|
|
|
 |
|
Alpine, Adrenaline, Adventure from $2999 per person - 13 days/10 nights* |
|
Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart US
Day 2 - Cross International Date Line
Day 3 - Arrive Christchurch
The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy to get around. Visit heritage sites, museums and art galleries, and enjoy the highly developed restaurant scene.
You will stay tonight at the Copthorne Durham. A leading 4 star hotel, which offers a superb central location, a wide range of boutique shopping and cafes, just across from the Casino and convention centre and a few minutes walk to all of the central cities attractions
and Hagley Park.
Day 4 - TranzAlpine Train - Greymouth to Franz Josef Glacier
The TranzAlpine is world renowned as 'The Great New Zealand Rail
Adventure'. Crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the
Canterbury Plains, The TranzAlpine winds its way over massive
viaducts, through spectacular gorges and river valleys, before
tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the
Southern Alps. Following rivers and skirting lakes, it descends
through lush beech forest to the Tasman Sea and the town of
Greymouth.
Upon arrival collect rental vehicle
Driving Route: Greymouth to Franz Josef (approx 4 hrs) – 278 kms/173 miles
The road to Franz Josef is rural, but with a wild streak. The farmland
is trying to turn back into forest, and the beauty of the rivers is raw
and primeval.
First explored in 1865, the Franz Josef Glacier has been moving forward at a rate of about 1 meter a day since 1985. Previously it was in retreat. You can walk to the terminal of the glacier in about 10 minutes.
The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are unique relics of the last ice age.
Mighty rivers of solid white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, they
are classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Nowhere else in the
world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude. While
in the area, you can choose from a wide range of adventure activities
(mostly involving glaciers and mountains).
You will stay for 2 nights at the Franz Josef Country Retreat.
Offering 12 luxury rooms all with magnificent views of the surrounding snow capped mountains or lake. Each room has been individually decorated, named and themed after a local pioneer family, with photos and stories of these families displayed in the rooms. Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat offers exceptional accommodation while retaining the intimate atmosphere of a private residence.
Day 5 - Glacier Experience - Franz Josef
The world renowned all day option takes you into superb scenery, deep in the heart of the glacier. The excellent step-cutting skills of your guide allows you to travel through the most spectacular and challenging glacier terrain imaginable, satisfying even the most ardent of adventurers.
Gaining confidence as you go and with a total of 5-6 hours on the ice you could find yourself in all manner of situations, from squeezing through tight blue crevasses or sliding through ice caves to ‘franz shuffling’ down near vertical walls of ice.
We’ll take you further, into the most spectacular ice falls and guarantee the most extensive and rewarding glacier adventure available.
Day 6 - Franz Josef to Queenstown
Continue self drive south. Driving Route: Franz Josef to Queenstown (approx 3.5 hrs) – 242 kms/151 miles.
The shortest route to Queenstown is over the Crown Range Road. It’s a challenging drive, but the views are amazing and you’ll probably encounter friendly keas (mountain parrots). More conservative drivers can take the route that runs beside the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan and the Shotover
River.
The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure.
Stay for the next 5 nights at Browns Boutique Hotel. Opened in August 2000 the hotel was purpose built with visions of European-pensions and small hotels. The hotel features stunning views of The Remarkable Mountain range from every room. The walled courtyard reminds guests of European holidays yet with New Zealand touches.
Day 7 - Doubtful Sound Coach & Wilderness Cruise Day tour
Your Doubtful Sound adventure begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri – a stunning lake renowned for its numerous islands and deserted beaches.
Then it’s over Wilmot Pass, on one of New Zealand’s remotest and prettiest sub-alpine roads, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland’s densest rainforest and to view Doubtful Sound glistening far below.
On reaching Deep Cove, you will board the Patea Explorer, a spacious catamaran, for a three hour cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound.
Our nature guides provide an engaging commentary and point out highlights. Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose dolphins frequently swim alongside our vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed.
Day
8 - Shotover Free Fall Combo - Full Day - Skydive/Shotover Jet/Heli Flight/Raft Trip
1. Skydive from 9000ft amongst some of the most amazing scenery in the world. (upgrades to 12,000ft can be done on the day when checking in).
