Arrive Christchurch
Collect your rental car on arrival and make your way to your accommodation. The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch has had 2 earthquakes in the last year, and as a result the central CBD district has been damaged. However many of the activites in and around Christchurch are still operating as normal, and there is still plenty to experience and see. Why not sit back and relax as you pass the trailing willows and leafy banks of the stunning Christchurch Botanic Gardens while punting down the river Avon? Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 2
Christchurch to Mount Cook
Today’s drive takes you through the Canterbury Plains to Mount Cook, known in Maori as Aoraki. Mt Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand and standing at an imposing 3754m dominates the Southern Alps that separate Christchurch from Queenstown. Certainly an icon of New Zealand, Mt Cook has long attracted climbers and mountaineers, wishing to scale its heights. However, many of the people visiting Mt Cook have less lofty ambitions, choosing simply to enjoy the impressive views on clear days or on scenic flights, which are a great way to appreciate the grandeur of the place. Stay: Hermitage (Motel Units)
Day 3
Mount Cook to Queenstown
This morning enjoy a glacier tour from the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier, afterwards journey onwards to Queenstown. Some might say the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is the place where just about everything is possible and anything is likely. Boasting an incredible location on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, in front of the impressive Remarkables mountain range, nature has purpose built this area for adventure. Stay: Sherwood Manor (2 nights)
Day 4
Queenstown at leisure
Today is at leisure to explore Queenstown and the surrounding areas, although there is a wide variety of adrenaline fuelled activities that will not disappoint even the most fearless visitor, such as bungy jumping, white water surfing, jet-boating, canyoning, luging and parapenting there is also plenty for those wanting indulgence and relaxation, from the fine wines of the region to the many shops. The best mountain views are to be had from the Skyline Gondola, which has a panoramic restaurant, overlooking the town and Lake Wakatipu, where scenic cruises on a historic steamboat are on offer.
Day 5
Queenstown to the Glaciers
Today make your way through Wanaka and up the West Coast to the Glaciers, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are without doubt the greatest lure of this region. Nestled on the edge of the rainforest and descending 2500m over 13kms, these great cascading frozen rivers are only 6kms from the Tasman Sea and in this respect are unique. They are also amongst the fastest moving glaciers in the world with Franz Josef known to move up to 5m per day on occasions. (consider adding an extra day here if you wish to heli-hike on one of the Glaciers) Stay: Glacier View Motel
Day 6
Glaciers to Christchurch
This morning make your way to Greymouth and return your rental car to the depot at the rail station. Join the TranzAlpine train to journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch, on arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred by shuttle to your accommodation. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 7
Depart Christchurch
Today is at your leisure until your departure when you will be transferred by shuttle from your accommodation to Christchurch airport for your onward flight.
Note: The Glacier Explorer Tour at Mt Cook, does not operate between May-September so is replaced with the Shotover Jet in Queenstown.
Note: This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same.To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary.Top
from NZ $1,4077 Day Crossing The Alps44.35
7 Day Crossing The Alps Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 7 Day Crossing The Alps.
Great trip thank you. The accommodation was excellent and centrally located. The car was excellent to drive. The only thing we would say as constructive criticism is that the length it took to drive from place to place was not accurate and it took a lot longer than we thought. Perhaps you should suggest that it takes a little longer to get there!! Thanks for a great trip.
Cameron Young (Australia) Tour Date 19/12/2011
On the whole the trip was A1 but with a few exceptions. The motel in Hanmer Springs was 4 star. The motel in The Hermitage Mount Cook was not good, even if the hot water did work, the basin tap was not broken and the remote for the TV did not work. In complaining, we were upgraded to the hotel which was great. I would never want to stay in the motel there. The motel unit in Queenstown was depressing and very ordinary. Regardless of it's rating I would give it 2 stars. I would not include it on this tour. There are so many other places to stay. The two bedroom unit at Franz Josef was well equipped and comfortable. The train trip was wonderful and the Sudima Hotel at Christchurch Airport excellent. The Shuttle people were wonderful. I left my briefcase on the footpath at the Train Station and discovered this half way to the hotel. The driver radioed back and another Shuttle driver at the Station retrieved it and we went back to collect it. It contained technology worth $3000. We love NZ. It is so easy to drive around even for oldies. We were not able to do the boat trip to the Tasman Glacier as we could not walk the 20 minutes there (crook knees). The four wheel driver tried to get us there in an exciting trip up beside the Glacier ridge in his buggy, but we had to abort. A great guy Graham. Thanks to Jarrod for organizing the tour.
Lorraine Gibson (Australia) Tour Date 12/09/2011
Thank you to Jarrod for making our trip to the South Island of New Zealand memorable, and most importantly hassle free. Even though the earthquake necesitated the need for chnages to some of the original hotels this was done professionally and courteously. We did not encounter any issues with the bookings made by Jarrod and would not hesitate to recommend you to any of our friends. One very small suggestion would be to advise travellers going from Queenstown to Franz Joseph that the opportunity for a coffee is very very limited in the first 4 hours of the trip! Thanks again for the organisation that was done for our recent holiday.
David & Linda Setter (Australia) Tour Date 14/03/2011
Overall, I am very happy with the arrangements, and had a great trip. This was my first visit to NZ's South Island, and was arranged on short notice and at the height of summer with many motels already full. Jarrod could not have been more helpful in answering my questions, and I was impressed with the speed of his email responses and of confirming all the arrangements. I also took his advice on a spare battery for my camera - and was glad I did! The tour itinerary worked very well and provided the right amount of driving per day. All the motels that were booked were very satisfactory in terms of cleanliness, amenities and very friendly service. The Hema Touring Atlas was really useful and a great addition to the pack. I have no complaints at all, but just a suggestion: The SatNav offered three suggestions for the route to my first accommodation in Christchurch, (and no help at all for some other motels) so some guesswork was required to find it. Perhaps an AA route map from the airport to the motel could be included. Many thanks again for a great introduction to South Island, and I would have no hesitation in recommending Relaxing Journeys to other travellers who, like me, relish a trip where all the hard preparation work has been done for you! Many thanks.
Catherine Willacy (Australia) Tour Date 04/01/2010
* 1 & 2 Bedroom motel units are all self catering.
** 2 Bedroom motel prices based on 4 adults travelling.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Season Sale! Save 5% off the prices shown on our website, for all 2012 departures. Deposit this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking.
*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'.
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2012.
2 Bedroom motel prices above are based on 4 adults travelling.
Some motel studios may not have full self catering facilities. If self catering is required then please request a 1 or 2 bedroom room.
If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
Please note this itinerary was updated 5 July 2011.
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