|
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
On arrival at Christchurch airport you collect your rental vehicle before making your way to your accommodation. Vibrant and cosmopolitan, Christchurch enjoys exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award winning attractions. Internationally known for its award winning gardens, Christchurch is a graceful city that values its culture and heritage.
Day 2: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
Scenic Hot Air Balloon Flight |
Canterbury's geography and climate are ideal for ballooning - they provide a unique situation where passengers can experience Canterbury's landscape as only a few have seen it - from a gently floating hot air balloon. 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. Watch as the parks, rivers and buildings fade into the distance, making way for the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains, in view of the Southern Alps to the west and the endless blue of the ocean to the east. Enjoy a hour long flight and 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
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. Awarded 'World Heritage' status in recognition of its qualities and rare beauty, the Park covers an area of nearly 70,000 hectares and contains all but five of the 27 peaks over 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) in New Zealand. This afternoon you enjoy a fantastic ski plane flight which offers close up views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and the Southern Alps from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Fly the length of the Tasman Glacier before landing on the glacial snow and ice for 10 minutes. Total duration is around 55 minutes.
Day 4: Mt Cook to Wanaka
Today you depart Mt Cook 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 to reach your destination of Wanaka.
Day 5: Siberia Experience
Jetboat on your Siberia Experience |
This morning drive yourselves just under one hour to reach Makarora where you tour departs from. Here you enjoy a 4 hour wilderness adventure in Mt Aspiring National Park. Start with a 25-minute flight in a fixed wing aircraft. Stunning views capture the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s World Heritage National Park including glaciers, ice, snow, mountain lakes, hanging valleys, vast rain forests. Then retrace the steps of pioneers as you journey into the spectacular glacially carved Siberia Valley in the heart of the Southern Alps. Towering mountains greet you as you step from the Cessna aircraft onto the valley floor and set off towards the crystal clear waters of Siberia Stream and the walking track. This short walk takes 3 hours on a well-formed track through river valleys and native beech forest. Hear birdsong and immerse yourself in nature; tramp past mountain streams, rock formations, mossy tree trunks, native ferns and native birds, including the inquisitive fantail. Then rendezvous with the jet boat at the pick up point in the Wilkin Valley for a thrilling and scenic 30 minute mountain river journey back to Makarora
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown
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. Alive with activity all year round, there is enough activity to keep you entertained all day and all night.
Day 7: Picnic on a Peak
Picnic on a Peak near Queenstown |
This is no ordinary picnic! Today you Join your helicopter for an exclusive flight into the breathtaking New Zealand wilderness to arrive your lunch destination in a secluded area (either on the hills overlooking Queenstown or in an old gold miners cabin if weather is too windy). Then it’s time for leisurely lunch and a bottle of bubbles before returning to Queenstown. Duration away is completely at your discretion – you will be left with a radio to contact the helicopter base when you are ready to return to civilisation.
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. Queenstown is unique in comparison to other international resorts by virtue of its distinct four seasons giving pleasant temperatures with plentiful sunshine, accompanied by abundant activities and sports to match the season.
Day 9: Depart Queenstown
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental car to the airport 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.
|
