Adventures in Paradise 12 Days - South Island From $4,799 per person (Standard) From $6,599 per person (Deluxe)
Set amongst some of New Zealand’s most wild and dramatic scenery, Adventures in Paradise offers a fabulous selection of active and leisurely ways to experience New Zealand – there’s something for everyone!
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 glow worms, 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!
Day 1: Depart Los Angeles or San Francisco onAir New Zealand
Day 2: Cross the international dateline
Day 3: Arrive Auckland, transfer to Queenstown. Collect rental car at Queenstown airport. It’s a short drive to your accommodation.
This afternoon, those feeling adventurous can experience the World's most exciting jetboat ride! You can’t beat the thrill of a Shotover Jet experience. 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.
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 4: Queenstown
Routeburn Track Guided Day Hike A journey to the head of Lake Wakatipu is the ideal preparation for the splendor of the world-famous Routeburn Walk.
OR
Guided Nature Walk and Wine Trail Combo Enjoy a walk in the morning, followed by a vineyard lunch and an afternoon of wine tasting.
Day 5: 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.
This afternoon, it's a 2+ hour drive to the pretty lakeside town of Te Anau. Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and also the gateway to Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Day 6: 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.
Optional: Ata Whenua - Shadowland & Glow Worm Caves This evening we highly recommend dining at 'Red Cliff' 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. You may also like to consider a visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves this evening - prebooking essential.
Day 7: 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.
OR
Nature Cruise Milford Sound Grand, brooding, serene and wild, explore Milford Sound with nature guides aboard a cruise.
Day 8: 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 9: Wanaka
Round the Dunstan Lifestyle Tour A fabulous 'insider' tour of Wanaka and surrounding areas. Meet local artisans, small galleries, wineries, vineyards and orchards sampling their wares - this is a fabulous day out!
OR
Wilderness Experience: Fly, Walk, Jetboat Views from the air are stunning, capturing the rugged beauty of Mt Aspiring National Park. See glaciers, ice, snow, mountain lakes, hanging valleys, vast rain forests, and dramatic unspoiled beauty. Walk through native beech forest to the rendezvous with a Jetboat to experience the ultimate river ride!
OR
Trails of Middle Earth Tour A fun day visiting over 20 of the filming locations used in "Lord of the Rings". Have the opportunity to handle some of the items used in the film, try them on, have your photos taken with, become a hobbit using the same illusion as used in the trilogy and more!
Day 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 14: Christchurch - Los Angeles or San Francisco Today you will depart Christchurch late afternoon for your return flight home. Transfer from hotel to airport included.
Package includes:
International round trip economy class airfares Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland on Air New Zealand;
Domestic economy class airfares within New Zealand;
10 Days Rental Car Compact Size, automatic, unlimited kms;
11 Nights Accommodation (based on double occupancy);
All Breakfasts;
Choice of one daily activity per person;
Tranz Alpine Train Journey;
Train to hotel transfers;
Hotel to airport transfers
Deluxe Package includes:
International round trip economy class airfares Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland on Air New Zealand;
Domestic economy class airfares within New Zealand;
10 Days Rental Car Full Size, automatic, unlimited kms;
11 Nights Deluxe Accommodation (based on double occupancy);
All Breakfasts;
Choice of one daily activity per person;
Tranz Alpine Train Journey;
Train to hotel private transfer;
Hotel to airport private transfer
Not included in all packages:
Optional sightseeing experiences;
Meals (unless specified);
Travel Insurance
Fuel Surcharges and Airline Taxes of up to $310 per person (subject to change without notice)
