State: New Zealand
Operator: Adventure Express
Minimum Price: AUD $ 1,590

9 days of Southern beauty. Sightseeing includes: World renowned Mt Cook region, spectacular southern lakes and the might of Milford Sound as well as the magnificent Fiordlands and Glaciers and much more

Highlights: 

• Sightseeing tours of cities and resorts
• World renowned Mt Cook Region
• Massive man-made Hydro Electric schemes
• Charming Dunedin
• Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
• The might of Milford Sound
• Fiordland National Park
• Spectacular Southern Lakes Region
• Te Anau Glow-worm caves
• Picturesque Queenstown
  
• Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic Homestead
• Olveston House
• Milford Sound Launch Cruise
  

Day 1 Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)

Day 3 Omarama / Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion 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 and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion 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 and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)

Day 4 Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Ten Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights)

Day 5 Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and shows such highlights as the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your surroundings. Walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause at the Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Lower Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau.

Day 6 Te Anau / Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)

Day 7 Queenstown
A day to explore the 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.

Day 8 Queenstown / Christchurch
Farewell your fellow travelers this morning and journey by scheduled public coach back to Christchurch today, through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and alongside the gold bearing Clutha River. Traverse the Lindis Pass to Omarama, Twizel and Tekapo to reach Christchurch late in the afternoon where your tour concludes on arrival.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

Day 9 Christchurch / Home
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. You will be transferred to Christchurch International Airport to join your flight home.

What's Included?

• A warm welcome at the Airport on arrival to begin your tour
• Transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport at the beginning and end of your tour
• Quality, twin share or double accommodation
• A hearty cooked breakfast each morning (Optional, recommended)
• A 3 course multi choice dinner each evening (Optional, recommended)
• 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 as detailed with each itinerary
• Cook Strait ferry crossing where applicable
• Baggage handling / porterage
• Travel kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, notebook, pen, postcards, maps and itinerary
• GST

 

Notes:

Special Departure Dates: Departs Wednesdays Monthly and Mondays on selected dates
Trip Duration: 9 days
Departs from: Auckland
Tour Ends: Christchurch
All Prices: 01 May 2007 to 30 Sep 2007 $1590pp
01 Oct 2007 to 31 Jan 2008 $1690pp
01 Feb 2008 to 30 Apr 2008 $1790pp
01 May 2008 to 30 Sep 2008 $1590pp
Breakfast (8) Supplement $120 Dinner (6)Supplement $175