Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour
Celebrate Christmas with a difference with Grand Pacific's 11-day Ultimate Christmas tour. Travel in an intimate group of just 20, with a special Christmas-themed New Zealand adventure. Christmas will be celebrated with a traditional Christmas dinner at Walter Peak Station, a high country sheep station near Queenstown. Also included is a comprehensive range of prepaid attractions. So go ahead spoil yourself and let Santa come early this year.
Included in this tour package
- Accommodation: 10 nights, Hotel 4 star
- Includes: 1 Lunch
- Includes: 8 dinners
- Includes: All breakfasts
- Includes: Airport transfers
- Includes: Professional Coach Captain
- Includes: TranzAlpine Train from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
- Includes: International Antarctic Centre
- Includes: Larnach Castle
- Includes: TSS Earnslaw cruise and dinner at Walter Peak high country farm, Queenstown
- Includes: Real Journeys Milford Sound nature cruise
- Includes: Lakes District Museum
- Includes: Christchurch City Sights tour
- Includes: Dunedin City Sights tour
At a glance - Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour
Day 1: Arrive into Christchurch. Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 2: Explore Christchurch including the International Antarctic Centre. Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 3: Christchurch to Mt Cook via the picturesque Lake Tekapo. Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
Day 4: Head to the coast today and enjoy adventuring in Dunedin. Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Day 5: Dunedin to Te Anau the entrance to Fiordland. Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 6: From Te Anau to Doubtful for your overnight cruise. Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator, Doubtful Sound
Day 7: Christmas Day!. Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown (or similar)
Day 8: Queenstown free day in the adventure capital. Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown (or similar)
Day 9: Queenstown up the wild west coast to Franz Josef. Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Day 10: Franz Josef inland to to Christchurch. Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
Day 11: Depart Christchurch .
Back to topGrand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Christchurch
Arrive Christchurch City
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel. This evening, meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.
Grand Pacific 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour
Celebrate Christmas with a difference on the Ultimate Coach. Grand Pacific Tours is delighted to offer only 20 travellers this exclusive opportunity to travel on board our Ultimate Coach during the festive season. Travel in style as you witness the spectacular South Island and enjoy the festive season Kiwi style. Christmas will be celebrated with a traditional Christmas dinner at Walter Peak Station, a high country sheep station near Queenstown. Also included is a comprehensive range of prepaid attractions. So go ahead spoil yourself and let Santa come early this year.
Your Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Explore Christchurch including the International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon enjoy free time to explore. This evening is also free.
Your Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Christchurch to Mt Cook via the picturesque Lake Tekapo
Christchurch to Mt. Cook
Travel through the Southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. Enjoy a scenic flight (optional, time and weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.
Your Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
The Hermitage Hotel ringed by magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, is a world-renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Head to the coast today and enjoy adventuring in Dunedin
Mt Cook to Dunedin via Oamaru
Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. You might be interested in a tour of the Speigh's Brewery (optional) or to see Albatross in their natural habitat (optional).
Your Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Distinction Dunedin Hotel occupies the grand Chief Post Office built in the 1930’s. This art deco inspired building has recently been transformed into a 4 star hotel with elegant décor, set in the heart of the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Dunedin to Te Anau the entrance to Fiordland
Dunedin to Te Anau
This morning, 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 around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional) or the Fiordland Cinema, specially constructed to screen the locally filmed movie Ata Whenua - Shadowland which will take you on an unforgettable journey (optional).
Your Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: From Te Anau to Doubtful for your overnight cruise
Te Anau to Doubtful
A leisurely start today before travelling to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. After a short ride over the Wilmot Pass, join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.
Your Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator, Doubtful Sound
The Fiordland Navigator is purpose built for cruising in the fiords. The vessel offers spacious viewing decks, a comfortable dining saloon and observation lounge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Christmas Day!
Te Anau to Queenstown - Christmas Day
Merry Christmas! Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Queenstown, a year-round resort, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening dinner will be at your hotel.
Your Accommodation: Millennium 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
Day 8: Queenstown free day in the adventure capital
Queenstown free day
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing-along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Your Accommodation: Millennium 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, Speciality Dinner
Day 9: Queenstown up the wild west coast to Franz Josef
Queenstown to Arrowtown to Franz Josef Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Franz Josef Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Your Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (or similar)
Nestled amongst native West Coast rainforest at Franz Josef is a very special five-star retreat. Designed with utmost care of its precious environment, guests at Te Waonui Forest Retreat will find themselves encircled by rainforest and accommodated in natural and sustainable luxury.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Franz Josef inland to to Christchurch
Franz Josef to Arthur's Pass, Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone then continue to Arthurs Pass where you board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and with your new friends.
Your Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City (or similar)
This new 5 star boutique hotel is ideally located on Victoria Street amidst an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and is only a martini olive pips’ throw from beautiful Hagley Park and Christchurch’s CBD. Experience the ‘garden city’ in style with Sudima Christchurch City.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Day 11: Depart Christchurch
Depart Christchurch
After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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