honeymoon packages > southern charm

8 Night Southern Charm in New Zealand

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.  Included for the duration of your car hire 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.  As an added bonus, from the 1st of March 2011 the KRUSE system also includes GPS navigation. Day 2:  Sunrise 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 Region & Scenic Flight 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 Region to Wanaka Today you depart 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.  Lake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax.  Protected from the outside world by the grandeur of the mountains, you’re enclosed in a hidden paradise.  Crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps, which are home to winter ski fields and the dramatically alpine Mount Aspiring National Park. Day 5:  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 & Couples Spa Treatment 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.  This afternoon you relax and indulge at The Spa at Millbrook.  Immerse your spirit in the beauty of Millbrook’s landscape and your body in the soothing, unadulterated luxury of The Spa at Millbrook.  Here you enjoy the Couples Package.  Together in the steam room, enjoy a full body exfoliation, moving on to a dual one-hour massage.  Take a break and sip a glass of Champagne or freshly squeezed juice before choosing from a manicure or pedicure.  Allow 3 hours for this treatment. Day 7:  Picnic on a Peak 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.

Inclusions - this package is inclusive of the following: Accommodation as follows: 2 nights at Elm Tree House in a Guest Room 1 night at Mautka Lodge in a Deluxe King Room 2 nights at Wanaka Springs Lodge in a Guest Room 3 nights at The Spire in a Guest Room Meals as follows: All breakfasts Evening wine & hors d’oeuvres on days 1 & 2 in Christchurch Pre dinner drinks on days 4 & 5 in Wanaka Lunch on your picnic on a peak option Activities as follows: Sunrise hot air balloon flight in Christchurch 55 minute ski plane flight with landing in Mt Cook Siberia experience in Wanaka including flight, jetboat ride & nature walk 3 hour couples spa experience at The Spa at Millbrook Exclusive scenic helicopter flight for a picnic on a peak in Queenstown Transportation by self drive rental vehicle including unlimited kilometres & daily insurance KRUSE commentary system for the duration of your car hire (including GPS from 01 March 2011) Detailed travel itinerary in both electronic and hard copy format Arrival documents including information on the regions you are visiting Driving directions & maps 24 hour on call assistance during your vacation Optional discounted travel insurance through Comprehensive Travel Tariff - please contact us for details and pricing. This package has been prepared by Luxury Vacations to help you plan your honeymoon in New Zealand.  All of our packages are fully flexible, from the date you travel to the accommodation you stay at, the activities and sightseeing you experience to your mode of transport.  We also offer a free itinerary planning service so you can design your dream honeymoon.  We’ll match your interests, budget and time frame to find that perfect balance just for you - all the while backed by our specialist advice. If you’d like further information and pricing on this honeymoon package, please email us and be sure to let us know your proposed month of travel. Or if you’d like us to help you plan your own individually tailored holiday, simply fill out our free enquiry form with as much information as you can and one of our experienced staff will be in contact.