AN 11 Day Full South Island Tour, Highlights include Mount Cook, Dunedin, Southern Lakes, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park, West Coast Glaciers, Wine Tasting

TOUR CODE DKKK

Basic Tour price from NZ$3180 per person share twin  May 2010 - Sept 2010
Basic Tour price from NZ$3670 per person share twin  Oct 2010 - April 2011
Basic Tour price from NZ$3260 per person share twin  May 2011- Sept 2011

Departure dates for 2011
2, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, Jan;        4, 6, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27, Feb;    
4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 27, March;           3, 10, 15, 17, April;
1, 22, , May;     5, 19, June;     3, 24, July;    7, 28, Aug;
4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, Sept

Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Holidays will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

Day 2
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Omarama
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. You will have time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional cost). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)

Day 3
Omarama - Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri Gorge train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night) 

Day 4
Dunedin - Lake Manapouri - Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, and then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 nights)

Day 5
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)

Day 6
Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure, your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous - white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries.

Day 7
Queenstown - Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (1 night)

Day 8
Fox Glacier - Greymouth - Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Now join the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests to Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night) 

Day 10
Blenheim - Wellington - Christchurch
Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Cross Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Capital City, breif city sights.

OR YOU HAVE THE OPTION of returning to Christchurch by the Trans Coastal Train, travel along the Kaikoura Coast line, arriving in Christchurch where you will be met and transferred to your hotel

Prices includes
A Meet & Greet on arrival, Return Airport Transfers, Quality twin/double en-suite accommodation throughout, travel in fully air-conditioned 5 star coaches, Escorted by a professional Coach Captain, Informative commentary, Comprehensive sightseeing admission fees as perscribed in the itinerary, Baggage Handling/porterage, Travel Kit a Travel Backpack, Ticket Wallet, Notebook, Pen, DVD postcard, Postcards, New Zealand Map and more,

Meals are optional to include in your tour package and about 95% of travellers choose to include these as they represent exceptional value. All meals start on day 2 of the tour itinerary and conclude after breakfast on the final tour day.

Highlights
• Sightseeing tours of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington
• World renowned Mt Cook Region
• Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
• Spectacular Southern Lakes
• Awe inspiring Milford Sound
• Dinner at Skyline Restaurant
• Remote National Parks of Fiordland & Westland
• West Coast Glaciers
• Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
• Scenic cruise Picton - Wellington or Tranz Coastal Train Journey
• Milford Sound Launch Cruise
 




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