New Zealand South Island Highlights

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch

  Welcome to Christchurch!

  Today is yours to explore the city's heart independently before checking into your accommodation in the afternoon.

  You may like to visit the Christchurch Art Gallery with stunning collections of modern arts in a landmark building featuring flowing glass, or head to the New Regent's Street for ice cream and there you will find vintage buildings painted in pastel colors.

  Get a good rest tonight ready for tomorrow's adventure where you'll meet your Tour Manager and group for breakfast.

  • Christchurch

• Day 2: Christchurch - Ohau, Christchurch Downtown Sightseeing & Stopover at Lake Tekapo

  Meet your tour manager this morning on the continental breakfast for the overall briefing of this tour. Then, it's time to explore the iconic downtown Christchurch. Your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing earthquake here. The Transitional Cathedral, built with cardboard, is totally inspirational.

  Later on, head to Ohau with a photography stopover at Lake Tekapo. Do ready your camera! With the Southern Alps as the backdrop and the unadorned Church of the Good Shepherd as a stroke of genius, here is the wedding shots destination for many couples from all over the world. Nearby the lake, we can also stop at Mt. John Lookout to take more beautiful pictures.

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  • Lake Ohau

• Day 3: Ohau - Queenstown, Stopover at Kawarau Gorge

  From Lake Ohau to Queenstown, the 3.5 hours or so journey seems in a postcard, with the golden tussock lands of Mackenzie country and the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps feasting your eyes and soul. There will be a lot of stops on the way to give your camera enough workouts, including a stop at the picturesque Kawarau Gorge where you can also try the bungee jump or watch other jumpers scream their way into the gorge.

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  • Queenstown

• Day 4: Queenstown

  Whether you want some adrenal adventures, or light outdoor activities suitable for all ages, or just a leisurely vacation with impressive wines, foods, and sceneries, Queenstown has something for you.

  A nature cruise in the Milford Sound, a wilderness cruise on the Doubtful Sound, a jet boat ride on the Shotover River, a horse trekking or a 4WD tour through the Lord of the Rings scenery, kayaking on the Dart River, a skyline gondola tour… so many options to choose from!

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  • Queenstown

• Day 5: Queenstown - Wanaka, Stopover at Arrowtown

  With the morning in Queenstown to do what you reluctantly gave up yesterday due to the limited time.

  This afternoon, on the way from Queenstown to Wanaka, after around 25 minutes, we will stop at the Arrowtown, a gold rush village that remains heaps of old-world characters.

  About 50 km northeast of Arrowtown is Wanaka, a popular resort town blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake. After arrival, check into the accommodation and relax.

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  • Wanaka

• Day 6: Wanaka, Electronic-bike Experience & Glamping with BBQ Dinner

  Included this morning is a scenic electronic bike experience for you to glance at the beauty of Wanaka.

  The afternoon is up to your choice. With a picture-perfect location and easy access to Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka is an ideal base for outdoor adventures. There are so many options to choose from: skydiving, canyoning, hiking, biking, mountaineering, etc.

  We mix things up tonight by spending the night glamping! Think fancy yurts with comfortable beds and a BBQ dinner in the great outdoors right on your doorstep. The views are sublime!

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  • Wanaka

• Day 7: Wanaka - Franz Josef

  Proceed with the journey to Franz Josef after a relaxing morning in Wanaka.

  Along the way, from azure lakes to cascading waterfalls and classic coastal views, you may worry about missing some beautiful scenery in a blink. En route, there will be some epic surprise photo stops or short walks. The guide will keep an eye on the weather and pick the best option.

  Between September and December, there is also a chance to enjoy a local treat - fried whitebait with eggs served on toast.

  Around late afternoon or early evening, we will arrive at the small town of Franz Josef, which is just 5 km from the spectacular glacier with the same name.

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  • Franz Josef Glacier

• Day 8: Franz Josef, Visit to a Pounamu Gallery

  The glaciers of Franz Josef, with New Zealand's highest mountain - Mount Cook at an altitude of 3,724 meters - as the backdrop, is one of the most beautiful settings you can find in New Zealand.

  There are many ways to enjoy the glaciers. If weather permits, you can take a scenic helicopter to get onto the bluest ice and then hike a little further on the glaciers. Or you may prefer kayaking on a glacial lake, quad biking, or horse riding. All is up to your choice.

  To Maori, pounamu (greenstone) is an extremely precious treasure. The place where abundant New Zealand greenstone (pounamu) is found is named "Te Wahi Pounamu". What is included today is a visit to a pounamu gallery where everyone has the opportunity to carve a pounamu pendant for himself/herself.

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  • Franz Josef Glacier

• Day 9: Franz Josef - Christchurch, Greenstone Factory & TranzAlpine Train

  After breakfast, we will embark on a new spectacular drive along the beautiful west coast and stop at Hokitika, where a visit to a greenstone factory is included for you to stock up on souvenirs for your friends and family back home. If time permits, you will also visit the National Kiwi Center to see rare kiwi birds in their nocturnal house.

  On the way back to Christchurch, we will traverse the South Island on the stunning TranzAlpine train crossing. Traveling across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass, it is considered one of the world's most scenic train journeys. Along the way, you will see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, and see miles of native beech forest.

  Arrive in Christchurch around 6:30 pm and then be transferred to your hotel.

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  • Christchurch

• Day 10: Christchurch - Departure

  Before you know it, your New Zealand tour comes to the end.

  After exchanging photos and stories over breakfast, you will have to say goodbye to each other and part your ways.

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