9 Day South Island Highlights (Airfare Included)

9 Day South Island Highlights (Airfare Included)

  • Independent travel
  • 9 days
  • Christchurch to Christchurch
  • All year
  • Tour code 9SIP

About this tour

Visit all the highlights of the South Island by this package designed to give you time to explore on your own, while it includes all of the major highlights.

Trip highlights

  • Guided tour Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook
  • Queenstown highlights tour
  • Walter Peak evening cruise with dinner
  • Milford Sound guided tour & cruise
  • Franz Josef half day glacier tour
  • TranzAlpine rail journey Greymouth to Christchurch

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

    Upon arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your Hotel.

    Overnight: Christchurch
  2. Day 2 Christchurch - Queenstown via Mt Cook

    Your tour today takes you from Christchurch, through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Your tour continues along the Tasman River before arriving at the location of New Zealand's tallest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook. There is time to experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting) before departing for New Zealand's Adventure Capital, Queenstown.

    Overnight: Queenstown
  3. Day 3 Queenstown Sightseeing

    Enjoy a half day tour of the area and get a bird's eye view of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the spectacular Wakatipu Basin, along with some of the areas key attractions.

    Overnight: Queenstown Meals: Dinner
  4. Day 4 Milford Sound Tour & Cruise

    Located in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Your full day tour into this area today includes a spectacular cruise on New Zealand's most famous waterway.

    Overnight: Queenstown
  5. Day 5 Queenstown at leisure

    Today is free to explore or join a local activity.

    Overnight: Queenstown
  6. Day 6 Queenstown - Franz Josef

    Travel by scheduled coach service across the magical stretch of road over Haast Pass. Towering peaks surround vast open valleys as you cross to the rugged west coast of the South Island.

    Overnight: Franz Josef
  7. Day 7 Franz Josef at leisure

    Today enjoy an interpretive walk to the glacier to have the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glaciers history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.

    Overnight: Franz Josef
  8. Day 8 Franz Josef - Christchurch

    Depart Franz Josef by coach, joining in Greymouth the historic TranzAlpine train. Traverse the Southern Alps and experience rolling farmland, ice-fed rivers, spectacular viaducts, and the beautiful Lake Brunner.

    Overnight: Christchurch
  9. Day 9 Package ends

    Your package ends with a transfer to Christchurch airport.

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What's included

  • 8 nights of accommodation
  • Airport transfers throughout
  • Coach service Queenstown to Franz Josef
  • Coach service Franz Josef to Greymouth
  • TranzAlpine rail journey Greymouth to Christchurch
  • Sightseeing and attractions as listed
  • Round-trip Airfare from Vancouver, British Colombia

What's not included

  • Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
  • Taxes as applicable
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
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