Ultimate South Island Escape [UGPSI10] - About New Zealand
 
 
10 Days: Ultimate South Island Escape [UGPSI10]
Starting at
$5,012

Guaranteed Departures

2024

Sep* 1, 10
Oct 1, 16
Nov 8, 13
Dec 1, 10, 20

2025

Jan 4, 17, 31
Feb 9, 17
Mar 1, 15, 23
Apr 4, 17
May* 5, 15

*Discounted price available, please inquire.

Highlights

  • All inclusive
  • 10 Days/9 Nights
  • Fully escorted luxury coach travel with reclining seats and panoramic windows
  • Small group tour of 20 maximum guests
  • 4.5 star accommodations
  • Hotel porterage (we’ll handle your luggage for you!)
  • 2 cruises included
  • 1 rail journey included
  • Personalized meet and greet on arrival

Inclusions

  • Accommodation – Christchurch – Sudima Christchurch City (1 Night), Franz Josef – Te Waonui Forest Retreat (1), Queenstown – Heritage Queenstown (2), Te Anau – Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2), Dunedin – Distinction Dunedin Hotel (1), Mt Cook – The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing) (1), Christchurch – Sudima Christchurch City (1)
  • Meals – 9 cooked breakfasts; 8 sumptuous dinners including 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner with selected beverages, Christchurch; 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise; 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Day Tours – Christchurch: Scenic TranzAlpine Rail Journey from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass; Queenstown: Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw; Arrowtown: Lakes District Museum; Te Anau: Milford Sound Cruise & Picnic Lunch; Dunedin: City Sights Tour, Larnach Castle; Christchurch: City Sights Tour
  • Transfers – Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by your tour director who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet your traveling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

Dinner included

Day 2: Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass – Franz Josef

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the center of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat

Breakfast & Dinner included

Day 3: Franz Josef – Queenstown

See the snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

Breakfast included

Day 4: Queenstown

Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options to choose from. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Breakfast & Specialty Dinner included

Day 5: Queenstown – Te Anau

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before traveling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Tonight after dinner you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights)

Breakfast & Dinner included

Day 6: Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You may like to visit the Fiordland Cinema, specially constructed to screen the locally filmed movie Ata Whenua – Shadowland which will take you on an unforgettable journey (optional).

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 7: Te Anau – Dunedin

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South.” Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Options available include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, a visit to the Royal Albatross Centre to see Albatross in their natural habitat or a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Breakfast & Dinner included

Day 8: Dunedin – Mt Cook

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)

Breakfast & Dinner included

Day 9: Mt Cook – Christchurch

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

Breakfast & Specialty Dinner included

Day 10: Depart Christchurch

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand Holiday.

Breakfast included

All prices are USD$/person. Subject to availability and seasonality. Other Conditions Apply (see Terms and Conditions).