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5 Day South Island Highlights Tour
Booking your Post ASM South Island Tour
Post Tour rates have been negotiated as outlined below. Please note that all the rates below are in New Zealand Dollars, per person and are GST inclusive.
Places on this tour are subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Tour will be allocated on a first-in basis as long as there is room available. Bookings can be made as part of the online registration process or via the registration form in the registration brochure when registrations are available in December 2009.
This tour covers the south of the South Island, traveling in a circular route through the three spectacular alpine passes Lindis Pass, Haast Pass and Arthurs Pass, and also visits the brooding West Coast of the South Island.
All prices are in NZ$ and include GST. Minimum numbers of 10 are required to operate the tour.
*Accommodations listed are pending availability at the time of booking.
Tour details:Tour price: $2998 per person
Single supplement: $805
Departure date: 6 - 10 May 2010
Included in your tour cost:
Three nights at Crowne Plaza Queenstown; one night Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Joseph; four breakfasts; one lunch; coach refreshments and activities listed below.
Excluded in your tour cost:
International flights and domestic flights; departure taxes; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; optional extra activities; alcohol; personal items purchased; meals - apart from those listed as included.
DAY 1 Christchurch to Queenstown
We travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. We continue across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo where you will have time for lunch and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. The turquoise-blue waters of Lake Tekapo, contrasted by the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and surrounding yellow-tussock farmland, are sure to take your breath away.
We take in the beauty of Mt Cook, Australasia ’s tallest peak at 3755 meters and continue to Queenstown through the spectacular Lindis Pass which then leads to the rugged Kawarau Gorge, arriving into Queenstown at around 5.00pm.
Accommodation in Queenstown:
Overlooking stunning Lake Wakatipu with its majestic mountain backdrop, the Crowne Plaza Queenstown is a 4+ star resort hotel and offers contemporary, stylish accommodation in an outstanding in-town location.
3 nights accommodation have been arranged here.
Included in your tour cost:
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza, Queenstown
DAY 2 Queenstown Region
After breakfast we depart for the Shotover Jet, 10 minutes drive from central Queenstown. Acknowledged as the world's most famous jet boat operation, the Shotover Jet is the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons. Its a thrilling ride - shimming past rocky outcrops at close range in your Shotover Jet Boat. We have planned a leisurely afternoon excursion to Arrowtown, where a fascinating collection of mining cottages comes complete with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860's.
No visit to Queenstown would be complete without a visit to a local winery. We visit the award winning Amisfield Winery for a tasting of their crafted wines.
Included in your tour cost:
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Shotover Jet; Arrowtown; Aimisfield Winery Wine Tasting
DAY 3 Queenstown to Milford Sound
Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound draws visitors from all over the globe to cruise its length – and marvel. Luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock walls and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres to the sea below. Our scenic cruises offer you the chance to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Milford Sound in style! Following your cruise a 35 minute return flight from Milford to Queenstown has been arranged, followed by a transfer to your hotel.
Included in your tour cost:
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch
Activities: Coach transfer to Milford, scenic Milford Sound Cruise, one-way flight from Milford to Queenstown. Queenstown airport transfer.
Day 4 Queenstown to Franz Josef
We travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea to Haast Pass, the most stunning highway in New Zealand and gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape.
Included in your tour cost:
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 Franz Josef to Christchurch
This morning we take a short helicopter flight. The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glaciers and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over the Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier and experience the solitude of a landing in this natural alpine wonderland. At Greymouth you will board The TranzAlpine - rated one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys! This train journey travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River followed by the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland.
6.15pm Arrive Christchurch Train Station where your tour ends.
Transfers to your central Christchurch accommodation, or airport have been arranged.
Included in your tour cost:
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Heliflight over Glaciers; TranzAlpine Train; Hotel/Airport Transfers
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