Arrive Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch you will be met and transferred by shuttle to your accommodation. Christchurch is the hub of the Canterbury region and 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 plenty to experience and see. This afternoon, relax and explore this most English of New Zealand cities. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 2
Christchurch to the Glaciers
This morning you will be transferred by shuttle from your accommodation to Christchurch rail station where you will join the TranzAlpine train (said to be one of the great train journeys in the world) which journeys across Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth on the West Coast, viewing the alpine scenery en-route. On arrival in Greymouth collect your rental car and make your way down the coast to Franz Josef. The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are without doubt the greatest lure of this region. Nestled on the edge of the rainforest and descending 2500 metres of 13 kilometres, 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, Franz Josef glacier is known to move up to 5m per day on occasions. Stay: Glacier View Motel (2 nights)
Day 3
The Glaciers
Today is at your leisure to explore the area. Franz Josef Glacier was first explored in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 20 minute walk will take you to its terminal face. From the glacier car park, you can hike to a choice of lookout points for a bigger view of this awesome river of rice. If you want to actually make contact with the glacier, take a guided ice walk or a heli-hike. Aerial sightseeing is another option.
Day 4
Glaciers to Queenstown
Journey today to Queenstown, the resort town of Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure; but Queenstown is just as well known as a place for indulgence. The area’s history is intertwined with gold. In 1862, two sheep shearers struck it rich at the edge of the Shotover River. The ensuing gold rush town was named Queenstown because '...it was fit for Queen Victoria'. Stay: Sherwood Manor (3 nights)
Day 5
Milford Sound Day Tour
Today we've included the Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board our vessels, the Milford Mariner or Milford Wanderer which are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows; purpose built to operate in the fiords and offering a laid back, extended, 2.5 hour cruise. Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous waterway. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Return by coach to Queenstown or weather permitting, you can choose to fly back to Queenstown. Please ask your consultant about this option.
Day 6
Queenstown
Today is at your leisure to explore Queenstown and the surrounding areas. Adventure activities include snow sports, bungy jumping, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. Indulgent experiences include exceptional food and wine, lake cruises, spa treatments, boutique shopping and leisurely games of golf.
Day 7
Queenstown to Mount Cook
The village of Mount Cook is a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky. Even in summer, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. You don’t have to be a mountaineer to interact with the stunning scenery; there are various alpine walks beginning near the village, all about three hours return. Flight-seeing, tours to the Tasman Glacier and heli-skiing (in winter) are other ways to optimise your time here. Stay: Hermitage (Motel Units)
Day 8
Mount Cook to Christchurch
This morning enjoy a glacier tour from the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier. Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer are readily accessible to travellers. By boat, you explore the huge dripping iceface of New Zealand’s largest glacier. Watch and listen to the ice melting before your eyes in this tranquil glacial lake nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Afterwards journey onwards through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 9
Depart Christchurch
Today your holiday comes to an end, please return your rental car to the depot at Christchurch airport prior to your departure 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 $1,9289 Day Southern Alps & Fiords43.35
9 Day Southern Alps & Fiords Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 9 Day Southern Alps & Fiords.
We are finally back from the splendid tour of NZ (South) and still savoring the amazing experience that we had. Your country is really wonderful and what makes it even more interesting is especially its people - they are so nice and friendly that I felt really sad leaving the place. The tour was organized splendidly and we never faced any problems anywhere. Your efforts really paid off and a big thank you for the same. The motels were very comfortable and in a word excellent. Driving was such a pleasure with hardly any traffic on the highways. We also took the helicopter ride for the glacier at Franz Joseph which was really amazing. Experiencing a polar storm in the International Antartic Centre was an exhilarating experience. We missed the cheese-making tour at Barrys Bay as we didn't know that it is done only in the morning hours. We were visiting them in the afternoon on our way back from the wonderful Akaroa cruise but I did get my bagful of hand-made cheese. We were also (un)lucky to experience a real earthquake on 28 Dec night at Christchurch without any collateral damage. I would love to come back once again, this time for North Island although I'm not so sure whether it will be as scenic and wonderful as the South. (Ed. Oh it is!)
Kaushik Chandra (India) Tour Date 20/12/2011
Unfortunately, you cannot control the weather, but despite having only one day without some rain, we had a great time! It is difficult to choose the highlights as there were so many: Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Dart River Tour, Marlborough wine area, Picton and environs, TranzAlpine train, Akaroa, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Pelorus Sound mail boat ride, etc. We did not go on the Tasman Glacier tour from Mount Cook as it did not return to Mount Cook until 3:00 pm and we had to travel back to Christchurch that day. It would have been helpful to know the full details prior to arriving at Mount Cook, as we did not make the decision not to go until we arrived at Mount Cook. The accommodation was generally good; sometimes old, but always clean and most proprietors were friendly and helpful. In summary, we had a great time and will return to NZ (North and South islands) again in the future to have more of a look around. When we do, we will certainly be contacting you. In addition, we feel that the self-drive option is the best way to go for us, rather than going on a coach tour. Finally, your recommendation of the Pegasus Bay Winery for a meal was very much appreciated - we had a great lunch there on our last day heading back to Christchurch. Thank you for organising a very enjoyable holiday for us.
Steve & Carol Judd (Australia) Tour Date 02/05/2011
The tour went very well, with no problems at all. Car reliable, accommodation clean and quiet, transfers efficient, documentation and maps useful, and arranged tours enjoyable. Would recommend as a very satisfactory way of seeing a great country.
Chris Wilkinson (United Kingdom) Tour Date 04/02/2010
Thank you for the prompt to leave feedback. From my initial contact with Craig Harris I was impressed with the personal manner and the nothing is any trouble attitude. The tour itinerary was fantastic and exceeded our expectations, leaving just enough time to recoup before the next leg of our journey. The accommodation was superb and geographically practical. The coach trip to Milford Sounds was brilliant, with the purpose built bus making the trip very comfortable. What impressed us most was the female driver, who was a wealth of information and a great driver. The Glacier cruise was another highlight, and a must for anyone visiting Mt Cook. We were very fortunate with the weather, making your beautiful landscape look even more spectacular with cloudless blue sky. The folder containing coupons and map etc was a great tool and make the trip very organized and hassle free. We received a phone call from New Zealand tourism to check on how we were doing which was a nice touch. I have recommended Relaxing journeys to everyone I have spoken to about our trip to NZ, and highlight the fact it exceeded all our expectations. I look forward to see the north Island with you help in the future.
Meredith Paterno (Australia) Tour Date 04/10/2009
* 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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