Zealandier Tours - Description of Tour 100911

Intro	Springtime is about new beginnings. It is when our beautiful forests come to life with new growth of wild flowers and the baby animals begin to appear. The mild spring temperatures pull away the blankets of snow off the mountains and the slumbering trees and foliage awaken. This is truly an exhilarating season.
Saturday	Welcome to Christchurch, where your next journey begins. Let us know your flight details and we will meet and greet you at the airport. Transport you to your accommodation, where you will have time to rest awhile before you meet with your fellow travellers and tour guides. We share afternoon refreshments and become acquainted. Your accommodation provider will be advised on booking. NB: Accommodation, travel and full breakfast is inclusive daily to tour package.
Sunday	A church service at Christchurch Cathedral (optional) – This is one of the most magnificent churches in New Zealand. Spring will be well advanced so a leisurely stroll around the Botanical gardens or a punt ride on the Avon is a must if you wish to indulge in the springtime flora which this beautiful garden city offers. Alternatively you can ride the tram around the city, hopping on and off at your leisure. You may wish to visit the Antarctic Centre in the afternoon and for the more adventurous, a ride on the Huggland Snow jeep is a must. Later in the afternoon we will take you on an escoted tour around Christchurch, through the tunnel to Lyttleton, back to Sumner and a stop off at the Gethsemane Gardens and an escorted tour of the Ark. ***Inclusive of your tour cost is the tram ride, guided tour of the city & entry to Gethsemane Gardens & the Ark***
Monday	Today we leave Christchurch city and head inland to Mount Cook-Aoraki. New Zealand’s tallest mountain situated in amongst the Southern Alps. En route we stop at a farming community village; we navigate Burkes Pass and arrive at Lake TeKapo. An exquisite blue lake, with the Southern Alps as its back drop, hopefully with some snow still on its peaks. We visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and hear the story of a famous sheep dog. From here we drive up to Mt John observatory and enjoy the grandeur of this area. Next is Lake Pukaki, a real jewel before we arrive at Mt Cook. If time permits, and weather allows, you can spend time on a short walk on one of the base tracks.
Tuesday	We leave the Mt Cook area and travel back to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Stopping in at Oamaru. A sleepy little town steeped in early 19th century street scapes and an eco tourism facility for the little blue penguin. These wee penguins come ashore every night to rest, but unfortunately are way out at sea during the daylight hours. We continue down the coast to Dunedin. Our Edinburgh of the South. As you guessed this city is very Scottish. We stop to check out the Moeraki Boulders on the way. These distinctly round (spherical) boulders appear to fall out of the earth and are disappearing into the sea. They are a mystery to most scientists and geologists. There are several Maori legends which surround these mysterious balls of rock. We arrive in Dunedin with time allowed for wandering about the city, but we recomend that you hop onto the double decked sightseeing bus and enjoy all the famous sights of this glorious city, while learning local history first hand. Stops en route include the grand historic architectural churches, the Botanical gardens and of course Olveston House and the famous railway station. This evening you are free to wander the city, try your hand at ten pin bowling or get a little R & R. Maybe you would like to experience a Piping Hot Haggis Ceremony. ***Inclusive of your tour costs are entry to Moeraki Boulders ***
Wednesday	This morning we leave Dunedin, but before we do, we drive along the inner harbour to Portobella, and then head up the hill to Larnach Castle. You will have time to explore the castle, the 35 acres of grounds and gardens, and take devonshire tea in the dining room by te fire. We now head across the island, through fertile farmland, into the Fiordland National Park. This is a World Heritage Area. Governed by a world council as to what NZ can and cannot do. This protects this region against exploitation. We arrive in Te Anau. The rest of the day/evening is free. You may wish to take a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Glow worm Caves. This takes about 2.5hrs return. Cruises depart 5.45pm & 8.15pm. Cost is $56.00 p/p Please remember the further south we travel the more daylight hours we experience. The evenings are very drawn out in these areas. *** Entry to Larnach Castle is inclusive of your tour cost***
Thursday	This morning we drive to Milford. The scenery is unforgettable, even if it happens to be raining. You will pass through golden tussock pastures, beech forests, tranquil crystal clear lakes and rivers, climbing up through the mountains and mist, through the Homer tunnel and into the gateway to Milford Sound. There will be plenty of photo stops enroute, along with being fully narrated. At Milford you will board a large and comfortable cruising vessel and you will cruise the Milford Sounds taking in the awesomeness of Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Cheddau Valley and the natural animal life. Cruise time is 2.5hrs with a full commentary on board. This evening you are back in Te Anau. ***NB: Milford Sound cruise is inclusive to your tour cost***
Friday	Queenstown here we come. First stop is Kingston, home of New Zealands famous vintage steam train the Kingston Flyer. The flyers history spans over 125 years. Next stop is Arrowtown. A thriving community in the Gold rush era, and today, beautifully restored to that same ambience. This afternoon we stop off at the Shotover Jet where you may endure the thrills of the best jet boat ride ever. www.shotoverjet.com Finally you get to see Queenstown. A thriving tourist destination nestled in underneath the Remarkable ranges and on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The rest of the day is yours free to choose your entertainment, attractions, and or relaxation.
Saturday	This is a free day to indulge in all types of adventure activities. **Cruising on the Earnslaw, coffee cruises, BBQ lunchtime cruise or formal dinner cruise. Indulge and enjoy Lake Wakatipu. **Ride the Skyline Gondola & **Luge around the track **Go Shopping **Enjoy a Beauty Spa Treatment **Golf **Take a Wine & Garden Trail **Lord of the Rings Trilogy Trail **Bungy Jumping **HeliRafting **Canyoning **Parasailing **Paragliding **Enjoy the beauty and pleasure of a walk. The list goes on. I can personally recommend them all, but I must confess I have no desire to attempt a bungy jump. Please advise if you wish to participate in any of these activities and I will arrange and pre book these for you.
Sunday	Today we have an early start. We have a long drive, through the lakes district and to the rain forest on the West Coast. We follow the coast until we reach glacier country. This afternoon we discover the Franz Josef and the Fox Glaciers. Two of the world’s most accessible glaciers, the Franz Josef and the Fox Glacier, create their grinding pathways on the West Coast of the South Island. Huge, ancient ice rivers creak and creep their way all the way to the rain forests and visitors can step on to the ice just minutes from the towns that take the glacier’s names. Walk to the terminal face, land on the snow via a sightseeing plane or helicopter or simply gaze at their cold, blue white wonders. For the not so fit or keen, you can walk around Lake Matheison – approx 1.5 hour leisurely, easy walk, and enjoy the perfect reflection of New Zealands highest peak – Mt Cook, or simply take a well earned rest from yesterday. My recommendation is take a heli flight over both these glaciers and land on Fox. This truly is an awesome experience for all ages. And for those who enjoy a challenge, try the indoor ice climbing wall.
Monday	This morning we depart Fox and travel north. We will spend some time in Hokitika and experience a Jade factory tour . Jade (Pomamu) is found on the riverbeds all around this wonderful remote area. Once cut and polished this stone makes wonderful jewellery. Further on we put you onto the world famous Tranzalpine train journey over Arthur’s pass back to Christchurch. We meet you at the railway station @ 6.05pm. You are now back where we begun this journey. This evening we will all share a farewell dinner. ***NB: Jade factory, Tranzalpine train trip and farewell dinner are all inclusive to tour package cost***
Tuesday	Today you bid farewell to your newly made friends and travelling companions. Depart Christchurch for your next destination. We will transfer you to the airport. Please note Christchurch is an International Airport.
	All Zealandier Tours are subject to change should the weather or unforeseen circumstances occur.