7-DAY SOUTH ISLAND TRANZALPINE TOUR

INCLUDED FEATURES:

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY: DEPARTS SATURDAYS & MONDAYS ONLY

Day 1 - Christchurch/Mt Cook/ Omarama.
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 - Omarama/Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train 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 3 - Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 night)

Day 4 - Te Anau/Milford Sound/ Queenstown
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights) SP

Day 5 - Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.

Day 6 - Queenstown/Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face. Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)

Day 7 - Fox Glacier/Greymouth/ Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Join the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests to Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch which is scheduled for 6.05pm.

PRICE 2008: From USD $1550. Per person. Based on double occupancy. AIRFARE EXTRA

DEPARTURES: Departs each Saturday & Monday from Christchurch