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10-Day Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Self-Drive Tour

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Overview

This 10-day tour takes you to the icons of the South Island, including a cruise over the Milford Sound with extra nights in Christchurch, Fiordland and Queenstown - you'll have time to discover the charms of each destination.

You begin with a journey past the mountains of the Southern Alps and turquoise waters of alpine lakes before arriving into Mt. Cook National Park. Then, you venture further south to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Here you’ll explore the pristine wilderness on a Milford Sound nature cruise.

In Queenstown, the adventure capital, there’s time to enjoy the scenery and endless activities on offer before returning to Christchurch via the magnificent West Coast Glaciers and the TranzAlpine Scenic Train.
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Food & Drink
Adventure
Cruising

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Christchurch City

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Arrival in Christchurch City

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation. Known as New Zealand's garden city, Christchurch is vibrant, encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. Take the double-decker hop-on-hop-off bus to see the sights or ride a historic tram across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the cardboard Transitional Cathedral.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel and Apartments Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Christchurch to Bella Vista Motel and Apartments Christchurch

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    Destinations

    Christchurch

Day 2

Free Day in Christchurch

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Free Day in Christchurch

Take a look through a selection of late-model vehicles available and select your rental car. To help you on your way, GPS is included with all rentals. As an option today, you drive out to the Heathcote Valley, just fifteen minutes from Christchurch, and ride a gondola for nearly a kilometre to the collapsed rim of an extinct volcano which exploded six million years ago. Take in the 360-degree views of the city, Canterbury Plains and the distant peaks of the Southern Alps.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel and Apartments Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

    Christchurch GondolaOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Day 3

Scenic Drive through Canterbury and MacKenzie

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Scenic Drive through Canterbury and MacKenzie

Today you'll drive through the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing to Fairlie. Ascending Burkes pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Take in the view of Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain, from Lake Pukaki, known for its turquoise blue colour. Continue along the lake to Mt Cook Village. Please note there are no shops at Mount Cook, you will need to stock up prior to arriving if you wish to self-cater.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mt Cook Lodge and Motel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    GeraldineOptional Activity

    Lake TekapoOptional Activity

    Lake PukakiOptional Activity

    Tasman Glacier Discovery with Glacier ExplorersOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook Village

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    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Geraldine

    Lake Tekapo

    Canterbury

Day 4

Lindis Pass, Kawerau, and to Te Anau

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Lindis Pass, Kawerau, and to Te Anau

The Lindis Pass is one of New Zealand’s highest roads reaching 971 metres as you pass from the Mackenzie Basin and into Central Otago. The first village you reach is the quaint Tarras. it's then a short drive to Bendigo Reserve, once a gold mining settlement with ruined cottages from this bygone era. Drive through Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley, one of New Zealand's premier wine-growing regions. Then, it's onto Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu which guides you into Te Anau, where you stop.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakefront Lodge Te Anau4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Scenic Drive from Mount Cook to Te Anau

    Te Anau Glowworm CavesOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Canterbury

    Lindis Pass

    Te Anau

    Fiordland National Park

Day 5

Milford Sound Nature Cruise

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Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Today, see some of the most iconic scenery on the road to Milford Sound. With crystal clear lakes, mountains and glacier-formed meadows, the area of the Milford Sound is abundant with picture-perfect scenes. Take the Chasm Walk through native beech forest to see powerful waterfalls. Continue on through the Homer Tunnel, an engineering marvel and arrive in Milford, where you will be greeted with an amazing view of Mitre Peak. A day cruise into the heart of the sound is not to be missed.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakefront Lodge Te Anau4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Milford Sound Nature Cruise

    The Chasm Walk

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Te Anau to Milford Sound

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    Destinations

    Te Anau

    Milford Sound

    Te Anau Downs

Day 6

Te Anau to Queenstown

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Te Anau to Queenstown

Today make your way to Queenstown across vast tussock lands. Head through Mossburn, the deer capital of the nation, then continue on through rolling Southland countryside. Soon the road skirts the lake edge and the Remarkables mountain range makes for an impressive welcome to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Hop aboard the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw for an iconic Queenstown experience, taking in the local scenery as you cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Garden Court Suites & Apartments4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    TSS Earnslaw Cruise to Walter Peak with Gourmet DinnerOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Te Anau to Queenstown

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    Destinations

    Te Anau

    Queenstown

    Walter Peak

Day 7

The Alpine Scenery of Queenstown

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The Alpine Scenery of Queenstown

On the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the panorama of the Remarkables Mountain, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of wonders. Head down the Gibbston valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s Pinot and have lunch at the Michelin-star ‘Rata.’ Check out the historic Arrowtown and enhance your experience with a 4WD trip to Macetown. Go into the Fiordland National Park or drive through Lord Of The Rings country or jump aboard one of many dedicated LOTR tours.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Garden Court Suites & Apartments4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    ArrowtownOptional Activity

    Fiordland National ParkOptional Activity

    AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy CentreOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Arrowtown

    Fiordland National Park

    Gibbston

Day 8

Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

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Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

From Queenstown, you'll cross the Crown Range –the highest sealed road in New Zealand– to the Alpine town of Wanaka. Skirting the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea, you will enter Makarora. Stop at Blue Pools for a 1-hour walk through native beech forest to a glacier-fed swimming hole. Then through the remote settlement of Haast before heading up the West Coast, a 600 km stretch of bush and rainforest. Fox Glacier welcomes you first, then comes your destination - Franz Josef township.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Scenic Drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

    Blue Pools Walk at Makarora

    Twin Glacier with Snow LandingOptional Activity

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    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Wanaka

    Otago

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 9

Franz Josef to Greymouth and the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train

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Franz Josef to Greymouth and the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train

Your drive takes you north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. This seaside town dates back to the 1860s and is known for its greenstone. Take in the sea views and pick up a souvenir at one of the craft shops before moving on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point of the next leg of your journey - the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Drop your rental car at Greymouth Station and board one of the most spectacular trains in the world to Christchurch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel and Apartments Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Hokitika

    TranzAlpine Scenic Train Greymouth to Christchurch

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Franz Josef Glacier to Greymouth

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Hokitika

    Greymouth

    Christchurch

Day 10

Depart from Christchurch

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Depart from Christchurch

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to Christchurch Airport in time for your departing flight.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 7 activities
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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