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luxury New Zealand Tours
7 Day - Essence of the South Island Tour
Top hotels and great locations
with personal transfer throughoutExperience the highlights of New Zealand's South Island. Stay in luxury accommodations, eat great food and enjoy a good glass of wine in Central Otago. The tour includes a 4WD ride through the geological wonders of in the Southern Alps and a spectacular helicopter flight through Milford Sound. Travel Comments
*This Tour can start in any of the 2 main centres of Christchurch or Queenstown.
*We can add days or reduce the travel time to your request.
*We can add or change suggested activities to your special needs.
All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us at info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our luxury New Zealand tours. Our Vehicles Travel Guide Profiles
Day 1: Christchurch airport arrival – Arthur Pass driving distance 1,5h
Arrive in Christchurch Int. Airport and you will be met by your driver/guide; from there you will be taken into the mountains through the scenic untouched areas and through the Arthurs Pass. From your luxury vehicle you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. You then climb into the Southern Alps There you will be taken on a great introductory tour to Arthur’s Pass National Park, 25 kilometres west of the lodge. This is mainly a sightseeing drive along the historic goldminer’s road; however opportunities are available to walk amongst alpine wildflowers and beech forest - and for the athletically inclined hobbit-filled gorges and waterfalls. The Lodge is tucked away in the heart of the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Whatever you choose, we’ll endeavour to make any arrangements necessary so that you can relax and enjoy this beautiful spot. You might want to escape from city life by expending energy: going fishing, horse riding, hiking or playing tennis, or just simple walk one of the many walking and hiking trails around the station. Arthur Pass - Grasmere Lodge (superior) or Wilderness Lodge (luxury)
Day 2: Arthur Pass – Franz Josef Glacier (Pancake Rocks, Glaciers) with private guide - driving distance 4h
Today you decent to the West Coast. Here we visit Punakaki the jewel of the West Coast, Punakaiki is world renowned for its pancake rock formation and blowholes. Walk along some of the stunning and remote beach treks, though a dense rainforest with Nikau Palms and large ferns. We follow the winding road along one of the most stunning coastal drives in the country. Pass the township of Greymouth and Hokitika; known both for gold and coal mining in New Zealand. The mountains in this area are a source for jade, or greenstone, important in Maori history as material for jewellery, tools and weaponry. Galleries here offer you the chance to view this beautiful stone and gold crafts. We take a leisurely and scenic drive to the famous glacier region, which make a dramatic approach to the sea. Your day’s itinerary will end in the tiny settlement of Franz Josef. One of the best ways to appreciate the glaciers size and features and blue ice crevasses is by air. Highly recommended (Optional and extra charge): From here you can hire a helicopter and take a scenic flight over this spectacular scenery and a landing on the clacier. Accommodation: West Coast - Te Waonui Forest Retreat or Westwood Lodge (luxury)
Day 3: Franz Josef-Lake Wanaka (Rainforest, Mt Aspiring National Park, 4WD Glene Dene Station Safari) with private guide - driving distance 4h
This day gives you the opportunity to view two major glaciers Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier; it also takes you through the South Westland region to one of our World Heritage Parks. Your guide will take you on a walk/trek that will take you to the bottom of Fox Glaciers. Both Glaciers are located 25 km from each other and are unique in the world as they seem to nearly reach the ocean Mt Aspiring National Park this area is a vast, glacial sculpted wilderness. Or decide to visit nearby Lake Matheson. The forested path skirts the shores of the mist-shrouded lake and on a clear day, New Zealand’s highest peaks are spectacularly reflected in the mirror-like waters. As you exit Mt Aspiring National Park you will travel through what is known as “The Neck” a formation of land that separates two of our great South Island lakes Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Wanaka is a new and modern Alpine resort and mostly visited by us New Zealanders. In late afternoon experience the stark beauty and solitude of the spectacular high country with this farm safari and nature walk exploring historic Glen Dene Station, a fully operational sheep, cattle and deer farm overlooking picturesque Lake Hawea. (2h) Accommodation: Lake Wanaka - Wharekea Lodge (Superior), Far Pavilion or Lime Tree Lodge (Luxury)
