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| Day by Day Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch |
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On arrival at Christchurch International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Pavilions Hotel |
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| Day2 - Christchurch / Greymouth |
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Join the Tranz Alpine train this morning which departs at 8.15am, crossing the broad Canterbury Plains then following the Waimakariri River to Arthurs Pass. Through the snowcapped Southern Alps to Otira, descending past Lake Brunner and through rainforest to Greymouth. On arrival you are transferred to Hotel Ashley with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Ashley (1 night) |
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| Day3 - Greymouth / Fox Glacier |
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Remote farms, tiny landlocked lakes with dense native bush and forest, all dominated by the towering Southern Alps, highlight your journey to Fox Glacier. Plenty of time to enjoy a guided walk to the glaciers terminal face, a helicopter flight and snow landing or walk to nearby Lake Matheson. Overnight: Heartland Hotel Fox Glaicer |
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| Day4 - Fox Glacier / Wanaka |
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Follow the rugged coastline then inland across the Alps and the Haast Pass to the impressive bushlands of the Aspiring National Park. At Wanaka a launch cruise across the lake to Stevensons Island, a nature reserve, for a bush walk followed by refreshments. Look for the native Buff Weka, a small, flightless bird whose curiosity is likely to attract them close to you. A jet boat will also be on hand for you to try this uch more exciting and exhilarating form of water travel, full on exciting, leisurely scenic cruising or somewhere in between. Overnight: Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort |
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| Day5 - Wanaka / Queenstown |
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Drive through a picturesque region that has a fascinating history of early settlement and goldmining for a late morning arrival into the ever-popular resort of Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the spectacular Skyline Restaurant. (entire group)
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| OPTION 1: The Hollyford Track Guided Walk (available on departure dates with *) |
| Today enjoy the sights, sounds and activities of Queenstown plus attend a pre-walk briefing. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day6 - Queenstown / Pyke Lodge |
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| By coach to the beginning of the Hollyford Track, follow ancient Maori footsteps through beech forests, past impressive waterfalls to reach Pyke Lodge. Walking 17km. |
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| Day7 - Pyke Lodge / Martins Bay Lodge |
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| See the beautiful reflections on Lake Alabaster before crossing Fiordland's longest swing bridge to board your jetboat along the Hollyford River and onto Lake McKerrow to reach Martins Bay. Walking 12 km. |
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| Day8 - Martins Bay Lodge / Milford Sound |
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This morning explore Martins Bay Spit, a famous landmark separating the Hollyford Valley and powerful Tasman Sea. Learn about the diversity of this truly remote area before taking an afternoon scenic flight into Milford Sound to rejoin your tour group for the Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise -an undoubted highlight. Overnight: Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise |
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| Or....OPTION 2: Free Days in Queenstown |
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| Day5 Wanaka / Queenstown |
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Drive through a picturesque region that has a fascinating history of early settlement and goldmining for a late morning arrival into the ever-popular resort of Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the spectacular Skyline Restaurant. At leisure in Queenstown, jet boating, lake cruises, a day on the Routeburn Track, Lord of the Rings Tours, rafting and more shops, galleries and boutiques than you can count enjoy. Dinner day 16 is not included allowing the opportunity to dine at a restaurant of your choice.  Rydges Hotel (3 nights) |
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| Day6 - Queenstown - day at leisure |
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| Day7 - Queenstown - day at leisure |
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| Day8 - Queenstown / Milford Sound |
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Follow the lake to Kingston, across fertile farmlands to Fiordland. Visit moody Lake Manapouri then Lake Te Anau. Follow the Eglinton valley, native forests, lakes, waterfalls, and towering mountains. Continue through The Divide and travel into the Hollyford Valley and Homer Tunnel to reach magnificent Milford Sound. Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise. Overnight: Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise |
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| Day9 - Milford Sound / Dunedin |
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Wake to the sounds of silence in a pristine world. Rugged and remote mountains change to lush green countryside, which in turn gives way to rolling hills as you approach Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Overnight: Cargills Hotel. (2 nights) |
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| Day10 - Dunedin |
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| A day to enjoy at your leisure with a multitude of optional activities available. A Monarch Wildlife Cruise, Natures Wonders Tour (both featuring penguins, seals and birdlife), the Taieri Gorge Railway, a Citibus Newtons Tour, fascinating Larnach Castle or Tour the Cadbury Factory or Speights Brewery. Have fun! |
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| Day 11 - Dunedin / Omarama |
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Visit Olveston, Dunedins majestic historic home with its original furnishings. See bush clad hillsides, tidal estuaries and a rocky coastline, view the unusual Moeraki Boulders then explore Oamaru. Follow the Waitaki Valley, passing several hydro lakes to Omarama.
Overnight: Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night) |
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| Day 12 - Omarama / Mt Cook / Christchurch |
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Pass the milky blue waters of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook National Park and village, amidst New Zealands highest mountains. At Lake Tekapo view the Church of the Good Shepherd and Collie Dog memorial with time for a highly recommended (optional) flight with Air Safaris. Descend Burkes Pass to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch. Overnight: Pavilions Hotel
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| Day 13 - Depart Christchurch |
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| Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. You will be transferred to Christchurch International Airport for your flight. |
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| Departure Dates: |
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| Tour Code |
Start Christchurch |
Finish Christchurch |
Promotions & Deals |
Guaranteed Departure |
| 13 days |
2010 |
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| XL22 * |
Mon 01 Nov |
Sat 13 Nov |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL25 |
Mon 22 Nov |
Sat 04 Dec |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL27 * |
Mon 29 Nov |
Sat 11 Dec |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL30 |
Mon 27 Dec |
Sat 08 Jan |
See above for great discounts |
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2011 |
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| XL302 * |
Mon 03 Jan |
Sat 15 Jan |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL33 * |
Mon 17 Jan |
Sat 29 Jan |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL35 * |
Mon 31 Jan |
Sat 12 Feb |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL36 |
Mon 07 Feb |
Sat 19 Feb |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL37 * |
Mon 14 Feb |
Sat 26 Feb |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL38 |
Mon 21 Feb |
Sat 05 Mar |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL39 * |
Mon 28 Feb |
Sat 12 Mar |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL392 |
Mon 07 Mar |
Sat 19 Mar |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL41 * |
Mon 14 Mar |
Sat 26 Mar |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL412 |
Mon 21 Mar |
Sat 02 Apr |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL43 * |
Mon 28 Mar |
Sat 09 Apr |
See above for great discounts |
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| XL45 * |
Mon 11 Apr |
Sat 23 Apr |
See above for great discounts |
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