Southern Splendor & Sights Tour

This 9 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

Explore Christchurch, the largest city in the Canterbury region and adventure to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula where you will enjoy a Harbour Cruise. Akaroa is home to the Hector's dolphin, one of the world's smallest and rarest species, as well as lots of birdlife. Travelling to Aoraki Mt Cook, pass farmlands and fields, and watch the Southern Alps get closer. Drive through the township of Lake Tekapo, and compare its brilliant turquoise waters with that of Lake Pukaki at the Mackenzie Basin. Approaching Mt Cook Village, view the magnificent 3,724-metre-high Aoraki/Mt Cook. Enjoy a boat ride on Tasman Lake where you can touch large icebergs which have broken off the Tasman Glacier, the longest Glacier in New Zealand. Continue your journey to Queenstown, the 'Adventure Capital of New Zealand' and simmer down in an onsen hot pool before your free day to explore. On your way through Wanaka to Franz Josef on the West Coast, stop in Cardrona and indulge your senses with a tour through the picturesque Cardrona Distillery. Explore lush rainforests, glaciers and mountains in Franz before completing your holiday with an epic train journey on the TranzAlpine back to Christchurch.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Private transfer Christchurch International Airport to your accommodation

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: Akaroa Day Tour and Harbour Nature Cruise with Leisure Tours

Included activity: Glacier Explorers

Included activity: Outdoor Onsen Evening Session with Onsen Hot Pools

Included activity: Cardrona Distillery Classic Tour

Included activity: Māwhera Pā with Pounamu Pathway

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch Train Station to your accommodation

Included activity: Private transfer accommodation to Christchurch Airport

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Itinerary summary for: Southern Splendor & Sights Tour

Day 1: Arrive into Christchurch City
Accommodation: The Mayfair Christchurch

Day 2: Enjoy a day trip to Akaroa and keep an eye out for seals and dolphins on the Harbour Cruise
Accommodation: The Mayfair Christchurch

Day 3: Drive to the picturesque town of Tekapo before arriving in Mt Cook and getting close to glaciers on the Tasman Lake
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 4: Farewell New Zealand's highest mountain and make your way to Central Otago and spend the evening in and hot tub
Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown

Day 5: Today is yours to discover all the scenic spots and fun activities on offer in Queenstown
Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown

Day 6: Drive the Crown Range into Cardrona and enjoy a distillery tour before continuing through Wanaka and arriving in Franz Josef
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 7: Explore the amazing glaciers of Westland National Park
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 8: Immerse yourself in culture at Mawhera Pa and board the TranzAlpine train back to Chirstchurch
Accommodation: The Mayfair Christchurch

Day 9: Depart Christchurch and continue your journey onwards