10 day Ultimate South Island New Zealand
Description:
Itinerary:
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your traveling companions.
Overnight: Sudima Christchurch City
Meals: Welcome Dinner
*Please note, dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass – Franz Josef
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys, and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the center of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone, before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Overnight: Legacy Te Waonui Hotel, Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Franz Josef – Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure; you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Overnight: Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Queenstown – Free Day
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh, and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then re-board the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Overnight: Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Queenstown – Te Anau
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before traveling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland.
Overnight: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound, where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon you will return to Te Anau where some free time is available.
Overnight: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Te Anau – Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance and a delicious Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom.
Overnight: Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Dunedin – Mt Cook
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.
Overnight: The Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Mt Cook – Christchurch
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Overnight: Sudima Christchurch City
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand experience.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- Personalized Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Coach Transportation in Business Class seats on full-size 20 seat coach
- Knowledgeable Coach Captain (for commentating)
- 9 nights of 4.5 star accommodations, including hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 2 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
MEALS:
- 9 cooked breakfasts
- 8 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea
- Dunedin City Sights Tour
- Christchurch City Sights Tour
- 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
- Onboard Restroom
- Onboard Wi-Fi allowance (daily)
Exclusions:
- Return airfares from your home to New Zealand.
- Meals not defined in the inclusions.
- Any travel insurances.
- Tour guide gratuities.
- Items such as souvenirs, laundry and similar personal expenses.
Optional activities:
*Please note, whilst your tour package includes an extensive range of pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, the Optional Activities outlined are available to enjoy during your free time. They will provide the ‘icing on the cake’ experience that will hold memories for a lifetime. They will be booked with your Crew once on tour.
Christchurch:
- Christchurch Tram City Tour
- International Antarctic Center
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour
West Coast:
- Haast River Safari
- Westland Greenstone Ltd
- Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight
- Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight
- Mountain Scenic Spectacular Helicopter Flight
- West Coast Wildlife Center
Queenstown:
- KJet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu
- Time Tripper Underwater Cinematic Experience
- Unforgettable Skippers Canyon
- The Grand Circle Helicopter Flight
- Southern Glacier Experience Helicopter Flight
- Skyline Queenstown
- Shotover Jet
- Best of Queenstown Tour
Te Anau:
- Fiordland Cinema
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Queenstown:
- KJet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu
- Time Tripper Underwater Cinematic Experience
- Unforgettable Skippers Canyon
- The Grand Circle Helicopter Flight
- Southern Glacier Experience Helicopter Flight
- Skyline Queenstown
- Shotover Jet
- Best of Queenstown Tour
Te Anau:
- Fiordland Cinema
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Dunedin:
- Eco Wildlife Tour
- Speight’s Brewery
- Olveston Historic Home
Mt Cook:
- Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight
- Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight
Lake Tekapo:
- The Grand Traverse Flight
