Southern Discovery

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10 days Small Group Tours Christchurch to Christchurch

Christchurch - Kaikoura - Mount Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Methven - Christchurch

Enjoy South Island New Zealand Holiday Tours packed with exciting excursions and activities, including the world-famous Whale-watch at Kaikoura, a spectacular nature cruise on Milford Sound and a glacier expedition on Lake Tasman where you get up close & touch floating icebergs and a Coastal Pacific & TranzAlpine Train Journey.

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

On arrival you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.

Christchurch is the nation's second largest city and because of its extensive gardens and the Avon River meandering though it, is regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities.

Stay The George Hotel (1 Night)

Day 2 Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura (B)
Travel by Coastal Pacific train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury to Kaikoura, a coastal town nestled between the Kaikoura mountain range & the Pacific Ocean. This afternoon, you have the choice of either enjoying a whale-watch adventure or joining local Maori for a unique, award winning cultural experience.

Stay White Morph Inn (1 Night)

Day 3 Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook (B,D)
S Continue your journey south and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional skiplane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.

Stay Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel (1 Night)

Day 4 Tasman Glacier, Queenstown (B)
Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Travel through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the assent over the Lindis Pass and emerging into the lush green farmland that surrounds the spectacular alpine village of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 nights)

Day 5 & 6 Explore Queenstown & surounds (B)
Enjoy two full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration.

Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

Day 7 Milford Sound Nature Cruise & Fly (B, L)
Today, journey by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. Then continue along the Milford Road through the Eglinton Valley & the famous, hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to the Sound itself.

Here you board a purpose-built vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional trading scow, for an extended 2 ½ hour nature cruise the full length Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. This magnificent glacier-carved fjord is home to the famous, mile-high Mitre Peak and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife whilst enjoying an extensive commentary from the on-board nature guide.

After disembarking from the cruise, board your light aircraft for a spectacular scenic flight back to Queenstown (weather permitting). You'll marvel at the awesome alpine scenery, flying over waterfalls, mountains & rainforests on this never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Day 8 Arrowtown, Wanaka, Fox Glacier (B)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860's. There is time to wander around Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. On to Fox Glacier where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions).

Stay Te Weheka Inn (1 Night)

Day 9 Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Methven (B)

Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's. This afternoon, board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Disembark at Darfield & travel on to Methven for your last night.

Stay Terrace Downs Resort (1 Night)

Day 10 Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight.

Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra', a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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