Day Cruise & Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys

Highlights

• Take a full-day tour from Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound
• Visit the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park
• Incredible scenery of native flora and fauna with an informative guide
• Combine with a visit to Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Description

Combine the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise with a visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves for an unforgettable experience in Fiordland National Park with Real Journeys. Take a day cruise in the beautiful World Heritage area of Doubtful Sound and top off your adventure with the add-on of visiting thousands of glowworms in Te Anau.

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise

Your Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise with Real Journeys will take you from boat, to coach and boat again for a mind blowing tour of the raw nature and abundant flora and fauna in Fiordland National Park. Board your first Real Journeys cruise at Lake Manapouri and speed across the waters with stunning views of the Kepler Mountains, Turret Range and Hunter Mountains, together with informative commentary from your local Real Journeys skipper. Once at the other side, jump on a coach to take the scenic drive over Wilmot Pass and admire your first glimpse of Doubtful Sound, the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park.

Your second boat trip is a 3 hour cruise across the stunning Doubtful Sound with your friendly and knowledgeable Real Journeys skipper. Discover the incredible history and culture surrounding Doubtful Sound on a luxury catamaran. Doubtful Sound is home to an abundance of wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, so head above deck to make the most of this experience.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Make your trip to Fiordland National Park something to remember by visiting the awe-inspiring Te Anau Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys. Cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western shore to start your underground exploration of unusual limestone caves decorated by glittering glowworms. Your Real Journeys Guide will take you on an astonishing journey through intricate underground cave networks on a small boat with views of exquisite rock formations and whirlpools. Stay as quiet as possible in your small group to view this dreamworld populated by tiny glowworms.

Learn about the fascinating history of Te Anau Glowworm Caves, ‘Te Ana-au’ named by ancient Maoris for ‘caves with a current of swirling water’, from your Real Journeys guide. In 1948, Lawson Burrows searched for the Te Anau caves of legends and rediscovered the underground system lit with thousands of glowworms that you can experience today.

Trip Includes

• 45 minute boat cruise across Lake Manapouri (plus return)
• 45 minute coach ride across Wilmot Pass (plus return)
• 3 hour cruise on a luxury catamaran in Doubtful Sound
• 2.5 hour Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour including scenic cruise from Te Anau
• Knowledgeable and friendly Real Journeys guides for both tours

Duration

• Allow full day (option to book tours on 2 separate days)
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise - allow 8 hours from Manapouri
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves - allow 2.5 hours from Te Anau

Departures

• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise - 10am from Manapouri Wharf, Manapouri
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves - 7:45 am, 10.15 am, 2 pm, & 7 pm during summer (Dec-Mar) from Te Anau
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves - 10:15 am, 2 pm & 7 pm during winter (Apr-Nov) from Te Anau
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves - departs from Real Journeys lakefront visitor centre Te Anau
• Operates daily all year

Other Information

• Self-drive to Manapouri - duration 2.5 hours one way
• Children under 4 years are free to travel on both tours but cannot visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. There is a cafe after the boat cruise on the other side of Lake Te Anau where you can wait with your infant while your partner visits the caves. You can then swap as the tour is always split into two groups
• Photography is not permitted in the glowworm caves
• Bring your camera for the Doubtful Sound Cruise
• Complimentary tea and coffee is provided on the Doubtful Sound Cruise and we recommend bringing a packed lunch
• Wear warm layers for both tours, bring a warm jacket, waterproof, sunscreen/sunglasses and insect repellent
• Wear non-slip shoes for the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
• Ask us about the Real Journeys 20% Multi Purchase Discount off selected Real Journeys products

Normal Retail Price

• Adult (15+ years):
  • Doubtful Sound & Glowworm Combo NZD$368.00
  • Doubtful Sound Day Cruise NZD$265.00
  • Te Anau Glowworm Caves NZD$103.00