Tour Type: Independent Coach Tour
Duration: 7 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $1639 pp
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7 Day Glacierland Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Christchurch - Glaciers
Board the renowned TranzAlpine Train and cross the Canterbury Plains to the mountains. Arthur’s Pass and the lengthy Otira tunnel lead you to the West Coast. Join your coach in Greymouth and travel via the jade carvers of Hokitika to the glacier region. Stay two nights at the Fox or Franz Josef Glacier.
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Day
2 |
At Fox or Franz Josef Glacier
Today you have a whole day at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional guided walk on the glacier, a heli-hike or or a scenic flight, or an unguided walk to the terminal face. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers both extend 12 kms from the high snow fields of the Southern Alps. The terminal face of the Franz Josef glacier is just 5 kms from the Franz Josef township and at Fox an easy walk from the village to the terminal face. |
Day
3 |
Glaciers - Queenstown
Dense rainforest contrasts with rugged coastal vistas as you plunge deeper into South Westland. As the Haast River guides you inland through the Haast Pass. Cross the pass to reach the southern lakes district and the alpine playground of Queenstown, stay in Queenstown for two nights.
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Day
4 |
At Queenstown
Today is completely at your leisure to enjoy the many sights of this alpine resort situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown offers something for everyone - you can enjoy the quiet beauty and tranquility of this mountain retreat and enjoy several walking trails in the town area. For sheer excitement there is white-water rafting, helicopter rides, the famous jet boats, bungy jumping to pump your adrenalin, and offroad 4WD tours with plenty of river crossings. There are cruises on the lake and a visit to a high country sheep station, and wine tasting tours. You can visit nearby Arrowtown where the main street has been preserved since the 1860's gold rush days and you can try your luck and pan for gold in the adjacent Shotover River. We have included the Skyline Gondola ride in your tour package. |
Day
5 |
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
An early start takes you alongside the lake to Kingston, then on to Mossburn and Lake Te Anau. Travel through the Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau Chasm. A cruise on Milford Sound beneath lofty Mitre Peak, waterfalls and out to the mouth of the tasman Sea is included. Then you climb out of Milford Sound to return to Te Anau for one night.
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Day
6 |
Te Anau - Dunedin
This morning cross the Waimea Plains towards the farming community of Gore, then continue across the rolling hill country of Southland and South Otago to Dunedin. Second largest city in the South Island, the cityscape glitters with gems of Victorian and Edwardian architecture - the legacy of the city's gold-rush affluence - First Church, Otago Boys High School and Larnach Castle. Other prominent buildings include Olveston and Dunedin Railway Station. Dunedin is also notable now as centre for ecotourism. Uniquely, the world's only mainland Royal Albatross colony and several penguin and seal colonies lie within the city boundaries on Otago Peninsula. Arrive in early afternoon with time for optional sightseeing of the wildlife of the Otago Peninsula. Overnight in Dunedin.
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Day
7 |
Dunedin - Christchurch
Leave Dunedin and follow the coast to the white stone buildings of Oamaru and Timaru. Cross the manicured patchwork of the Canterbury Plains to arrive in Christchurch at approximately 6:.40 pm. Please note there is no commentary on this leg of the journey. |
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from NZ $1,639
7 Day Glacierland
11
4.5
5
7 Day Glacierland Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 7 Day Glacierland. |
We saw so much in such short time - great way to make the best out of it. Of course needed to get up early each morning, which we usually don't do on holiday, but that was part of the plan. Especially enjoyed the hiking trips on Routeburn and Milford track which we added to the package. Fjordland is very beautiful! Most impresssive was our heli flight up to the glacier, which we luckily did spontanously on the free day at Fox Glacier.
