Tour Type: Small Group Tour
Duration: 12 Days
Tour Starts In: Wellington
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $4999 pp
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12 Day Island of Delight Touring Route:
Highlights & Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Arrive Wellington
Haere Mai, Welcome to New Zealand. On arrival at Wellington airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your city hotel. Tonight you have the oportunity to meet your Tour Host (if you wish) who arrives in Wellington this evening along with your fellow travellers that are touring both islands. Stay: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor |
Day
2 |
Picton & the Marlborough Sounds
This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. Downtown Wellington on Lambton Quay is popular with shoppers. Perhaps a trip on the Cable Car, which takes you from Lambton Quay to Kelburn or a visit to the Botanic Gardens. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. This afternoon, travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca. On arrival in Picton, join your water taxi transfer to Torea Bay & transfer over the saddle by resort vehicle to your hotel. Stay: The Portage Resort (2 nights) (B) |
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Day
3 |
Stunning Kenepuru Sound
A day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. The wide beach access is great for fishing, boating, sailing, swimming & sea-kayaking and there is a wealth of walks and meanderings in the immediate vicinity. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries that are located in the famous Marlborough wine region. (B) |
Day
4 |
Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch
Return by water taxi to Picton. Rejoin your coach and travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, world-renowned as the whale-watching centre of New Zealand. Continue south to Christchurch, the nation’s second largest city and because of its extensive gardens and the Avon River meandering though it, is regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities. Stay: Heritage Christchurch Hotel (B) |
Day
5 |
Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
The TranzAlpine is described as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure" and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. After crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, the TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. It tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level. Here you reboard your coach and then travel along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's, to the township of Fox Glacier for our overnight stay. Stay: Te Weheka Inn (B) |
Day
6 |
Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown
There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling on to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination. Stay: Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 nights) (B) |
Day
7
to
9 |
Explore Queenstown & Fiordland National Park
Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds are available. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection. (B) |
Day
10 |
Arrowtown, Mt Cook National Park
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions). Stay: The Hermitage, Mt Cook – Aoraki Wing (B/D) |
Day
11 |
Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later we visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch. Stay: Heritage Christchurch Hotel (B) |
Day
12 |
Depart Christchurch
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B) |
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from NZ $4,999
12 Day Island of Delight
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3.7
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12 Day Island of Delight Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 12 Day Island of Delight. |
What can I say? I had the time of my life. I thought the hotels were great and Richard, our guide was beyond great. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as the guide went but Richard proved to be absolutely one of the best parts of the tour. As far as the scenery goes, I never got tired of looking out the window of our tour bus and the views from my hotel rooms were pretty spectacular. On a ten scale I would rate this holiday a ten without question. Thank you very much for everything and I'm glad I chose your company. I have lots of good memories.
Pete Williams (United States)
Tour Date 13/03/2010 |
The tour was very well organised and the tour guide helped to make the tour interesting and fun. There was a good mix of travelling on road and rail. I got on well with the guide and with the couple who were fellow travellers with me. The views were at times spectacular esp at Mount Cook. For me, the mix was right for having activities suggested and being able to explore places for myself - which I enjoy doing and which was one of the reasons for choosing this tour. The hotels were all comfortable especially at Fox Glacier. I did like the resort at Marlborough Sound because it had a snack bar (The Snapper) which was relaxing, as well as a more formal restaurant. When I was on my way home at Auckland Airport I was asked to complete a tourist survey - I think to tell them what I had done. I explained briefly but they wanted me to be more specific, so I went into more detail, giving almost all my days outings. They said that usually nobody remembered it in such detail. So does that say more about me, about Steve (the guide) or the experience? Maybe all three! I have particular memories of places and visits and also a general memory of a good holiday.
Caroline Strettle (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 27/02/2010 |
We had fully intended to write spontaneously to thank you for a delightful tour, but were delayed by a two week sojourn in Australia visiting old friends and arrived back to the UK this morning. The Island of Delights lived up to its name and we enjoyed it thoroughly. We were incredibly lucky with the weather seeing the peak of Mount Cook without cloud and Milford Sound with perfect visibility, which I gather is very rare. The only slightly negative point we would make is that we (and I think several others of the group) felt that Arrowtown didn't need a 2 hour stop, but a very minor point. We also found that our tour host, Graham, was excellent combining a great knowledge with a sense of humour that never left him. Many, many thanks. We will certainly recommend you to others.
Mr & Mrs Preece (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 31/10/2009 |
We have been back from our travels for almost three weeks now (we spent three weeks in Australia after our trip to NZ) and realise that we haven't had the courtesy to let you know what a wonderful time we had on our 'relaxing journey'. First of all, the weather was great - only one day of rain out of 14; next, we were with a lovely party of people with a great leader/guide in Graham Duff - what he doesn't know about the country, its history, geology and geography isn't worth knowing. We also appreciated the wonderfully comfortable mini-bus. Last of all we were in one of the most beautiful countries in the world - we were 'gobsmacked' by all the beautiful views and have come home with a host of memories (and photos!!). This visit was something we had dreamed about doing for many years but never thought we'd actually get there - so a dream fulfilled. Thank you for everything you and your staff did to make the trip run so smoothly.
Mary & Tony Rear (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 12/03/2009 |
I would like to thank you for all the help you gave to Ross in booking our tour of New Zealand, 1st to 11th October. Everything turned out better than we could have expected. A very good tour of your beautiful country. We both really enjoy the experience and would not hesitate to book with you again. Many thanks.
Kelvin & Linda Hobbs (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 01/10/2006 |
Ian was a most outstanding, knowledgeable, courteous & personable tour host. We recommend him most highly.
Mr & Mrs J Champlain (United States)
Tour Date 29/11/2005 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save $300 per person. Guaranteed 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. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 04 Feb 2012 |
15 Feb 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
Save $300 |
NZ $4999 |
| 07 Feb 2012 |
18 Feb 2012 |
|
NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 11 Feb 2012 |
22 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 14 Feb 2012 |
25 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 18 Feb 2012 |
29 Feb 2012 |
|
NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 21 Feb 2012 |
03 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 25 Feb 2012 |
07 Mar 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 28 Feb 2012 |
10 Mar 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 03 Mar 2012 |
14 Mar 2012 |
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| 10 Mar 2012 |
21 Mar 2012 |
G |
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| 17 Mar 2012 |
28 Mar 2012 |
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| 20 Mar 2012 |
31 Mar 2012 |
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| 24 Mar 2012 |
04 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 27 Mar 2012 |
07 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 31 Mar 2012 |
11 Apr 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 07 Apr 2012 |
18 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $5299 |
Save $300 |
NZ $4999 |
| 14 Apr 2012 |
25 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $5299 |
Save $300 |
NZ $4999 |
| 21 Apr 2012 |
02 May 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
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NZ $4999 |
| 28 Apr 2012 |
09 May 2012 |
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NZ $5299 |
Save $300 |
NZ $4999 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Single Travellers:
Solo travellers are required to pay the single supplement. |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,670 |
*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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