Kirra Tours 9 day Tranz Alpine
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This is one of the most popular South Island tours. Starting and finishing in Christchurch the highlights include: Sightseeing tours of Christchurch and Dunedin, World renowned Mt Cook Region, Traditional Scottish Haggis ceremony, Olveston House, Spectacular Southern Lakes, Awe inspiring Milford Sound, Milford Sound Launch Cruise , Dinner at Skyline Restaurant, Remote National Parks of Fiordland and Westland, West Coast Glaciers, Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory and the world renowned Tranz Alpine train journey. Sit back and let Kirra show you these highlights of the South Island.
Day 1 - Welcome to Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch, transfer to hotel
On arrival into Christchurch a representative of Kirra Tours will meet you from your flight and a transfer will deliver you to your Christchurch hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Garden City.
| Your accommodation: Pavilions Hotel Christchurch Pavilions Hotel is located very close to the city centre of Christchurch and has been designed with your total comfort in mind. Facilities included swimming pool, spa pool and private sauna and a 24 hour reception service provides help whenever you need it. |
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Day 2 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, Mt. Cook & Omarama
Christchurch to Mt. Cook to Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, Papanui Rd, Christchurch at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama.
| Your accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel Positioned at the crossroads linking north, south, east and west, the Heritage Gateway Hotel truly is the Gateway of the South. With 98 pleasantly decorated rooms, a full restaurant and cocktail bar with views of the Southern Alps, the Heritage Gateway Hotel has everything you need to rest and refresh. |
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Day 3 - Omarama to Oamaru and Dunedin
Omarama to Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper address to the Haggis.
| Your accommodation: Cargills Hotel Dunedin Cargills Hotel offers travellers premier hospitality with excellent accommodation and a friendly, warm atmosphere. Cargills is relaxed and is famous for hosting its guests, rather than merely serving them. |
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Day 4 - Explore Dunedin then to Lake Manapouri and Te Anau
Dunedin to Lake Manapouri to Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau.
| Your accommodation: Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides a full range of premium accommodation options, including 84 Deluxe Rooms. The Hotels 180 rooms offer the perfect base for your travels in Te Anau and the Fiordland region. All new Deluxe rooms feature tasteful interior design, LCD flat screen televisions, comfortable lounge furniture and queen size beds. Modern bathrooms offer showers over the bath. |
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Day 5 - Te Anau to Milford Sound, launch cruise then to Queenstown
Te Anau to Milford Sound, cruise the sound then to Queenstown
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Meals included -group highlight dinner at Queenstown's Skyline Gondola Restaurant
Take a ride to the top on the Queenstown Skyline Gondola this evening and enjoy dinner while soaking in the fantastic views from the Skyline restaurant.
| Your accommodation: Rydges Hotel Queenstown Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown boasts breathtaking views over the lake and surrounding mountains. |
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Day 6 - Free day to explore Queenstown
Queenstown - your free day to explore
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
| Your accommodation: Rydges Hotel Queenstown Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown boasts breathtaking views over the lake and surrounding mountains. |
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Day 7 - Queenstown to Wanaka, Haast and Fox Glacier
Queenstown to Wanaka to the West Coast and Glacier Country
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
| Your accommodation: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier The Fox Glacier Resort Hotel is nestled at the base of the majestic Southern Alps in the Westland World Heritage Park. Originally built in 1928 it has been refurbished to retain its charming atmosphere. |
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Day 8 - Fox Glacier to Greymouth, Tranz Alpine Scenic Train to Christchurch
Fox Glacier to Greymouth
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snow capped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery.
The Tranz Alpine Scenic train Greymouth to Christchurch
Considered one of the worlds great train journeys, the Tranz Alpine scenic train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch, from the West Coast and the Tasman Sea to the east coast and the Pacific Ocean. From your carriage you'll see the spectacular Otira Valley and mountains of Arthur's Pass National Park and the Southern Alps. Rivers, waterfalls and lush beech forest followed by high country farmland whisk by before your journey follows the Waimakariri River and then onto the Canterbury Plains before arriving into Christchurch just after 6pm.
Your train departs Greymouth at 1:45pm arriving Christchurch around 6:15pm. The train has a food car and bar on board. Your coach travels ahead with your luggage.
| Your accommodation: Pavilions Hotel Christchurch Pavilions Hotel is located very close to the city centre of Christchurch and has been designed with your total comfort in mind. Facilities included swimming pool, spa pool and private sauna and a 24 hour reception service provides help whenever you need it. |
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Day 9 - Depart Christchurch today
Transfer to Christchurch airport
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Christchurch airport in time for your onward flight.
Standard tour inclusions:
- Quality hotel accommodation.
- 1 highlight dinner
- Travel in luxurious, well appointed and fully air-conditioned tour coaches.
- Escorted by a professional Coach Captain.
- An informative commentary as you travel.
- Comprehensive sightseeing admission fees and attractions as detailed with each itinerary.
- Baggage handling / porterage.
- Travel kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, maps and itinerary.
- Goods and Services tax (g.s.t).
Sightseeing and attraction inclusions:
Haggis Ceremony - Dunedin
Enjoy a traditional Scottish haggis ceremony in the Edinburgh of the South where descendants of Robbie Burns still live. Hear the famous ‘Address to the Haggis', before tasting this very unique national dish of Scotland. This is a fun start to your evening, with group participation and you'll also receive a souvenir gift.Olveston House - Dunedin
Olveston is a modern masterpiece of the Edwardian Era. In 1966 Olveston was offered as an extraordinary gift to the City of Dunedin. The 35-room mansion houses original collections. In material terms, as Olveston grows older it grows infinitely more valuable. In historic terms, it is already priceless.
Ride the Gondola to Bob's Peak high above the Queenstown township to end the day with the Taste of New Zealand Buffet dinner whilst enjoying unsurpassed views out over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.
Milford Sound Launch Cruise - Milford Sound
An absolutely essential highlight of any New Zealand visit. Sail beneath Mitre Peak as it rises sheer from the Sound 1700 metres overhead, cruise to the open Tasman Sea with Anita Bay to your left. View the seal colony on the rocks and keep a look out for dolphins. The vessel will nose under the Stirling Falls that tumble from high above and view distant Mount Tutoko.Greenstone Jade Factory - Greymouth
Visit the Greenstone Factory where you will see skilled craftsmen create fine jewellery, contemporary carvings of traditional Maori or modern designs and beautiful sculptures from New Zealand nephrite jade, which has been recovered in the Westland area.
Tranz Alpine Scenic Train - Greymouth to Christchurch
Join the world famous train journey as it crosses the Southern Alps and New Zealand's highest township of Arthur's Pass.