In the company of other solo travellers from around the world, experience the best of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island, with its soaring mountains, lush rainforest and rugged coastlines.
You’ll be travelling in comfort on your preferred level of touring – this itinerary is available as a Signature or Ultimate tour. On both options you have the choice of a guaranteed single room to yourself, or pairing with another traveller in a shared twin room.
Starting from the garden city of Christchurch you’ll board the famous TranzAlpine train, traversing the mighty Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast. Discover the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox before continuing to Queenstown, perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range.
Enjoy a cruise by traditional paddle steamer across the lake before continuing your journey into the heart of Fiordland.
A cruise on Milford Sound will be an undoubted highlight of your tour, with its surrounding peaks and thundering waterfalls – keep your eyes peeled for wildlife too. You’ll also visit Dunedin and marvel at New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki-Mt Cook, before ending your South Island adventure back in Christchurch.
Itinerary
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further.
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 Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
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 or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. 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.
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Depart Te Anau for 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 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).
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ where you can enjoy a city tour on arrival.
Signature Tour guests will then travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour followed by Devonshire Tea.
Ultimate Tour guests have the afternoon free to explore. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.
Signature Tour will depart for Oamaru famous for its limestone, then follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Ultimate Tour will travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle this morning, to hear tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is 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 for your overnight stay.
Signature Tour continues to Lake Tekapo, to view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch.
Ultimate Tour will spend the morning marvelling at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue via a scenic stop at Lake Tekapo and on to Christchurch.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your newfound friends.
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Prices
What's Included
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Hotel accommodation for 10 nights (standard hotels for Signature Tours, Superior hotels for Ultimate tour)
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All breakfasts, 8 dinners, 1 lunch, 1 afternoon tea
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Transportation in specially configured coach
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1 rail journeys
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2 cruises
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All attractions and activities as detailed in the itinerary (unless specified as optional)
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Professional Coach Captain; plus Tour Leader on Signature Tour
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £3410 Excluding Flights
11 Nights
Jan-Feb & Sep
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your touring preference and travel dates.
Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the most up-to-date pricing and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Phoebe
6
Hanging bridges walked across
5
Sloths seen in the wild
Departure & price guide
Due to timetable scheduling or nominated maintenance days as applied by the rail company, some departures may not include the advertised rail journey as part of the tour itinerary. These dates are subject to change and will be advised when possible at the time of booking.
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Ben
Travel Specialist
