New Zealand Vacations

Luxury Tour Vacations 4

9 Days Wilderness South Experience Tour Package

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: Contact Travelwizard






Christchurch - West Coast - Queenstown - Milford Sound

Taking you "off the beaten track", this tour is fully escorted with guided walks, first class service, superb food and luxurious accommodations.

In groups of up to 6 guests, your local guide will help you experience the natural wonders and heritage of this land. You will meet the local people and walk along deserted beaches, through ancient rain forests, over an advancing glacier, and experience the stillness in the magnificent Milford Sound.

• Fully escorted small group "off the beaten track" tours
• Personal, experienced and knowledgeable local guides
• The incredible scenery of New Zealand's South Island
• Guided walks and excursions each day to experience the diverse landscapes
• Visit the West Coast Bushman's Centre to meet some "locals"
• Seasonal sightings of the Fiordland Crested Penguin
• Full day excursion to Fiordland and Milford Sound with fiord cruise
• Breakfasts on eight mornings, lunches on four days and evening meals on seven nights
• Picnic morning and afternoon teas with cookies
• Eight nights accommodation in first class lodges and luxury small hotels
• Travel by deluxe mini-coach
• Meet and greet at Christchurch and transfers in Christchurch and Queenstown

Day 1. Arrival Christchurch, Greeting and Orientation. After being met by your guide, you will be driven through the "Garden City" and up onto the Port Hills, the flanks of one of the ancient extinct volcanoes that form the Banks Peninsula. From the hills there are spectacular views of the city and the Kaikoura Range can be seen far to the north, while the Pacific Ocean sparkles to the east. To the south and west the vast Canterbury Plains stretch to the horizon and in the distance, the Southern Alps beckon you to discover them. This is an opportunity to talk about where we are going and what we will see on the tour, to get to know everyone and discover what their expectations are.

Having orientated ourselves in Christchurch, we then escape the city and start our journey west across the Canterbury Plains. Crossing Porter's Pass, a dramatic landscape change occurs as we enter the highcountry, a high tussock grass basin bounded by the Torlesse Mountains to the east and the Craigieburn Mountains to the west. Travelling through this region we pass glacial formed lakes and the limestone formations of Castle Hill which dominate the landscape. Farther on, we reach the wide expanse of the Waimakariri River and the Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. D

Day 2. A day in the mountains. "High country, sheep, valleys and keas" This is a day to discover the real high country - a day where you can explore and learn about the alpine landscape and plants, the animals and take in the spectacular Southern Alps.

A tour of the high country sheep farm which is part of the lodge will enable you to visit the woolshed and see a sheepdog demonstration. From the lodge we will head into the heart of the Southern Alps - Arthur's Pass National Park which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape.

From the lodge, we will again travel on New Zealand's trans-alpine highway and head into Arthur's Pass National Park where we will take walks to see waterfalls, learn about the forests and alpine plants of this area and experience the alpine landscape. Your guide will tell you of the history of Arthur's Pass as you explore the glacial landscape and learn about the features that the Ice Age left behind. Seek out and hopefully find a unique South Island personality who is mischievous, inquisitive, comical and rowdy; the cheeky kea - the world's only alpine parrot. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. BLD

Day 3. Arthur's Pass - Hokitika - Franz Josef Glacier "Mountains, pioneers, greenstone and ice" After breakfast we will travel through the Arthur's Pass National Park and depart Canterbury province for Westland ("The West Coast"). Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route will reveal great mountain valleys and we will marvel at the road as it winds it's way down the spectacular Otira Gorge - a geographer' dream.

We follow rivers that flow to the West Coast and observe the changes to the rainforest and the many varieties of ferns that contribute to their character. Travel on a backcountry road, walk through old gold miners' tunnels and marvel at the tenacity of the miners in their quest for gold. Visit Hokitika, once the capitol of Westland, a roaring gold mining town and also a place where the Maori sought their treasured greenstone (jade).

