Day by day
Day 1 London to Christchurch
Fly overnight from London to Christchurch
Day 2 Christchurch
Arrive at Christchurch and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 3 Christchurch – Free day trip
This perfect tour for nature lovers gives you the opportunity to experience Sperm Whales, Dusky Dolphins, and a fur seal colony in the unspoilt waters of the South Pacific Ocean, as well as a chance to sample wine from a local boutique vineyard.
The tour will take you from Christchurch by road to Kaikoura where you will join the Whale Watching Tour by boat or light aircraft - the choice is yours. Kaikoura is one of New Zealand's leading eco-tourism destinations and world-renowned for its variety of marine mammals. Sperm and Humpback Whales, dolphins and seals are all attracted here by the rich feeding grounds off the coast. You will get the chance to see the Sperm Whale spouting at the surface after diving to depths of up to 3,200 metres to hunt for food, providing you with amazing photographic opportunities. Once back on land and after a delicious lunch at a local café, you will get up close and personal with fur seals as they bask in the sun on the rocks of the local seal colony. After being hunted almost to extinction in the early 1800’s, the New Zealand fur seal population is again growing, and Kaikoura is now home to over 2,000 seals.
On the return journey to Christchurch you will get to sample the pinot noir, pinot gris, gewürztraminer and chardonnay that the area is famed for at a North Canterbury vineyard.
Day 4 Christchurch/ Greymouth
Transfer from accommodation train Station; join Tranz Alpine scenic train journey and travel to the historic west coast town of Greymouth
Overnight: Standard= Kings gate Hotel,
Day 5 Greymouth – Franz Josef
Join the Intercity coach service from Greymouth travelling further south down the West coast of the South island, to the glacier town of Franz Josef.
Overnight: Standard = Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, Graham Wing, incl: full breakfast
Day 6 Franz Josef
Join your Franz Josef Glacier Guides guide at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides Office, Main Road (located next to the Mobil Petrol Station), Franz Josef Village, to commence a Glacier Valley Tour. This journey to the glacier is the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley as the guide explains the unique features of the glacier and its surroundings. Participants are able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier. Tour concludes approximately 3 hours after commencement, back at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides office.
Overnight: Standard = Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, Graham Wing, incl: full breakfast
Day 7 Franz Josef/Queenstown
A memorable trip, through some of the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand. Travel by Intercity coach lines over the Haast Pass and through the silver beech forests of Mt Aspiring National Park, past Lake Wanaka and along the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, the ultimate outdoor adventure playground, set against a stunning backdrop of lakes and mountains.
Overnight: Standard = Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Superior Room
Day 8 Queenstown
Day at leisure.
Overnight: Standard = Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Superior room)
Optional sightseeing: Boutique Wine Tour
An afternoon among boutique vineyards and spectacular scenery for a great taste of Central Otago Wine Country on this small, intimate tour. See real drama in the scenery, hear the pristine silence of the high country, savour the scent of pure clean air and feel the pulse of the heart of Central Otago. Your journey includes unforgettable views and fascinating pioneer history along with the smooth sophistication of gourmet food and wines among the region's soothing backdrop of tussock and thyme.
Day 9 Queenstown to Milford Sound to Te Anau
Today's journey takes guests from the adventure capital Queenstown, the majestic Fiordland National park region. Enjoy a cruise out to the Milford sound, before being dropped at today's destination of Te Anau.
Overnight: Standard = Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau, Standard Room
Day 10 Te Anau / Queenstown
Today the journey will take guests back to Queenstown.
Overnight:Standard = Copthorne Resort Lakefront,
Day 11 – 12 Queenstown
Your tour has ended so you have 2 nights at leisure to explore and enjoy Queenstown at your own leisure.
Day 13 Queenstown to London
Make your way to the airport and check in for your overnight flight home
Day 14 London
Arrive back into London after an amazing holiday.
