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer tour
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner at the homestead

Heritage Rail Highlights & the ‘Big Five’ of the South Island

New Zealand’s South Island is home to some of the world’s most remarkable rail experiences — journeys that combine breathtaking scenery, rich history, and timeless charm. From iconic alpine crossings to lovingly restored steam locomotives, these five railways capture the very essence of luxury travel and heritage adventure and are included visits for your Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle tour.

The TranzAlpine

The fabled TranzAlpine passenger train offers an unforgettable journey from Christchurch to Greymouth, widely celebrated as one of the world’s most spectacular rail experiences. Travel in comfort through the patchwork fields of the Canterbury Plains, cross soaring viaducts, and wind through the dramatic Southern Alps before descending into lush West Coast rainforest. This is the ultimate showcase of New Zealand’s alpine landscapes, all from the comfort of your panoramic carriage. We travel in Scenic Class Plus on the TranzAlpine described as “more than a journey,” as you are served flavours of the land you travel through.

The TranzAlpine Train LOCO Journeys
The Tranzalpine – a rail highlight for any traveller.

The Kingston Flyer

Step back into the golden age of rail aboard the historic Kingston Flyer steam train. Lovingly restored, this vintage locomotive captures the romance of 19th-century travel as it journeys through rolling farmland and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The experience includes a chance to admire the beautifully maintained carriages and the atmospheric puff of steam that makes this iconic train a living piece of New Zealand heritage.

Travel on the Kingston Flyer Steam train on the Edmund Hillary Explorer tour
Enjoy the celebrated Kingston Flyer steam ride from the shores of Lake Wakatipu

The Taieri Gorge Railway

Departing from the resplendent Dunedin Railway Station — a masterpiece of Edwardian architecture — the Taieri Gorge Railway is Otago’s most scenic rail journey. Traversing spectacular viaducts, narrow tunnels, and steep ravines, this route offers breathtaking views of rugged, untouched landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible. The journey blends engineering marvels with natural splendour, making it a highlight of South Island rail travel.

Travel on the Dunedin Railways Taieri Gorge Railway on the Edmund Hillary Explorer tour
Heritage rail at its finest aboard the iconic Taieri Gorge Railway

The Mainlander

The Mainlander is an exclusive charter train, reserved solely for guests of the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer tours Travelling from Invercargill through Dunedin to Oamaru, it revives a classic route once served by New Zealand’s great intercity expresses, bringing back the romance of rail to the South Island’s deep south. Along the way, guests are treated to sweeping coastal views, rolling farmland, and historic townships — landscapes rarely experienced by passenger train today. Purpose-operated for this journey, the Mainlander combines comfort with nostalgia, offering a unique opportunity to travel a storied rail line in a way that blends history, scenery, and indulgence.

The Coastal Pacific

The Coastal Pacific offers one of the most scenic rail journeys in the Southern Hemisphere, travelling from Christchurch to Picton along a breathtaking stretch of coastline. On one side, the Kaikōura Ranges rise sharply from the land, while on the other, the Pacific Ocean sparkles just metres from the tracks. The journey includes panoramic viewing from spacious carriages, and often the chance to spot dolphins or seals basking along the rugged shore. This is rail travel at its most picturesque and serene.

Ravel the Coastal Pacific on the Edmund Hillary Explorer tour
Beachside train touring aboard the Coastal Pacific

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Pinnacle Tour Dates of Departure

Prices are based on per person sharing. Single supplements apply to all tour prices, rates shown below. The tour travels from Christchurch to Auckland, across 15 nights, with a maximum of 23 guests. Meal inclusions feature 15 cooked breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 sumptuous dinners including a Gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak and dinner at the Statosfare plus regular cocktail hours with Peter Hillary.

Departure from Christchurch finishing AucklandPricing and Notes
14 January 2027 – 29 January 2027$25,995 per person sharing
$30,985 single supplement

The Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer rail tour series was recently voted as a World Travel Award Winner. Click Here for the full range of Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tours

dunedin railway station
Enjoy your departure on the Taieri Gorge Railway from the glorious Dunedin Railway Station
Scenic Plus
Enjoy sumptuous Scenic Plus dining on board the TranzAlpine Train

Please see below for a detailed itinerary and booking conditions.

