10-Day New Zealand South Island Self-Guided Adventure Tour from Christchurch
10-Day New Zealand South Island Self-Guided Adventure Tour from Christchurch Take a stunning South Island tour and travel from Christchurch to Queenstown, Franz Josef, Nelson and back on a 10-day adventure with great activities!
10-Day New Zealand South Island Self-Guided Adventure Tour from Christchurch
Highlights
• Best selling tour in Oceania
• Explore the vast and diverse South Island ofNew Zealand
• Take a peaceful boat ride in the serene Milford Sound
• Walk through the Franz Josef Glacier Valley
• Experience a stunning Anchorage sailing and walking trip
• Enjoy the range of adventures in Queenstown
Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch
You will be moved to your accommodation for check-in when you arrive at Christchurch Airport. Enjoy a free evening and afternoon to settle in this beautiful place.
Day 2: Christchurch – Queenstown
You will go this morning from Christchurch to New Zealand’s adventure city – if not the country – Queenstown! To catch your bus, make your way to the bus departure point outside Canterbury Museum.
Queenstown is a scenic settlement on New Zealand’s South Island. It’s one of the most beautiful regions and offers attractions throughout the year. Situated on the edge of Wakatipu Lake, the town is surrounded by the Southern Alps. Remarkable, which is a saw-toothed range of mountains on the opposite side of the lake from the area, is the most amazing sight.
Upon arrival, make your way to your check-in accommodation and enjoy settling in and overnight at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 3: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Make your way today to the departure point, to visit Milford Sound, undoubtedly one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world, and, equally impressive, to travel along 295 km of Milford Road via Fiordland National Park.
Leaving Queenstown, you can ride along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and into southern farmland to Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island, on new comfortable buses that include informative and entertaining comments from experienced local guides. Travel along the lake and into Fiordland National Park after a morning tea stop (own fee).
Join the picturesque Eglinton Valley, a location of ancient alpine forests and gushing waterfalls and one of only a few road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand, and take advantage of the photo opportunities on the Milford Road, such as the stunning Mirror Lakes, where the surrounding mountain ranges are perfectly mirrored in the still waters on a calm day and Knobs Flat, where glaciers are perfectly reflected.
When you cross the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, with spectacular mountain peaks all around, your glass-roof coach can have incredible views of the dramatic skyline. Stop and taste some of the purest water in the world at Monkey Creek (but look out for cheeky kea-native mountain parrots!).
Go through the Homer Tunnel under the mountains, a 1.2 km passageway carved into solid rock, then experience The Chasm, a quick but spectacular walk across footbridges spanning a series of powerful, swirling waterfalls and rapids.
Board your Southern Discoveries Scenic Cruise for 1 hour 45 minutes at Milford Sound and set off to explore the area that Rudyard Kipling called the Eighth World Wonder. Gliding through glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that plunge through valleys and crash into the sea far below, ride the length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea.
The lush native forest clings to steep cliffs, while wildlife frequently visits the frozen lakes, including seals, penguins and dolphins. The fiord is surrounded by mountain ranges, including Mitre Peak that rises sharply from the depths to an altitude of 1,692 meters above sea level.
The crew will entertain you with comments on the natural history and wildlife of the region during your cruise, and the large top deck allows incredible viewing and panoramic photo opportunities. On other floors, wide covered seating areas and viewing windows are situated.
Return to Queenstown by bus after your cruise.
Day 4: Queenstown
Today is free to enjoy yourself in Queenstown. There are so many things to see and do here, it’s impossible to ever get bored!
Day 5: Queenstown – Franz Josef
Make your way to the bus departure point this morning to catch the bus that will take you to the incredible town of Franz Josef from Queenstown. Check-in to your new accommodation upon arrival and enjoy the beauty here.
Day 6: Franz Josef
As it winds its way through this remarkable landscape, the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk will take you up along the mighty bed of the Waiho River, following the glacier’s course. Here you can learn about the past of the glacier, see what this magnificent giant left behind and learn about the Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere legend.
After a brief climb close to the terminal face, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the rapidly shifting terminal face of the glacier.
This leisurely and insightful journey can be personalized to suit most skills and desires in groups, so that no trip is ever the same. There has never been a more extraordinary time to visit the Franz Josef Glacier, accessing some unique trails and including fantastic storytelling from your experienced and well-trained guide.
Day 7: Franz Josef – Nelson
Today you will leave Franz Josef to travel to the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to settle-in.
Day 8: Nelson – Abel Tasman – Nelson
Today, to embark on a journey that will restore your bond with nature, you will be picked up from your accommodation. Start your day with an invigorating walk from Marahau to Anchorage through the lush native forest. Feel the independence, soak up the ambiance and take in the views of the coastal paradise of New Zealand.
For a visit to the Fur Seal colony, join the sailing tour at 1:30pm from Anchorage beach. Then let nature do the job and sail back to the beautiful resort community of Kaiteriterii via the best of the Abel Tasman coastline via Split Apple Rock (2.5 hour sail & 4 hour walk).
Lunch, along with morning and afternoon tea, is served on the cruise. You’ll be dropped off at the end of the tour back at your Nelson accommodation.
Day 9: Nelson – Christchurch
10-Day New Zealand South Island Self-Guided Adventure Tour from ChristchurchWe say goodbye to Nelson today and make the trip back to Christchurch where you are going to spend your last night. Check-in into your new lodging on arrival and spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of southern New Zealand.
Day 10: Christchurch
Your last day of the trip is today. Before checking out of your accommodation in time to catch your return airport transfer, enjoy the morning in Christchurch, where this incredible adventure will come to an end.
Optionally, you can spend more nights in Christchurch at an extra rate. If you are interested, please contact us.
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