Adventures in Paradise 11 Days - South Island *From $3,699 per person (Standard - land only) *From $4,299 per person (Deluxe - land only) Share
Adventures in Paradise is a great trip for couples, families or groups of friends traveling together as each day provides a choice of activities for you to choose your own level of adventure! We also have an option to select your own accommodation style, standard or deluxe! Immerse yourself in nature, outdoors and culture! From lovely walks and hikes amongst rainforest, lakes and rivers, to experiencing spectacular Milford Sound by kayak or aboard a nature cruise. Walk part of the Milford Track, see glowworms, meet local artisans, taste local wines, enjoy a thrilling jetboat ride, whitewater rafting, or horse trekking amongst picture perfect scenery used in filming the ‘Lord of the Rings’, explore glaciers by foot on a helihike or a glacier scenic flight and ride the Tranz Alpine Train to the garden city of Christchurch!
Standard Package includes:
9 Days Rental Car Compact Size, automatic, unlimited kms;
10 Nights 4 - 4½ star Accommodation (based on double occupancy);
9 Breakfasts;
Choice of one activity per person;
- Shotover Jet or TSS Earnslaw Cruise - Routeburn Track Guided Day Hike or Walk and Wine Trail Combo - White Water Rafting or Horse Trekking - Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise or Milford Track Guided Day Hike - Kayak Milford Sound or Milford Sound Nature Cruise - Fox Glacier Heli Hike or Glacier Scenic Heli Flight
Tranz Alpine Train Journey;
Train to hotel transfers;
All airport transfers
Deluxe Package includes:
9 Days Rental Car Intermediate Size, automatic, unlimited kms;
10 Nights 4½ - 5 star Accommodation (based on double occupancy);
9 Breakfasts;
Choice of one activity per person (as listed above in Standard Package);
Tranz Alpine Train Journey;
Train to hotel private transfer;
All airport transfers on private basis
Not included in all packages:
Airfares - contact us for a quote;
Optional sightseeing experiences;
Meals (unless specified);
Travel Insurance
"Jane at Active Downunder organized an absolutely wonderful trip that my nephew and I will never forget. We saw so many beautiful areas of NZ. The excursions were excellent and hotels great. Everything scheduled went perfect and the 'Adventures in Paradise' itinerary was easy to follow with instructions of confirmations, times to be ready, etc. The Routeburn Track day hike was my favorite activity, along with horseback riding and kayaking. For hotels, Wanaka Springs was great-due to the people, spacious room and a lovely setting with a spring running through the back yard. Absolutely wonderful! The trip wouldn't have been anywhere close to what it was without Jane's assistance and Active Downunder." T. Schoeneman, CA - Dec 2010
I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1: Arrive Auckland, transfer to Queenstown A transfer to your accommodation is included.
Arrival afternoon.
Shotover Jet For those feeling adventurous, you can’t beat the thrill of a Shotover Jet experience, the World's most exciting jetboat ride! It’s an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof as you power through the Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River Canyons, it’s an amazing ride.
OR
TSS Earnslaw Cruise For those who desire a leisurely start, relax and enjoy a one and a half hour scenic cruise on board the coal fired vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and visit to Walter Peak High Country farm where you can experience farm life. Enjoy a walking tour of the farmyard, see sheep, red deer and Scottish Highland cattle. See a farmhand shear a sheep and sheep dogs working. On the cruise back, enjoy music by the ships resident pianist, along with an interesting commentary and spectacular views.
Day 2: Queenstown
Routeburn Track Guided Day Hike This full day walk in the ancient beech forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park starts with a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley. The high snow capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up this beautiful river valley and pristine ennvironment.
OR
Guided Nature Walk and Wine Trail Combo This easy half-day guided walk combines the best of native flora and fauna with magnificent lake and mountain views. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest. Then, spend an afternoon wine tasting among the boutique vineyards and spectacular scenery of Central Otago, along with a lovely wineyard lunch on this small group guided tour.
Day 3: Queenstown
Whitewater Rafting Begin with an unforgettable coach trip on the historic Skippers Road along old goldminer’s trails into Skippers Canyon before rafting the rapids below!
