Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 9 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $2355 pp
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9 Day Classic TranzAlpine Touring Route:
Tour Description:
This 9 day coach tour includes the amazing sights of the South Island and the world renowned TranzAlpine train journey, spectacular Mt Cook region, historic Dunedin, Milford Sound, vibrant Queenstown, the magnificent Fiordland and Glaciers and much more.
During the course of the tour you will also have free time in Dunedin, Queenstown and Te Anau to experience some of the unique and regional optional sightseeing activities available.
Tour Highlights:
- 8 Nights Accommodation
- Driver Guide & Luxury Coach Transport
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Breakfasts (8) & Dinners (7)
- Meet & Greet and Airport Transfers
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- Olveston House
- Larnach Castle, Dunedin
- Spectacular Southern Lakes
- Awe inspiring Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
- Remote National Parks of Fiordland
- Dinner at Skyline Restaurant, Queenstown
- West Coast Glaciers
- Visit to a Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- World Famous TranzAlpine Train journey
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Day
1 |
Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand! You will be met with a smile and transferred to your hotel accommodation by a tour representative. En route you will see why Christchurch is aptly named "The Garden City" passing beautiful gardens and the impressive Hagley Park on the way to your hotel. Tonight meet your New Zealand Tour travelling companions at Welcome Drinks hosted by a tour representative. Stay: Pavilions Hotel |
Day
2 |
Christchurch – Mt Cook – Omarama
As you leave the most English city outside of England, your coach captain will highlight the main attractions of the city of Christchurch. From the arable plains travel inland to the rolling green pastures of Geraldine and onto the semi barren land of MacKenzie Country. In the heart of the MacKenzie Basin Tekapo is nestled on shores of azure Lake Tekapo. You will visit The Church of the Good Shepherd, quite likely the most photographed church on your South Island Tour.
There is an opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional). From Tekapo continue on your New Zealand Coach Tour to Mt Cook National Park, home of the majestic Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Here you have an opportunity to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre - a tribute to New Zealand's greatest explorer and world renowned mountaineer. Travel back down the valley along the shores of Lake Pukaki, through Twizel (the town of trees) before arriving at your destination, Omarama, nestled in the velvet type tussock covered hills of the Lindis range. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel |
Day
3 |
Omarama – Dunedin
As your New Zealand holiday continues, follow the beautiful braided Waitaki River east, passing Benmore and Avemore hydro lakes before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Historic Oamaru. En route visit Moeraki Boulders, marvelling at the huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of Koekohe Beach near Moeraki. These boulders are grey-coloured concretions which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mud stone coastal cliffs that back the beach.
An early arrival into Dunedin, "The Edinburgh of the South" allows you plenty of time to explore this nature lover's playground. Take the opportunity to experience at least one of these optional tours - combine a Monarch Harbour Cruise with a Newton's Citibus tour, and see penguins, albatross and seals.
Alternatively take a nostalgic trip on the Taieri Gorge Train, leaving from Dunedin's historic Railway Station. Maybe you would rather visit Cadbury World and Speights brewery, both options filling you one way or the other. Your coach captain will be more than happy to assist with any bookings. This evening prior to dinner, you are treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony complete with the address to the Haggis, bag pipes and a bonnie wee dram. Stay: Cargills Hotel |
Day
4 |
Dunedin – Lake Manapouri – Te Anau
This morning visit the historic Olveston House and feel as though you have stepped back to the early 1900's to experience the opulence of a bygone era. Then it is back to the present as you travel south west over rich fertile farmlands, through the agricultural service towns of Balclutha, Gore, and other small villages.
As you proceed inland past wind turbines and deer farms and across rural farmland, if weather and time permit, visit the mysterious Lake Manapouri, (the Lake of Many Islands), before reaching Lake Te Anau, the Gateway to Fiordland. Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel |
Day
5 |
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Leaving Te Anau, your coach will travel on one of the highest and most scenic state highways in New Zealand through Fiordland National Park, following the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys. Pass through the Homer Tunnel before descending into the Cleddau Canyon and magnificent Milford Sound. Experience Milford Sound, the eighth wonder of the world, from the water as a launch cruise takes you to the Tasman Sea returning via the raging Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. A truly exhilarating experience.
Return through Te Anau to Kingston before hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown. This evening's dinner is up the Skyline Gondola where you dine atop Bob's Peak overlooking Queenstown. Enjoy 220 degree breathtaking panoramic views of The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. Stay: Rydges Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
6 |
Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this stunning alpine resort. Try the world renowned Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon in search of gold, Double Decker coach to quaint Arrowtown, or even a bungy jump. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your coach captain will be more than happy to assist with any optional sightseeing. |
Day
7 |
Queenstown – Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks.
Drive north along the coast through the flourishing rainforests of the West Coast and onto the glorious Glacier region. This is an ideal opportunity for you to experience small town New Zealand in the heart of Westland. The rainforest and surrounding area is so green it will hurt your eyes. (Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face or an optional exhilarating helicopter flight over the glacier).