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Value For Money
Accommodaton
Tour Pace
Our Service
Frank & Baerbel Becker (Singapore)
Tour Date 19/01/2012 |
We'd just like to say thank you to Toni and everyone else for organizing a great holiday for us. We saw so many beautiful places and enjoyed travelling the independent way using the intercity buses. The shuttle services arrived promptly whenever needed. The train trips were simply amazing. The commentary was great along the way and people (drivers, motel staff) were very helpful and friendly, with good natured ribbing about being Aussies. We had a great mix of activity and relaxation. Every day was an exciting adventure. Everything went off without a hitch. We'd definitely travel this way again and recommend it to others.
Alison, Gerard & Tegan Bates (Australia)
Tour Date 19/11/2011 |
The tour was absolutely fantastic! The accommodations booked were comfortable and unique with character, locations were centralized and convenient within each city near restaurants, bars, supermarkets & even a little shopping. Especially our hotel in Queenstown, our room had an awesome view of the remarkables and lake. We really appreciated that the itinerary was relaxed and the bus guides were warm, entertaining, informative and helpful. We loved that they routed the journey along scenic views. We kept thinking postcard pictures!! Trying to fit the view into our cameras. Despite the need to constantly be on the road to travel from city to city, everything was organized flawlessly ensuring that our days were maximized, hotels were expecting us and transfers from airport/ bus depot to hotel and back was smooth and punctual. We felt so comfortable traveling independently even though it was our first time to New Zealand. Thank you for sharing beautiful New Zealand with us!
Melanie, Melina & Marianna Khong (Singapore)
Tour Date 04/08/2011 |
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the high spots of the South Island with Relaxing Journeys and would highly recommend them. The pre tour service is excellent and the hotels are of a good standard.
Kim & David Rodford (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 23/03/2011 |
Thank you for the personalized vacation! It was fantastic and we so enjoyed learning, seeing and exploring your beautiful country. The people were so friendly, helpful and informative. Thanks for making our holiday memorable.
Elizabeth & John Model (Canada)
Tour Date 07/03/2011 |
The trip was wonderful. I thank you for planning such a great trip, the hotels, bus tours and excursions were perfect. We enjoyed every minute of the trip. I will definitely recommend you to any one thinking of going to New Zealand. We arrived home yesterday, we traveled the North Island with our friends had a great time, but I think we would have seen more if we would have had you plan the North Island for us also. That is how highly I recommend you. The trip to Queenstown, may I suggest that you have your clients include the buffet at the top of the gondola ride, we took the ride at 5:00 p.m saw the show at 5:15 had the buffet at 6:00 ( which was excellent by the way) the buffet sounded expensive but it was very good well worth the money. Again, thank you for planning the trip of a life time for us.
Christine & Gerald Craven (United States)
Tour Date 22/02/2010 |
Thank you for arranging our tour. Everything went smoothly, all shuttles , buses and accomodation were excellent. We were especially impressed with Dion, the coach driver and guide who took us to see wonderful Milford Sound. Thank you and we hope to return, with more of our family.
Pam & Graham Fraser (Australia)
Tour Date 19/12/2009 |
To start the train trip over the alps from Christchurch to Greymouth was excellent-- Bus services and drivers also good. Hotels a little up and down, some very good some ok!. The idea on an independent holiday to have an extra day at every overnight stop was the very bestest!! idea, just that little bit extra time for sight seeing and relaxing. Overall the tour was most enjoyable and thanks for all your help.
Lorraine & Ron Leonard (Australia)
Tour Date 13/05/2009 |
I undertook the Glacierland tour with my parents and I must say, we all had a very good time. Everything was well-organised and instructions were clear, from the accommodation to the transportation. The people we met along our travels were so friendly and helpful. However, I do like to comment on the accommodation in Te Anau where we were booked for a night there. We stayed in Aden Motel and it was quite a distance (by foot) from town. By the time we arrived in Te Anau, it was late and dark and we still had to make our way to town for dinner. Although it was a 10-15 minute walk to town, it was very unpleasant and unsafe as there were minimal street lights and the area was extremely quiet. No people, no traffic. Only the freezing wind and some showers. We did fear for our safety and hoped that no mishap would befall us en route to and from town. Aden Motel itself was very cold too. They only had a small oil-filled column heater in the bedroom and a small heat pump in the common room. Plus, the warm water in shower ran out quickly. The last person showering had only cold water to use. The temperature that night was 4 degrees. All in all, the trip went very well and all the other accommodation were comfortable. I just wished our Te Anau accommodation was nearer to town and more comfortable.
