Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

13 hours

Mobile ticket

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible views are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. Thisglobally award winning small group tour is for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip from Queentown to Milford Sound and back.

Our fleet of modern Mercedes vans are fiited with leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Enjoy a small-group journey with 15 people maximum for ultimate comfort and undivded attention from your guide.

Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as you travel from Queenstown into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as your guide's favourite spots.

Enjoy a 2-hour boutique uncrowded cruise and picnic lunch while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer!

Additional Info

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

Please bring walking shoes, warm clothes and rain jacket.

Please be aware that Milford Sound is a 5 hour drive from Queenstown (one-way with sightseeing stops). This is a full day excursion, and including the 2 hour cruise on the fjord, allow approximately 13 hours door to door.

A packed picnic lunch is included in your experience. The default choice is a chicken, however you can request a vegetarian lunch until 5pm the day prior.

Please bring a reusable waterbottle on tour with us. There are multiple locations to refill during the day.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Packed picnic lunch is included

WiFi on board

Convenient pick up and drop off locations around Queenstown

Knowledgable and friendly local driver/guides

2-Hour nature cruise on Milford Sound

Off-the-beaten track scenic photo stops en route

Tea & coffee available on the 2 hour nature cruise

To reduce single-use plastic, we do not provide water bottles. We recommend anyone travelling NZ to have their own reusable water bottle. There are several locations to refill during the day.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Lake Wakatipu

Start your day by meeting our friendly local guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation. You'll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van designed for touring with only 16 seats onboard. The first leg of our journey to Milford Sound transports you from Queenstown through the picturesque Southland farming country and the charming town of Te Anau, where we'll make a brief stop by the lakeside for refreshments.

Admission Not Applicable

Lake Te Anau

Lake Te Anau is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km², making it the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand and the largest in the South Island. It is the largest lake in Australasia by fresh water volume.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

6am Summer Departure & Lunch

Nature Cruise: This tour includes a two hour nature cruise on Milford Sound.
Packed Picnic Lunch : This option includes a packed picnic lunch box. The default selection is chicken, with options to change to vege.
Standard Van: This tour is conducted in our standard premium Mercedes touring vehicles.
Pickup included

7.30am Departure & Lunch

Nature Cruise: This tour includes a two hour nature cruise on Milford Sound
Lunch: A packed picnic lunch is included on this tour
Standard Van: Our 7.30am departure is conducted in out standard premium Merceds touring vans
Pickup included

6.30am Glass Roof Van & Lunch

Cruise : This tour includes a 2 hour nature cruise on Milford Sound
Picnic Lunch: This tour includes a packed picnic lunch
Glass Roof Mercedes Sprinter: This option connects to our 6:30am departure which offers a guaranteed glass-roof top van.
Pickup included

Reviews

4.90

2,278 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2101

141

We had a great time. ....
DISHA P,
Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great time. . Our guide Thomas was amazing and very knowledgeable. It was a Very relaxing tour.
This was a great way to...
Rachel L,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a great way to learn about the South Island history and see the amazing fjiorland national park with many stops along the way. I highly recommend this trip. Our guide Nev was very knowledgeable and great driver.
Great experience
Resort58556100079,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful day, due in large part to Chase who guided the experience in such a way that I can’t imagine any one of the diverse group feeling left out or confused. Highly recommend the tour
Great day out from Queenstown
Emma L,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Had a lovely day out to Milford sound - was a beautiful place and we enjoying the cruise! Nicole was a great tour guide and we had a good chat which made the long drive feel much shorter!
The wonders of Piopiotahi
audreyrose2016,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was magical experiencing the wonders of Piopiotahi. Chase, our tour guide was brilliant with his commentary and well versed on the core subjects covered, and offered top service to all 15 clients (a diverse mix). It was a longgggg ride and day but well worth it.
Must go to place
vikramsE4943CN,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was very good with perfect weather and a jolly guide Chelsea. She provided us very good information about each place all through the day with a distinctive sense of humour. The vehicle was very comfortable and the journey was nicely planned with enough breaks. Milford Sound is a must go to place if you are in Queenstown. The cruise is very nice and I highly recommend going in a small group as with this tour agency because it provides a very personal touch to the trip.
The only way to see Milford Sound
Vacation25989007344,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We joined the trip on Monday, 17th November. The transport (Mercedes bus) was first class, with all mod cons! The driver was very polite, accommodating and informative. He also delivered an excellent commentary throughout the long journey, there and back! The packed lunch was poor by standards, but other delicious food was available along the way, and could be bought at one of the many ‘pit-stops.’ Unfortunately, the weather at ‘Milford Sound’ was not kind to say the least, with occasional showers and high winds! All in all, despite the few grumbles above, we were well pleased, and I can only highly recommend this company for the service they provide! Good value for money. Many, many thanks to the driver, who was a star!
Beautiful but a long day
pjpennekett,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
It was a very long day - 13 hours in total. We saw some stunning scenery along the drive and our driver Ashley was engaging, interesting, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. She kept us as entertained as she possibly could during the 10+ hours in the van. The Sound itself was majestic and impressive, but honestly was a very long way to go from Queenstown when there is so much fabulous scenery to see in New Zealand.
Milford Sound - long drive there, equally long drive back
Dreamer67071623654,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A pleasant tour, enhanced by good weather and the banter of our guide. He proved quite knowledgeable about New Zealand.
Great way to spend a day in Queenstown.
mwlowder,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful day with Thomas the Tour Guide. He made the trip fun, entertaining and educational. It was a great mix of scenic stops, short hikes and of course the Milford Sound boat cruise.