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11 Day Ultimate South Island Christmas



Map Image for 11 Day Ultimate South Island Christmas

Witness the South Island in ultimate festive style featuring Doubtful Sound overnight cruise

TOUR CODE: UGPX11

DURATION: 11 days

STARTS: Christchurch

FINISHES: Christchurch

STYLE: Ultimate Small Group Tours

COACH: 20 seat Business Class

ACCOMMODATION: 4.5 Star

 

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Prepaid Attractions

  • International Antarctic Centre i
  • Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea i
  • HIGHLIGHT - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise i
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw i
  • Lakes District Museum i
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey i
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour i
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour i

Coach Features

  • 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

Experience

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • 9 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 1 cruise
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Ultimate Documentation Pack

Meals

  • 10 cooked breakfasts
  • 9 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 1 lunch: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Tour Highlight: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

THE FIORDLAND NAVIGATOR
Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. You will create some lifelong memories as the Fiordland Navigator takes you through the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience. As you cruise through some of NZ’s most stunning scenery, knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls, you will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines and if the skies are clear, enjoy some stargazing. The next day explore other parts of the fiord.

Day-by-day Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner

1

Arrive Christchurch (D)

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City (2 nights) i

2

Christchurch (B)

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 day is at leisure to explore further.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City i

3

Christchurch - Mt Cook (B,D)

Travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.

Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing) i

4

Mt Cook - Dunedin (B,D)

Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel i

5

Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)

This morning, travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional) or the Fiordland Cinema, specially constructed to screen the locally filmed movie Ata Whenua - Shadowland which will take you on an unforgettable journey (optional).

Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas i

6

Te Anau - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (B,L,D)

A leisurely start today before travelling to Manapouri. Enjoy lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. After a short ride over the Wilmot Pass, join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.

Overnight Fiordland Navigator i

7

Te Anau - Queenstown - Christmas Day (B,D)

Merry Christmas! Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Queenstown, a year-round resort, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening dinner will be at your hotel.

Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) i

8

Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

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.

Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown i

9

Queenstown - Franz Josef (B,D)

Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel for your overnight stay.

Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat i

10

Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,SD)

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory before arriving at Arthur’s Pass where you board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening reminisce on the memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner which includes selected beverages.

Hotel Sudima Christchurch City i

11

Depart Christchurch (B)

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday

Pricing and Departure Dates

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Thursday
19-Dec-24
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$8539
pp, twin share
  - $8539
pp, twin share
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Pre & Post Stays


Christchurch$215 pp, twin share$430 single

Optional Activities


Whilst your tour package includes an extensive range of pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, the Optional Activities outlined are available to enjoy during your free time. They will provide the ‘icing on the cake’ experience that will hold memories for a lifetime. Optional Activities will be booked with your Crew once on tour.


> VIEW ALL   Optional Activities for this tour.


Traveller Reviews > VIEW ALL


10
December 2023

I have had the most wonderful trip, seen loads of amazing things, and felt looked after and relaxed but not herded at all. It was good to have two nights in Queenstown as a lot of time on the coach but enjoyed the whole holiday immensely and will recommend Grand Pacific Tours to my all my friends.

L.P. United Kingdom


10
December 2023

The entire tour and experience was fabulous from start to finish. I would turn around and do it all again, I loved it so much. Incredible care was taken of us, and we all appreciated every little thing Grand Pacific Tours was able to give us.

All the accommodation and meals were wonderful. Our Coach Captain/driver was better than best. But the support Grand Pacific Tours gave him was also impeccable and really valuable. The pacing of the tour was also really well planned. 

S.D. Australia


10
December 2023

Absolutely amazing. All the hotels and activities were top notch. Staff at all accommodation were helpful and had time for us to ask questions about the destination. The coach was absolutely business class and kept spotless and the Coach Captain was fantastic in every way – personable, friendly, and good communication. He was very focused to ensure everyone was taken care of. 

B.S. & C.S. Canada


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Port of Departure


To enable us to present you with the best Tour Pricing and Bonus Offers please select your intended Port of Departure and Accommodation Room Type. If you do not require an air inclusive package, please select LAND ONLY.

All prices are in Australian Dollars. For air inclusive package pricing, airline taxes are subject to change. Exact amounts will be confirmed by your Travel Agent at the time of booking.