Dramatic landscapes, rolling lush farmland and snow-capped mountain ranges; New Zealand's South Island is spectacular beyond belief. You will see the main highlights of the South Island and visit the best known locations.
See tranquil lakes and rugged steep mountains while driving along wild rivers and lush rainforest. Land with an helicopter on unique glaciers that retrieve deep into a dense rainforest. Visit the adventure capital of the world and cruise through one of world known natural wonders the Milford Sound. You stay at in the city centre of all main tourist destinations and also experience some beautiful remote stays and lodges. You will enjoy with us a private and friendly journey and an authentic New Zealand experience!
All tours are private, depart daily, and can be customized to suit individual interests and schedules. Please contact us at info@arohatours.co.nz or 0064-21-890611 for more information about our luxury New Zealand tours.
Day 1: Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch Int. Airport and you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred to your accommodation. Here you will have the opportunity to spend some time is this very English influenced city with the old Cathedral and the Victorian stone buildings. Walk the inner City with the many shops and get that one last present for your friends and family, dine at some of the local restaurants and bars, visit the Arts Centre and take a relaxing walk through the Botanical gardens. Accommodation: Christchurch
Day 2: Christchurch - Franz Josef Glazier (TRanz Alpine train through Arthur Pass, Pankake Rocks, Glaciers) train ride 4.5h, driving distance 3h
Depart Christchurch aboard the Tranz Alpine Express through the scenic untouched areas and through the Arthurs Pass. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres. On arriving in Greymouth, your driver/guide will meet you and your tour continues by road. We stop at Punakaki the jewel of the West Coast, