Price:₹87.00
Travel Time
10 days / 9 nights
Includes
Christchurch to Christchurch
Tranz Alpine Panorama
Description
DAY 1 – ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH (D)
“Haere Mai”…. Welcome to New Zealand.
A Kirra Holidays representative will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your downtown city hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers.
Stay: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
DAY 2 – CHRISTCHURCH – LAKE TEKAPO (B,D)
Today begins with a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. Enjoy a journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre on-board a beautifully restored heritage tram. Then visit the International Antarctic Centre before crossing the Canterbury Plains, new Zealand’s largest area of flat land, lying between the mighty Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. Its patchwork of agricultural activity ranges from grazing grass and what to herbs and sunflowers. View the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog Memorial overlooking Lake Tekapo. There is time this afternoon for some optional alpine flightseeing over the world heritage national parks of Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland Tai Putini (subject to weather conditions).
Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort
DAY 3 – LAKE TEKAPO – DUNEDIN (B,D)
Continue south and stop to view the Benmore Damn, one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Travel down the Waitaki Valley to the Whitestone township of Oamaru, home to some of the best preserved heritage buildings in New Zealand. Stop to view the mystical Moeraki Boulders, then on to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South.
Stay: Scenic Dunedin City Hotel
DAY 4 – DUNEDIN – TE ANAU (B,D)
Enjoy spectacular views across the Otago Peninsula as you travel to Larnach Castle. On your guided tour, learn about its tragic and mysterious history. Depart Dunedin and head inland, crossing rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden, before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 nights)
DAY 5 – MILFORD SOUND (B,L,D)
Journey into the Hollyford Valley before descending into the Cleddau Canyon. Drive through the Homer Tunnel into spectacular Milford Sound, the world renowned natural wonder dominated by Mitre Peak. Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres to the sea below. Cruise the entire length of the fiord and enjoy the on-board commentary that gives you detailed information on the region’s history, flora and fauna as you view spectacular waterfalls, towering mountains and wildlife.
Optional overnight cruises on Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound are also on offer subject to availability – please ask for details.
DAY 6 – TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN (B,D)
Continue north to Kingston, then skirt around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the picturesque alpine resort of Queenstown. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before boarding the historic vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for an evening cruise across the lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm. At the Colonel’s Homestead, savour a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner along with an entertaining farm demonstration.
Stay: Millennium Hotel (2 nights)
DAY 7 – QUEENSTOWN (B)
Today is a free day to experience this magnificent resort town. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure and leisure activities from extreme to relaxed exploration. Your Coach Captain will be happy to advise you and assist with any optional activities you would like to do. You might like to take a ride on the world famous Shotover Jet Boat, travel to the top of Bob’s Peak by gondola for spectacular views, take a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous, try white water rafting. Alternatively, browse in the many shops and galleries Queenstown has to offer. Tonight is free to experience one of the many amazing cafes and restaurants available.
DAY 8 – QUEENSTOWN – GLACIER REGION (B,D)
This morning, pass picturesque Lake Hayes on the way to Arrowtown. Set beneath the rugged Crown Range, this historic village was once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Stop at Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. View the untouched wilderness and pristine lakes of the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks before arriving on the West Coast, home to the twin glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
DAY 9 – GLACIER REGION – CHRISTCHURCH (B,D)
Travel north and at Hokitika, stop to visit a Pounamu (Jade) factory. Pounamu is considered a treasure in Maori culture and is seen as a sign of status and power. At Greymouth, board the famous TranzAlpine Train. Renowned as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, this coast to coast rail adventure will take you through the Southern Alps, overmassive viaducts, river valleys and gorges. On arrival, enjoy a farewell dinner and drinks with your fellow travellers and relive the wonderful sights and experiences shared over the last nine days.
Stay: Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport
DAY 10 – DEPARTURE DAY (B)
It is time to farewell your fellow travellers today. You will be transferred to the airport to connect with your onward flight.
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