May Shan Lim (New Zealand)
Tour Date 12/05/2009 |
I have only just returned from my 3 weeks in New Zealand and I immediately wanted to thank you for putting such a fantastic 6-day tour together for me. Everything worked out just as planned and everyone I met was so courteous and helpful - especially those bus drivers with their impressive knowledge about the area and the delightful personal anecdotes they shared with us - only one driver was the silent, solemn type! Anyway, it was so well organized - I have been recommending your company to everyone I meet, including my son who is a Flight Centre Travel Agent! Many, many thanks ... and I don't hold you personally responsible for the two very wet days I encountered!! Also, I have to add that the Punga Grove Motor Inn was the best accommodation ever! All the best.
Kate Bridger (Canada)
Tour Date 28/02/2009 |
I should have sent this sooner but I thought you would appreciate some feedback from Marlene and I re our 'Glaciers Tour' March 4-14. In short, it was great and essentially a day by day visual feast. I was very glad I created some time at either end of the tour in Christchurch with an extra day and a late plane out as the city is extremely interesting. The TranzAlpine train trip was a super finish as well and we were very glad we included that and a trip on the S S Earnslaw at Queenstown. Your arrangement to have us picked up at the station and motel to complete our trip was super - saved a lot of mucking around and worrying - particularly at that end of the trip. Highlights for us were Te Anau, Glenorchy, Milford Sound (though a small boat tour would be better) and Franz Josef.
Chris & Marlene Grounds (Australia)
Tour Date 25/03/2008 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices below are per person. |
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| Stay |
Twin Share |
Single |
Triple |
Breakfasts |
| Motel |
NZ $1,639 |
NZ $2,279 |
NZ $1,489 |
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| Bronze |
NZ $1,899 |
NZ $2,759 |
NZ $1,809 |
NZ $120 |
| Silver |
NZ $2,159 |
NZ $3,209 |
NZ $1,979 |
NZ $140 |
| Gold |
NZ $2,349 |
NZ $3,559 |
NZ $2,139 |
NZ $156 |
| Apartment |
NZ $1,899 |
NZ $2,829 |
NZ $1,699 |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Season Sale! Take $100pp off prices shown if you place your tour deposit this month!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
with your tour starting between 11 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 . Subject to availability at time of booking. |
*Prices above are valid 01 November 2011 to 30 September 2012. Prices before or after this period are on request.
*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'. |
Tour Information
This is an independent coach tour and operates daily. |
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Independent New Zealand Coach Tours
Independent coach tours are
the ideal way to explore New Zealand. We pre-book all your travel arrangements including coach, rail and ferry transport, accommodation, transfers between your transport and accommodation and key sightseeing activities. We can add and take off days in the middle, start or end of your tour and you can choose to add meals and/or pre and post tour accommodation. You also choose the level of accommodation that suits you best, from 3 star to 5 star! While the coaches do not have dedicated tour guides, the multi-talented coach drivers provide excellent onboard commentary. You will receive an informative touring wallet which will include brochures, detailed maps, tour vouchers and comprehensive itinerary.
Accommodation Levels
Your coach tour accommodation is in specially chosen properties, centrally located and of a high standard. Choose from 5 levels of accommodation - Motel, Bronze, Silver, Gold & Apartments. All accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking so get in early!
Daily Departures
Our independent coach tours operate daily, using regular coach, train and ferry services. This provides you with excellent flexibility when planning your coach tour start date to coincide with your flights or other holiday arrangements.
General Information
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