SOUTHERN NATURE TOUR
Includes Stewart Island &
Overnight on Doubtful Sounds
A 10 Day Nature tour. This tour covers the Southern part of the South Island and visits Stewart Island, it includes; Return Ferry crossing Bluff –Village and Bays Tour, Underwater Explorer Cruise, Paterson Inlet Cruise all on Stewart Island. Te Anau Glow Worm Caves visit, Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise, & Franz Josef Glacier Eco tour
TOUR COST nz$2295 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN
TOUR COST nz$2995 SINGLE
TOUR CODE SINT9
DAILY DEPARTURES From 1st Nov 2009 - 30th March 2010
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 for one night
Day 2
Queenstown – Stewart Island
This morning we departure Queenstown for Invercargill and then on to Bluff, home of the famous Bluff oysters, boarding the ferry it is just a short 1 hour journey across Foveaux Strait. Stewart Island is New Zealand’s ultimate eco-tourism destination. Its densely forested hills and untouched coastline of rocky outcrops and creamy golden sand beaches make it a haven for native marine and bird life. Vivid dawn and twilight hues give rise to the island’s Maori name, Rakiura – land of the glowing skies. Cruise between Bluff and Stewart Island in comfort and style on board modern catamarans. This afternoon we explore Oban Township and the surrounding bays in our modern mini-buses. Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community, and learn about the history and environment of this beautiful island. Stewart Islanders are proud of their home - enjoying its simpler, slower pace. Accommodation on Stewart Island for two nights
Day 3
Stewart Island
This morning time to take one of the local bush walks, this afternoon we have a leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet viewing hidden coves and unspoilt beaches, plus the historic whaler’s base at Prices Inlet. Our skipper and nature guide provide detailed commentary throughout the cruise and are happy to answer any questions. At Ulva Island - a renowned wildlife sanctuary we disembark for a 45-minute guided walk with a specialist nature guide. View rare plants and the abundant bird life during your guided walk. Then relax on board our modern catamaran for the remainder of the cruise around Paterson Inlet and back to base.
Day 4
Stewart Island – Te Anau
This morning we depart Stewart Island and travel to Te Anau gateway to Fiordland National Park. The attractive town of Te Anau lies nestled on the edge of this beautiful lake, with a spectacular backdrop of Mt Luxmore and the Murchison mountains. Time to check into your hotel then it’s off to the glow worm caves.
Have you ever seen limestone passages sculpted by water up close? Have you drifted in silent darkness beneath the luminous blue-green shimmer of thousands of glow-worms? A visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys on the isolated western shores of Lake Te Anau is a must-see. Located on the isolated western shores of Lake Te Anau, these caves were lost in legend for many years. Their ancient Maori name ‘Te Ana-au’ means ‘caves with a current of swirling water’ and it was this that led to their rediscovery in 1948. After three years searching, explorer Lawson Burrows discovered a stream emerging from under a rock structure. He squeezed underwater through the entrance and surfaced into a cavern shimmering with thousands of glow-worms.Today we know that these magical caves are the lower section of a much larger cave system which extends deep under Fiordland National Park.
Accommodation in Te Anau for one night
Day 5
Te Anau - Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise
Doubtful Sound located in a World Heritage Area, is an overwhelming place. You can feel the power of nature here - the remoteness, the wildness and the peace. Known for its wilderness and wildlife, Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park and it is three times longer and 10 times larger than Milford Sound.
Following a short cruise across island-studded Lake Manapouri and a coach trip on the remote sub-alpine route over Wilmot Pass you will board the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove.
There is plenty of time on your overnight cruise to soak up the stunning surrounds and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound – Hall, Crooked and First. Bottlenose dolphins are often encountered, fur seals bask on the rocks and, at times, rare penguins make an appearance. We anchor at a chosen mooring for the night giving you the opportunity to kayak around the shoreline, go exploring in the tender craft with our nature guide or simply relax on deck. A sumptuous three-course buffet is served in the evening showcasing some of the region’s finest produce.
The Fiordland Navigator is purpose built for cruising in the fiords and offers spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining saloon/fully licensed bar and observation lounge. You have the choice of private cabins with en-suite bathrooms or shared bunk-style accommodation. Tour cost is based on a quad shared bunk style accommodation. Cost to upgrade to a private cabin nz$245 per person
Day 6
Doubtful Sounds – Queenstown
Late morning we travel back to Queenstown
Accommodation in Queenstown for two nights
Day 7
Queenstown Day at leisure
Your hotel concierge can assist you with information and reservations for the huge number of things to see and do.
Day 8
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 for two nights
Day 9
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.
This morning you have a Glacier Eco Tour, this tour starts with a short drive to the glacier car park. Enjoy walking through regenerating forest for your first glimpse of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Your experienced guide will take you past the public barriers and safely up to the terminal face of the glacier. Your guide will keep you captivated with an amazing interpretation of glaciation, geology and the natural history of this incredibly dynamic environment. This is an easy to moderate walk. Great photo opportunities are everywhere. Balance of the free.
Day 10
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:
· 9 Nights accommodation
· All transport
· Return Ferry crossing Bluff – Stewart Island
· Village and Bays Tour on Stewart Island
· Paterson Inlet Cruise on Stewart Island
· Te Anau Glow-worn Caves
· Glacier Eco Tour
· Overnight Doubtful Sounds Cruise (based on quad shared cabin)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING LINK, AS IT WILL EXPLAIN ALL ABOUT BUDGET TOURS http://www.tourandtravel.co.nz/tour.aspx?tourid=1171
DAY 10 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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