9 Day Exclusive Southern Lights Luxury Tour
Day 1 – Christchurch arrival
You will be met at the airport by one of our friendly guides who will transfer you to your hotel (guided tours only) or one of our friendly representatives who will give you your route notes and hand over the keys to your rental vehicle (self-driven tours). In the afternoon you could take a Christchurch city tour. Christchurch is known throughout New Zealand as ‘The Garden City’. This city tour could include a visit to ‘The Sign of the Kiwi’, the most panoramic of Christchurch’s viewpoints, a stroll in the botanic gardens and drive around the bays of Christchurch taking in Lyttelton which was the gateway for many of Christchurch and the Canterbury region’s first settlers.
Your hotel tonight is Christchurch City’s finest 5 star hotel boasting views of the Avon River and spectacular Hagley Park. You will enjoy dinner in the exclusive Pescatore Restaurant.
Overnight: The George Hotel or similar
Dinner included today
Day 2 – Christchurch to Arthurs Pass via Tranz Alpine Train + drive to Franz Josef Glacier – 390km (2.5 hour train journey + 3.5 hour drive)
Today you will take a journey across the Canterbury Plains and through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass. This was voted one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Keep a look out for the Bealey River and lakes Pearson and Lyndon with the towering Alps above. You will disembark in Arthurs Pass where there is the opportunity of taking one of the many short nature walks in the national park. You will have the chance to look for the Kea (New Zealand’s native alpine parrot). Our favourite spot features a stunning 150 metre waterfall and spectacular views of the mountains as you peek through native beech forest. Driving further you can stop in Hokitika to have a look at the greenstone factory, where you can view up close how the local people carve necklaces and sculptures from the precious stone. This afternoon or early tomorrow morning you will have the option of a flight over or heli-hike on the majestic Franz Josef Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world to be flanked by rainforest on both sides (optional – extra cost).
Your luxury 5 star accommodation for this evening features exclusive rooms with a rainforest setting and 5 course degustation meal.
Overnight: Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat or similar
Breakfast and dinner included Today
Day 3 – Franz Josef Glacier – Wanaka – 250km (4 hour drive)
One of the prettiest and most dramatic journeys in the country is what you can experience on this tour over the Haast Pass through to Wanaka. En route you will visit Lake Matheson, otherwise known as ‘Mirror Lakes’ where on a clear day it is possible to see the reflection of New Zealand’s highest mountain Mt Cook (3754m/12,316ft). The walking possibilities are endless today around Haast and Haast Pass and you can do one of or several walks, some of which feature spectacular waterfalls and deep blue coloured pools where it is possible to see trout swimming. One of our favourite spots at The Road Trip is Ship Creek, an isolated beach featuring native totara trees hugging rugged coastline. Tonight you will stay in Wanaka, one of the most popular kiwi vacation hot spots situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka (Helicopter transfer included to Minaret Station).
Tonight you will be flown to one of New Zealand’s ultimate luxury properties by helicopter and enjoy a spectacular night and top class cuisine in a remote alpine location.
Overnight: Minaret Station or similar (includes helicopter transfers)
Breakfast and dinner included Today
Day 4 – Wanaka to Te Anau – 260km (3 hour drive)
This morning you will be flown back to Wanaka to be met by your private driver. For those feeling adventurous you can take a walk up one of our favourite look out spots featuring 360 degree views of Lake Wanaka, Aspiring National Park and the Clutha River. After further exploring Wanaka, your South Island tour takes you over The Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest highway to Arrowtown, an important location in the gold rush of Central Otago in the 1860s. Perhaps browse the preserved Chinese gold mining village or wander the boutique shops the town has on offer. Your next stop is Amisfield Winery where you will enjoy a 3 course ‘trust the chef’ lunch with 4 matching wines, including the trademark Pinot Noir which this region is famous for (lunch and wine tasting included). This afternoon you will drive a further 2.5 hours to Te Anau. This evening in Te Anau you will take a tour by boat across Lake Te Anau to the glow worm caves to view the shimmering light of thousands of luminous glow-worms in a 12,000 year old grotto (included).
