7 Day Slopes and Vines Tour
Day 1 – Queenstown Arrival
You will be welcomed to New Zealand by your own private local driver/guide and taken to your accommodation in Queenstown – ‘The Adventure Capital of the World’. If time allows, enjoy the spectacular drive to Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu and stroll along the boardwalk of the Glenorchy Lagoon, surrounded by towering alps and stunning glaciers, before returning to Queenstown for dinner at the famous Flame Bar and Grill! This splendid city will be your base for the next 6 nights.
Day 2 – Ski/Snowboard the Remarkables (47km – 1 hour 10 minutes return)
This morning you will be transported up to the top of the Remarkables mountain ranges by your driver/guide to hit the slopes for the first time. The Remarkables are a superb place to test out the New Zealand conditions. This world-class ski field really lives up to its name! There are breathtaking views to be admired, both from the slopes and from look out spots on the drive, featuring 360-degree views of Queenstown and the lake below and also many sites used in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The Remarkables features a fantastic network of progressive terrain parks with wide, gentle slopes for beginners of all ages and big mountain steeps for the experts in the family. This field also boasts purpose built snow tubing lanes. After a fantastic day skiing we will head back down to Queenstown where there is the opportunity to dine in one of Queenstown’s many fine lakefront establishments.
Day 3 – Lake Hayes + Gibbston Valley Wineries (55km – 50 minutes return)
Today you will enjoy a privately guided wine tour of the Queenstown, Lake Hayes and Gibbston Valley areas. You will enjoy a 5 course lunch with wine pairing at Amisfield Winery. Following this you will enjoy a wine tasting at Akarua. Next up we suggest a tasting at Two Paddocks, Wet Jacket Wines and Peregrine, or a visit to the historic ex Chinese gold mining community of Arrowtown. Wander the grounds where gold miners lived during the gold rush of the 1860s and indulge in some retail therapy following this in the town centre. The merino clothing, fruit and honey are plentiful! Return to Queenstown where the afternoon/evening is free to spend as you wish.
Day 4 – Ski/Snowboard Coronet Peak (32km – 45 minutes return)
Today we have another full day dedicated to hitting the powder. The beautiful Coronet Peak ski area is also nearby and sits above Arrowtown. Stunning high points and rolling trails offer seasoned skiers and snowboarders an experience to remember while the gentle lower slopes are perfect for beginners. Sitting at 1649m above sea level, don’t forget to take in the stunning views of the valley and surrounding snow capped peak. By the end of today’s ski run you should be really getting the hang of the kiwi ski style – both on and off the slopes! Be transported back to town by your guide and perhaps enjoy the evening with a visit to Queenstown’s iconic Ice Bar or snuggle up in a cosy bistro in front of the fireplace.
Day 5 – Central Otago Wineries (118km – 1 hour 40 minutes return)
Today you will enjoy a guided tour of Central Otago Wineries. You will head towards Bannockburn and enjoy a lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty, overlooking the vastly spread vines of the Central Otago area. Following this, perhaps enjoy some wine tasting at Carrick Winery, Misha’s Vineyard and Terra Sancta while you’re in the Bannockburn Region. Time permitting you can do some hot laps at Highlands Motorsport Park or check out the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Return to Queenstown in the afternoon/evening.
Day 6 – Queenstown Adventure
Today in and around Queenstown there are many possibilities. It is a day entirely for your leisure. For the adventurous among us there is skydiving, bungy-jumping, paragliding and white water rafting. For those of us who prefer to take a more relaxed approach to the day a cruise on the 100 year old TSS Earnslaw steam ship or a walk alongside Lake Wakatipu are not to be missed!
Day 7 – Departure Day
Today you will be transferred to your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have had a memorable winter ‘Road Trip’ with us!
“All in all, the guided private tour surpassed our expectations and I would gladly recommend booking with The Road Trip to anybody that wants to enjoy a tailor-made New Zealand experience.”
Alicia Nunez – Mexico, April 2018