Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour

On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel. This evening, meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.

Celebrate Christmas with a difference on the Ultimate Coach. Grand Pacific Tours is delighted to offer only 20 travellers this exclusive opportunity to travel on board our Ultimate Coach during the festive season. Travel in style as you witness the spectacular South Island and enjoy the festive season Kiwi style. Christmas will be celebrated with a traditional Christmas dinner at Walter Peak Station, a high country sheep station near Queenstown. Also included is a comprehensive range of prepaid attractions. So go ahead spoil yourself and let Santa come early this year.

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon enjoy free time to explore. This evening is also free.

Travel through the Southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. Enjoy a scenic flight (optional, time and weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.

Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. You might be interested in a tour of the Speigh's Brewery (optional) or to see Albatross in their natural habitat (optional).

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, the 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).

A leisurely start today before travelling to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic 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.

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.

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, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. 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.

Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Franz Josef Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Travel to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone then continue to Arthurs 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 to the elegant city of Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and with your new friends.

After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.