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CLASSIC SOUTH ISLAND - 8 days / 7 nights
(Accommodation: 1 night Christchurch / 3 nights Queenstown / 2 nights Franz Josef or Fox Glacier / 1 night Christchurch )
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch: Welcome to Christchurch - the “Garden City”. You are met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. Christchurch has a vibrant city centre with numerous bars, cafes and excellent boutique shopping. Make time to explore Christchurch ’s many attractions, most of which are easily accessible by foot, tram and bus.
Day 2: Christchurch - Queenstown: Journey south by coach over the patchworked Canterbury Plains to Mount Cook National Park. Pass alpine lakes and journey through tussock country to the resort of Queenstown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake.
Day 3: Queenstown - Doubtful Sound tour: A day of natural wonder. Travel by scenic coach to Lake Te Anau and onto Manapouri where you board your cruise across to the West Arm of the lake. Here you board your coach and travel through dense rainforest. Once at Deep Cove board the catamaran for a 3 hours cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound. On board there are excellent views of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains, and if sighted, there is a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins and fur seals basking on the rocks. Also rare Fiordland crested penguins are sometimes encountered on a seasonal basis. A visit is also possible to the Underground Power station (subject to operational procedures).
Day 4: Queenstown - Day at leisure: A free day to enjoy the many activities available in this region which include jet-boating excursions, golf, bungy jumping, paragliding, gold panning in old gold-mines, cruises on Lake Wakatipu, or simply relaxing beside the lakeside or shopping.
Day 5: Queenstown - Fox or Franz Josef: Leaving Queenstown the coach follows the rocky Kawarau Gorge through to Cromwell. Travel along the shores of picturesque Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to cross the divide at the Haast Pass. Continue through the rainforests of the Westland World Heritage Park to the glacier township of Fox or Franz Josef.
Day 6: Fox or Franz Josef: Half day guidedglacier walk (weather permitting).
Day 7: Fox or Franz Josef - Christchurch: Travel up the rugged coastline of the West Coast to Greymouth where you will board the famous TranzAlpine train. Your journey pushes east through the Otira Tunnel, a marvellous engineering feat by pick and shovel at the turn of last century. The scenery changes from thick rainforest and native bush to high country grasses as you make your way over the main divide. River Valleys, deep gorges and towering viaducts give way to the vast braided rivers that run over the Canterbury Plains to the sea. You will be transferred to your accommodation.
Day 8: Depart Christchurch: A departure transfer is provided to Christchurch International Airport .
Package price: (valid for travel between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010)
From NZ$1684,- per person in a double or twin room (2 people travelling together).
Single room supplement: NZ$612,-
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Inclusions:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 3 transfers (Christchurch)
- 2 sightseeing tours (Queenstown, Fox or Franz Josef Glacier)
- 3 coach transfers (Christchurch/Mount Cook/Queenstown, Queenstown/Fox or Franz Josef Glacier, Fox or Franz Josef Glacier/Greymouth)
- TranzAlpine train
This itinerary can also be booked as a self drive option. Prices from NZ$1581 per person.
Rental car pick up in Christchurch on day 2 and drop off at the Greymouth railway station on day 7.
Rental car example (other categories on application)
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Group ICAR - Toyota Camry Sportivo, Nissan Primera, Toyota Avensis, Mazda or similar
5 door, 3.8-4.0 litre, 6 cylinder, automatic, air conditioning, radio with CD player, air bags, cruise control, ABS brakes, independent rear suspension, six function trip computer, electric seat adjustment, central locking
Renter qualification: All intending drivers must present a valid full national driving licence, which has been held for at least one year . A current international driving licence must accompany driving licences issued in a language other than English. There is no extra charge for additional drivers. Minimum rental age and other requirements for additional drivers will be the same as for the renter. Additional authorised drivers must be notified to Thrifty and listed on the rental agreement.
Motor Vehicle Insurance: Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance (MVI) including third party and public liability, is included in our rates. An Accident Damage Excess (ADE) does apply however. This excess may be reduced (at the renter's option) at the time of rental by purchasing Accident Excess Reduction (AER),
Fuel: Fuel is not included in the rates. Each vehicle is supplied with a full tank of fuel, which is refilled at the renter's expense on return. If the vehicle is not returned with a full tank, the renter will be charged for the fuel required to refill the tank at the prevailing rate applicable by Thrifty Car Rental at the time.
Restricted Roads: Thrifty vehicles are prohibited from the following roads:
North Island : Ninety-Mile Beach (Northland) / South Island : Skippers Canyon Road (Queenstown)
Driving on these roads constitutes a breach of the rental agreement and the renter would be fully liable for any damage to the Thrifty vehicle or Third party property occurring as a result. |
This itinerary can also be booked in reverse or as a shortened version. Please contact us with your individual request.
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David Wall
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