LAKES MOUNTAINS and GLACIERS
This Budget 6 day tour has it all, from Lakes Mountains and Glaciers, the tour covers the southern half of the South Island and includes Mount Cook National Park, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound’s Cruise and the West Coast Glaciers.
TOUR CODEBUDSI6
TOUR COST nz$1295 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN
SINGLE $1695
DAILY DEPARTURES
Day 1
Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown
A day for spectacular sights, we farewell Christchurch and travel through Ashburton, Geraldine and Fairlie, over Burke’s Pass into the vast Mackenzie Basin to the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo. We visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog, and then continue to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Time is available to enjoy an optional scenic flight over the ancient rivers of ice and the West Coast Glaciers (weather permitting – a highly recommended option), before continuing on over Lindas Pass and following the Kawerau Gorge to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital
Accommodation in Queenstown
Day 2
Queenstown
Milford Sound Nature Cruise Day Excursion
(Included in tour cost).
Travel from Queenstown via Lake Te Anau to the beautiful Milford Sound, located in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound in a leisurely and relaxed way with our nature guides. Our vessels, the Milford Mariner and Milford Wanderer are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows. They have been purpose built to operate in the fiords and offer a laid back, extended cruise option. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Here we cruise the sounds and get close up views of the magnificent scenery that this World Heritage Area has to offer. Be inspired as mountain peaks soar overhead and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into the sea below. Return by coach to Queenstown
Day 3
Queenstown Day at leisure
Your hotel concierge can assist you with information and reservations for the huge number of things to see and do.
Accommodation in Queenstown
Day 4
Queenstown - Franz Josef Glacier
We follow the Kawerau Gorge Road to Cromwell, continuing onto the popular Lake Wanaka, the starting point of the mighty Clutha River. From here we travel past Lake Hawea before following the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makaroa and traversing the rugged Haast Pass into the Westland National Park. Arriving at Haast, you are surrounded by a landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This wilderness forms part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest and mountain scenery and natural resources in the world.On arrival there is time for a scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). Accommodation in Franz Josef
Day 5
Franz Josef Glacier
Come and explore the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, where you'll find the ancient Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glaciers nestled amidst primeval rainforest. Here the lakes, rivers, forests and beaches of an untamed, yet accessible wilderness, are as pure as you will find anywhere.
Why not try a scenic flight which encompasses the two famous glaciers and many more besides. These frozen rivers of ice can travel up to 3 metres per day down the mountain valleys OR perhaps a heli-hike on the glacier after an exciting scenic flight, you land high up on the glacier and undertake a two hour guided hike amongst some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacier scenery available...Or try
The Hukawai Glacier Centre Indoor Ice Climbing Wall is 200 square metres of fun and challenge. One of the five largest in the world, it’s the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.Created to be as similar to glacial ice as possible, the 10 metre high wall has 20 climbing routes ranging from easy-angle slabs through to a challenging overhang, with an array of angles, corners, bulges and cracks to give the best and most natural indoor ice climbing experience possible.
Day 6
Franz Josef Glacier - Greymouth - Christchurch
Today your tour continues along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, the centre for thousands of miners during the historic gold strikes of the 1860s. You have the option at Greymouth to board the world-famous Tranz Alpine Train (one of the top six train journeys in the world) or continue over the Southern Alps, travelling via Arthur's Pass and onto Christchurch where your tour concludes.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• 5 nights accommodation
• Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
• Milford Sound Day Excursion including Nature Cruise
• West Coast - Franz Josef Glacier
DAY 6 TRANZ ALPINE TRAIN OPTIONAL
COST OF THIS OPTIONAL IS nz$100, PLEASE ADVISE US AT THE TIME OF BOOKING
The Tranz Alpine scenic train journey travels between Greymouth and Christchurch, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. Your train then climbs through lush beech rain forest from the West Coast town of Greymouth into the Southern Alps through the Otria Tunnel to Arthur’s Pass before descending through the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, followed by the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland,
All carriages include both one way seating and tabled group seating allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board. An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. There’s a lot to look forward to!
Our train journey sets off from Greymouth - The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes approx four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.
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