Arrive Christchurch
On arrival at Christchurch airport, you will pick up your rental car and then make your way to your hotel in the central City. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the unique magic of the Garden City. The city 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. Some of Christchurch's top attractions include the Botanic Gardens, The Arts Centre and Art Gallery. Stay: Pavilions
Day 2
Christchurch to Mount Cook
Head south today across the Canterbury Plains, through the picturesque town of Geraldine . Be sure you make a photo stop at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful turquoise coloured lake. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake. This is one of the most photographed churches in the world made of stone and sand from around the lake. You are now in Mackenzie Country and the scenery is fantastic as you drive to Lake Pukaki and turn towards the Southern Alps and Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Follow this glacier-fed lake and the Tasman River all the way up to the alpine village of Aoraki-Mount Cook. Stay: Hermitage Chalets (2 nights)
Day 3
Aoraki-Mount Cook at Leisure
There are many tracks for walking and tramping in this area – you can find the most suitable for you by going to the Visitor Centre. There are scenic flights available by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, and if you wish to have a glacial adventure there is the Glacier Explorers excursion on Lake Tasman at the base of the Tasman Glacier.
Day 4
Mount Cook to Queenstown
Leave New Zealand’s highest mountain behind today as you drive through Twizel and Omarama before heading up over the Lindis Pass – this is the area where gold was first discovered in the Central Otago region in 1861. Central Otago has a harsh but beautiful landscape due to its summer heat and winter cold. A lot of gold was discovered in the area in the late 1800’s. More recently in the late 1900’s it’s been discovered as a great place for growing grapes so there are some good reasons for exploring this area. Continue on through the Kawarau gorge to get to the alpine town of Queenstown where you are staying for three nights. Stay: Copthorne Queenstown Lakeviews (3 nights)
Day 5
Queenstown at Leisure
There are a huge number of activities to choose from here in Queenstown – for the adventurous there is bungy jumping, jet boating, skiing, 4WD Safaris snow boarding, rafting and skydiving to name a few. There are also some less adrenaline producing activities such as a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, a ride up the Skyline Gondola, or even a great day out on the Dart River Wilderness Safari.
Day 6
Milford Sound
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. (L)
For something a little different you have the option of substituting this tour for another to Doubtful Sound (additonal cost). Or you can choose to stay overnight on the Sound! See 'Optional Extras' on the right.
Day 7
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
This morning, journey up the West coast of the South Island to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers. Drive to Cromwell, Wanaka and on through the Southern Lakes district to the Haast Pass then north, through dense rain forest broken by rugged coastal vistas, towards the glaciers. Stay: Punga Grove (2 nights)
Day 8
Franz Josef Glacier at Leisure
There’s lots to explore in this area – you can take your own time walking up to the glacier, going to the Okarito Lagoon; or join a guided walk on the glacier, take a heli-hike adventure, or a scenic flight over both glaciers.
Day 9
Franz Josef Glacier to Punakaiki
There are some neat old towns to visit on the way north today as well as some great places to photograph the scenery and take a look at the dramatic coastline. Our experience tells us that it really is worth the drive north of Greymouth to stay the night at Punakaiki, best known for its Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - both of which are spectacular and a must-see when visiting the West Coast. Other activities include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided tours to name just a few. Punakaiki has many colourful local crafts people - jewellers, carvers, painters and potters. Stay: Punakaiki Resort
Day 10
Punakaiki to Greymouth and Christchurch
Once you’ve finished your morning exploration of this area make your way back to Greymouth then turn inland to travel over the beautiful Arthur’s Pass. Along the way you’ll see the awesome engineering feats of the Otira Viaduct and Tunnel. You’ll have time to stop and look around before descending through some fantastic alpine scenery and on down to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch.
Relaxing Journeys also provides you with the option (additonal cost) of dropping off your car in Greymouth and heading to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine Train.
The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see lush beech rainforest, lakes, mountains and tunnels as you ascend towards Arthur’s Pass at 737m above sea level. All carriages include both one way seating and tabled group seating allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board. An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. On arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your central city accommodation. Stay: Pavilions
Day 11
Depart Christchurch
After breakfast this morning, please make your way to the airport where you will return your car in time for your onward flight.
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 $2,26011 Day Southern Glaciers44.85
11 Day Southern Glaciers Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 11 Day Southern Glaciers.
For our Christmas 2011 holidays, my wife and I selected the 11 Day Southern Glaciers drive/stay itinerary from Relaxing Journeys. It was a wonderful and most memorable experience. All of the logistics including the car rental, boutique hotels, and activities were superbly handled by our Relaxing Journeys’ travel advisor Jarrod Scharvi. Besides the impeccable and personal service, Jarrod’s suggested routes and stops to maximize our New Zealand experience were spot on. We traveled the 11 day Southern Glacier tour which took us from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anua, Franz Josef Glacier, and then to Greymouth for the TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch. The sights were wonderful, the scenery fantastic, the accommodations definitely deluxe, and the added adventures made this a most memorable, relaxing, and enjoyable trip. It all started with the fabulous organizational skills and attentiveness of Jarrod at Relaxing Journeys. I definitely recommend their services and assistance when planning your trip of a lifetime to the South Island of New Zealand.
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Value For Money Accommodaton Tour Pace Our Service
Chuck & Lori Dodson (Singapore) Tour Date 25/12/2011
We had the most thoroughly enjoyable time - look forward to coming back in the not too distant future - Thank you.
Gayle & Rodney Kruger (Australia) Tour Date 15/03/2010
Kia Ora. Just returned from the great trip you helped me arrange to South Island. All went well and was very enjoyable. Particularly enjoyed the B&Bs - all were fine hosts and friendly places to stay and helped with suggestions for sites to visit along the way. I would recommend any of them to other travellers.
John Fleckles (United States) Tour Date 28/01/2008
We are finally (but sadly) back to Singapore and our holidays have now come to an end. :( I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for making our trip enjoyable. I really liked the upgrades... and in Mercure Grand St Moriz we got a garden view suite! South NZ is really superb, the sceneries are spectacular and we stayed just right in front of the mountains or the beaches for most places.. wonderful. And oh, Sandra, our farmstay host cooked really nice dishes and I copied her recipe - which actually comes from Allison Holst and... I subsequently bought her cook book from NZ! Cant wait to try her recipes! And yes I will recommend friends your agency if they need someone to plan for their NZ trip!
Bryan & Emily (Singapore) Tour Date 12/04/2007
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.
International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
Breakfasts are optional for mid range self drive tours, please select your preference when requesting a quote.
Mixed accommodation pricing is available on request.
For families we can also price our mid range self drive tours using self catering apartments.
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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