South Island Splendor 15 Days – South Island *From $4,799 per person (land only) Share
Explore the best of the South Island with this self-drive itinerary, specially designed to showcase the icons of the south. Starting in Queenstown, you'll jump right into the beauty and adventure that surrounds this breathtaking region. You'll marvel at the wondrous Doubtful Sound, fly high over Wanaka, view Fox Glacier up close and personal, watch the farm dogs at work at a high country sheep station, view dolphins and whales in Kaikoura, explore the stunning Marlborough Sounds by boat and foot, and culminate the trip with a day spent kayaking and/or walking or simply relaxing on a sandy beach in the Abel Tasman National Park. Choices throughout this itinerary will let you customize your days to suit your particular interests. Get ready to savor the South Island!
Day 1: Queenstown Arrive in Queenstown this afternoon and transfer to your boutique lodge style accommodation in the heart of Queenstown, where you'll find contemporary timeless elegance in a property that takes its name from the original 1920’s corner store. Relax after your flight, with afternoon tea served in front of the fireplace, take an easy walk around Queenstown and catch up on sleep in your luxurious bed outfitted with fine linens.
Day 2: Queenstown Activity Choice
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. Your walk begins among towering ancient beech, climbing gradually through blankets of forest moss and fern, past the thundering Routeburn River, rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountain stacks. After climbing through a vast alpine meadow, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree view out along the Hollyford Valley to the Tasman Sea, and inland. The walking distance is entirely flexible, and you can enjoy anything from four to fourteen miles return journey.
OR
Safari of the Scenes 4WD & Walter Peak Farm Excursion Explore Queenstown's scenic highlights, as well as locations used for Lord of the Rings filming. This scenic 4WD tour offers breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, you'll cruise on board the coal fired vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and visit the Walter Peak High Country farm where you can experience farm life and watch a farmhand shear a sheep.
Day 3: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Your journey to Doubtful Sound will take you across picturesque Lake Manapouri and over the Wilmot Pass through rainforest before arriving at Deep Cove to board the ship for the start of the spectacular overnight cruise. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen and at times, Fiordland Crested penguins can be observed. There will also be time for you to kayak around the shoreline or go exploring in the tender craft with the nature guide before dropping anchor for the night.
Day 4: Queenstown - Wanaka Upon arrival back in Queenstown, you will pick up your rental car for the short and scenic hour-long drive to Wanaka. In Wanaka, you'll settle in for two nights at your boutique lodge, just three minutes walk to restaurants and shops in town. You may like to relax in the garden spa tub before a complimentary apertif with your hosts, Murray and Lynn.
Day 5: Wanaka Activity Choice
Siberia Experience This wilderness adventure is set in Mount Aspiring World Heritage National Park. A ride on the Cessna 185 high winged plane gives you the opportunity to view Mt Aspiring from the air. Landing in the Siberia Valley you begin a lovely 3 hour walk on a well-formed track through river valleys and native beech forest. Rendezvous with the Jetboat to experience the ultimate in shallow water jet boating, skimming along in just inches of water!
OR
Scenic Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing Fly to the border of Mt. Aspiring National Park through mountainous terrain and disembark for some fun in the snow. Enjoy magnificent views overlooking Mt. Aspiring and the glaciers. After your flight, visit with your guides over tea at their 10,000 acre, family-owned
property running deer, cattle and sheep.
Day 6: Drive Wanaka - Fox After a leisurely breakfast, you'll head north from Wanaka, through Mt. Aspiring National Park over the Haast Pass for a beautiful drive from Wanaka to Fox Glacier. There will be many opportunities to stop for photos and short bush/waterfall walks before arriving at your hotel in the heart of Fox Township. This afternoon, you may like to take a sunset walk around Lake Matheson, known for it's stunning reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman.
Day 7: Glacier Walk / Heli-hike Today you will join your guides for a half day guided glacier walk. If you are looking for something a little more exhilarating you may like to upgrade to the 'Heli Hike' which includes an exciting helicopter flight and glacier landing so you can explore the many ice caves. Either way, you will enjoy learning about New Zealand's unique glaciers from your guides and get up close and personal with this river of ice!
