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| self drive tours > 15 Day Fiords, Glaciers & Mountains Self Drive Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Day 2: Nature Cruise on Akaroa Harbour Today you drive to Akaroa. The route from Christchurch to Akaroa is one of the most scenic short drives anywhere in New Zealand. Here you cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife on your harbour cruise. The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. Also on the trip you will catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world as well as the New Zealand Fur Seal sunning themselves on the harbours rocks near the entrance at Seal Bay. Stop at Lucas Bay to look at a salmon farm where thousands of salmon from fingerlings to adult fish are farmed in a series of cages. You will see them jumping as you approach. This is where the world-famous 'Akaroa Salmon' are raised. After your cruise you return to Christchurch. Day 3: Christchurch to Mount Cook & Discover the Tasman Glacier 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 Dunedin From Mt Cook you journey south via the picturesque Waitaki Valley to reach historical Oamaru. As you head south down the coast, river crossings are a feature of the journey. A point of interest on the way is a visit to view the mysterious spherical boulders at Moeraki, a number of huge stones, found strewn along a stretch of Koekohe Beach near Moeraki. Then continue onto the vibrant city of Scottish heritage, Dunedin.
Day 5: At Leisure Take the opportunity to enjoy the cities cultural riches and its abundant nature & wildlife. If you wish, visit New Zealand's oldest brewery for an entertaining and enlightening heritage tour, enjoy guided tours of Lanarch Castle and the stately home of Olveston House, play around of golf at Balmacewan, the oldest course in New Zealand and enjoyed by many of the sports greats, both past & present. You could also make the short journey to Portobello Peninsula to enjoy seals, the Albatross Colony and visit the Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve. Day 6: Dunedin to Queenstown Depart Dunedin today and travel towards Alexandra. As the main centre for Central Otago, Alexandra is a prosperous, attractive town. Then just beyond Alexandra, you’ll encounter the charming, historic town of Clyde and the huge Clyde Dam. Cromwell is next before reaching the vineyards of the Gibbston area and the bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge and then arriving in Queenstown.
Day 7: Shotover High Five Today you do it all. Your Shotover High Five today includes the Shotover Jet, the world's most exciting jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter flight, landing at the summit of the Skyline Gondola. Visit the Skyline Complex and take in the views from high above Queenstown. You then tide the Skyline Luge on the scenic or advanced tracks before taking the Gondola Cableway, a descent of 450 metres back to town. After your tour, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Day 8: 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 9: Queenstown to Milford Sound This morning depart Queenstown for your journey to Milford Sound. The road from Te Anau to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Then the rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Here you board your overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner, which offers you a very special dinner, bed and breakfast experience. On board you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea before anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove. With the nature guide you can go exploring in the tender craft and kayaks or simply relax on deck. After the days activities, enjoy a delicious evening buffet in the spacious saloon before retiring to your private cabin.
Day 10: Milford Sound to Wanaka Today you retrace you steps to Te Anau before heading to Wanaka. Trout fishing rivers and high country scenery are some of the features of your drive today. The small towns of Mossburn and Lumsden can be explored for unique shopping opportunities. Leave time to take a break in Kingston, the home of a remarkable vintage steam train. Then it’s onto Wanaka where crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps.
Day 11: Siberia Wilderness Experience & on to West Coast Glacier Country Today drive around 45 minutes before enjoying a 4 hour wilderness adventure in Mount Aspiring World Heritage National Park. Begin with a 25 minute unforgettable scenic flight followed by a 3 hour walk beginning in the remote Siberia Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park. Then it’s on to a 30 minute exciting jet boat ride on the Wilkin River. Your Siberia Experience leaves from Makarora at the head of Lake Wanaka and allows you to enjoy some of New Zealand's untouched scenery from the air, on land and from the water. Mountains, rivers, glaciers, alpine lakes, rain forest, waterfalls and more - this is your chance to see it all. Afterwards you travel through incredible scenery as you make your way past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass to reach your destination of the West Coast.
Day 12: Leisure Day The West Coast is a paradise for people who love the outdoors. Extreme adventure seekers can try caving, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and surfing. Easier adventures include jet boating, glacier walks, scenic flights, mountain biking, horse treks, fishing and gold panning. And wherever you go, there are walks - long, medium and short. You may like to take a short walk to the terminal of the glacier or travel a short distance to nearby Lake Mapourika where there are kayaks for hire. Highly recommended is a visit to Glacier Hot Pools in Franz Josef, the latest visitor attraction in the region. You can choose from a soak in the public or private pools or indulge in a massage treatment. Day 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 EARLYBIRD SPECIAL Hotel B&B Boutique $5,819 $5,935 $7,253 $5,828 $5,944 $7,262 $5,974 $6,090 $7,408 $6,112 $6,228 $7,545
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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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