Enjoy Christmas this year with like-minded travellers as you explore New Zealand's beautiful South Island. Starting in Christchurch you will travel on the famous TranzAlpine Scenic railway before settling in Queenstown for a Christmas celebration like no other, onboard the TSS Earnslaw. Finish your 10-day tour with a cruise on Milford and a night in the enchanting Mt Cook National Park.
New Zealand escorted tour
This suggested tour costs from NZD$5,275 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch
11 days/10 nights
Hotel 4 star
Pre and post tour options? YES
Viewed 14 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Arrive into Christchurch to meet your fellow travellers
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Day 2: Free day to explore Christchurch
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Day 3: Enjoy a trip on the TranzAlpine Scenic Train
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar)
Day 4: Franz Josef to Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 5: Christmas Day
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 6: Queenstown to Te Anau
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore (or similar)
Day 7: Head to Fiordland National Park and see the stunning Milford Sound
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore (or similar)
Day 8: Te Anau to Dunedin
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (or similar)
Day 9: Head up past Mt Cook on your way to Twizel
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Hotel (or similar)
Day 10: Reach your final destination, Christchurch
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Day 11: Bid farewell to your travel companions
Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are available for purchase. Merchandise items must be ordered at the time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions for dinner.
Your accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
This 4.5 star hotel is centrally located in the revitalised Cathedral Square and ideally positioned only a few minutes' walk from the brand new Christchurch Convention Centre.Meals included: Dinner
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure, one of Christchurch's leading attractions.
Your accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
This 4.5 star hotel is centrally located in the revitalised Cathedral Square and ideally positioned only a few minutes' walk from the brand new Christchurch Convention Centre.Meals included: Breakfast
This morning board the TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
*Please be aware, there are some departure dates where the train may not be available due to covid-related schedule changes outside of Grand Pacific's control. If this occurs, your journey through the incredible Arthur's Pass will continue onboard your coach. Chat to a consultant to check the current schedule for your preferred departure.
Your accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar)
Located in the heart of Franz Josef Village the hotel offers all the amenities you would expect and is close to the shops, restaurants and activities on offer.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
The 4 star deluxe Millennium Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ's high-country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing-along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
The 4 star deluxe Millennium Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before traveling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Luxmore (or similar)
The perfect base for all your Fiordland travel, Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides comfortable accommodation right in the heart of Te Anau.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch on board. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Luxmore (or similar)
The perfect base for all your Fiordland travel, Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides comfortable accommodation right in the heart of Te Anau.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin for a city tour then travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour followed by Devonshire Tea.
Your accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (or similar)
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross provides stylish inner city accommodation and is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin. Just a short walk to the Octagon, Railway Station, theatres, shops, and close to Otago University.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone, then follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Your accommodation: MacKenzie Country Hotel (or similar)
Located in the heart of the Mackenzie region the hotel's natural stone architecture complements the mountains and rivers of New Zealand's Southern Alps.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch for a city tour. This evening, reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Your accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
This 4.5 star hotel is centrally located in the revitalised Cathedral Square and ideally positioned only a few minutes' walk from the brand new Christchurch Convention Centre.Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Starts | Status | Twin/Double (2 people sharing) | Single occupancy | You save | |
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Dec 21, 2022
(Wednesday) |
was NZD$5,799
now
NZD$5,275
|
was NZD$7,419
now
NZD$6,895
|
save
NZD$524pp
|
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11 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
11 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
10 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
9 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
9 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
10 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
9 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
10 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
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