Coast to Coast New Zealand ( 8 Days)

After breakfast, you will be leaving Christchurch for Dunedin. You will be discovering South Island a little better, as you travel to Ashburton in the fertile Canterbury Plains; go on to the port city of Timaru, built on the rolling hills of an extinct volcano; travel through the pastoral town of Oamaru with its impressive limestone buildings; and, finally reach Dunedin. After checking into a hotel, you will have some time to relax or go for sightseeing (on your own). You may wish to explore the cultural centre of the city, Octagon. Overnight at hotel in Dunedin.

Following breakfast, you will be boarding the historic Taieri Gorge train on an engaging journey to Pukerangi. This daily train service transports tourists along the rugged Taieri River Gorge through several tunnels and wrought iron viaducts made over a century ago, where you can admire the sheer drops to the river flowing underneath. You will be disembarking at Pukerangi, called the “hills of heavens”, and travel ahead to Queenstown on Seat-in-Coach (SIC) basis. Those who wish to self-drive can continue their journey in a rented car. Overnight at hotel in Queenstown.

After breakfast, you will be going on an unforgettable cruise to the World Heritage Site of Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. A nature guide will lead you to experience the beauty of Milford Sound’s thick forests, rich wildlife, gushing waterfalls, and icy waters, together with the iconic mountain of Mitre Peak, which is one of the most photographed mountains in this country. You will be returning to your hotel in the evening and can spend the rest of the time to relax. Overnight at hotel in Queenstown.

Post-breakfast, you may go sightseeing or indulge in one of the thrilling sport activities (at your own cost) in the city. There are several daring activities you can participate in, if you wish, such as: jet-boarding, river-surfing, kite-surfing, paragliding, hang-gliding, skydiving, or visit the Ledge Sky Swing to swing 400-m above the city. Overnight at hotel in Queenstown.

Following breakfast, you will be going for another unforgettable tour to visit beautiful lakes and glaciers in the South Island. You will be driving past the beautiful Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, before you arrive at the fetching Haast, where the Landsborough River, running parallel to the Southern Alps, meets the sea. The Haast lies in the protected wilderness region of the South Westland World Heritage Site, lush with natural beauty. The Landsborough Valley allows glimpses of hanging glaciers and thick rainforests. Later, you will be proceeding to the Fox Glacier in the World Heritage area of Westland National Park and the nearby Franz Josef Glacier. Both the glaciers descend from the Southern Alps to about 300-m above sea-level in the midst of great scenic beauty. There are many activities you can indulge in (at your own cost), such as: guided valley walks, ice-climbing, heli-hiking, white-water rafting, or relax in hot pools fed by the glacier’s waters. There are cafes and restaurants, besides shops, where you can pick-up a few souvenirs. You will be returning to Queenstown in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Queenstown.

After breakfast, you will be checking-out of your hotel and leave for Greymouth by the Tranz Alpine train (on SIC basis). You will find this to be one of the most enjoyable, spectacular train journeys in the whole world, as you pass by the flat Canterbury Plains, the Waimakariri River, tropical rainforest region, Lake Brunner, Otira Tunnel, invigoratingly beautiful alpine scenery, and verdant landscapes. On reaching Christchurch, you will be transferred to a hotel. You will have the evening to yourself, to indulge in some sightseeing or shopping (on your own). Overnight at hotel in Christchurch.

Following breakfast, you will be checking-out of your hotel and at the scheduled hour, get transferred to the Christchurch airport to board the flight for your onward destination.