5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch | La Vacanza Travel

5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch

Duration: 5 days
Destination: New Zealand, South Island, Christchurch
from
1512.51

Check Availability

  • 5 days
  • Christchurch
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

See all the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this five-day guided sightseeing tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown, experience the majesty of Milford Sound, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel aboard the famous TranzAlpine Express train. Highlights include Mount Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Haast Past, Franz Joseph and the incredible TranzAlpine Rail Journey

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown

Pass By: Canterbury Region, Canterbury Region, South Island
Your five-day exploration of New Zealand's spectacular South Island begins with the stunning scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps. Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.

Pass By: Burkes Pass, Burkes Pass, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Burkes Pass is a mountain pass and at its base

Pass By: Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Continue traveling across Burkes Pass before descending to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo and visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd which stands on the foreshore.

Pass By: Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
From here you travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to arrive at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.

Pass By: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Stop at Mt Cook for lunch (additional at own expense) where you will be mesmerized by the surroundings of this truly unique region. Cross the Lindis Pass, leaving the MacKenzie Country and travel along the Kawerau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.

Pass By: South Island, South Island
Experience the south Island on this 5 day epic journey!

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or Similar)

Day 2: Milford Sound Day Excursion

Pass By: Fiordland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
Travel along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau, the 'Gateway to Fiordland National Park'. On entering the Fiordland National Park you pass through the Eglinton Valley

Pass By: Mirror Lakes Walk, Milford Road,, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
See ancient beech forest, stunning waterfalls and the famous Mirror Lakes where you will pause for a photo stop.

Pass By: Hollyford Valley, Southland 9679, New Zealand
Continue through the upper Hollyford Valley, past the stunning Christie Falls.

Pass By: Homer Tunnel, 94 S.h., Milford Sound New Zealand
Enter the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, drilled through the solid rock of a mountain. On exiting the Homer Tunnel prepare for the breathtaking impact of the Cleddau Valley and the descent into Milford Sound

Pass By: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
On arrival, take an unforgettable cruise on the majestic Milford Sound

Pass By: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
See the wonders of Mitre Peak and rock walls scarred by glaciers which rise to 1200m vertically from the sea. Then reboard the coach for the return journey to Queenstown. Optional lunches onboard the cruise are available.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).

Day 3: Queenstown

Pass By: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
A free day at leisure in Queenstown to either simply explore this most beautiful township nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounds by mountains which are snow-capped for much of the year or enjoy one of the many actives that are on offer.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar).

Day 4: Queenstown - Franz Joseph

Pass By: Lake Wanaka, Wanaka New Zealand
Travel along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea.

Pass By: Haast Pass, New Zealand
Haast Pass is the most stunning stretch of highway in New Zealand.

Pass By: Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
World Heritage Westland National Park. Initially the pass travels through the treeless grasslands of Central Otago, then at the highest point, the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps and the rivers and rainforests of Westland dominate the landscape

Pass By: Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
Continue to travel up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Pass By: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
The Franz Josef Glacier is 11 kilometers in length and more than 7,000 years old. Its terminal face creaks and arches over the cave from which the river emerges, pale with powdered rock and can advance or retreat at over a meter per day. This living 'river of ice' is a must see for any visitor to New Zealand.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Accommodation: Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (or similar).

Day 5: Franz Joseph - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch

Pass By: Shantytown Heritage Park, 316 Rutherglen Rd Paroa, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
On the final day of your South Island tour, today you continue to travel along the rugged West Coast to Shantytown, a faithful reconstruction of a Westland Gold Rush town.

Pass By: Greymouth, Greymouth, West Coast Region, South Island
From Shantytown, travel to Greymouth, the center for thousands of diggers during the historic gold strikes of the 1860's.

Pass By: Southern Alps, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
From Greymouth, journey over the Southern Alps, through Arthur's Pass.

Pass By: TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Continue through Arthur's Pass and onto Christchurch by the famous TranzAlpine Express. This journey is renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world. In Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation or the airport where your tour concludes.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Live commentary on board
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Tranz Alpine from Greymouth to Christchurch
  • Accommodation included: 4 nights
  • Entry/Admission - TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth

Exclusions
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Independent Touring - this is not a Group Tour - we use local suppliers and you will have a different coach & driver each day
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Departure Point: Christchurch hotels
Dates: Daily
Return point: Returns to original departure point on day 5 at approximately 6:35pm


Departure Time


Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Single Room
5/8/2023 - 9/30/2024

Monday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Triple Share
5/8/2023 - 9/30/2024
Monday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Twin Share
5/8/2023 - 9/30/2024
Monday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

5 days


User's Reviews

Raj_J

29 Jan, 2024

Very intensive itinerary but well coordinated with use of professional local service operators. Good choice of hotels although the first one at Franz Josef was a marginal 3/4*.

David_S

28 Jan, 2024

I went on this trip to see the fiords from a boat as the big event although the other sightseeing was also spectacular. I am well pleased with the result. The boat went right up to a couple of waterfalls and plenty opportunity to take some pics. Breathtaking. On the last day the trip back was on rather small busses when we could have done with windows in the roof and a little more space to sit for 8 hours but OK. On the whole a great tour.

Ning_l

01 Dec, 2023

We completed the trip and I wished that I would have done it differently. The hotels are all very nice and we were satisfied The driving from location to location is long and very disappointing. Nearly no tour guide during the entire tour. The bus driver does not really talk much or non English speaking. Almost all the buses are busy with drop off and picking up the guests who are on backpacking. Nearly no stopping at beautiful sceneries for a quick photo. I did not expect this lack of attention in detail during the transit when I signed up for the tour. It is very expensive tour and this has to be improved. Thank you.

Robert_P

18 Nov, 2023

The scenic train ride was quite good. The tours in each location had excellent leaders/guides and small groups rather than large buses, a plus, as large buses would not be able to go all of the places we could.

Del_T

11 Oct, 2023

Well coordinated transfer during the trip. Appreciated the Queenstown one day stop, it is moment of relaxation for long travels. I wish I stayed longer but the trip is still worth it

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