 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| self drive tours > 12 Day Southern Adventure Self Drive Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Day 2: Hot Air Balloon Flight This morning you enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon flight. There is no other place in the world where it is possible to fly from the centre of the city, in view of the sun rising out of the ocean, toward snow-capped mountains. Enjoy hands on help preparing the balloon before enjoying a hour long flight in the sky with spectacular views and photo opportunities. Then after landing in a farmer’s field enjoy a celebratory glass of chilled champagne or orange juice before returning to your accommodation. Afterwards the day is at your leisure. Day 3: Christchurch to Mt Cook & Glacier Explorer Depart Christchurch today and travel through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Your tour then continues 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. Here you join the only tour of its kind in New Zealand and one of only three in the world. This is a memorable and amazing up close encounter with New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Explore, learn and discover the ever-changing glacial landscape as you journey across the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake in a custom-built MAC Boat with your experienced guide. Please note that the Glacier Explorer Tour does not operate from May to September. If you are travelling during these months, an alternative activity will be provided.
Day 4: Mt Cook to Queenstown Leaving Mt Cook today you follow the shores of Lake Pukaki 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. Perhaps the most famous of all South Island cities, Queenstown’s pulse thumps to the beat of action, adrenalin and visual wonder.
Day 5: Queenstown to Doubtful Sound & Overnight Cruise Depart Queenstown this morning and travel to Manapouri. Your Doubtful Sound adventure begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri. Then it’s over Wilmot Pass, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland’s densest rainforest and to view the colourful alpine moss gardens. On reaching Deep Cove, you will board your overnight cruise to enjoy the stunning views and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen and at times, rare penguins can be observed. There is also time for you to kayak around the shoreline or go exploring in the tender craft with our nature guide. As the shadows lengthen we’ll drop anchor at a favourite mooring for the night. After the days activities, enjoy a delicious evening buffet meal in the spacious dining saloon.
Day 6: Return to Queenstown & Skydive! This morning after a hearty breakfast, there will be time to explore once again before returning to Deep Cove and then on to Manapouri and back to Queenstown. It takes a certain kind of person to jump from an aircraft at 15000ft into thin air. It takes courage. Later today, harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified Jumpmaster, you step out that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you plummet towards the ground at 200KPH, Terminal Velocity. The Jumpmaster will deploy the reinforced tandem canopy controlling your entire skydive. Expect sensory overload as your mind/soul/body fight against every natural self preservatory urge.
Day 7: At Leisure 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 8: Shotover Trio Today you combine jet-boating with Shotover Jet, a helicopter flight over Skippers Canyon & white water rafting down the Shotover River. Nothing you have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the South Island's river of gold. Then it’s a scenic helicopter flight over Skipper Canyon before meeting the challenge of rafting the Shotover River as you conquer this wild and untamed river. Tackle six rapids then raft through the darkness of the 170-metre Oxen Bridge Tunnel and shoot the Cascade Rapid to complete the challenge. Day 9: Queenstown to West Coast Glacier Country Departing today travel through the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka. Then, view 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 10: Half Day Glacier Heli-Hike After an exciting scenic helicopter flight over the glacier, you land high up on the glacier and undertake a two hour guided hike amongst some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacier scenery available. Your guide chooses the route as you go and with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations you'll soon be making your way through a wonderland of towering pinnacles and brilliantly blue ice. You'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and with plenty of photo opportunities and the chance to learn more about this magnificent glacier, this will almost certainly be your most memorable experience whilst in New Zealand. Day 11: West Coast to Christchurch 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 TranzAlpine Train, described as one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys! 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.
Day 12: 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
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Package Prices EARLYBIRD SPECIAL Hotel B&B Boutique $5,622 $5,758 $6,664 $5,629 $5,765 $6,671 $5,744 $5,880 $6,786 $5,852 $5,988 $6,894
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
