Privately Escorted West Coast 5 Days – South Island *From $4,299/person (land only)
Experience one of our favorite parts of New Zealand’s South Island – the magnificent West Coast – with time set aside to explore Christchurch, Akaroa and the beautiful Bank’s Peninsula at the end of the trip. This exciting and diverse privately escorted trip will allow you to experience many of the different landscapes that New Zealand has to offer while someone else does the driving! Set your own pace to enjoy lovely walks, and revel in the scenery as your guide takes care of the everyday details, leaving you free to relax and enjoy New Zealand.
Day 1: Queenstown to Fox Glacier - "Passes, Lakes, Forest & Sea" Your guide will meet with you at 8:30am at your Queenstown accommodation and commence your journey of discovery through the spectacular South Island. Depart Queenstown and travel over the Crown Range to Wanaka. From Wanaka the journey will take you past two high country lakes - Hawea and Wanaka which are bordered by the barren Otago mountains. The landscape changes as the highway heads up to the Haast Pass and into the Southern Alps. The open country gives way first to the native southern beech forests, and then the temperate rain forests on the western side of the divide. Stops can be made along the way to view waterfalls and the numerous scenic views before you join the Tasman Sea. Your journey will then head north towards the glaciers. A stop can be made at Ship Creek for a beach walk and to try and see the native Hector's Dolphin - the world's smallest and rarest ocean dolphin. From there the highway will take you north through the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu - the South West New Zealand World Heritage area and then on to Fox Glacier - Glacier Country. Accommodation tonight will be at a boutique hotel in Fox (2 nights).
Day 2: Glacier Country - Fox Glacier - "Podocarps, Geology and Ice Age" "Glacier Country" - Fox Glacier. A day to explore the glaciated landscape of the Fox Glacier region. Walks are available to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier and to a glacier viewpoint to witness the Fox Glacier’s descent down the mountain into the rainforest. A beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson. It is here that incredible reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in the lake can often be seen. Alternatively, a drive through the lush rainforest to a wild and remote beach on the Tasman Sea for views of the alps. Optional extra activities today are a guided walk onto the Fox Glacier, a guided glacial heli-hike or a scenic helicopter flight with an ice landing. (Please note that these optional activities are weather dependent and are not included in the tour cost).
Day 3: Fox to Punakaiki - "Ice, Palms & Pancakes" Your journey today will take you north to Franz Josef where a short walk can be made to view another glacier pushing into rainforest – on a Pacific Island! Depart Franz and head north to Hokitika. See the West Coast bush and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets. A visit can be made at the Bushman's Centre where you can meet some "coasters" in a village with a population of 2 (three, including the dog!). Once you are in Hokitika, there will be time to browse through some of the many art and craft stores and studios. Hokitika is home to NZ's own jade, known locally as greenstone. From Hokitika you can then take a side trip through the old gold mining area, walk through some gold miners’ tunnels and see the effort put into 1860’s gold retrieval. Travel onto Greymouth and then north along the beautiful Tasman coastline to Paparoa National Park and Punakaiki - the Pancake Rocks. Here, walks can be taken to view the rocks and the rugged coastline with its spectacular rock formations. Accommodation tonight will be in a Luxury Eco Room nestled between the ocean and forest in Punakaiki (1 night).
Day 4: Punakaiki to Christchurch - "TranzAlpine, Alps, Plains & Sheep" Your journey today will take you back through Greymouth, east along the Grey River and then around Moana Kotuku – the Lake of the White Heron (Lake Brunner). This will take you into the mighty Taramakau River valley, then up the Otira Gorge and into Arthur’s Pass National Park. Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route will reveal great mountain valleys and the marvel of the road as it winds it’s way through the spectacular Otira Gorge – a geographer’s dream. Short walks can be taken in Arthur’s Pass to experience the alpine landscape and the native Beech Forests. Later in the afternoon, board the TranzAlpine train for your journey to Christchurch. This train trip will take you through the Waimakariri River gorge and then across the vast Canterbury Plains before reaching Christchurch. Upon your arrival at Christchurch, your guide will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located city accommodation (1 night).
Day 5: Akaroa & Banks Peninsula - "Volcanoes, Crater, Dolphins & Cheese" Travel to Akaroa over the beautiful Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The high summit route gives glorious views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and the distant Southern Alps and the remote bays and farmlands. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbour and Akaroa village, the only French settlement established in New Zealand. Banks Peninsula was formed following the violent eruptions of two volcanoes. A crater nurses the picturesque harbour of Akaroa with many smaller bays indenting the coastline. Akaroa remains unique the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa. The charm of this old French town with the incredible scenery encountered on the way have assured Akaroa’s popularity as a unique destination. Your day will include a unique eco-marine harbour cruise in the volcanic crater where the Hectors Dolphins, NZ Furseals and penguins may be seen. Upon your return to Christchurch, your guide will bid you farewell.
Package includes:
4 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy);
Exclusive private touring for five days;
Travel by customized deluxe air conditioned 4WD minicoach which features individual high back seats, stereo P/A systems, high panorama windows, are fully carpeted and are fitted out for picnics with refrigerators;
On-board amenities include a reference library, binoculars, walking poles, maps, NZ mints, water ;
Guided walks along the way (Dept of Conservation concession fees);
* Advertised pricing - All itineraries are subject to seasonal price
variations. Note, travel over the December / January time period will
incur high season surcharges.
** There is a minimum of two passengers for this itinerary