Your accommodation for the next 2 nights is set on a superb site commanding spectacular views of Lake Te Anau. Enjoy spectacular seasonal fare and a connection to the land with fantastic cuisine in the lodge restaurant.
Overnight: Fiordland Lodge or similar
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included today
Day 5 – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau – 240km (4 hour drive)
Be prepared for one of the jewels of the New Zealand landscape. The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most spectacular in the world and certainly a highlight on any New Zealand tour. En route you will see spectacular valleys, breath taking mountains and hopefully spot the cheeky Kea (New Zealand’s mountain parrot). This morning you will experience all that the fjords have to offer with a 1.5 hour boat cruise featuring pristine waterfalls and towering mountains plunging into the Tasman Sea (included activity). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and the Fiordland crested Penguin. On your trip back to Te Anau there is the opportunity to take some short walks in the Fiordland National Park.
Overnight: Fiordland Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 6 – Te Anau – Queenstown 175km (2 hour drive)
This morning you will head to Queenstown, ‘New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world’. Skirting your way around Lake Wakatipu makes for some stunning photography and you will be amazed by the Remarkables Mountain Range, one of the most famous back drops for Lord of the Rings. Today is free to explore Queenstown at leisure and take part in some of the fantastic activities that this ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ has to offer. Options for the adventurous include: Skydiving, Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Canyon Swings, White Water Rafting, Flyboarding and Paragliding. If you feel like taking a more relaxed approach to the day, a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw 100 year old steam ship or a walk through Queenstown’s Botanic Gardens are not to be missed.
Your accommodation for the next 2 nights is the spectacular luxury Matakauri Lodge boasting spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding peaks.
Overnight: Matakauri Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 7 – Queenstown Activities + Sightseeing
Today is a further day to explore Queenstown with your private guide at leisure. There are also several hiking opportunities that will be recommended and lead by your guide. Perhaps take a drive with your guide to Glenorchy and the head of Lake Wakatipu to hike a section of the Routeburn or Greenstone Tracks. There is also the opportunity to visit some fantastic scenic look out spots around Coronet Peak. Enjoy a further night in Queenstown. Spend a further night at the luxury Matakauri Lodge.
Overnight: Matakauri Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 8 – Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Mt Cook – 356km (4.5 hour drive)
You leave Central Otago today through the Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell where you can make a stop en route and visit a local fruit shop for a chance to try real fruit ice cream and perhaps sample New Zealand famous manuka honey products. From there, cross the Lindis Pass (965m) to the Mackenzie Country, known for its Merino Sheep and wool industry. Weather permitting you can take a short walk at the foot of Mt Cook – New Zealand’s highest mountain. En route to Lake Tekapo, perhaps take a trip to the top of Mt John to experience the feeling of being on top of the world. This boasts stunning 360 degree views of the Mountains and turquoise coloured lakes. Tonight you will stay in the town of Lake Tekapo and enjoy its turquoise coloured waters. Tonight you will enjoy a guided tour to Mt John Observatory and its spectacular night sky (included).
Your luxury accommodation for the evening boasts spectacular views of the lake and mountains. Enjoy a meal featuring a selection of superb New Zealand wines and fantastic local cuisine.
Overnight: Lake Tekapo Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 9 – Lake Tekapo to Christchurch + Departure – 230km (2.5 hour drive)
This morning after breakfast and further exploring Lake Tekapo with your private driver, you will journey through to Christchurch where you will be transferred to the International Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We Trust that you have had a memorable exclusive tour with us
Breakfast included today
“Overall, our experience with The Road Trip not only met, but exceeded our expectations. We cannot thank you all enough for being an integral part of our epic adventure!”
Ronald Buel and Family – USA, February 2020