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12 Days Southern Explorer Tour Package
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Priced From: $2,460 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Dec, Jan - Mar
Visit New Zealand's southern island including the TranzAlpine Train through the Southern Alps. See the pancake Rocks and Blowholes in Punakaiki and be awed at the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier! Visit New Zealand's adventure capital - Queenstown and cruise Milford Sound. There is so much to see and do in Southern New Zealand and Trafalgar can show you it all!
Tour Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 - Depart USA
We fly over the international date line on our way to Christchurch, New Zealand.
Day 3 - Arrive Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your hotel. After check-in, there’s time at leisure to explore the city, famous for its gardens and for being the most English city outside of England. Perhaps visit Hagley Park, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral or the Botanic Gardens. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Drink and dinner with your Tour Director and traveling companions. (Dinner)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch
Day 4 - TranzAlpine – Punakaiki
We start our day with the spectacular train journey on the TranzAlpine from Christchurch over the Alps to Arthur’s Pass. Later, we’ll see the West Coast rainforest then experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where we’ll spend the night at our resort right on the waterfront. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort
Day 5 - Punakaiki – Franz Josef
This morning we visit a New Zealand native greenstone (jade) factory for a jewelry demonstration at Hokitika. Later we arrive at Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible glacier. See it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike! (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 6 - Franz Josef – Queenstown (2 nights)
Some spectacular sights are in store for us today. We take in the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls then a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. We’ll enjoy the tastes of sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. Next we visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. We arrive in Queenstown for an orientation tour. Tonight you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak via the Southern Hemisphere’s
steepest gondola! Plus you can see the Kiwi Haka Maori Show to top off a great night out. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel
Day 7 - Queenstown at leisure
Explore the action-packed, adventure capital of Queenstown at your leisure. Take it easy with wine and garden tours, or walk on the wild side with jet boat rides and white watering rafting. Maybe you would prefer to go sailing or simply relax. This evening we cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station for a carvery Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining after dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high country farming life. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 8 - Milford Sound – Te Anau
We journey over the Devils Stair Case and along Lake Wakatipu’s shore to Te Anau. Travel through the rainforest of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, viewing glaciers and mountain ranges. We drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Claudu Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching mystical Milford Sound for a cruise. We return to Te Anau this evening. Tonight you have the option to tour the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Distinction Hotel
Day 9 - Te Anau – Dunedin
We cross rich fertile faming land of South Otago and on through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, which was founded by Scottish settlers. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise to see Penguins and the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Day 10 - Dunedin – Twizel
Start the day with a guided tour of Larnach Castle and its gardens followed by sightseeing of Dunedin. From here we continue our journey through Oamaru with its white limestone buildings then along the Waitaki River past the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam to Twizel. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn
Day 11 - Twizel – Mount Cook – Christchurch
Be prepared for the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park! An optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook is available (weather permitting). Later we’ll continue to Christchurch. Along the way we’ll see Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel over the patchwork of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival in Christchurch we’ll discover the highlights of the city on the Christchurch Tram. (Buffet breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch
Day 12 - Christchurch – USA
Time to bid farewell to your Tour Director and new-found friends as we transfer you to Christchurch Airport to connect with your return flight home.
Highlights:
TranzAlpine
Punakaiki
Franz Josef
Queenstown
Milford Sound
Dunedin
Mount Cook
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our New Zealand Vacation specialist
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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