11 Day Ultimate SOLO Travellers Tour Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand. Now you can relax - you are officially on holiday. Everything has been taken care of, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.

This evening meet your travelling companions for a pre-dinner drink followed by a welcome dinner.

Some suggested activities around Christchurch if you have time.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 nights

This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre.

This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps.

Board your Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night 

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights 

Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. Explore everything Queenstown has to offer your way. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling Wilderness Jet Boat Ride  or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley. You may wish to enjoy a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird, you won't be disappointed.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner 

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before traveling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town.

Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. This afternoon you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 nights 

The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough-hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. A cruise on Milford Sound will be an essential component of your time in Fiordland. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you’ll remember. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time in available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional activities include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, see wildlife in their natural habitat or take a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom.

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. While its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels and restaurants, the residents ‘the Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact quite the contrary, unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemians artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops and venues – it has to be seen to be believed and you'll love it.

Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Mt Cook - 1 night

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to
enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you enjoyed the '11 Day Ultimate SOLO Travellers Tour' and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with tons of photos and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell, and hope to see you again soon.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

PREPAID ATTRACTIONS

• International Antarctic Centre
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Lunch
• Larnach Castle*
• City sights tour of Christchurch and Dunedin

*Guided tour.

ULTIMATE SMALL GROUP TOURING

• Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
• Return airport transfers in New Zealand
• Ultimate Small Group Tour Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full-size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
• Professional Coach Captain
• 10 nights 4.5 star accommodation
• 3 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 1 rail journey
• 2 cruises
• All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
• Ultimate documentation pack

MEALS

• 10 cooked breakfasts
• 8 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 1 picnic lunch
• 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
• Enjoy GPT Wine Time (discounted drinks)

Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.