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| self drive tours > 12 Day Southern Adventure Self Drive Tour |
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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch! On arrival at the airport you collect your rental car and make your way to your accommodation. On arrival the rest of the day is at leisure. You can punt down the picturesque River Avon, visit the Anglican Church in Cathedral Square, visit the city's many museums, art galleries and cafes or maybe even try your luck at the Christchurch Casino!
Included for the duration of your rental car is an innovative commentary system. Imagine driving around New Zealand automatically gaining an in-depth knowledge of the history of the towns and regions you pass through, hearing ancient Maori myths and legends, listening to stories told by the characters that shaped our history, learning of the unique wildlife, geographical landmarks and scenic attractions that you see as you travel. Packed with over 2,000 audio commentaries, KRUSE® is guaranteed to keep you entertained and informed everywhere you go on your New Zealand self-drive holiday.
| Hotel: |
Millennium Christchurch - Superior Room (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
The Charlotte Jane - Luxury Room (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
The George Hotel - Premium Executive Room (2 nights) |
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. This afternoon you 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. You won’t revel in serenity for long though as your senses are jolted back to reality as a rockfall crashes down the iceface above. 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.
| Hotel: |
Hermitage Hotel - Premium Room |
| B&B: |
Hermitage Hotel - Premium Room |
| Boutique: |
Hermitage Hotel - Premium Plus Room |
Day 4: Mt 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.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Queenstown - Deluxe Room |
| B&B: |
The Dairy Private Hotel - Premier Room |
| Boutique: |
Millbrook Resort - Villa Suite Superior |
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.
| All: |
Fiordland Navigator Overnight Cruise |
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.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Queenstown - Deluxe Room (3 nights) |
| B&B: |
The Dairy Private Hotel - Premier Room (3 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Millbrook Resort - Villa Suite Superior (3 nights) |
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.
| Hotel: |
Punga Grove Lodge - Executive Studio (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Holly Homestead - Superior Room (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Westwood Lodge - Main House Grand Suite (2 nights) |
Day 10: Glacier Heli-Hike
Today you’ll experience the spectacular glacier. Start with an exciting scenic flight over the glacier, landing high up on the glacier between two icefalls. From here you undertake a two hour guided trip on the glacier. Your guide is 'free guiding', picking a route as you go and looking for the most spectacular ice formations to show you. Information about glacier processes is offered by the guide, but the panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding mountains are supreme. The superb step-cutting skills of the guides ensure that these trips get into the most spectacular terrain, in comfort and at ease.
Day 11: West Coast 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.
| Hotel: |
Millennium Christchurch - Superior Room |
| B&B: |
The Charlotte Jane - Luxury Room |
| Boutique: |
The George Hotel - Premium Executive Room |
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.
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Package Inclusions
- Transport by your choice of rental vehicle including unlimited kilometres & daily insurance on days 1-11
- KRUSE commentary system for duration of rental vehicle hire
- 10 nights accommodation of your choice
- Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound
- Breakfast included daily
- Dinner included in Mt Cook (only when staying prior to 30 September 2009)
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon flight in Christchurch
- Glacier boat cruise in Mt Cook to view the Tasman Glacier (or alternative option when travelling May to September)
- Tandem Skydive in Queenstown from 15,000 feet
- Shotover Trio in Queenstown
- Scenic flight over Franz Josef glacier and guided hike on the glacier
- Tranz Alpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch
- Transfer by private vehicle from train station to accommodation
- Transfer by private vehicle from accommodation to train airport
- Arrival documents
- Driving directions & maps
- 24 hour on call assistance from Luxury Vacations NZ representative
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Package Prices
Valid for travel 01 May 2009 to 30 September 2009
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$4,590 |
$4,873 |
$5,350 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$4,612 |
$4,894 |
$5,371 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$4,712 |
$4,995 |
$5,472 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$5,137 |
$5,419 |
$5,896 |
Valid for travel 01 October 2009 to 30 April 2010
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$5,230 |
$5,642 |
$5,889 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$5,266 |
$5,678 |
$5,925 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$5,359 |
$5,771 |
$6,019 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$5,640 |
$6,052 |
$6,299 |
- Prices are per person in New Zealand Dollars, based on share twin accommodation
- Single & triple prices available on request
- B&B properties are not suitable for children
Fully Flexible Holidays!
All of our self drive holidays are completely flexible. Whether you want to mix and match a couple of packages, add some extra nights before, after or during your stay or include some additional attractions or activities, our team of travel specialists are here to assist you. We're New Zealander's so we have the local knowledge and expertise to tailor a package just for you. Just let us know when you enquire.
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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.
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