Alpine Explorer

Enjoy some of the most picturesque scenery of the south island of New Zealand on this Alpine Explorer Tour from Thrifty Tours.

Travel though Mackenzie Country to Lake Tekapo where you can view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Enjoy free time surrounded by the natural beauty of Mount Cook. Join the Milford Sound Cruise for an unforgettable experience, and explore the wonder of this majestic fiord. Journey to the mouth of the Sound and see seals and dolphins at play.

Spend a full day of leisure in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, where you can experience bungy jumping and the exhiliration of jet boat rides, or for a more relaxing experience of Queenstown, enjoy a wine and garden tour.

This South Island Coach tour is a great way to experience Mount Cook in all its splendour on your next New Zealand holiday.

Itinerary

Day 1 Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown: Cross the Canterbury Plains, over Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo, site of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Mackenzie Country lies before you as you travel towards Mt Cook village in the heart of the Southern Alps. You have a brief stop here for optional flight seeing or lunch (not included). Follow the Southern Alps south to the tussock covered hills of the Lindis Pass then through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, where you will stay three nights.

Day 2 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown: An early start takes you alongside the lake to Kingston, then across Northern Southland to Lake Te Anau. Travel through the Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau Chasm. A cruise on Milford Sound beneath lofty Mitre Peak, waterfalls and out to the mouth of the Tasman Sea is included. Then you climb out of Milford Sound to return to Queenstown by evening.

Day 3 At Queenstown: Today is completely at your leisure in this alpine playground - the Skyline gondola in included in your tour. There are dozens of optional activities as well, from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris, bungy jumping.

Day 4 Queenstown - Glaciers: Travel to Cromwell and on through the southern lakes district to the Haast Pass. Dense rainforest contrasts with rugged coastal vistas as you travel north towards the glaciers. A shuttle will take you to the viewing platform to see one of these massive rivers of ice. Overnight at Fox or Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 5 Glaciers - Christchurch: Travel north past Hokitika, where you can see jade carvers at work, to Greymouth. Here you board the renowned Tranz Alpine train and travel through the lengthy Otira Tunnel, over Arthurs Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Accommodation

Thrifty Tours New Zealand offer you a choice of three levels of accommodation:

All Accommodation Includes: TV Telephone Ironing facilities Fridge in unit and breakfast available

Gold: Hotels are centrally located and have a selection of restaurants and bars and other facilities expected in first class rooms.

Silver: These properties include a variety of international chain hotels and traditional New Zealand hotels or Motor Inns. As with all accommodations, they are centrally located and provide on site restaurants and bars and other facilities are maintained to high standard.

Bronze: Stay at centrally located hotels and motels. All Thrifty Tour properties are situated near amenities, shops, activities and coach stations/depots.

Departures

Departs: Daily from 7.00am from Christchurch Hotels, pick-up time confirmed at time of booking.
Returns: Queenstown

Highlights

Beautiful Lake Tekapo Overnight in Mount Cook National park 3 nights in Queenstown, alpine resort Cruise spectacular Milford Sound

Inclusions

Luxury coach transport 4 nights accommodation Milford Sound day excursion

Additional Information

Children: Aged 0-12 years are at the child rate, when using existing bedding and sharing a room with 2 adults
Operated By: Thrifty Tours