For a detailed brochure dedicated to the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour contact us and we are happy to email this to you. LOCO Journeys can offer you pre-tour and post-tour departure activities, flights and accommodation.
If you would like to travel on this tour but the departure dates are not available, consider one of the other popular Sir Edmund Hillary Tour option.

LOCO Journeys promotes New Zealand’s widest range of rail tours and styles matching every budget and timeframe. Click here for alternate New Zealand scenic train and railfan tours.

Tour Inclusions

  • Four to five star hotel accommodation
  • Flight from Blenheim to Auckland
  • South Island rail journeys as shown.
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities to local guides, drivers, train staff etc.
  • Deluxe air-conditioned luxury coach transportation
  • Baggage handling of one suitcase per person
  • Other meals include, gourmet BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Homestead.
  • Services of experienced Tour Leaders

Pricing Notes

  • Advertised price based on per person, twin share
  • Non-refundable deposit of 20% of tour cost per person is due at time of booking. You date of full payment will be advised at the time of booking.
  • A single supplement is available upon request
  • Price is subject to change unless paid in full

 

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Christchurch
Enjoy a leisurely hop on/hop off Tram journey around Christchurch in immaculately restored heritage carriages. The meet & greet with your host, Peter Hillary, your fellow “explorers” and your tour guides is at 5:30pm at Distinction Hotel followed by a Welcome Dinner. Passengers stay at the premier Distinction Hotel centrally located in the heart of Christchurch.
Your journey begins with transport from your hotel by luxury coach to the Christchurch Railway Station, where the iconic TranzAlpine awaits. You will be seated in “Scenic Plus” seats which is a premium onboard dining experience. Often regarded to be one of the world’s great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres one-way, taking almost five hours. You will see epic vistas, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, and cross the Southern Alps, via Arthur’s Pass. A luxury coach awaits in Greymouth to escort you to the village of Punakaiki - home to the “Pancake Rocks” and blowholes, along an absolutely spectacular coastline. Then, the “Paparoa Experience” - an immersive and unique Māori cultural experience. Passengers stay at the Scenic Hotel, Punakaiki.
Leaving Punakaiki, we head south to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Tree Top Walkway – an exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Lunch at the historic Ross Hotel, then journey to the beautiful glacial township of Franz Josef. Passengers stay at the Scenic Hotel Te Waonui, Franz Josef.
Leaving Franz Josef, and travelling down the spectacular West Coast, we encounter the mighty Haast River on a Jetboat Safari and journey into the heart of Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area to experience a close-up encounter with this untouched landscape and its remarkable natural features. We then travel over the Haast Pass, journeying through large tracts of native rain forest and over the Southern Alps. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Continuing through Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, we pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. The journey pauses for a night in beautiful Wanaka. Passengers stay at Edgewater Hotel, Wanaka.
Enjoy a unique and intimate experience at an iconic high-country farm at Mt Aspiring Station homestead with the Aspinalls, family friends of The Hillarys. The adventure playground of Queenstown then awaits! Cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables Mountain Range and the view of Lake Wakatipu from the hotel. Passengers stay in elegant luxury at Park Boutique Hotel, Queenstown.
A Queenstown highlight is a return helicopter flight to the nearby attraction of Milford to enjoy a premium cruise of the “eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound, where we take in some of the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed anywhere in the world. The cruise around the fiord enables you to experience its wonders up close and see landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife, such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inner most reaches of Milford Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back. A one-day itinerary with return helicopter flights is enough to see all the beautiful views along the way, and get back to Queenstown in time for dinner with a well known local guest speaker, Jim Boult, at award-winning “Nest” at Kamana Lakehouse. Passengers stay in elegant luxury at Park Boutique Hotel, Queenstown.
Unwind during a well-deserved day of leisure in Queenstown followed by a lake cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ dinner. Passengers stay in elegant luxury at Park Boutique Hotel, Queenstown.
