Day 1 Arrive Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch, be met and transferred to the hotel. Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy some of the sights in Christchurch such as the Arts Center, the Museum, a ride on the Christchurch Tram, a punt ride on the River Avon or a stroll through the Botanical Garden (own expense). Accommodation: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Center (Standard), Millennium Hotel (First Class) or Elm Tree House (B&B).

Day 2 Christchurch / Mt Cook
(205 miles/4.5 hrs) Pick up a rental car from the central city depot. Drive south through the rural township of Ashburton before heading inland to the picturesque town of Geraldine (a recommended stop). Continue to Fairlie and on through Burkes Pass to Tekapo. A stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd near the shores of Lake Tekapo is popular. Continue to Mt Cook, and enjoy this alpine retreat by relaxing and soaking up the views. An optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps or a helicopter flight onto a glacier is available (own expense, subject to weather conditions). Accommodation: Mt Cook, Hermitage Hotel (Standard, First Class and Boutique). (B,D)

Day 3 Mt Cook / Dunedin
(205 miles/4.5 hrs) Travel southeast via Otematata and Kurau to the east coast before journeying south through Oamaru and Palmerston to Dunedin, the “Edinburgh of the South.” This afternoon we recommend one of the optional tours: Larnach Castle, historical Olveston House, a cruise to an albatross colony, or a rail journey through the Taieri Gorge (afternoon activities, own expense). Accommodation: Dunedin, Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel (Standard), Southern Cross Hotel (First Class) or Elgin House (Boutique B&B).

Day 4 Dunedin / Te Anau
(180 miles/4 hrs) Drive south via Milton and Balclutha then west through Gore and Lumsden to Te Anau. An optional trip to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is available (own expense). Accommodation: Te Anau, Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Standard), Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (First Class) or Fiordland Lodge (B&B).

Day 5 Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown
(255 miles/5.5 hrs) Depart Te Anau and head through the beech forest area of the Eglinton Valley and through the Homer Tunnel. Enjoy a 90-minute cruise on majestic Milford Sound (included) before returning via Te Anau, Lumsden and Kingston, skirting Lake Wakatipu into Queenstown—a town with a wonderful alpine ambience. Accommodation: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront (Standard), Heritage Queenstown (First Class) or Brown’s Boutique Hotel for two nights.

Day 6 Queenstown at Leisure
Today is free to enjoy one of the many excursions available in Queenstown. Cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station or enjoy a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River traveling through the canyon (activities, own expense).

Day 7 Queenstown / Fox Glacier
(235 miles/5 hrs) Depart Queenstown and travel via the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell. Continue on via Lake Wanaka and Hawea to Haast on the West Coast in South Westland— a World Heritage area. Drive past towering rainforest, unusual limestone landscapes, mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers to Fox Glacier. Accommodation: Fox Glacier, Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel (Standard) or Te Weheka Inn (First Class & Boutique).

Day 8 Fox Glacier / Christchurch
(260 miles/6 hrs) Travel early this morning via Hokitika, stopping at the Greenstone factory and Schroders Handblown Glass—an interesting diversion before reaching the junction of the West Coast and Arthur’s Pass. Proceed east through the majestic Southern Alps before arriving at the Canterbury Plains for the journey into Christchurch. Accommodation: Christchurch, The Charlotte Jane (Standard and First Class) or Elm Tree House (B&B) for two nights.
TranzAlpine Option:For those who prefer, drop off car at the Greymouth depot and take the award-winning TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch. Includes private car transfers to hotel on arrival in Christchurch and from hotel to airport on departure (day 10).

Day 9 Christchurch at Leisure
Today is free to explore Christchurch.

Day 10 Depart Christchurch
Drop off car at to the rental car counter at Christchurch Airport prior to departing flight.

Land cost per person US$		Twin	Single
Self Drive	Standard  First Class  Boutique	$1519 $1765 $2049	$2829 $3329 $3575

TranzAlpine Option Additional Cost $135

Departs daily. Meals and sightseeing included as specified in the itinerary. Minimum driver’s age: 21 years. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change. Please call for our current prices.