11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour
11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour
Tour New Zealand's majestic South Island over 11 days with a deluxe small group holiday. Begin in Christchurch (Garden City), marvel at Mount Cook, enjoy the Scottish heritage of Dunedin, cruise the amazing Doubtful Sound, and stay in resort town Queenstown before being witness to the rugged West Coast. Either your first time or a repeat visit to the south island will always display a changing landscape.
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Tour Info
Tour Type: | Small Group Tours |
From: | Christchurch to Christchurch |
Departures: | Dec 2020 - Dec 2020 |
Price: | From (NZD) $6479 per person |
Tour Operator: | Grand Pacific Tours |
Duration: | 11 Days |
Tour Code: | GPSI11UC |
Inclusions
9 nights premium hotel accommodation & 1 night on the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise |
10 cooked breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch & 9 sumptuous dinners including 2 specialty dinners |
International Antarctic Centre |
Guided tour of Larnach Castle |
Lakes District Museum |
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw |
Coast to coast TranzAlpine Train journey through the Southern Alps |
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Day by Day Tour Itinerary
View Tour PDFOn arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.
Stay: Sudima Christchurch City (2 nights) (D)
This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further. (B)
Travel through the Southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Enjoy a scenic flight (optional, time and weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.
Stay: The Hermitage Hotel (B, D)
Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional activities you might be interested in include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery or the chance to see local wildlife in their natural habitat.
Stay: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (B, D)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional) or the Fiordland Cinema, specially constructed to screen the locally filmed movie Ata Whenua – Shadowland which will take you on an unforgettable journey (optional).
Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas, (2 nights) (B, D)
A leisurely start today before travelling to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. After a short ride over the Wilmot Pass, join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.
(B, L, D)
Merry Christmas! Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Queenstown, a year-round resort, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening dinner will be at your hotel.
Stay: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) (B, SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. There are many optional activities available including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. (B, SD)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.
Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (B, D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new friends.
Stay: Sudima Christchurch City (B, SD)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)
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Tour New Zealand's majestic South Island over 11 days with a deluxe small group holiday. Begin in Christchurch (Garden City), marvel at Mount Cook, en... Read More
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