Departing Queenstown, we continue to the village of Kingston which is nestled on the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu. Here, the iconic Kingston Flyer Steam Train awaits to take you on a memorable journey between Kingston & Fairlight. Then southward to Mandeville, where a special journey is made to Waimea Plains Railway, which is home of a static display of the historic Rogers K92 Steam Locomotive (the original Kingston Flyer) and we also explore the Croydon Aviation Museum. Continue to Dunedin by luxury coach, through rolling hills and lush scenic rural landscapes that the deep south is renowned for. Passengers stay at Dunedin’s premier Distinction Hotel, nestled in the heart of the city.
In the morning, we explore the remote Taieri Gorge by Dunedin Rail over river gorges, weaving our way through a myriad of historic tunnels and guide you to the historic Wingatui Viaduct, a marvel of 1880s construction that remains the largest wrought iron structure in New Zealand. That afternoon we take in a visit to the Taiaroa Head Albatross Colony, the hidden underground Fort Taiaroa and the worlds’ only Armstrong Disappearing Gun. Later we enjoy the company of a well-known local historian at dinner, Seán Brosnahan. Passengers stay at Dunedin’s premier Distinction Hotel, nestled in the heart of the city.
Departing Dunedin by luxury coach, we continue to hug the coast towards Oamaru with a pause at Moeraki Beach to view the famed spherical boulders. After lunch at award-winning Riverstone Kitchen in Oamaru, detour inland via Waitaki Valley & Omarama and onwards towards the spectacular Aoraki Mt Cook. Here, we find the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, where Sir Edmund Hillary developed his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Mt Everest. Recognised as part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breath-taking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia’s tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres. Passengers stay at the iconic Hermitage Hotel with majestic mountain views of Aoraki Mt Cook.
During your stay, enjoy a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre - a tribute to New Zealand’s global icon as well as discovering New Zealand’s colourful transport, climbing and hotel history. Morning activities include the awe-inspiring Tasman Glacier by helicopter and ski plane, with expert pilots navigating their way over the glacial lake, passing soaring mountain tops over NZ’s longest glacier - the 600-metre thick, Tasman Glacier. The afternoon adventures continue with glacier explorer cruise and then our nightly cocktail hour briefing and storytelling by Peter Hillary. Passengers stay at the iconic Hermitage Hotel with majestic mountain views of Aoraki Mt Cook.
A morning departure from the hotel leaving Aoraki Mt Cook by coach, we journey back to the coast via Tekapo, Geraldine and Rakaia on the way to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch, we visit The International Antarctic Centre and experience a taste of this unique and breathtaking continent - ride a Hagglund snow vehicle, feel an Antarctic storm and meet penguins and huskies - just like the explorers before you. Passengers stay at the premier Distinction Hotel centrally located in the heart of Christchurch.
Highlights of the day include: explore the historic town of Akaroa renowned for its unique French heritage, colonial architecture, and stunning harbor views, and a special visit to Hinewai Private Nature Reserve, located on the Banks Peninsula, with well-respected New Zealand botanist and author Hugh Wilson, as your host. Passengers stay again at the premier Distinction Hotel centrally located in the heart of Christchurch.
“Where the mountains meet the sea” Departing Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific Scenic Train in Scenic Plus seating, our destination is Kaikōura, home of resident whales, where the guardians of the seas – the mountains of the Southern Alps – rise majestically from the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. We join the Kaikōura Whale Watch Cruise in the morning. Several different species of whale can be seen off the coast of Kaikōura at different times of the year, and most of the time, the huge resident Sperm Whales can be sighted. The ocean trench just off the coast means sperm whales are often seen close to shore. Discover an abundance of extraordinary seabirds often seen close up including encounters with many species of majestic Albatross including 3.5 metre wing span Royal Albatross and other pelagic birds. This is an unforgettable experience in one of New Zealand’s most breath-taking destinations. Passengers stay at the Sudima Hotel Kaikōura
This morning, we board the Coastal Pacific train again, departing Kaikōura’s dramatic mountain backdrops onwards to the Marlborough region. The coastal route heads inland, crossing the historic railroad bridge at Seddon and bursting out to the Awatere Valley, then through the Dashwood Pass to Blenheim. Explore the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre on arrival, which features a world class exhibition of WW1 & WW2 aircraft. We conclude the day with a wine tasting and farewell dinner at one of Marlborough’s finest estates, Allan Scott winery. Passengers stay at the Chateau Marlborough Hotel in Blenheim

For more information about this tour, price queries and updates on specials, please Enquire Now.