7 Day Alpine Grandeur
A tour of the lower part of the South Island, beginning and finishing in Christchurch. See the enchanting Mount Cook, amongst the Southern Alps. Experience some traditional Scottish culture in Dunedin, and relax on the serene Earnslaw Cruise. All in seven days. 
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Tour Duration: 7 Days
Tour Type: Group coach tour
Tour price per person:
01 Feb 10 - 30 Apr 10 NZ$1990
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10 NZ$1935***
Optional extras (per person) valid for travel 01 Feb - 30 Apr 10 |
|
| Breakfast (6) Supplement | NZ$115 |
| Dinner (5) Supplement | NZ$165 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$450 |
Optional extras (per person) valid for travel 01 May - 30 Sep 10 |
|
| Breakfast (8) Supplement | NZ$160 |
| Dinner (6) Supplement | NZ$205 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$630 |
*** Please note that from 01 May 2010 the tour cost will include 1 night pre and 1 night post tour accommodation in Christchurch along with airport transfers ***
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ITINERARY
Day 1 – Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. 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. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). 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.
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. 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. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). 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.
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 – 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. Enjoy the historic and scenic 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.
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. Enjoy the historic and scenic 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.
Accommodation: Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 3 – Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, 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.
Accommodation: Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights)
Visit historic Olveston House, 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.
Accommodation: Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights)
Day 4 – Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and shows such highlights as the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your surroundings. Walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause at the Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Lower Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau.
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and shows such highlights as the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your surroundings. Walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause at the Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Lower Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau.
Day 5 – Te Anau/Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow-worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6 – Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at 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.
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at 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/Christchurch
Farewell your fellow travellers this morning and journey by scheduled public coach back to Christchurch today, through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and alongside the gold bearing Clutha River. Traverse the Lindis Pass to Omarama, Twizel and Tekapo to reach Christchurch late in the afternoon where your tour concludes on arrival.
Extend your stay in Queenstown: This can be arranged when making your reservations.
Farewell your fellow travellers this morning and journey by scheduled public coach back to Christchurch today, through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and alongside the gold bearing Clutha River. Traverse the Lindis Pass to Omarama, Twizel and Tekapo to reach Christchurch late in the afternoon where your tour concludes on arrival.
Extend your stay in Queenstown: This can be arranged when making your reservations.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sightseeing tours of cities and resorts
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Massive man-made Hydro Electric schemes
- Charming Dunedin
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- The might of Milford Sound
- Fiordland National Park
- Spectacular Southern Lakes Region
- Te Anau glow-worm caves
- Picturesque Queenstown
- Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic Homestead
- Olveston House
- Milford Sound Launch Cruise