8 Days / 7 Nights: Tour of the South Island

Service Description

8 Days / 7 Nights | South Island See the best of New Zealand's South Island in one week. Wine country, wildlife, a scenic rail journey, glaciers and Milford Sound, with comfortable stays and expert guidance throughout. DAY 1: WELCOME TO BLENHEIM - Fly to Blenheim from Auckland or Wellington - Taste the wine and food of Marlborough - Luxury stay in New Zealand's wine capital - 3-course dinner by an on-site chef DAY 2: NATURE AND LOCAL DELIGHTS - Wildlife tour in the Marlborough Sounds: dolphins, penguins and native birds - Knights of the Sky exhibition - Makana Chocolate Factory - Dinner, spa and karaoke - Luxury stay in Blenheim DAY 3: MARINE WONDERS AND ZIPLINE ADVENTURE - Coastal drive to Kaikōura - Visit the Kaikōura seal colony - EcoZip Adventure zipline with ocean and mountain views - Continue to Christchurch DAY 4: SCENIC RAIL JOURNEY - TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps to Greymouth - Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Hokitika town and beach - West Coast sunset - Beachfront stay in Hokitika DAY 5: WEST COAST TO FRANZ JOSEF - Blue-green waters of Hokitika Gorge - West Coast Treetop Walkway - Franz Josef Glacier viewpoint - Scenic hotel in Franz Josef DAY 6: GLACIERS AND THE ROAD TO QUEENSTOWN - Fox Glacier viewpoint - Short walk to Lake Matheson with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook - Bruce Bay and Thunder Creek Falls - Scenic drive to Queenstown - Stay in Queenstown DAY 7: MILFORD SOUND ADVENTURE - Full-day trip to Milford Sound - Cruise the fiord past towering cliffs and waterfalls - Free evening in Queenstown DAY 8: DEPARTURE - Historic Arrowtown - Photo stop at That Wanaka Tree - Free time in Queenstown - Fly back to Auckland or Wellington INCLUSIONS - 7 nights in comfortable hotels, including a luxury stay in Blenheim - Domestic flights: Auckland or Wellington to Blenheim, and Queenstown back to Auckland or Wellington - TranzAlpine train journey - Listed activities, including the Marlborough Sounds wildlife tour, EcoZip zipline and the Milford Sound cruise - Land travel between destinations - Custom changes available - International flights to New Zealand: quoted on request Prices vary by travel dates, group size and hotel choice. Book a consultation and Ray will build your quote and tailor the trip to you.