| Itinerary |
DAY 1 and DAY 2
LAX or SFO / CHRISTCHURCH |
Don’t forget that you have crossed the International
Date Line and have lost a day during your 13-hour flying time (est) to Christchurch.
Greeted at the airport by our reps, who will answer your questions, counsel
about your trip and transfer you to your hotel.
Afternoon is free to explore the Garden City. New Zealand was a British colony and Christchurch prides itself for its British heritage and appearance. Your hotel is in the heart of Cathedral Square, which is ideal for exploring the city. Optional sightseeing tour features some of the parks and gardens for which Christchurch is so well known. Visit Mona Vale Gardens, Hagley Park, the Avon River, the Cathedral, Town Hall, Canterbury Arts Center and the International Antarctic Center. Free evening to explore the restaurants and cafes of Christchurch. (Meals Aloft)
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DAY 3
CHRISTCHURCH / FRANZ JOSEF
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Board the TranzAlpine for a fabulous train ride through the Southern Alps. Pick up your rental car in Greymouth and continue your journey through the town of Hokitika, well known for its greenstone (jade) studios where jewelry and ornaments of both modern and traditional design are crafted. Continue on the South Islands scenic coastal roads and mountain highways to Franz Josef village. On arrival visit the glacier, a huge river of snow and ice flowing from vast snowfields high in the Alps to almost sea level. (B)
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| DAY 4
FRANZ JOSEF / WANAKA |
| Your drive today is through unbelievably beautiful country including magnificent rainforests, Haast Pass, and breathtaking views of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Descend past glacial Lake Hawea to the eastern shore of Lake Wanaka and the village of Wanaka, which is one of the most beautiful of the South Island's glacial lakes and is a popular year-round vacation spot. (B) |
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DAY 5
WANAKA / QUEENSTOWN |
Morning free to explore Wanaka. There are opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities, suggest a visit to the Warbird's Museum to see vintage fighter aircraft, or a visit to Puzzle World. In the afternoon a short drive to Queenstown through Central Otago sheep and fruit growing country. Or, a slightly longer drive takes you over the Crown Range with several sites that were used in the filming of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. On arrival in Queenstown, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this lovely alpine resort including a visit to quaint Arrowtown and stopping at Kawarau to watch the bungy jumping, with opportunity to have a go at it, if you dare! Dine this evening at the Skyline Restaurant, and enjoy the panoramic views across the lake to the surrounding mountains. Access is by aerial gondola. (BD)
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DAY 6
QUEENSTOWN |
Free day in Queenstown with many optional activities available. It has been said that Queenstown is like Aspen, Colorado but not yet discovered by the world. The route from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful drives on earth and you should see it if at all possible. There is excellent golfing, trout fishing, bushwalking, and adventure activities, such as river rafting, and parapenting. Our clients invariably wish they had more time in the Queenstown area. (B)
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DAY 7
MILFORD SOUND - DAY EXCURSION |
If the skies are clear, neither words nor pictures can prepare you for what you will see travelling around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. The scenery is stunning with high mountains and deep valleys carved out by ice age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. Cruise down Milford Sound past Mitre Peak to the open sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen and Milford Sound reminds us of the fjords of Norway except the mountains here are taller. A buffet lunch is served aboard. Return to Queenstown late afternoon. (BL)
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DAY 8
QUEENSTOWN / CHRISTCHURCH / LAX or SFO |
Transfer to the airport for your return
flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)
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| All rights resetrved: NZ Tour & Travel, and Travel Plans International --- Updated: 6/13/2006 |
