Includes self drive rental vehicle with pick-up on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drop-off on departure from Christchurch Airport, with a choice of 5 vehicle types, and a choice of 3 standards of hotel accommodation, with sightseeing & entrance fees as specified, and daily buffet breakfast at the hotel. Daily departures throughout the year.
Pick-up self drive rental car on arrival at Christchurch International Airport.Self drive to your hotel in the “Garden City”. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Check out of your hotel this morning and self drive across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast. Drive south to Franz Josef Glacier. Pass through the small settlements of Hokitika, Ross and Harihari en route and see several beautiful lakes surrounded by native bush along the way. Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier and the rest of the day is at leisure.
This morning you will be taken on a ½ day guided glacier walk onto the ice of the Franz Josef Glacier accompanied by experienced Alpine Guides who will explain the local flora and fauna as well as the geology of the glacier. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an Optional scenic helicopter flight over the glacier, or visit the Westland National Park Visitors Centre. (Please note that Optional scenic flights mentioned above are not included in the tour costs and are subject to the weather on the day.)
Check out of the hotel and self drive to Queenstown this morning traveling through the small settlements of Fox Glacier and Haast at the mouth of the Haast River before following the river upstream to the “Gates of Haast” and over the scenic bushclad Haast Pass, the southern most route across the main divide. Travel through the small settlement of Makarora opposite the Mount Aspiring National Park, and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before passing through the fruit growing area around Cromwell and through the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Today is at leisure to experience some of the many Optional activities that are available in Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand, such as jetboating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, a cruise on TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, a gondola ride up Bob's Peak, a scenic flight, a ½ day 4WD Safari of the Rings, or a full day tour to Milford or Doubtful Sound. The choice is yours from a huge range of options. Please note the above Options are not included in the tour costs.
Check out of the hotel this morning and drive through the Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell, crossing Lake Dunstan and on through Central Otago to the Lindis Pass and into the MacKenzie High Country and on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mount Cook. Enjoy the stunning view. There is time for an Optional scenic flight here subject to the weather on the day. Depart Mount Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and on to Lake Tekapo and the “Church of the Good Shepherd” before descending Burkes Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. The rest of the day is at leisure. (Please note that the Optional scenic flight is not included in costs.)
Check out of your hotel this morning. Your arrangements conclude today with the drop-off of your rental car at Christchurch Airport prior to boarding your departure flight back home. We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.