Trafalgar New Zealand Itinerary |10 Day Southern Spectacular

1

Arrive Christchurch

‘Haere Mai’ ... Welcome to New Zealand

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel by. After checking into your hotel its time to explore Christchurch. This evening welcome drink offers the chance to meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers.

Here are some suggested excursions If you land early and have time.

Easygoing Cycling Tour	Punting the Avon River	Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural Evening	French Akaroa Tour	Southern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch Gondola	Clearwater Golf	Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike

Meals: Welcome Reception

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

The Distinction Hotel is a brand new hotel opening in 2019 in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This luxury Christchurch hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of brand new Superior Rooms and Suites.

2

Mount Cook National Park

This morning, join our Sustainable Tourism Commitment by planting a native tree in the Port Hills of Christchurch, an area recovering from wildfire. Visit the home of Angie and Stan Taylor for a Be My Guest afternoon tea, and hear about a lifetime spent farming in the Southern Alps. See Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, and view the famed Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue to the outdoor-adventure hub of Twizel for some fantastic photo opportunities at the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mount Cook National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine

Accommodation Twizel - 1 night

Accommodation:

MacKenzie Country Hotel - Twizel

The MacKenzie Country Hotel, Twizel, is located very in the heart of the historic MacKenzie Basin. The hotel offers 108 spacious guestrooms including 80 standard rooms and 28 deluxe rooms; all offer shower over bath ensuites with surrounding views of the spectacular Ben Ohau Ranges and Mount Cook. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant or bar by choosing from the hearty menus revealing local cuisine accompanied by a range of New Zealand wines.

3

Dunedin

Heading south we stop in to see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the impressive Lake Benmore Dam. We visit famous white limestone buildings of the quaint little seaside town of Oamaru with its facades strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels, and restaurants that have now been transformed into an eclectic mix of Bohemian art galleries, artist studios, antique and curio shops.

'Dunedin' comes from Dun Eideann the Scots-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, founded largely by Scottish immigrants, who raised the impressive buildings which now add much to the city's charm. These buildings incorporate a diverse array of styles from Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian, Carpenter, Gothic, and Arts and Crafts styles. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Speights Brewery Tour	Cadbury Chocolate	Penguins and Albatross Tour
Taieri Rail Journey	Peninsula Wildlife Cruise	Larnach Castle Tour

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with wine

Accommodation Dunedin - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross - Dunedin

The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service. Your every comfort is well provided for, with 178 attractive rooms and suites, extensive hotel facilities, and a very high standard of service. This has earned the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross a 4-star plus Qualmark rating, as well as the Enviro-Silver award.

4

Dunedin Sightseeing Experience - Te Anau (Gateway to Fiordland)

Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, or check out the famous Speights Brewery Tour. Perhaps ride the Taieri Gorge Railway or get on a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle - Larnach Castle before heading to Te Anau.

We then travel across fertile farming land to the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Accommodation Te Anau - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Te Anau & Villas

Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. The rooms are very comfortable and the hotel has all the facilities you would expect from a property of this standard.Distinction Te Anua Hotel and Villas, offering chic, elegant accommodation. 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.

5

A Cruise on Beautiful Milford Sound

Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed and awe-struck by the beauty of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest. Keep your camera close by as you’ll see Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and stunningly photogenic Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. The Devil’s Staircase and Lake Wakatipu pass you by. Arrive at Queenstown for an orientation tour. We suggest dinner tonight at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak - sensational views over Queenstown and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show, plus you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere just to get there!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Queenstown - 2 nights

Accommodation:

Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities and offers a peaceful haven from the variety of activities in this lively city. With many guest rooms and suites to choose from the centre boasts a gym, sauna, spa, bar and restaurant, feature contemporary city-inspired designed. Many of our rooms also offer scenic views of the city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your journey.

6

Queenstown at Leisure

Explore Queenstown your way. You can choose from a range of included activities. Go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. For dinner you’ll travel across Lake Wakatipu and back on the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand’s oldest steamship, to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery meal and sheep shearing demonstration.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:

Routeburn Day Walk	Highest Bungey Jump	Explore Arrowtown
Wine Tasting Central Otago	Biking Skippers Canyon	Round at Millbrook Golf Resort
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise	Dart River Jetboat Safari	Gibbston Valley Wine Trail

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

7

Queenstown - Franz Josef

The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is our first stop today. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. We’ll see a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Travel over the Haast Pass, view the amazing Thunder Creek Falls, take a small rainforest walk, then it’s on to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier - the world’s most accessible glacier.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Situated on the very edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier will welcome you in true New Zealand style. The Hotel makes the most of its alpine location and is only moments from spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The highly regarded Hot Pools are within walking distance. Featuring patios or balconies, the simple, warmly decorated rooms and suites include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Suites add living areas. (formerly known as the Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel) has quality rooms with balcony views and special access.

8

Franz Josef - Punakaiki

It’s time for an exhilarating adventure among temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway. Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then you depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewelry demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll stay overnight at your eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Accommodation Punakaiki - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Surrounded by the Paparoa National Park and with stunning views of the Tasman Sea, The Ocean View Retreat – Punakaiki is in a great location. The resort is situated only 300m from the famous Punakaiki Blowholes and has been designed in harmony with the local environment. Evenings are spent relaxing in a standard resort room with views of the sea or an Eco Suite with rainforest and distant seaviews.

9

Tranzalpine Rail Journey - Christchurch

Join your personal guide for a tour of Monteith’s Brewing Company, including tastings at the brewers’ table, before sitting down to lunch. Afterwards, you'll board the TranzAlpine train to travel from Greymouth to Arthur’s Pass - one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, which travels through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Join your tour director tonight for a farewell dinner with wine.

Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

The Distinction Hotel is a brand new hotel opening in 2019 in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This luxury Christchurch hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of brand new Superior Rooms and Suites.

10

Depart Christchurch

Today is yours; take your time exploring Christchurch, famous for being the most English city outside of England. It’s your last chance to experience New Zealand before you are transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Some Suggested Activities to Help you to get to Know the Region

Easygoing Cycling Tour	Punting the Avon River	Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural Evening	French Akaroa Tour	Southern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch Gondola	Clearwater Golf	Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike

Meals: Breakfast

Notes

Included Highlights

Visit a working sheep farm
Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm with a BBQ lunch
Visit Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo
Take your pick of a selection of included local highlight experiences at Dunedin
Journey through spectacular Fiordland National Park with its magnificent scenery
Cruise on truly inspiring Milford Sound
Visit historic Arrowtown
See Franz Josef Glacier
Visit a green stone factory
Walk around Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks
Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train