As we journey south we will be able to visit the Bushman's Centre where we can meet some "coasters" in a village with a population of 2! Heading farther south see the West Coast bush and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets. We then arrive at Franz Josef for our overnight stay and view the Franz Josef Glacier pushing into rainforest - truly incredible! Overnight: Westwood Lodge, Franz Josef. BLD

Day 4. Franz Josef Glacier - Fox Glacier - Lake Moeraki. "Geology, Ice Age and podocarps" Depart Franz Josef Glacier for a dramatic drive through the glaciated landscape to Fox Glacier. Walks are available to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier or to a glacier viewpoint to witness the glacier's descent down the mountain into the rainforest. Here you can also experience a guided hike on the Fox Glacier with an alpine guide or perhaps an exciting helicopter ride to view the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the upper reaches of the glacier. (Please note that the optional glacial hike and helicopter trips are not included in the tour cost and are subject to the weather).

After lunch, a beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson. It is here that incredible reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in the lake can often be seen. Alternatively, a drive through the lush rainforest to a remote beach on the Tasman Sea for views of the alps and where we can look for the rare Hectors Dolphins.

From Fox Glacier, travel south to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, set in the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu - the South West New Zealand World heritage area. This lodge is a Tourism Award Winner providing a first class wilderness experience. Overnight: Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge. BLD

Day 5. Lake Moeraki "Wilderness, wildlife and rain forests" Another opportunity to spend a day at a Wilderness Lodge with its own special attractions. Untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. This special place is home to breeding colonies of the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (seasonal), the world's smallest dolphin, the Hectors Dolphins and numerous native birds. Overnight: Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge. BLD

 
Day 6. Lake Moeraki - Wanaka - Queenstown. "Estuaries, explorers, tussocks and gold" From Moeraki we travel to nearby Ship Creek. From a viewing tower on the beach there is a good chance of seeing the rare Hectors Dolphin playing beyond the surf. We walk through a primeval swamp forest to see ancient "dinosaur" trees, view a coastal lagoon and fossick for greenstone on the remote beach.

After a little while the road turns east, following the Haast Highway. We can now observe how the landscape again changes dramatically as the road climbs over the Haast Pass from the dense rain forest of the West Coast to the drier tussock lands of Otago.

On the way, there are short walks to see waterfalls and if there has been recent rainfall, the Haast River passing through the gorge known as the Gates of Haast can be truly spectacular. A while after the Haast Pass the road skirts first along the banks of the headwaters of Lake Wanaka and then making a slight turn and rising over a ridge, Lake Wanaka is left behind and Lake Hawea is before us. The road follows the shoreline of this lake and then we reach Wanaka. This is a quiet mountain resort on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka.

From Wanaka, we head over the rugged and remote Crown Range, the site of gold diggings in the 1860's. We arrive in Arrowtown and visit the old Chinese gold miners' settlement and view this quaint old village tied into the history of gold. It is then a short drive to your Queenstown accommodation. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge 3 nights. BLD

Day 7. Queenstown. "Adventure and relaxing in the mountains" A "free" day for you to experience and enjoy some of the many activities which Queenstown has to offer. Your guide is available to transfer you to the venues and activities in the Queenstown area of your choice.

You might like to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the old steamship Earnslaw, the lady of the lake. For those wanting more excitement, try an exhilarating jetboat trip through the Shotover Canyon. Another New Zealand experience is a bungee jump at the Kawarau Bridge, the first bungee jumping site in the world. There are wineries to visit and also an art and craft trail around the district to visit some of the many artists and craft studios. Golf and horse trekking are other possibilities available in Queenstown. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge. B

Day 8. Queenstown - Milford Sound Excursion. "Milford Sound, glacial lakes, alps and fiords" The road to Milford Sound through the Fiordland National Park is justifiably almost as famous as the sound itself. To Te Anau there is farmland on either side of the road

At Te Anau there is a sanctuary where you can catch a glimpse of the extremely rare Takahe, one of NZ's flightless native birds. On the journey we can take short walks to see waterfalls, alpine views and lakes.

The Homer Tunnel, started in the Great Depression is a tribute to the labourers who made this route possible through the Darran Mountains into the Cleddau Valley and finally Milford Sound, a truly majestic place voted as one of the seven scenic wonders of the world. You will then explore the magic of the fiord on a small boat cruise before heading back to Queenstown.

Optional extras (not included in tour cost) for the day are a return flight from Milford to Queenstown by plane or perhaps a private helicopter charter which can include a snow landing in the mountains. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge. BLD

Day 9. Queenstown & Farewell. After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in the odd bit of pampering with some of the many health and beauty facilities. Time for last minute shopping, or experience that last piece of adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Your guide will transfer you to the airport, car rental office or coach depot, as required. B

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

12/09 

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