The Southern Drift

Christchurch 1 night, Franz Josef Glacier 2 nights, Queenstown 3 nights, Milford Sound 2 nights, Dunedin 2 nights, Christchurch 1 night

12 days

From

$ 5,301

per person

Operated By AAT Kings

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About the trip

Hotel Montreal with Breakfast Specialist team of two highly experienced Journey Director and Driver Guide Local Specialists (Guides) Mixture of boutique, unique and 5-star hotelsTe Waonui Forest Retreat with BreakfastThe Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments with BreakfastMilford Mariner with BreakfastDistinction Dunedin Hotel with BreakfastHotel Montreal with Breakfast

Max. Group Size

22

Guide Languages

English

Highlights

TranzAlpine train journey
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Guided Walk
Haast River Safari
Milford Track ½ day guided walk
Southern Discoveries Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Emerson’s Brewery Tour – Craft Beer

Accommodation

Hotel Montreal or Similar

1 nights in Christchurch

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

2 nights in Franz Josef Glacier

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments

3 nights in Queenstown

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

Milford Mariner

2 nights in Milford Sound

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

Distinction Dunedin Hotel

2 nights in Dunedin

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel Montreal

1 nights in Christchurch

Room Type: Standard/base Category

Meals Included: Breakfast

Included in the price

Christchurch

Specialist team of two highly experienced Journey Director and Driver Guide
Local Specialists (Guides)
Mixture of boutique, unique and 5-star hotels

Day-wise Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To Christchurch

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you'll be driven by private car to your hotel. Spend some time at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. In the evening meet your Journey Director for a Welcome Reception.
Included Meals : Welcome Reception

Day 2: Christchurch - Franz Josef/waiau

It's all aboard the TranzAlpine train. Rated as one of the world's great scenic railway journeys, you'll travel in comfort across the Canterbury Plains through to the Southern Alps. From Arthur's Pass, visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural center of the West Coast well-known for its Pounamu (jade). Later we continue to Franz Josef/Waiau. Your eco-friendly accommodation is set amid native bush, with an emphasis on relaxation and rejuvenation. This evening, why not enjoy Franz Josef's local geothermal hot pools or perhaps a massage?
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3: Franz Josef/waiau 'relaxed Start'

We explore this area on a walk with a local guide, who will take you up alongside the Waiho River bed following the glacier’s path of retreat, and will explain the history behind mighty Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Later, you may want to get up close to the glaciers on an optional helicopter flight. Your flight will hover over the snow face and may land high up in the valley so that you can walk across the ice fall – subject to weather conditions.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast

Day 4: Franz Josef/waiau - Arrowtown - Queenstown

This morning it’s time for an adventure as we travel in a purpose-built fully enclosed river jet boat and journey down the Haast River. After a lunch stop at Makarora we head to Queenstown, taking time to stop to explore the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown. The adventure-capital awaits you for your extended 3 night stay, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore it during an orientation tour when you arrive.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: Queenstown At Leisure

Enjoy Queenstown your way! Perhaps view The Lord of the Rings film locations on a scenic tour of Queenstown and Glenorchy or spend time having a relaxing massage in the spa. Why not sit back and enjoy a peaceful cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, for a gourmet BBQ dinner?
Included Meals : Full Breakfast

Day 6: Queenstown At Leisure

Make the most of your extended stay in Queenstown. Perhaps join a wine tour and taste some of Central Otago’s world-renowned Pinot Noir; take a jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River. Or simply relax, shop or enjoy time at one of the many cafés and restaurants while soaking up the alpine views. Tonight, enjoy a Local Dining Experience at one of Queenstown’s exclusive restaurants.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Local Dining Experience

Day 7: Queenstown - Te Anau - Milford Sound/piopiotahi

Travel south along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, which is nestled on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Stop for lunch at a local farm, where you will hear stories of life on the land and meet a cuddly animal or two. Continue through the rainforest of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers, and mountain ranges onto the amazing Mirror Lake before driving through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel. Spend the night aboard the iconic Milford Mariner and wake up in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The cruise style is relaxed, allowing plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains, and diverse wildlife such as seals, penguins, and dolphins. Hear from the specialist nature guide on board or choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat. The Milford Mariner offers the facilities of a larger ship while retaining the intimate atmosphere of a small ship. Onboard facilities are made up of spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with fully licensed bar, as well as an observation lounge. Included in your trip are hors d’oeuvres followed by a sumptuous three-course meal, as well as a choice between continental or a cooked breakfast.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Day 8: Milford Sound - Invercargill

We leave the majestic Fiordland National Park for the fertile sheep-dotted pastures of South Otago through to Gore, the country music capital of New Zealand, for a lunch stop. Journey to Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city. This commercial hub is full of grand architecture and gardens. A city obsessed with motoring history, there are tributes to speed legends across town, from the famous Burt Munro to Bill Richardson and his shed full of classic vehicles. Enjoy a tour of the largest private collection of its type in the world. Later this afternoon you will have some free time to explore this city, and an evening free to seek out local hot spots.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast

Day 9: Invercargill (Stewart & Ulva Islands)

Board a ferry at Bluff and cruise to Stewart Island, known by locals as Rakiura the Maori reference to Glowing Skies. It has been described as rugged, pristine and tranquil – and rightly so as 97% of the island is designated National Park and Conservation Estate. This means the birdlife, native flora & fauna and other natural environmental features have been able to thrive. Once you arrive, you will gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand's southernmost community and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island on a Village and Bays tour. Later you will join a leisurely cruise, including a picnic lunch, around Paterson Inlet that will take you past unique places including Acker's Cottage before docking at Ulva Island to admire the bird life and native flora. Back to Invercargill for a relaxed dinner.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Invercargill - Dunedin

Enjoy a relaxed start in Invercargill before departing for Dunedin. Visit Dunedin Craft Distillers, the first distillery in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of only a handful worldwide, to produce botanical spirits from surplus bread and bakery products that would otherwise go to landfill. Discover on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience how owners, Jenny McDonald and Sue Stockwell do it, on a ‘Bread to Bottle Tour’ which takes you through the process used to turn bread into spirits. Venture just next door for a special chocolate tasting journey at OCHO Chocolate.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 11: Dunedin - Christchurch

Travel up the east coast of the South Island via Omarau and Timaru. Once back in Christchurch embark on a sightseeing tour of the city to learn about its rebirth after the devastating 2011 earthquake. This evening, toast your tour at a Celebration Dinner with your new-found friends and Journey Director.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast, Celebration Dinner

Day 12: Farewell From Christchurch

Say farewell to your fellow travelers as your Inspiring Journey comes to an end and we transfer you by private car to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.
Included Meals : Full Breakfast

Starting From

$ 5,301

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