This tour is one of our most popular South Island tours beginning in New Zealand's captial city - Wellington before crossing Cook Strait into the South Island. Visit the Marlborough Wine Region with a tasting at Montana Winery before continuing throughout the South Island. Visit Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and the West Coast Glaciers before returning to Christchurch. This tour also includes an option to join the famous TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch.

TOUR CODE DKVV

Basic Tour price from NZ$2420 per person share twin  Sept 2010
Basic Tour price from NZ$2695 per person share twin  Oct 2010 - Jan 2011
Basic Tour price from NZ$2725 per person share twin  Feb 2011 - April 2011
Basic Tour price from NZ$2490 per person share twin  May 2011- Sept 2011

Add on 11 breakfast nz$220
Add on 9 dinners nz$305
Single supplement add on nz$840

Departure dates for 2010
13, 18, 20, 25, 27, Sept;        2, 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct;      
1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov;     6, 13, 20, 27, Dec

Departure dates for 2011
3, 10, 17, 22, 24, 31, Jan;                     5, 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28, Feb;   
5, 7, 14, 19, 21, 28, March;                   4, 16, 18, 23, 25, April; 
2, 9, 16, 30, May;     4, 25, July;           15, 29, Aug;
12, 17, 19, 24, 26, Sept    

Day 1
Arrive Wellington
Welcome to New Zealand! Our representative will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel. 
Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)

Day 2
Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to the South Island with spectacular views of the City left behind. Sail across Cook Strait into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, bush clad hillsides remote bays and isolated holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton then drive to Blenheim for an afternoon's sightseeing that will highlight the district's many scenic attractions and some of its world renowned wines. A visit will be made to Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea.
Heartland Hotel Marlborough (1 night)

Day 3
Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Past Lake Grassmere then follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Then over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch, included is a visit to the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour highlighting a strong English influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of the city centre which showcases all the main points of interest.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

Day 4
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Omarama
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional cost), Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)

Day 5
Omarama - Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri Gorge train excursion 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 6
Dunedin - Lake Manapouri - Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, and then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 7
Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour as we follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls. You will have time to take a walk in the rain forest when you visit The Chasm as spectacular water fall carved through rock. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.

Day 8
Te Anau - Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon we drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)

Day 9
Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure, your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous - white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries.

Day 10
Queenstown - Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake 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.
Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (1 night)

Day 11
Fox Glacier - Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight (own cost) over the glaciers, then on to Greymouth to visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
TranzAlpine Train Option
Join the world famous TranzAlpine Train for a full journey through the Sothern Alps. Cost nz$170pp
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

Day 12
Christchurch - Home
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. You will be transferred to Christchurch International Airport to join your flight home.

Tour Prices include:
A Meet & Greet on arrival, Return Airport Transfers, Quality twin/double en-suite accommodation throughout, travel in fully air-conditioned 5 star coaches, Escorted by a professional Coach Captain, Informative commentary, Comprehensive sightseeing admission fees as prescribed in the itinerary, Baggage Handling/porterage, Travel Kit including Travel Backpack, Ticket Wallet, Notebook, Pen, DVD postcard, Postcards, New Zealand Map and more, Cook Strait Ferry Crossing, and Earnslaw Cruise with Walter Peak Dinner in Queenstown.

Meals are optional to include in your tour package and about 95% of travellers choose to include these as they represent exceptional value. All meals start on day 2 of the tour itinerary and conclude after breakfast on the final tour day.

Highlights Include
· Sightseeing tours of Christchurch and Dunedin
· Scenic cruise Wellington-Picton
· Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
· Spectacular Kaikoura Coast
· World renowned Mt Cook Region
· Massive man-made Hydro Electric schemes
· Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
· The might of Milford Sound
· Te Anau glow worm caves
· Spectacular Southern Lakes Region
· Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic Homestead
· Remote National Parks of Westland and Fiordland
· West Coast Glaciers
· Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
· International Antarctic Centre
· Christchurch Sightseeing Tram
· Olveston House
· Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

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