APT Southern Tourer Escorted Tour

9 Day Escorted Tour | Christchurch to Christchurch

A perfect snapshot of the South Island of New Zealand, travel with APT for their unrivalled expertise, local knowledge and unique experiences. Begin and end in Christchurch, with a round trip that explores the Southern Alps with a journey over Arthur's Pass, the panoramic glacier view at Franz Josef, Queenstown and Milford Sound, and the serenity of Mount Cook National Park.

See more about APT Touring here.

From £4,149 per person

Price includes:

All sightseeing including unique Signature Experiences
8 breakfasts and 7 dinners
Accommodation in 3.5 star hotels and resorts
Overseas transfers and luggage porterage
Return International Flights

Based on twin share

Vertical Tabs

Itinerary

DAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH

Arrive into Christchurch where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the evening getting to know your APT tour director and fellow passengers over dinner.

DAY 2: CHRISTCHURCH - FRANZ JOSEF

Board the Tranz Alpine train through the Canterbury Plains before travelling across the Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass where you will travel to Hokitika by coach. Here you will have the opportunity to see Jade being carved into jewellery before continuing onto to Franz Josef. Take in the dramatic landscape and icy terrain of the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier before checking in to your accommodation for the night.

DAY 3: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - QUEENSTOWN

Start your day with some truly breath taking scenery as you view the glacier, stunning waterfalls and lush rainforest before arriving into Queenstown. This evening you will have a choice of dining options including boarding the gondola up to the Skyline restaurant to enjoy magnificent views as you dine, waterside seafood restaurants or cruising Lake Wakatipu on the famous TSS Earnslaw.

DAY 4: QUEENSTOWN

Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, there are plenty of opportunities to discover all that Queenstown has to offer with a range of Freedom of choice tours. Movie fans may wish to spend today discovering filming locations for the Lord of the Rings, while adventure seekers can embark on a 4WD tour or take an exciting ride down the Shotover River on the Shotover Jet Boat.

DAY 5: QUEENSTOWN, MILFORD SOUND, TE ANAU

Embark on one of New Zealand's most scenic drives today as you make your way from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Here you will board a cruise to enjoy the stunning beauty of this pristine fiord as well as spotting some of the local wildlife. After making your way to Te Anau spend the evening enjoying the Taste of Fiordland dinner where you can sample the finest artisan produce of the local area

DAY 6: TE ANAU, DUNEDIN

Travel to the east coast of the South island today to visit the former gold mining town of Dunedin. Choose from a range of touring options including Lanarch Castle, Taieri Gorge railway or an off road tour of the Otago Peninsula.

DAY 7: DUNEDIN, MOUNT COOK

Discover the spectacular Mount Cook National Park with your choice of touring option today. Perhaps visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which includes a star gazing experience with an astronomer. Alternatively take in a guided nature walk or board a MAC boat to get up close to icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake.

DAY 8: MOUNT COOK, LAKE TEKAPO, CHRISTCHURCH

This morning board your coach and travel to Lake Tekapo where you will visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd built of stone and oak as a tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Continue on to spend your final night in Christchurch where you will enjoy a memorable farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.

DAY 9: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

As your journey comes to an end you will be transferred back to the airport to catch your departing flight.

Accommodation

Christchurch - Commodore Hotel, Franz Josef - Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat, Queenstown - Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Te Anau - Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas, Dunedin - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Mount Cook - The Hermitage Hotel, Christchurch - Rydges Latimer.

Gallery

Add ons

a canyon with a mountain in the background

Nomad Safaris - Safari of the Scenes

This scenic 4WD tour gives a spectacular look at the diversity of the local scenery, including several of the filming locations for Peter...

Shotover Combo - High Five

Speed through the narrow canyons of Shotover on an adrenaline fuelled Jet Boat ride, with 360 spins. Following this fly high over Queenstown,...

Essential information

Please Note: Itinerary is effective from 14 October '18 and travelling prior to this may be subject to change. Price includes all sightseeing, breakfast, excursions and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary, the services of a dedicated Tour Director and professional Driver. All itineraries are subject to change. Price excludes international flights. (NCC09)