Day 4: Lake Wanaka – Central Otago – Queenstown (Private Wine tour/tasting in Central Otago Region) with private guide - driving distance 4h
Central Otago is New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine region and also it’s most scenic. Take the time to explore these incredible vineyards set in small micro-climates in a landscape dominated by high snow-capped mountains, and tussock clad slopes. Travel to Cromwell and Bannockburn, the heart of Pinot Noir country, and depending on your personal tastes, we will guide you to a selection of boutique wineries. At some stage of the wine tour we will suggest a stop for a relaxing lunch at one of the wineries. Visit the surrounding areas of Arthur's Point it's, and then its on to Coronet Peak for more spectacular views of Queenstown. Your next stop is in Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back to the Gold Mining days of the Otago region. From there the journey take you to Queenstown. Accommodation: Queenstown - Azur Lodge, Matakauri Lodge, Blanket Bay or The Spire Hotel (Superior), Sofitel or Peppers Beacon (Luxury)
Day 5: Queenstown (Helicopter flight to Milford Sounds)
Today we have organised a helicopter flight to Milford Sound (1,5h). The icon of Mitre Peak beckons you as your helicopter lifts off to begin your journey into Milford Sound. Get up and close with some of the most spectacular mountains and glaciers in the Southern Alps before landing at Milford. Experience the Sound up close and personal with great photo opportunities of Mitre Peak and the Bowen falls. Upon departing Milford via the Harrison Valley take in the beautiful blue green icefalls, true rivers of ice, as we land you exclusively upon Ngapunatoru Plateau of Mt Tutoko. One of the few companies with this privilege! Return to Queenstown via isolated valleys with impressive views to make this special trip truly memorable. Queenstown is the top adventure and activity centre in New Zealand. Most of the cast of the Lord of the Rings were based here and major parts of the movie where filmed in this region. Because they are so many things to do in Queenstown, to cater to your diverse interests, we have left the afternoon free for you to pick and choose whatever optional activities you desire. Your guide can arrange and advise you on all the options, if you a thrill seeker and you want to go skydiving, zip lining or if you just like to walk beautiful treks or play a round of golf. Accommodation: Queenstown - Azur Lodge Matakauri Lodge, Blanket Bay or The Spire Hotel (Superior), Sofitel or Peppers Beacon (Luxury)
Day 6: Queenstown (Jetboat trip into Skippers canon)
In the morning we have organised to take you to Queenstown’s greatest jet boat adventure. (3h-30min jetboat) This is a Jet boat trip like no other! Recognized as one of Queenstown’s best value products for a good reason, this is an adrenaline rush from the moment you leave town. Tour into Skippers Canyon, along the sheer canyon walls, on the 'road to riches' carved from the rock walls and sheer cliffs by miners over 120 years ago. And that’s just getting to the boat! A Jet boat created to excite and thrill you as you race through the Shotover River Canyons at speed of 80km/hr. Sit back, hold on, and try to relax as our experienced boat drivers navigate the sheer canyon walls along the Shotover River as well as the mining dredges and sheet piles left by the miners through Skippers Canyon over a century ago. With skill and speed you will negotiate the narrow river channel, skimming over shallow 6 inch deep river beds, when suddenly you are going sideways, backwards, sideways and back facing the way you were going, WOW, that’s a Hamilton spin! 360 degree spin, as the boat turns in its own length! Accommodation: Queenstown - Azur Lodge, Matakauri Lodge, Blanket Bay or The Spire Hotel (Superior), Sofitel or Peppers Beacon (Luxury)
Day 7: Queenstown departure
Your private chauffer will take you to your departing flight in Queenstown airport
As a matter of course, we do not publish prices for these luxury tours as they can vary enormously for tailor-made travel. There are a number of factors which will influence the price of your travel arrangements: these include the standard of hotel (we offer a variety of premium to the super-luxurious), the season, the level of private guiding/transfers and the complexity of the itinerary. Our specialists will be delighted to discuss the various options in more detail with you.
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