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| self drive tours > 11 Day Southern Splendour Self Drive Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Day 2: Kaikoura Day Trip & Swim with the Dolphins The trip north from Christchurch takes you through the Waipara region, which is known for its vineyards and olive groves. Then impressive scenery of the coastal ranges accompanies the rest of the way to Kaikoura. On arrival you experience swimming with dolphins. We have long known that dolphins are friendly creatures that spend their lifetime, usually in groups known as pods, in the open ocean. The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where wild dolphins can be encountered every day, weather permitting. It is this fact that sees the success rate of swimming with dolphins as second to none. It is also very important to realise that the dusky dolphins are totally wild, they are not trained or fed, this is not a theme park encounter, we are dealing with dolphins in their own world. Therefore nothing is predictable or guaranteed. You need to understand this in order to fully appreciate the experience of swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura. Later today you return to Christchurch. Day 3: Christchurch to Mount Cook Travel south today through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. You then continue along the Tasman River before arriving in Mt Cook National Park where you will find New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mt Cook which stands at 3754 metres.
Day 4: Mount Cook to Queenstown Depart Mt Cook National Park today and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and into the rugged landscape of the Mackenzie Basin. Then continue on through the golden tussock country of the Lindis Pass. Enjoy the scenery of the fruit growing region of Cromwell and the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.
Day 5: Skippers Canyon 4WD Experience Today you enjoy a 4WD excursion to Skippers Canyon, the road of which was hacked by hand into the shear cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley, following the discovery of gold in the Queenstown area in 1862. Today you follow Skippers Road, with every hairpin bend, across the historic suspension bridge, opened in 1901, to the old gold mining township of Skippers. This tour offers spectacular mountain scenery, rugged canyons, gold panning to gain a taste of New Zealand’s pioneer gold mining history, and the excitement of the 4WD in a safe environment. Day 6: Queenstown Today is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown. Whether it's bungy jumping, white-water rafting, heli-skiing, fly-fishing, hang gliding, horse riding or scenic flights, you will find thrills and excitement in every way imaginable. Meanwhile, other activities such as exploring historic Arrowtown, scenic walks, eco-tours, shopping, galleries, cafes and an exciting nightlife provide something for everyone all year round. Day 7: Queenstown to Wanaka The shortest route to Wanaka today is over the Crown Range Road. It’s a challenging drive, but the views are amazing and you’ll probably encounter friendly keas (mountain parrots). For more conservative drivers, you can take the route that runs beside the Shotover River, Lake Dunstan and the Clutha River. The vineyards of the Gibbston area and bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge are interesting distractions along the way. Lake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax where crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps.
Day 8: Wanaka to West Coast Glacier Country Depart today and travel through incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass to reach your destination in Glacier Country.
Day 9: Half Day Glacier Walk This is a fantastic introduction to an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty, and suitable for most agile people. The walk allows you time to enjoy the impressive terrain of the Glacier. After a short walk through regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Glacier and its surroundings. After strapping on a set of crampons you make your way up the glacier. The terrain can look daunting, but the huge effort our guides put into creating extensive trails, allows you to travel further and see more, in comfort and ease. Day 10: West Coast & Tranz Alpine Train to Christchurch Depart this morning and travel further north along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth. Your journey features some spectacular countryside with the rugged Tasman Sea to the west and the stunning Southern Alps to the east. Then return your rental vehicle at Greymouth before boarding the world famous Tranz Alpine Train, which is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. Ascend through lush beech forests past the beautiful Lake Brunner via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level, before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Then wind over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley to arrive in Christchurch. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.
Day 11: Depart Christchurch Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you are transferred by private vehicle to Christchurch Airport in time to join 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. Please note that this self drive package can be taken in reverse order and the prices remain the same. If you are interested in receiving further details about this package, please complete the enquiry form below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Package Inclusions
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Package Prices
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| Enquire Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To receive more information about this package, please complete the below enquiry form. Once received, one of our specialist travel consultants will be in contact by the next working day. In addition Luxury Vacations take your privacy very seriously and you can be assured that we will never distribute, sell or rent your information to anyone else. Fields marked with a * are required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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