Duration: | 15 Day(s) - 14 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Nature Tours |
Kia ora - welcome to New Zealand
15 Day South Island Natural Discovery Tour Self Drive
This 15 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch
Personal airport meet and greet, and private transfer to your accommodation
All inclusive detailed customised tour package prepared by New Zealand based specialists - so you sit back and relax
An exciting itinerary will be customised to suit you - let us help plan and perfect your dream vacation
We offer Self-drive trips (rental car) we arrange all your accommodations, activities, attractions (you select) we book your rental car (fun, freedom, independence, flexibility) you set the pace each day, or perhaps you prefer a Private driver trip (fully guided) or, Escorted coach tours (daily commentary).
Explore and enjoy some of New Zealand's unique flora, fauna and scenery on this 15 day magnificent South Island tour. You begin with an alpine guided walk in Mount Cook National Park (world-heritage site) where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for his Everest adventure. In Dunedin you'll enjoy a full day encounter with the unique marine life that inhabits the Otago Peninsula before heading south towards Fiordland National Park. Experience the "Sound of Silence" with an overnight cruise in the remote untouched wilderness of Doubtful Sound. No South Island trip is complete without time spent in the alpine playground of iconic Queenstown ("adventure capital of the world") - spend some time here before continuing to the beautiful rugged wild remote West Coast. Here you'll marvel at the ancient rain forests and mighty glaciers during your on-ice adventure, before crossing the mighty Southern Alps on board the world famous TranzAlpine scenic train back to Christchurch. In the evenings you will relax in tranquil luxury lodges situated in secluded locations for the ultimate wilderness experience.
Quick Summary
15 Day South Island Natural Discovery
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch City
Accommodation: The George Hotel
Day 2: Your rental car is delivered then travel south to Mt Cook National Park, A World Heritage Area
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium Plus
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Enjoy a guided exploration of Mt Cook National Park
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium Plus
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Travel to Twizel and visit the very rare Black Stilt visitor hide. Continue to Dunedin, the 'Edinburgh' of the South
Accommodation: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Explore Dunedin Peninsula and visit one of the world's rarest birds, the Yellow Eyed Penguin
Accommodation: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Drive through Southland farmland scenery to Te Anau, Gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Accommodation: Fiordland Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Today embark on a 24 hour adventure to Doubtful Sound. Explore the area and spend the night in this pristine wilderness
Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator Overnight Boat in Doubtful Sound
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: You return to Manapouri at midday then head north to Queenstown
Accommodation: Azur Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9: Explore and enjoy Queenstown at leisure today
Accommodation: Azur Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10: Queenstown to Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Explore the flora and fauna of this unique West Coast Lodge
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Lake Moeraki to the West Coast Glaciers
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Explore Franz Josef and the glaciers with an exciting Ice Explorer tour
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Head north to Greymouth before catching the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train across the Southern Alps to Christchurch
Accommodation: The George Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15: Depart Christchurch today