10 day Signature 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 when you meet your Tour Leader and traveling companions for dinner.
Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Dinner
*Please note no dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass – Franz Josef
This morning you will 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: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Franz Josef – Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to the Fox Glacier township. 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. Your evening will then be free for you to dine out as you please.
Overnight: Millenium Hotel Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Queenstown – Free Day
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. In the evening you will 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: Millenium Hotel 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 will visit the Lakes District Museum. You will then continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland.
Overnight: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
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 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 Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and 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 followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Dunedin – Mt Cook – Twizel
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. You will then follow the Waitaki River, see Lake Benmore, and marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. You will then travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Overnight: Distinction Mackenzie Country
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Twizel – Christchurch
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 a city tour. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after your memorable time in New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- Personalized meet and greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Professional Coach Captain
- Experienced tour guide
- 9 nights 4 star accommodation, including hotel porterage.
- 1 TranzAlpine rail journey and 2 cruises (Lake Wakatipu & Milford Sound)
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
MEALS:
- 9 cooked breakfasts
- 8 dinners, including two specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown and Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
- Complimentary pre-dinner drink at Welcome Dinner
- 1 Lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
- Dunedin City Sights Tour
- Christchurch City Sights Tour
- 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
- Onboard restroom
- Onboard daily Wi-Fi allowance
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
Mt Cook:
- Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight
- Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight
Lake Tekapo:
- The Grand Traverse Flight