OR
Horse Trekking - The Ride of the Rings Experience the excitement and splendour of riding through "The Lord of the Rings" country, a location for Peter Jackson's epic movie. Glenorchy and its surroundings are arguably the most stunning areas in New Zealand.
Depart Queenstown - Te Anau After your activities, you will collect your rental car and drive to the pretty lakeside town of Te Anau (approx 2hrs 15mins drive). Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and also the gateway to Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Optional: Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (addtional cost) You may also like to consider a visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves this evening - prebooking essential.
Day 4: Te Anau
Milford Track Day Hike Often described as the “Finest Walk in the World”, this track is New Zealand’s most famous. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Te Anau before walking part of the track.
OR
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise Cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri, coach over the Wilmot Pass through dense rainforest. Board a catamaran for a 3 hour cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound to the Tasman sea. You may even see fur seals, dolphins and penguins.
Ata Whenua - Shadowland This evening we highly recommend dining at 'Redcliff' in Te Anau and then seeing 'Ata Whenua' - Shadowland. This 32 minute movie brings you the Fiordland World Heritage Wilderness you would otherwise never see. Mysterious, evocative, exhilarating and utterly spectacular, filmed across extremes of season, climate and terrain, it will take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most awe inspiring landscapes on earth. Filmed by a local helicopter pilot, this show is well worth your time. Tickets $10, a donation from each screening will go towards the endangered bird programmes in Fiordland. Screenings daily at Fiordland Cinema in Te Anau. Check show times at: www.fiordlandcinema.co.nz.
Day 5: Milford Sound
Kayaking Milford Sound The natural way to experience the essence. Kayak an environment of waterfalls, glacial fiords and home to dolphins, fur seals, crested penguins and much more.
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Nature Cruise Milford Sound Grand, brooding, serene and wild, explore Milford Sound with nature guides aboard a cruise.
Day 6: Te Anau - Wanaka Enjoy a leisurely day as you travel to the lovely lakeside town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful areas! Along the way, you may like to visit the quaint and historic mining town of Arrowtown. Nearby is also the Kawarau Gorge and home to New Zealand’s first commercial bungy site. Here you can watch or try bungy jumping at its best – it’s great fun to watch!
Day 8: Wanaka - Fox Glacier Enjoy a very scenic drive over the Haast Pass into Westland National Park and along the rugged West Coast of New Zealand which offers many magnificent photo opportunities, short bush and waterfall walks along the way.
Day 9: Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier Heli Hike A spectacular helicopter ride to a remote landing site on the ice is an exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier.
OR
Mt Cook and Fox Glacier Scenic Heli Flight Fly all the way around Mt Cook & Mt Tasman as well as exploring the Fox Glacier or Franz Josef. A snow landing is an option at no extra charge on this flight, weather permitting. Duration 30 minutes. Lake Matheson This afternoon, we recommend taking a comfortable 90 minute walk around New Zealand's most photographed lake, Lake Matheson - famous for it's stunning reflections. Located a 5-10 minute drive from Fox township this walk is worthy of your time.
Day 10: Fox Glacier - Greymouth - Christchurch Today you will continue north to Greymouth where you will return your rental car, before boarding the Tranz Alpine Train which will take you from one side of the South Island to the other in just 4+ hours. Described as New Zealand's greatest rail journey and one of the worlds greatest! Departing Greymouth the TranzAlpine winds its way through lush beech forests, following rivers and skirting lakes before tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps. Finally crossing the huge, fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains and on to the city of Christchurch. Fitted with panoramic windows and an open air viewing carriage, passengers can view the spectacular scenery. There are also 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts, the highest being the staircase standing at 200+ feet. Transfer included from Railway Station to hotel.
Day 11: Christchurch Transfer from hotel to airport included.
Conditions: Itinerary is strictly subject to availability at time of booking. This itinerary can be customized to fit your needs. Activities can be added, accommodations and car hire upgraded (additional cost) etc. Advertised pricing: All itineraries are subject to seasonal price variations. Note, travel over the December / January time period will incur high season surcharges. Itinerary is subject to our booking conditions.
