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Grand Pacific Ultimate

Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate South Island Christmas

Travel in an intimate group of just 20, with a special Christmas-themed New Zealand adventure. Christmas will be celebrated in Queenstown after returning from a wonderful Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise. Also included is a comprehensive range of prepaid attractions.  So go ahead, spoil yourself and let Santa come early this year.

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Quick Itinerary Details

Small Group Tour Guided

This suggested tour costs from NZD$8,699 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch

11 days/10 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Pre and post tour options? YES

 Viewed 29 times in the last 7 days

Tour Inclusions

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
International Antarctic Centre
Lakes District Museum
Larnach Castle
TranzAlpine Train from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
TSS Earnslaw cruise and dinner at Walter Peak high country farm, Queenstown
Complimentary pre-dinner welcome drink
Professional Coach Captain
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 9 dinners, 2 special dinners
price pp from
Was NZD$9,249
Now NZD$8,699
twin share/double
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

Day 2: Christchurch

Day 3: Christchurch - Mt Cook

Day 4: Mt Cook - Dunedin

Day 5: Dunedin - Te Anau

Day 6: Te Anau - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Day 7: Te Anau - Queenstown - Christmas Day

Day 8: Queenstown (Free Day)

Day 9: Queenstown - Franz Josef

Day 10: Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch

Day 11: Depart Christchurch

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
GP guests getting to know each other on the Ultimate coach

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City (2 nights)

  • Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Grand Pacific Merchandise

Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are avai...

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Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are available for purchase. Merchandise items must be ordered at the time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand

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Enjoying a cup of tea in the sun and watching the Christchurch tram travel the laneways

This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore further.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

  • Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Tekapo

Travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.

Staying in Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)

  • Nestled in the stunning Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel is surrounded by awe-inspiring glaciers, sparkling terminal lakes, rushing rivers, and the towering Aoraki/Mt Cook, Australasia's tallest peak at 3,724 metres. This iconic hotel boasts a range of exceptional restaurants and bars, along with 164 well-appointed rooms. Whether you're here for adventure or relaxation, The Hermitage provides the ultimate gateway to explore one of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes. 

Walkway through Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Staying in Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

  • 2024 Travellers Choice Winner and ranked in the top 20 of all hotels in NZ on TripAdvisor. The Distinction Dunedin Hotel is elegant, luxurious and located in the rejuvenated and vibrant Warehouse Precinct in the heart of the city.  The ideal combination of style and functionality. These air-conditioned Dunedin Studios offer a cloud-like super king bed and modern ensuite bathroom with a luxurious dual fixture walk-in rain shower plus complimentary Distinction toiletries.

Wooden jetty into Lake Te Anau

This morning, travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional) or the Fiordland Cinema, specially constructed to screen the locally filmed movie Ata Whenua - Shadowland which will take you on an unforgettable journey (optional).

Staying in Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

  • Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges this elegant 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. You will stay in a spacious and superbly appointed room with striking views of Lake Te Anau from your window.

Doubtful Sound Overnight cruise Ship

A leisurely start today before travelling to Manapouri. Enjoy lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. After a short ride over the Wilmot Pass, join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.

Staying in Overnight Fiordland Navigator

  • Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. You will create some lifelong memories as the Fiordland Navigator takes you through the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience. As you cruise through some of NZ’s most stunning scenery, knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or to simply relax on board. As evening falls, you will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines and if the skies are clear, enjoy some stargazing. The next day explore other parts of the fiord.

Doubtful Sound Navigator, overnight Cruise

Merry Christmas! Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Queenstown, a year-round resort, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening dinner will be at your hotel.

Staying in Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)

  • Right in the heart of the action, Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping and entertainment district and offers accommodation with scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your trip. Millennium Hotel Queenstown is a 4-star plus and Enviro-Gold Qualmark rated hotel.  All rooms at Millennium Hotel Queenstown are designed for complete relaxation with its inviting bed and cosy ambience, it’s a good nights rest for sure.

TSS Earnslaw sailing on Lake Wakatipu

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Staying in Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown

  • Right in the heart of the action, Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping and entertainment district and offers accommodation with scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your trip. Millennium Hotel Queenstown is a 4-star plus and Enviro-Gold Qualmark rated hotel.  All rooms at Millennium Hotel Queenstown are designed for complete relaxation with its inviting bed and cosy ambience, it’s a good nights rest for sure.

GP guest enjoying a warm drink in Arrowtown

Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel for your overnight stay.

Staying in Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat

  • Te Waonui Forest Retreat is truly luxurious and can be found in an area of native rainforest which has been carefully preserved. All the guest room balconies look out into the rainforest, which contains mature trees up to 20m high. Guests get a real sense of seclusion and privacy during their stay. Lavishly appointed guest rooms, generously proportioned and featuring the highest standard of room amenities, such as your own personal pillow menu, natural wool mattress underlay and high-speed Internet access. 

TranzAlpine Scenic Railway

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory before arriving at Arthur’s Pass where you board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening reminisce on the memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner which includes selected beverages.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

  • Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

GP guests enjoying a wine with the Coach Captain

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday

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Dec 19, 2025
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Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate South Island Christmas

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