Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
On arrival to Christchurch Airport, transfer to your hotel.
Evening at leisure, overnight at hotel.

Day 2: At Christchurch (ABF)
Relaxed day today. City orientation.

Day 3: Christchurch - Mt. Cook - Queenstown (ABF)
Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour to Mount Cook.

Leaving Christchurch in the morning, we travel through the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps. We then continue to the location of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, situated in a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Rising to 3,724 metres high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name, which in Māori can be translated as ‘cloud piercer’. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now form the Southern Alps.

Enjoy lunch (optional extra) at the famous Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village. After lunch you’ll have time to explore the village and soak up the view. Alternatively there is time to experience a scenic helicopter or ski plane flight for incredible views of mountain peaks and glaciers (additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver guide on the day).

The tour continues south, past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route, enjoy afternoon tea (own expense) in the quaint village of Omarama and if time permits, visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. Your tour concludes in the evening upon reaching Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Day 4: At Queenstown
Day at leisure.

Day 5: At Queenstown
Milford Sound Tour.
Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination. You’ll experience the world-famous fiord in all its natural glory – surrounded by dense rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls.

Leaving Queenstown, travel in comfort along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and into southern farmland to Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. After a morning tea stop (own expense), travel along the lake and into Fiordland National Park. Enter the picturesque Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls and one of only a few road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand, and take advantage of the photo opportunities on offer along the Milford Road, like the stunning Mirror Lakes, where on a calm day the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly reflected in the still waters, and Knobs Flat, where glaciers have carved their mark on the terrain.

Your glass-roof coach will provide amazing views of the dramatic skyline as you cross the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, with stunning mountain peaks all around. Stop at Monkey Creek and sample some of the purest water in the world (but watch out for cheeky kea – native mountain parrots!). Travel under the mountains through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km passageway drilled into solid rock, and descend through native forest into Milford Sound.

At Milford Sound, board your 1 hour 45 minute cruise and set off to explore the region that Rudyard Kipling called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Travel the length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea, gliding past glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble into the sea. Lush native rainforest clings to steep cliffs, while wildlife including seals, penguins and dolphins are regular visitors to the icy waters. Mountain ranges surround the fiord, including Mitre Peak which rises dramatically from the depths to a height of 1,692 metres above sea level.

Your cruise will take place on the newest and most luxurious cruise ship in Milford Sound. This impressive three-level catamaran has extensive outdoor decks so you can get up close to nature. Inside you’ll find comfortable seating as well as unique glass roofs and HD screens projecting live outdoor footage, so you won’t miss a thing. Along the way your captain will provide lively and informative commentary. Your tour includes a tasty picnic lunch which will be served during your cruise.

After your cruise, return to Queenstown by coach. Alternatively, book a scenic flight option (optional extra, see below for terms) and wing your way back high over the mountains, lakes and rivers of the South Island.

Day 6: At Queenstown
Today exciting excursions for the Queenstown Combo comprising a thriling Jet Boat ride and a Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw.
(Please note that the Queenstown Combo excursions that used to be availale are presently suspended due Covid safety precautations and may be reinstated in due course.)

Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef (ABF)

Take a sightseeing day tour from Queenstown to Franz Josef and discover the wild beauty of New Zealand’s West Coast.

Leaving Queenstown, travel by luxury coach through the stunning scenery of the South Island. Your driver guide will provide entertaining commentary and point out sites of interest as you pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.

After a morning tea break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, you’ll travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps, before emerging on the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Skirt the coast and see waves crashing on rocky beaches before returning inland. Pass tree-fringed lakes and stop at a boutique salmon farm on the Paringa River for afternoon tea, before arriving in the afternoon at the small village of Franz Josef. From here you can explore the world famous Franz Josef Glacier.

The German explorer Julius von Haast named the Franz Josef Glacier after Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, it is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) long. During your tiem in Franz Josef you can explore its spectacular scenery with one of the many local guiding companies or opt for a flightseeing tour via helicopter or plane.

Day 8: At Franz Josef (ABF)
Today we suggest you go on a hike on the Franz Josef Glacier or walk around in this lovely one horse town. Weather permiting you can also go on a helicopter ride.

Day 9: Franz Josef - Christchurch (ABF)
Today we depart by Coach inthe morning to GreyMount from where we take the famous Trans Alpine Express to Christchurch.
Check in into hotel.

Day 10: Depart Christchurch (ABF)
Today transfer to Airport for your flight to India.

Inclusions:

09 nights accomodationat designated 3*/4* hotels or similar with American breakfast.
Transfer Airport - Hotel - Airport at Christchurch
Transfer Christchurch - Queenstown - Franz Josef - Christchurch by Coach / Trans Alpine Train.
City tour in Christchurch
Milford Sound tickets 
Queenstown combo tickets 

Exclusions:

Airfare, Visa, Travel Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Any expense of personal nature
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
GST @5% & TAC@5%

Note:     Prices are per person on Double Sharing basis.
Hotel Check in usually at 1400 hrs. and check out 1100 hrs.
Prices are based on the lowest run of the house rates at designated hotels.
Surcharges may apply during peak season or high occupancy periods.
Date Specific price will be quoted based on clients travel dates.

Pricing

Cost of Optionals:
Helicopter ride with Snow Landing (20 mins): EURO 220 per person
Doubtful Sound Cruise from Queenstown: EURO 230 per person