Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Check in and then explore Christchurch for yourself. An evening welcome drink offers the chance to meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
| Your accommodation: Novotel Christchurch Situated close to Cathedral Square, the focal point of the Garden City, the Novotel Christchurch is also close to a myriad of art galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants. |
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Day 2 - Christchurch to Mt. Cook to Twizel
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Christchurch to Mt. Cook
Your day begins with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you've got time to go shopping or relax. En route today we'll see Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain. You can also take an optional scenic flight over Mt Cook (weather permitting).
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel. 
| Your accommodation: Mackenzie Country Inn, Twizel Located in the heart of the Mackenzie region the hotel' natural stone architecture compliments the mountains and rivers of New Zealand's Southern Alps. With 108 well equipped room the hotel can offer every facility needed for a comfortable stay. |
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Day 3 - Twizel to Dunedin
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Mt. Cook to Dunedin
On your way to Dunedin, you see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin you tour the city, then you've got the afternoon to yourself - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway, it's your choice.
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
| Your accommodation: Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel The Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel enjoys a premium location in the heart of Dunedin's bustling city centre, and is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin - just a short walk to The Octagon, Railway Station, theatres and shops. |
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Day 4 - Dunedin to Te Anau
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Dunedin to Te Anau
A guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach's Castle and its gardens starts the day. Then you head to Te Anau across fertile farming land famous for its sheep and deer to the shores of Lake Te Anau. Tonight, if you choose to, you take an optional tour to view the glow worms in the cave network on the far shores of Lake Te Anau.
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
| Your accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas The Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of deluxe accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. It also features the renowned MacKinnon Room restaurant, conference facilities, and guest facilities include a pool, spa, sauna, barbeque area. |
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Day 5 - Milford Sound and then to Queenstown
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Milford Sound and to Queenstown
Today is a feast for the senses as you experience the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Keep your camera close by as you see Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Cleddau Valley, The Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound. The Devils Stair Case and Lake Wakatipu pass us by. You arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour and group photo. An option for dinner tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak - sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you'll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there!. Or you can simply explore the many dining options Queenstown has to offer.
Dinner this evening is at your leisure
Explore and enjoy one of the many local restaurants tonight (own cost).
| Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown The 4 star deluxe Millennium Hotel Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area. |
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Day 6 - Queenstown free day
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Queenstown free day
Explore Queenstown today. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner this evening you will travel across Lake Wakatipu and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steam ship. Walter Peak Sheep Station hosts you for a wonderful carvery meal followed by an entertaining sheep shearing demonstration.
Group highlight dinner at Walter Peak Station
Enjoy a fantastic cruise on board the unique steamship TSS Earnslaw. On arrival at Walter Peak enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Colonels' homestead. Crossing the lake on the return journey a sing a long with a suitable night cap is the order of the day.
| Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown The 4 star deluxe Millennium Hotel Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area. |
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Day 7 - Queenstown to Franz Josef
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Queenstown to Franz Josef
The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is your first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. You will see a trio of lakes - Lake Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it's on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier. Take the opportunity for a scenic flight by helicopter of ski plane.
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
| Your accommodation: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel Situated on the very edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel welcomes you in true New Zealand style making the most of the lush native bush surroundings and superb alpine views. |
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Day 8 - Franz Josef to Punakaiki
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Franz Josef to Punakaiki
Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki, where we’ll view the Pancake rocks and Blowholes.
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
| Your accommodation: Punakaiki Resort The Punakaiki Resort is a modern, award-winning hotel complex, architecturally designed to harmonise with the local environment. Magnificent ocean-front location, with spectacular views of wild West Coast beaches, nestled into the foothills of the Paparoa National Park, all rooms have rainforest and/or ocean views. |
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Day 9 - Punakaiki to Arthur's Pass, Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Tranz Alpine Scenic Train to Christchurch
Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur’s Pass where we board the Tranz Alpine to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Meals included - dinner at your hotel
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
| Your accommodation: Novotel Christchurch Situated close to Cathedral Square, the focal point of the Garden City, the Novotel Christchurch is also close to a myriad of art galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants. |
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Day 10 - Depart Christchurch today
Breakfast this morning at your hotel
Depart Christchurch
Today is yours to take the time to explore Christchurch before you are transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight or continue with your onward journey.