2. Jetboat down the Shotover River with Shotover Jet, renowned for being the worlds most exciting jet boat ride.
3. Spectacular helicopter flight into the launch site for the rafting, located deep inside Skippers Canyon.
4. Whitewater rafting down the Shotover River.
Day 9 - Routeburn Walk Encounter
Your day begins with journey along the Queenstown - Glenorchy Highway, one of New Zealand's most scenic drives and follows the beautiful shores of Lake Wakatipu into the wilderness sanctuary of Mt Aspiring National Park and the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Enjoy a leisurely 6.5 kilometre/4 mile walk up the wide, smooth surfaced track to Routeburn Flats, 230 metres/750 feet.
Enjoy your lunch here with time to languish by the riveras it meanders across the alpine meadow.
For those willing an additional 300 metre/980 feet climb to Routeburn Falls where the river leaps out of a high alpine basin and tumbles towards the Flats below is an added bonus.
During the walk to/from Routeburn Flats the knowledgeable guides give excellent interpretation of how the land was shaped, the ecology of the ancient beech forest and the trail forged by the Maori & European pioneers.
Fitness: This walk is well within the ability of any active person, the surface is smooth and well graded. Walking distance13 kilometres (8 miles) for the return walk to Routeburn Flats.
Day 10 - AJ Hackett Bungy
This morning experience the original bungy. If you've heard of Bungy, then you've heard of the Kawarau Bridge, home to the world's first and most famous of leaps. 43m above the Kawarau River here you can Bungy forwards, backwards, by yourself, or with a friend ... it's up to you. It's also the only Bungy in Queenstown where you can choose to bob above the water, touch it, or get fully immersed.
This afternoon relax and enjoy Queenstown.
Day 11 - Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park
Depart at 745am by coach, arriving Mount Cook National Park at 1230pm.
Tonight you will stay at the Hermitage Hotel. The original Hermitage Hotel was opened to adventurous travelers in 1884.
It has since been rebuilt, modernized and refurbished with the latest development completed in 2001.
The Hotel is open year round and visitors and tourists will be awed not only by the scenery but also with the choice of accommodation, dining and leisure pursuits.
This afternoon head out on one of the many walks within the national park.
Day 12 - Mount Cook
This morning relax or consider one of the activities on offer.
Depart the Hermitage Hotel at 225pm
by coach and arrive Christchurch at 745pm
You will stay tonight at the Copthorne Durham.
Day 13 - Depart Christchurch
Depart
Christchurch airport
via Auckland to US
|
|
|
Ten days of action and adventure - explore the glaciers, trek the Routeburn
Track, cruise Doubtful Sound, Skydive, Shotover Jet, Heli Flight, Raft
trip, bungy jump, hike Mount Cook National Park.
Package Inclusions:
• Roundtrip Economy Class air from Los Angeles
• Add-on airfares available from other cities
• 3 Days car rental
• 10 nights accommodation: Christchurch x2, Franz Josef x2, Queenstown x5,
Mount Cook x1
• TranzAlpine train Christchurch-Greymouth
• Franz Josef Full Day Glacier Experience
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day tour
• Shotover Free Fall Combo - Full Day - Skydive/Shotover Jet/Heli Flight/Raft Trip
• Bungy Jump
• Coach Queenstown - Mount Cook - Christchurch (self drive is optional)
• Daily Breakfast |
 |
|
Copthorne, Christchurch |
 |
|
Franz Josef Country Retreat |
 |
|
Brown's Boutique, Queenstown |
 |
|
Hermitage, Mount Cook
|
 |
|
Doubtful Sound |
 |
|
Shotover Jet |
 |
|
Scenic Helicopter Ride |
 |
|
Skydive, Queenstown |
 |
|
Routeburn Walk |
 |
|
Bungy Jump, Queenstown |
|
|
Travel Dates: |
Auckland |
|
Now - 21 September 2010 |
$2999 |
|
22 September - 31 October 2010 |
$3299 |
|
1 November - 8 December 2010 |
$3549 |
|
9 - 31 December 2010 |
$3999 |
|
|
|
All of our unique and boutique itineraries feature intermediate size rentals car. For more information
|
|
Not satisfied with these New Zealand packages? Check out all our
NEW ZEALAND PACKAGE
offers
Customize your New Zealand Itinerary...
You can buy the packages above or an Aspire Down Under
consultant will create a customized New Zealand itinerary
Ask
about upgrading your airfare to Premium Economy or
Business Class |
|
*Valid for departures until 31 Mar 11. Prices are per person based on double occupancy for departures from Los Angeles. Add-on fares available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels subject to availability. US/foreign taxes/fees/fuel surcharges of approximately $300pp, including September 11th Security Fee, are additional. All prices reflect a 3% discount for purchases made by cash/check. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply |
|
