Evening departure form London Heathrow to Christchurch

In transit

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is free for you to explore the pretty garden city of Christchurch.

This morning board the award winning TranzAlpine Train. This journey has been voted one of the top train journeys in the world, and is renowned as New Zealand’s ‘Great Rail Adventure’. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Enjoy stunning scenery as we journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Here take the opportunity to see Pounamu (Jade) being carved into beautiful jewellery. Continue along the dramatic West Coast and enter the World Heritage-listed area of Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand. View the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this incredible region (own expense, weather permitting).

Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as we travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life. At Haast experience a unique river safari, capturing breathtaking views of the massive glacier formed Haast River Valley, flanked by towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and dense temperate rainforest. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action packed alpine resort of Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our Dining Options in Queenstown, where you get to choose from one of four restaurants and we will include it! Perhaps relax on a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak to enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Colonel’s homestead or ride the Queenstown gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner and spectacular views over Queenstown. A quiet night may appeal, so perhaps dine at your hotel or a local restaurant.

Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure- seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because "...it was fit for a Queen”. Today we have a selection of activities for you to choose from and we will include it! A Queenstown “Double Decker Explorer” tour, an “Original Wine Tour” of some of the local and award winning wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover river or a relaxing garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the “Safari of the Scenes” tour, an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD might appeal or a leisurely walk around Lake Wakatipu on a “Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk”.

Today we follow the Remarkable’s Mountain Range and trace the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow capped mountains. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine drives. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to be met by Mitre Peak rising sheer from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. We board our Red Boat cruise and journey the full length of this beautiful Fiord. View cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains in this pristine World Heritage-listed area. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive to the tranquil settlement of Te Anau.

Travel across the South Island through small farming communities to Dunedin. The city was settled by the Scottish in 1848 and is now renowned as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ - Dunedin is also the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. The Scottish heritage is still apparent today in the architecture of the many fine buildings including the University of Otago, modelled on the University of Glasgow buildings. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps a tour of the Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre where they brew the popular Speights ale. A visit to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony or explore Penguin Place to spot the rare yellow-eyed penguins the “Hoiho”, or maybe explore New Zealand's only castle “Larnach Castle” for a tour of the castle and stroll around the beautiful gardens.

Departing Dunedin we journey north to Moeraki Beach with its unusual boulders. According to Maori tradition, the boulders are gourds and calabashes washed from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand some 1000 years ago. Stop at Oamaru, a historic town renowned for its distinctive cream limestone buildings then continue inland passing beautiful glacier fed lakes of incredible colour. We continue our journey into New Zealand’s highland and Mt Cook National Park, which was awarded 'World Heritage' status in recognition of its qualities and rare beauty. View Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain at 3754 metres above sea level. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense).

This morning we stop at the beautiful Lake Tekapo, once an ancient glacier and visit the picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country we cross the braided Rakaia River and travel through the mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings of the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

This morning choose from a range of exciting activities. Christchurch’s “Must see Four” tour including the Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch Tram and Christchurch Gondola. Perhaps a leisurely punt on the Avon River may appeal or a bike ride around Christchurch City or maybe wander around some of Christchurch’s local gardens. The choice is yours and we will include it. On conclusion you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight.