May 16, 2018

8 DAYS CHRISTCHURCH–GLACIER–QUEENSTOWN “THE CITY OF ACTIVITIES”

Written By Zenda Macuja

ITINERARY

 Day 01 ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH

Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 02 CHRISTCHURCH (B)

Pick up for brief morning city tour covering Antarctic Centre. Note that majore attractions have been damaged by earthquakes and access to city centre is not guaranteed. Afternoon free.

Day 03 CHRISTCHURCH – GLACIER (B)

Transfer to the train station and board the famed Tranz Alpine train across the Alps to Greymouth. Snake across rich farmland and along the shore of the mighty snow fed Waimakariri River, you climb slowly into the spine of the Southern Alps. Cross numerous viaducts high across river ravines to Arthur’s Pass township. Plunge into Otira Tunnel to emerge on the western side of the mountains. Pass small farming hamlets and beautiful Lake Brunner to arrive at Greymouth. Board the InterCity coach and continue to glacier township arriving late afternoon.

Day 04 GLACIER – QUEENSTOWN (B)

Wake up to the sound of bird chirps and refreshing quiet atmosphere of this township. Marvel at the massive bush clad, mountain rising steeply just beyond the highway. Board Newmans’ coach  and travel along the narrow strip of land border by the Tasman sea ang high mountains to Haast. Follow the Haast River upstream to re-cross the alpine range at Haast Pass. Then along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, you soon reach Wanaka and Queenstown. A very scenic journey indeed.

Day 05 MILFORD SOUND DAY EXCURSION (B)

Day excursion by Great Sights coach to scenic Milford Sound. Follow the Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden and then onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter Fiordland National Park along Eglington Valley and travel through Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sounds. This is reputed as the prettiest drive in the country with amazing mountain scenery all the way. Enjoy the cruise on the spectacular world famous fiords dominated by Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Retrace the journey back to Queenstown.

Day 06 QUEENSTOWN (B)

Enjoy a free day in Queenstown. Apart from beautiful scenery surrounding the resort, this is also the capital adventure tourism. Why not try thrilling jet-boating or heart-stopping bungy jump? A gondola ride up Bob’s Peak for panoramic view couple with a luge ride is recommended. Or simply relax and enjoy the scene.

Day 07 QUEENSTOWN – MT. COOK – CHRISTCHURCH (B)

Pick up by Great Sights coach and return to Christchurch via Mt. Cook National Park travel through the Central Otago region to Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook National Park Village. Set at the foothill of the alps, you have a close up view of Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in the country. Descend the mountains and re-cross the Canterbury Plains to arrive in Christchurch in the evening.

Day 08 DEPART CHRISTCHURCH (B)

Pick-up and transfer to the airport by shuttle service.