6 nights Naturally South Island

Itinerary | Inclusions | Cost                                                                                                    Back to index

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Meet and greet by your driver and transfer to your hotel for tonight's accommodation including breakfast.
This evening visit two of Christchurch's leading attractions and enjoy an international buffet dinner. The evening starts with hotel pick-up and our first stop is at the International Antarctic Centre to experience the awesome and challenging Antarctic environment with displays showing both past and present exploration. The highlight here is entering the 'Snow & Ice' room where you play in the snow and experience sub zero Antarctic weather conditions. Then to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a splendid buffet dinner. After dinner, walk through the reserve to see the nocturnal wildlife including the elusive Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird icon. At the conclusion your driver will return you to your hotel.
Accommodation: Copthorne Central Christchurch Hotel / Camelot Cathedral Hotel

Day 2: Christchurch to Queenstown
Your journey begins with pickup from your hotel then out onto the Canterbury Plains which is the largest area of flat land in New Zealand. At Lake Tekapo pause briefly to view the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' nestled on the lakeshore, before continuing south through the rugged high country landscapes of the MacKenzie Basin with its Hydro Electric lakes and canals. From here it's a short trip down the Kawarau River Gorge to arrive into Queenstown late afternoon where you will be delivered to your hotel for three night's accommodation including daily breakfast.
Accommodation: Gardens Novotel Hotel / A-line Queenstown Hotel

Day 3: Day trip to Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park
Pickup from your hotel for what has been described as the best one day journey in the world. The day begins travelling along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the impressive Remarkable mountain range on the way through to Te Anau. From here progress through the Upper Hollyford Valley to the 1.2 kilometre Homer Tunnel which was drilled through solid rock. On exiting the tunnel you descend down to Milford Sound. Board the waiting vessel for a one hour forty minute full length cruise of Milford Sound out to the Tasman Sea. An excellent commentary is given during the cruise and apart from the majestic scenery of towering peaks jutting out of the Sound itself, also see sparkling waterfalls, fur seals lazing on the rocks, dolphins playing in the ships wake and numerous sea birds. After the cruise, sit back, relax and enjoy the views from the coach on the return journey to Queenstown.

Day 4: Queenstown Free Morning, Afternoon Lifestyle Tour
A free morning today so you can enjoy Queenstown's beauty.
1.00pm You will be collected from your hotel for the tour which commences with a visit to Queenstown's Dried Flowers, the unique Art Gallery, a private garden, view the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, taste wine at Gibbston Valley Winery and see inside their wine cave and enjoy Devonshire Tea at local historic café, plus the fantastic scenery that Queenstown has to offer.

Day 5: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
Today starts with a pickup from your hotel, then make a short visit to Lake Wanaka and from here you are on the Haast Road traveling beside splendid Lake Hawea and the ancient Maori trail to the West Coast. Once over the Haast Pass the scenery changes as you pass through small settlements and lakes full of Trout and Salmon. Your driver will deliver you to your hotel for one night's accommodation including breakfast. As soon as you have checked in at the hotel (or before depending on instructions given) report for your Neve Discoverer scenic flight by helicopter. This is the perfect opportunity to get to land on the glacier and touch snow. You'll be captivated from lift off as you fly up the riverbed and over the glacier to land in this wonderful alpine wonderland.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel - Douglas Wing / Franz Josef Glacier Hotel - Graham Wing|

Day 6: Franz Josef to Christchurch via Greymouth
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to continue up to the West Coast travelling through native bush and impressive views of the wild West Coast arriving in Greymouth which is where the Tranz Alpine train departs from. Board the train and enjoy the varied landscapes as you pass native bush, tranquil lakes and powerful rivers, then back onto the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch. Upon arriving in Christchurch be delivered to your hotel for your final nights accommodation including breakfast.
Accommodation: Copthorne Christchurch Central Hotel / Camelot Cathedral Hotel

Day 7: Depart Christchurch
You will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to Christchurch International Airport in time for your flight.

Inclusions on the 6 night Naturally South Island Itinerary
· Greet and private transfer to hotel on arrival in Christchurch
· One nights hotel accommodation in Christchurch on bed and cooked breakfast basis
· Evening tour of Christchurch including
· Entry to the International Antarctic Centre
· Entry to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
· Buffet dinner at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
· Coach tour from Christchurch to Queenstown
· Three nights hotel accommodation in Queenstown on bed and cooked breakfast basis
· Day tour by coach to Milford Sound including
· One hour forty minute cruise the full length of Milford Sound
· Afternoon Queenstown Lifestyle Tour including
· Wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery
· Devonshire Tea at a local historic café
· Coach tour from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
· Franz Josef 20 minute helicopter ride with snow landing
· One nights hotel accommodation in Franz Josef on bed and cooked breakfast basis
· Coach tour from Franz Josef to Greymouth
· Tranz Alpine Train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch
· Transfer from Christchurch Railway Station to hotel
· One night's hotel accommodation in Christchurch on bed and cooked breakfast basis
· Transfer from hotel to Christchurch International Airport

Price on request / $ depends on number in your group
** please apply for pricing for more than 6 pax traveling together

 

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