|
!!! EARLYBIRD SPECIAL !!!
Book before 20 June 2011 and save NZ$975 per person off the brochured price.
All bookings must be paid in full by 25 June 2011.
Standard terms & conditions apply and special is subject to availability. |
Download Trip Brochure
Departure Dates
| 2011 |
|
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December: |
22
19
17
14, 28
N/A
16, 23
06, 13, 20, 27
04, 11, 18, 25 |
| 2012 |
|
January:
February:
March:
April: |
08, 15, 18, 22, 29
05, 08, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29
04, 11, 18, 21, 25
01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Tour Prices
(Per Person in NZ$)
Share Twin/Double
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12
|
NZ$5,119
NZ$5,999
|
Single Traveller
01 May 11 to 30 Sep 11
01 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12 |
NZ$6,415
NZ$7,545 |
|
| Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch |
On arrival at Christchurch airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Thought of as the most English of New Zealand cities, it is the nation's second largest city & is alive with colour, atmosphere and world class attractions.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Christchurch for 3 nights |
| Day 2 - Akaroa Day Tour (B,L) |
| This morning, travel the Banks Peninsula to the quaint village of Akaroa, a beautiful, unspoilt French whaling depot home to the early French settlers of the 1840’s. The French heritage is still reflected in the street names & the architecture of its buildings. Visit the cheese factory at Barrys Bay & sample some fine New Zealand cheese. After lunch, enjoy a wildlife cruise exploring the delights of the harbour and sighting dolphins, penguins & seals. |
| Day 3 - Kaikoura Whale Watch Adventure (B) |
| Spend your day getting close to nature. Travel by train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury to Kaikoura, located on a narrow strip of coastline where mountains meet the sea. This area is renowned for the variety of marine mammals that can be seen, not least of all giant Sperm Whales & the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin. You’ll often see other whale species, seals & the Royal Albatross. |
| Day 4 - TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers (B) |
Today board the TranzAlpine train for "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure", rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The TranzAlpine winds its way up over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur's Pass. Then travel by coach along the dramatic West Coast to the township of Fox Glacier.
Stay: Te Weheka Inn for 1 night |
| Day 5 - Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown (B) |
There is the opportunity to experience a scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling on to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destinations.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Queenstown for 4 nights |
| Days 6 & 7 - Explore Queenstown & Fiordland (B) |
| Enjoy these days at leisure to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds. |
| Day 8 - Milford Sound Nature Cruise & Fly (B) |
|
Today, journey by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the Milford Road through the Eglinton Valley & then travel through the famous, hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to the Sound itself. Here you board a purpose-built vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional trading scow, for an extended 2½ hour nature cruise. Explore the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. This magnificent glacier-carved fjord is home to the famous, mile-high Mitre Peak and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife whilst enjoying an extensive commentary from the on-board nature guide. After disembarking from the cruise, board your light aircraft for a spectacular scenic flight back to Queenstown (weather permitting). You’ll marvel at the awesome alpine scenery, flying over waterfalls, mountains & rainforests on this never-to-be-forgotten experience. |
| Day 9 - Arrowtown, Mt Cook National Park (B,D) |
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.
Stay: Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook for 1 night |
| Day 10 - Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch (B) |
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the Tasman Glacier. Watch and listen to the ice melting before your eyes and stop, to touch and taste 500 year old ice and, on occasion, a walk on an iceberg provides a new and exciting experience for all. Later visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch.
Stay: Heritage Hotel Christchurch for 1 night |
| Day 11 - Depart Christchurch (B) |
| Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell to your homeland and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. | |
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
- Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
- 10 nights superior hotel accommodation
- 3 night stopver in Christchurch
- 4 nights in majestic Queenstown
- Accompanied throughout by professional, experienced Tour Host on days 4-11
- Full breakfasts daily, 1 lunch & 1 dinner
- Kaikoura Whale Watch excursion
- Visit beautiful Akaroa and enjoy a harbour wildlife cruise
- World famous TranzAlpine Train through the magnificent Southern Alps
- Twin Glaciers of Franz Josef & Fox
- Historic Arrowtown and beautiful Southern Lakes District
- Milford Sound Nature cruise
- Spectacular scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown
- World-Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park
- See & touch glaciers & icebergs up-close on your Tasman Glacier Explorer expedition
- Lake Tekapo & the Church of the Good Shepherd
- Complimentary airport transfers by private vehicle
|
