Trip Type: Group Coach Tour
Tour Duration: Thirteen Days
Start From: Christchurch
End At: Christchurch
Tour price per person:
NZ$4050
Single Room Supplement NZ$1410
Hollyford Track Walk add NZ$1580
Hollyford Single Supplement add NZ$1175
Included: Coach travel, airport transfers, accommodation (3 star hotels), dining inclusion - 11 breakfast, 8 dinners and some activities where specified in the itinerary such as:
TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef Glacier, Cruise to Stevensons Island & Jet Boat Ride, Visit Arrowtown, Skyline Gondola & Dinner, Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise, Scottish Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, Historic Olveston House, Moeraki Boulders, Tasman Glacier Experience and Church of the Good Shepherd.
Not Included: Expenses of a personal nature such as beverages, travel insurance, laundry, optional sightseeing, lunches and morning or afternoon teas are not included in the tour cost.
| Optional Extras Per Person | |
| Hollyford Track Guided Walk Please note the Hollyford Walk is not available on all departure dates. It is only avaiable on tours marked * under tour dates |
- Itinerary
- Departure Dates
- Terms and Conditions
Welceom to New Zealand! You will be met at Christchurch Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Dinner is at your own arrangements this evening.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 – Christchurch/Greymouth
Join the Tranz Alpine train this morning which departs at 8.15am, crossing the broad Canterbury Plains then following the Waimakariri River to Arthurs Pass. Through the snowcapped Southern Alps to Otira, descending past Lake Brunner and through rainforest to Greymouth. On arrival you are transferred to Hotel Ashley with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Ashley (1 night)
Hugging the coastline of the West Coast, as you come closer your view will be dominated by the towering Southern Alps, highlighting your journey to Franz Josef.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef (1 night)
Follow the rugged coastline then inland across the Alps and the Haast Pass to the impressive bushlands of the Aspiring National Park. At Wanaka a choice of two afternoon activities. Either a launch cruise across the lake to Stevensons Island, a nature reserve, for a bush walk followed by refreshments. Look for the native Buff Weka, a small, flightless bird whose curiosity is likely to attract them close to you. Alternatively a very picturesque walk along a track beside the Clutha River as it flows from Lake Wanaka to a picnic spot. Enjoy light refreshments and a thrilling jet boat excursion on the river tailored to suit – full on exciting, leisurely scenic cruising or somewhere in between.
Accommodation: Grand Mecure Oakridge Resort (1 night)
Day 5 – Wanaka/Queenstown
Drive through a picturesque region that has a fascinating history of early settlement and goldmining, for a late morning arrival into the ever-popular resort of Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the spectacular Skyline Restaurant. (entire group).
You have 2 choices for the next three days and we enthusiastically recommend the Hollyford Track Guided Walk:
The Hollyford Track Guided Walk
Today enjoy the sights, sounds and activities of Queenstown before attending a pre walk briefing.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (1 night)
By coach to the beginning of the Hollyford Track, follow ancient Maori footsteps through beech forests, past impressive waterfalls to reach Pyke Lodge. Walking 17km.
See the beautiful reflections on Lake Alabaster before crossing Fiordlands longest swing bridge to board your jetboat along the Hollyford River and onto Lake McKerrow to reach Martins Bay. Walking 12km.
This morning explore Martins Bay Spit, a famous landmark seperating the Hollyford Valley and powerful Tasman Sea. Learn about the diversity of this truly remote area before taking an afternoon scenic flight into Milford Sound to rejoin your tour group for the Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise.
Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise – an undoubted highlight. (1 night)
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (3 nights)
Follow the lake to Kingston, across fertile farmlands to Fiordland. Visit moody Lake Manapouri then Lake Te Anau. Follow the Eglinton Valley, native forests, lakes, waterfalls and towering mountains. At The Divide collect the Greenstone Trek group and travel through the Hollyford Valley and Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound.
Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise – an undoubted highlight. (1 night)
Wake to the sounds of silence in a pristine world. Rugged and remote mountains change to lush green countryside, which in turn gives way to rolling hills as you approach Dunedin, the “Edinburgh of the South”. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (2 nights)
A day to enjoy at your leisure with a multitude of optional activities available. A Monarch Wildlife Cruise, Natures Wonders Tour (both featuring penguins, seals and birdlife), the Taieri Gorge Railway, a Citibus Newtons Tour, fascinating Larnach Castle or Tour the Cadbury Factory or Speights Brewery. Have fun!
Visit Olveston, Dunedin’s majestic historic home with its original furnishings. See bush clad hillsides, tidal estuaries and a rocky coastline, view the unusual Moeraki Boulders then explore Oamaru. Follow the Waitaki Valley, passing several hydro lakes until you reach Mt Cook National Park & Village. This afternoon visit the Tasman Glacier where you will be amazed by the floating ivebergs in the hearby lake.
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (1 night)
Visiting Lake Tekapo, view the Church of the Good Shephard and Collie Dog memorial. Continuing onto Burkes Pass to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch for a brieft city and surrounds tour.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 13 – Christchurch/Home
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. A Christchurch airport transfer is included in the tour cost if required.
For the group tours advertised on our web site, we use a very reputable New Zealand travel company known as Kirra Holidays. They have been proudly showing overseas visitors New Zealand's many scenic and cultural delights for over 40 years.
General Information about Kirra Tours:
Each tour has a Coach Captain that acts as both driver and guide. He will share with you his in-depth knowledge of New Zealand, its history, culture and lots of special anecdotes. He will also advise on optional activities and where to find a shopping bargain.
Included in the tariff is a travel kit which includes a strong travel bag, a distinctive ticket wallet containing your itinerary, hotel list, baggage labels, all necessary vouchers, maps and sightseeing information. Your travel kit will be presented to you at the beginning of your tour in New Zealand.
Kirra carry a minimum of 15, and a maximum of 48 on any one tour, using 3-3.5 star hotels.
All prices advertised are in New Zealand dollars and GST inclusive.
Single Travellers:
If travelling alone on a group tour you have the choice of paying the twin share rate and then Kirra with link you up with another single traveller (of the same sex), or pay the single supplement to guarantee yourself a single room.
Cancellation fee’s:
• After the booking has been confirmed, and up until 45 days prior a fee of NZ$150 per person will apply.
• Between 44-21 dyas prior to your travel departure date, 20% of the total price will apply.
• Between 20 and 11 days of your travel departure date, 50% of the total price will apply.
• Within 10 days of your travel departure date 100% of the total price will apply.
Pacific Travel reserves the right to alter fares, amend itineraries or to cancel tours. Pacific Travel shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage or personal effects and/or damage resulting in death or personal injury which may arise whilst on tour with Pacific Travel or its nominated suppliers.