Both these options are at your own expense and are very weather dependant. Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier |
Day
8 |
Fox Glacier – Greymouth – Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snow capped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish greenstone cut from giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Now join the TranzAlpine Train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests to Otira, snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri River and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Stay: Pavilions Hotel |
Day
9 |
Depart Christchurch
It is farewell to your new found friends and traveling companions. This completes your New Zealand Holiday. You will be transferred to the Christchurch International Airport in ample time to join your flight home. Safe travels. |
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Click on the icon to download the 9 Day Classic TranzAlpine tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $2,355
9 Day Classic TranzAlpine
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9 Day Classic TranzAlpine Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 9 Day Classic TranzAlpine. |
The tour was great but hectic. The best part was the guide. Graham was extreemly knowledgable and went out of his way to point out things and stop in extra places if he had time. You are lucky to have such a great bus driver/guide. We all got very tired with early starts so a rest day or two would be good. On our free day in Queenstown we just splept in and then looked around the town. It was also very tiring for the driver. The Tranz Alpine Train was a disappointment. We had already seen mountains etc and we had done the helicoper flight to the glacier (Highlight of the trip) so in hindsight if I had skipped it, it would have been OK. Overall a good tour.
Robert & Sarina Puggioni (Australia)
Tour Date 02/01/2011 |
Sorry about delay - still trying to get back into UK mode! The tour overall was excellent - we enjoyed it very much. The beauty of the South Island is truly amazing - even exceeded high expectations. The tour guide/driver Trevor was exceptionally good - friendly and informative. Standard of accommodation was good. Fortunate also to have a friendly sociable group of people with us. Would recommend it to others and would book with your company again in future. Many thanks.
Laurence & Sydney May (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 12/12/2010 |
Thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of tour. Hotels great, airport transfers - spot on, coach driver - fantastic, looked after everyone very well, making certain all knew where and when things happened. 22 was a perfect number for the tour. Thanks very much for your input.
Dianne & Paul Crudass (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 21/11/2010 |
Thank you for a great tour of the South Island. The tour was well thought out and planned. Our coach driver Reece was excellent and very informative. Hotels were comfortable and meals very good.
Ross & Kath Bryant (Australia)
Tour Date 03/05/2010 |
An excellent tour taking in the most interesting sights in the South Island with spectacular scenery wherever we travelled. The quality of the tour was greatly enhanced by the Coach Captain (Reece Winter) who had a great knowledge of the geography and the history of all the places visited. The organisation of the tour was first rate and all the hotels were excellent - comfortable and well situated with super accommodation and great food. We would certainly recommend Relaxing Journeys and this tour to anyone visiting New Zealand and hope to make further trips ourselves at some time in the future.
Diane & Peter Merry (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 08/03/2010 |
We had a fantastic holiday the coach driver Trevor was excellent very witty and a very competent driver and historically very knowledgeable. We visited many lovely places even though the weather was quite cold and changeable. The organisation when arriving at hotels and the sorting of luggage arriving at our bedroom door very promptly each day was fantastic. We had a great group of people and had some laughs along the way, we certainly would go on another coach holiday in the future, and would not hesitate to recommend your company.
Brian & Linda Cognet (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 11/01/2010 |
It all went well! The planning of the overall tour is all well organized. The tour captain was excellent, very caring and conscientious in every aspect of his work. The group members were excellent too. They were friendly, we had lots of laughters and we got on really well. The sceneries/mountain ranges were just spectacular!! Hard to pin point any special highlights as the views were just awesome and people are lovely.
Ying Chong (Australia)
Tour Date 02/11/2009 |
It all went well! The planning of the overall tour is all well organized. The tour captain was excellent, very caring and conscientious in every aspect of his work. The group members were excellent too. They were friendly, we had lots of laughters and we got on really well. The sceneries/mountain ranges were just spectacular!! Hard to pin point any special highlights as the views were just awesome and people are lovely.
Ying Chong (Australia)
Tour Date 30/10/2009 |
My parents said the tour was excellent and they had a lovely time. Excellent hospitality. Coach captain was very good and took good care of them. All the hotels were really good. Overall, they gave me a rating of 9 on 10 for this tour. Thank you very much for all your effort.
Nayan & Kalpana Merchant (Australia)
Tour Date 26/10/2009 |
We both enjoyed the entire trip. The organization, the accommodations, the services, the food and the selection of sites are awesome. The coach manager( the driver John enhanced our enjoyment by his sweet personality, fund of information, humor and consideration. The fellow tourists are great. we will not only choose your company for next tour for New Zealand but also strongly recommend to our friends. We also wish to mention that we have travelled most part of World and found South Island one of the most picturesque places. Thank you very much.
Jebavathy & Edward Martin (Australia)
Tour Date 07/09/2009 |
The tour more than fulfilled our expectations. From the moment we were met at Christchurch airport and conveyed tour hotel, everything went like clockwork. The accommodation throughout was very good and the meals were excellent. Our driver, Trevor, was absolutely first class, a mine of information, and nothing seemed too much trouble for him. It would be difficult to pick out highlights - perhaps the stay in Queenstown and the Skyline Restaurant and the drive to Milford Sound were most memorable. The only disappointment was the Cadbury visit. Joining a tour with a load of strangers can be awkward, but we all seemed to get on well together which helped make the tour such a great experience. Thank you for providing us with a trip of a lifetime and for the most efficient organisation behind the tour and the personal help you gave us.
Rev Tom & Mrs Jean White (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 02/09/2009 |
I want to thank Relaxing Journeys & Kirra Tours for making our first anniversary trip with my partner such a splendid experience. Georgina was incredibly helpful in assisting me to make the bookings and gave as much information as possible from my first query all the way up to the final trip confirmation. Although it was winter , the tour was marvellous as we had everything planned out so thoroughly and a real warm welcome when we first arrived at Christchurch. The airport transfer was smooth and timely. From day 1 until the day 7 in the South Island, it was magnificent sceneries all the way, despite the rain towards the end of our trip. We prayed for good weather, and we had blue skies for most of the days. From snow capped mountains, glorious lakes, waterfalls, fiords to watching the sunset at the hilltop, gondola rides, the yellow eyed penguins and stunning albatrosses, it was breathtaking and perfect place for photography. John, our tour cum coach guide had great stories and very informative commentaries during our coach ride throughout. He had us in stitches with his anecdotes and witty jokes every now and then. The tour would certainly not be complete with John's company. The food provided, both breakfast and dinner was scrumptious, the accommodation was simple and cosy. We have nothing but only great comments of overall hospitality of the people we met during the tour as well as the organisers. Again, thank you Relaxing Journeys for providing us with this memorable experience, myself and my partner would be coming back to New Zealand again and looking forward to exploring the North Island hopefully next year.
Teresa Choong (Malaysia)
Tour Date 10/08/2009 |
My wife and I arrived in Christchurch late in the evening of 8/8/09 and were met and escorted to our motel. The driver was friendly and informative which set the tone for the entire holiday. The Pavilions Motel was excellent and the staff friendly and helpful. The bus driver (John) was a real gentleman with a wealth of local knowledge and driving experience. He made everyone feel welcome and was always available for questions or additional information. We travelled a lot of kilometres and always felt safe in John's hands. The scenery was spectacular and John's commentary exceptional. The only criticism I could offer would be the limited 'free' time available. The day stopover in Queenstown broke the travelling and a second break would have been welcomed, just to break the trip a bit. Overall the holiday was well worth the money and I would highly recommend it to anyone contemplating visiting New Zealand. Relaxing Journeys took all the hassle out of travelling and I would highly recommend them. New Zealand is a wonderful country with spectacular scenery, friendly people and fine food.
Graeme & Louise Black (Australia)
Tour Date 10/08/2009 |
We had a great time - John O'Donoghue is worth his weight in gold. His knowledge of the country and how he shared it with the group was very entertaining. The only downside was that there was no hot water at the Bo motel where we stayed prior to driving to Milford Sound. Otherwise the accommodation and food was quite good throughout the journey. We were fortunate with the weather and road conditions. The only sight we missed out on seeing was the glaciers due to the weather. Apart from that the scenery was magnificent. Thanks
Lance & Lorraine Calvert (Australia)
Tour Date 10/08/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Hot Seat Deals! Unbeatable Savings Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 03 Feb 2012 |
11 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $2615 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2485 |
| 12 Feb 2012 |
20 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $2615 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2485 |
| 19 Feb 2012 |
27 Feb 2012 |
|
NZ $2615 |
Save $50 |
NZ $2565 |
| 02 Mar 2012 |
10 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $2615 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2485 |
| 18 Mar 2012 |
26 Mar 2012 |
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NZ $2615 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2485 |
| 08 Apr 2012 |
16 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $2615 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2485 |
| 15 Apr 2012 |
23 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $2515 |
Save $130 |
NZ $2385 |
| 06 May 2012 |
14 May 2012 |
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NZ $2515 |
Save $160 |
NZ $2355 |
| 05 Aug 2012 |
13 Aug 2012 |
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NZ $2515 |
Save $50 |
NZ $2465 |
| 16 Sep 2012 |
24 Sep 2012 |
G |
NZ $2515 |
Save $50 |
NZ $2465 |
| 30 Sep 2012 |
08 Oct 2012 |
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NZ $2515 |
Save $50 |
NZ $2465 |
Note: Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart. The majority of departures above will proceed. We will confirm the status of your preferred departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
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Tour Options & Single Supplement:
Optional extras & single traveller supplement. |
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| Single Room Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $670 |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
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