Grand Pacific Tours - 11 Day Ultimate South Island Solo Travellers

11 Day Ultimate SOLO Travellers Tour Itinerary
1

Welcome to Christchurch

‘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.

Christchurch GondolaPunting the Avon River  Clearwater Golf
Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine HikeFrench Akaroa TourSouthern Alps Ballooning

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 Nights

christchurch
Featuring an on-site restaurant and free high-speed WiFi, Sudima Christchurch City is situated in Christchurch, just 500 m from Hagley Park and less than 1 km from Victoria Street. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a fridge, wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Complete with a private bathroom, all units at Sudima Christchurch City are fitted with air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a seating area. You can also enjoy streaming movies.
Sudima Christchurch City

2

International Antarctic Centre & City Tour

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

Antartic Centre

3

TranzAlpine Train - Franz Josef Glacier

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 

franz Josef Glacier

Te Waonui is the only luxury property of its kind in the area. The retreat is nestled in the lush bush with views of the natural environment at almost every turn. Located in Franz Josef, the retreat offers easy access to the many natural wonders of the South West World Heritage Area. Mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, coastline, and native flora and fauna all lie in wait at the doorstep for visitors to admire and explore.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat - Franz Josef

4

Franz Josef - Queenstown

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 

queenstown
Crafted from centuries-old-schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel enjoys stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and is the perfect place to mix business and pleasure. Guests can enjoy all the hotel has to offer, with extensive leisure facilities, including heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, gym, restaurant and bar. The modern, alpine-style accommodation sit in peaceful, scenic surroundings.
Heritage Hotel Queenstown

5

Day of Leisure & TSS Earnslaw Evening Cruise

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food 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.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:

Gibbston Valley Wine TrailHighest Bungey JumpDart River Jetboat Safari 

Wine Tasting Central Otago      

Biking Skippers Canyon      Round at Millbrook Golf Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner 

Steamer

6

Queesntown - Te Anau

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 

Te Anau
Located to make the most of this beautiful area on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre. Distinction Te Anua Hotel and Villas, offers chic, elegant and comfortable room options. This 4 Star hotel is surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Te Anua and the Fiordland ranges.
Distinction Hotel Te Anau & Villas

7

Magnificent Milford Sound Cruise

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.

You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Milford Sound

8

Te Anau - Dunedin & Larnach Castle

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. 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.

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

dunedin
The former Dunedin Chief Post Office (1937), transformed the 1937 former Chief Post Office in Dunedin into an elegant 4.5 star luxury hotel. It occupies an entire city block in The Exchange, the historic business centre of Dunedin. The Distinction Dunedin Hotel offers a variety of brand new accommodation to suit everyone from the businesses traveller requiring spacious and modern facilities to those wanting a relaxing weekend away.
The Distinction Dunedin Hotel

9

Dunedin - Mt Cook National Park

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mt Cook - 1 Night

Mt Cook National Park

A stunning destination surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps and with spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding National Park World Heritage area. There is a selection of properties within the Terrace Road campus from Hotel to Chalet and Mountainview Motels - all budgets and standards can be catered for.

Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook

10

Mt Cook - Christchurch

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, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Tekapo
Featuring an on-site restaurant and free high-speed WiFi, Sudima Christchurch City is situated in Christchurch, just 500 m from Hagley Park and less than 1 km from Victoria Street. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a fridge, wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Complete with a private bathroom, all units at Sudima Christchurch City are fitted with air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a seating area. You can also enjoy streaming movies.
Sudima Christchurch City

11

Homeward Bound

"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 plenty 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

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.

christchurch

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What Elizabeth says about this tour: This is a fabulous opportunity to travel with other likeminded solo travellers - or bring a friend without having to share your room. 3 two night stays, Hotel porterage
1 rail journey, 2 cruises, all sightseeing and prepaid attractions taken care of - this is your chance to explore with high quality coach, accommodation and most meals included.
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