Day 1 - "Christchurch and welcome"
After an introduction tour of Christchurch, you will travel west across the vast Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Here in the heart of the "High Country" is the Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass where you will stay for the first two days of your South Island adventure.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Included meals: AT, D
Day 2 "High country, sheep, valleys & keas"
Discover the real high country where you can explore alpine plants, animals and the mountains. Experience the workings of a sheep station, explore Arthur's Pass National Park in the heart of the Southern Alps and view the wide braided river system. Walking, mountain biking or relaxing are options available at the lodge.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D
Day 3 "Mountains, moas, pioneers & ice"
Travel through the Arthur's Pass National Park and cross the pass created as a gold rush link. Great mountain valleys, history and home of the kea - the world's only alpine parrot. Down the incredible Otira Gorge to the West Coast and "Glacier Country". Take a walk to view the mighty Franz Josef Glacier.
Accommodation: Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
Included meals: B, MT, AT
Day 4 "Geology, ice age & podocarps"
A day to explore the Fox region where walks can be taken to experience this incredible glacial area. A tranquil walk can also be made to Lake Matheson, the beautiful lake famous for it's alpine reflections or to a remote beach for views of the Southern Alps.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D
Day 5 "Wilderness, wildlife & rainforests"
Today is the opportunity to explore magnificent and rugged beaches that are home to the crested penguins (July -Nov) and NZ fur seals, untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers of the West Coast NZ which drain from the snow capped Southern Alps.
this is Lake Moeraki.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
| Included meals: B, MT, L AT, D
Day 6 "Coastline, explorers, tussocks and gold"
Moving on, you will cross the alps over the Haast Pass where the forests give way to golden tussock grasslands. Pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, ancient glacial lakes and then over the Crown Range to Arrowtown, an old gold-miners' village. See the bungy (or jump it yourself!) then into Queenstown where you will stay for the next three nights at a superior lodge.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort + Spa or similar
| Included meals: B, MT, AT
Day 7 "Adventure in the mountains"
Choose your own optional adventure - bungy jumping, a backcountry safari, jetboating, kayaking or a cruise on the historic steamship Earnslaw. Perhaps shopping, golf, wineries, an art & craft trail or just relax and take in the beautiful mountain setting.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort + Spa or similar
| Included meals: B
Day 8 "Milford, glacial lakes, alps & fiords"
Travel to magnificent Milford Sound and cruise on the fiord. You will see deeply carved glacial valleys, ancient forests and incredible scenery - truly magnificent.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort + Spa or similar
| Included meals: B, MT, L, AT
Day 9 "Queenstown & farewell"
After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in some pampering with some of health and beauty facilities at Millbrook. Time for that last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Your guide will transfer you to the airport or car rental office as required.
Meal codes…
B = Breakfast;
MT = Picnic morning tea;
L = Lunch;
AT = Picnic afternoon tea;
D = Dinner