Day 8: Drive Fox - Arthur's Pass This morning after breakfast, you will drive through wild beach and lowland rainforest up the rugged West Coast, over the Otira Viaduct to Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge, nestled in a spectacular mountain setting. Tonight you will enjoy a fabulous 3-course dinner. After dinner, subject to weather, you may like to join the lodge guide for an easy walk to view the magnificent mountain night sky.
Day 9: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass Early risers can join the lodge guide on a guided walk to listen to the dawn chorus of bellbirds, walk amongst ancient beech on a carpet of moss and discover dramatic mountain landscapes at first light. After breakfast you may like to take a map and choose one of the many self guided walks available or join a guided activity such as a canoe safari or alpine flowers walk. During your stay, you can watch the sheep dogs at work and have a go at blade shearing sheep.
Day 10: Drive Arthur's Pass - Kaikoura After a leisurely breakfast, you'll drive from Arthur's Pass to Kaikoura, stopping along the way for photo opportunities and lunch. Arrive in the afternoon at your bed & breakfast, known for it's dramatic ocean views and sunsets.
Day 11: Kaikoura Activity Choice / Drive to Blenheim
Whale Watch Come face to face with these magnificent creatures in their own environment aboard either airplane or boat designed specifically for this purpose. Giant Sperm Whales grow to 20 meters long and are present in these waters year round. Other species include migratory Humpback whales, Orca (killer whales), tiny Hector dolphins, the high-spirited Dusky Dolphins and fur seals.
OR
Swim with Dolphins Kaikoura is home to the amazing dusky dolphins. Experience the delights of a wonderful marine environment, close to our beautiful coastline during this 3 to 3 ˝ hour dolphin swimming or watching tour. You may also be lucky enough to see other marine mammals such as orca (killer whales), pilot whales, New Zealand fur seals, and Hector’s dolphins.
In the afternoon, you'll drive from Kaikoura to your luxury accommodation located on a ten acre Pinot Noir vineyard in the heart of Marlborough's wine country.
Day 12: Marlborough Activity Choice
Marlbourough Icons The three icons of Marlborough - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and Marlborough Greenshell Mussels are combined into an exciting day. Take in the very best that Marlborough has to offer with a visit to some superb Marlborough wineries in the morning then through to the Havelock Marina for lunch and an afternoon Greenshell Mussel Cruise.
OR
Queen Charlotte Track Take a boat cruise from Picton past salmon farms and sea birds on a beautiful voyage to Ship Cove, an historic and scenic reserve that Captain Cook visited several times in the 17th Century. This premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track affords beautiful views across the Marlborough Sounds and a gourmet lunch as your guide explains the European and pre-European history of the area.
Day 13: Blenheim to Nelson This morning you'll enjoy a lovely drive from the wine country to your accommodation in Nelson - located a short drive from the Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 14: Abel Tasman National Park After breakfast you will drive to Kaiteriteri - the entrance to the Abel Tasman Natiional Park and meet your guides. You will have the opportunity to kayak, cruise and walk in the park and experience the many majestic coves and sandy beaches. A visit to the seal colony at Tonga Island is also included.
Day 15: Abel Tasman - Nelson / Fly Home Today you'll enjoy a lovely breakfast before your drive to Nelson in time to catch your flight home.
Package includes:
14 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy);
Routeburn Track Day Hike OR Safari of the Scenes 4WD & Walter Peak Farm Visit;
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise;
Siberia Experience OR Scenic Heli Flight;
Half Day Guided Glacier Walk;
Wilderness Lodge Stay and complimentary activities;
Southern Night Sky Walk;
Sheep Dogs and Sheep Shearing;
Half Day Guided Glacier Walk;
Whalewatching OR Swimming with Dolphins;
Marlborough Icons OR Queen Charlotte Track Guided Day Walk;
Kayak, Seals and Walk in the Abel Tasman National Park;
This itinerary can be customized to suit
Not Included:
Airfare - contact us for a quote;
Optional sightseeing experiences;
Meals (unless specified);
Travel Insurance
* Advertised pricing - All itineraries are subject to seasonal price variations. Note, travel over the December / January time period will incur high season surcharges.
