Arrive at Christchurch Airport. You will be met on arrival and then transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay will be at a city hotel.
Day 02 :
Finish breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, proceed on a half day city sightseeing tour including a visit to the Christchurch Antarctic Centre. Continue on to the “Garden City” of Christchurch and drive through Hagley Park and past Mona Vale Gardens and Deans Bush to the city centre. Pass by the Christchurch Cathedral which dominates the Cathedral Square in the centre, and follow the tram line to the Canterbury Arts Centre in the Gothic buildings. Drive up to the “Sign of the Takahe” on the Port Hills where you will enjoy a panoramic view across the city to the patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains and the snow capped mountains of the Southern Alps beyond. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 :
Finish breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel and depart Christchurch for Mount Cook via Lake Tekapo. Travel across the flat Canterbury Plains through the farming towns of Ash Burton and Geraldine. Cross rolling hill country to Fairly and climb up the Burkes Pass into the Mackenzie High Country and arrive at Lake Tekapo. Stop at the “Church of the Good Shepherd” on the shores of Lake Tekapo before following the shores of Lake Pukaki to the highest mountain in New Zealand – Mount Cook. Arrive at Mt Cook and check in to hotel. The Rest of the day at leisure for optional activities such as a walk up the Hooker Valley with spectacular views of Mount Cook; or an Optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier subject to the weather conditions on the day. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 :
Finish breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at leisure to enjoy the scenic view of Mt Cook on your own and to breathe in the fresh mountain air. Check out of and proceed to Queenstown. Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki once more and pass through the settlements of Twizel and Omarama before climbing over the tussock covered Lindis Pass and descend into the barren province of Central Otago. Arrive in Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Check into the hotel. Evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 :
Finish breakfast at the hotel. Proceed on a full day excursion to the Milford Sound. Travel alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, now proclaimed a World Heritage Park. Pass through stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. View waterfalls, seals, dolphins. Return to Queenstown. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 :
Finish breakfast at the hotel. Day is at leisure for optional activities in this “Adventure Capital” of New Zealand. Explore this picturesque town nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with ever changing moods and unprecedented natural beauty. Soak in the fabulous panoramas over Queenstown’s lakes and mountains. Overnight at Hotel
Day 07 :
After Finish breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to the fruit growing area around Cromwell and continue on via Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea to the Glacier Region on the West Coast. Follow the shores of Lake Wanaka to the small settlement of Makarora opposite the Mount Aspiring National Park. Drive through the scenic bush clad Haast Pass and follow the Haast River to the township of Haast on the coast and head north via Lake Moeraki to the spectacular Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08:
Finish breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel. Continue north along the West Coast through the small settlements of Harihari and Ross to Hokitika and on to Greymouth. Here board the world famous The Tranz Alpine Train for a journey across the Arthur’s Pass which is famous for its engineering feats and spectacular mountain scenery. The train runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea and vice versa, crossing the fertile Canterbury plains and the stunning Waimakariri River. Arrive in Christchurch in the evening. You will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09:
Finish breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel and transfer to Christchurch Airport by private vehicle to board your flight for your onward journey.
Includes:
3 Nights accommodation in Christchurch with daily breakfast
1 night accommodation in Mt. Cook with breakfast
3 Nights accommodation in Queenstown with daily breakfast
1 Night accommodation in Franz Josef Glacier with breakfast
Christchurch Antarctic Centre
Half day city tour of Christchurch
Milford Sound Cruise in Queenstown
Trans-Alpine Train journey
Arrival & Departure transfers in Christchurch on Private basis
