EXPIRED - Grand Pacific Tours 10 Day South Island Festive Highlights Tour
Spend Christmas 2020 in New Zealand with a like-minded group of travellers on this summer coach tour. Looping the South Island you'll visit the most talked-about locations on the island, and more. Highlighting Milford Sound and the TranzAlpine Scenic Railway, Larnach castle and the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown this journey will keep you busy and offer you the chance to safely explore New Zealand's most dynamic scenery.
Escorted coach tour
This suggested tour costs from NZD$4,169 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Christchurch
10 days/9 nights
Hotel 4 star
Pre and post tour options? YES
Viewed 14 times in the last 7 days
2 Lunches
8 dinners
All breakfasts
Private airport transfers
Professional Coach Captain & Tour Leader
Larnach Castle Tour and Gardens
Dunedin City Sights tour
Christchurch City Sights tour
Lakes District Museum
Christchurch Tram
At a glance - EXPIRED - Grand Pacific Tours 10 Day South Island Festive Highlights Tour
Day 1: Arrive into Christchurch. Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
Day 2: Free Day to explore Christchurch. Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
Day 3: Christchurch to West Coast on the TranzAlpine Train. Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (or similar)
Day 4: From Fox Glacier to Queenstown. Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)
Day 5: Christmas in Queenstown. Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)
Day 6: Make your way to the Fiordland National Park. Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Te Anau (or similar)
Day 7: Go towards the east coast and Dunedin. Accommodation: Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)
Day 8: Travel inland to see the majestic Mt Cook. Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (or similar)
Day 9: Your last journey back to Christchurch today. Accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
Day 10: Say goodbye to your new travel companions as you depart today.
Detailed itinerary: 10 day tour starting in Christchurch
Day 1 - Arrive into Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions.
Your accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
The Quality Hotel Elms in Christchurch, is located 5 minutes from the city and is the closest hotel to the largest enclosed Shopping Mall in New Zealand. Renowned for its professional and friendly staff you are guaranteed a pleasant stay.Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 - Free Day to explore Christchurch
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure, one of Christchurch's leading attractions.
Your accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
The Quality Hotel Elms in Christchurch, is located 5 minutes from the city and is the closest hotel to the largest enclosed Shopping Mall in New Zealand. Renowned for its professional and friendly staff you are guaranteed a pleasant stay.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Christchurch to West Coast on the TranzAlpine Train
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Your accommodation: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (or similar)
The Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier is nestled at the base of the majestic Southern Alps in the Westland World Heritage Park. Originally built in 1928 it has been refurbished to retain its charming atmosphere.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - From Fox Glacier to Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty. At Arrowtown, an old gold mining village, visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions.
Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)
The Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront is conveniently located within walking distance to the centre of Queenstown and just a few minutes stroll from the picturesque Lake Wakatipu.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Christmas in Queenstown
Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ's high-country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing-along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront (or similar)
The Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront is conveniently located within walking distance to the centre of Queenstown and just a few minutes stroll from the picturesque Lake Wakatipu.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - Make your way to the Fiordland National Park
This morning travel to Te Anau the gateway to Fiordland. Enjoy a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland cinema (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Te Anau (or similar)
The perfect base for all your Fiordland travel, Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides comfortable accommodation right in the heart of Te Anau.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Go towards the east coast and Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the "Edinburgh of the South" and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnarch 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 a delicious Devonshire Tea.
Your accommodation: Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)
Nestled in landscaped Gardens, the Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge is just a short drive from the central city and adjacent to the Botanical Gardens.Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Day 8 - Travel inland to see the majestic Mt Cook
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Your accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel (or similar)
Positioned at the crossroads linking north, south, east and west, the Heritage Gateway Hotel features a full restaurant and cocktail bar with views of the Southern Alps, and everything you need to rest and refresh.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Your last journey back to Christchurch today
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch for a city tour.
Your accommodation: Quality Hotel Elms Christchurch (or similar)
The Quality Hotel Elms in Christchurch, is located 5 minutes from the city and is the closest hotel to the largest enclosed Shopping Mall in New Zealand. Renowned for its professional and friendly staff you are guaranteed a pleasant stay.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Say goodbye to your new travel companions as you depart today
After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
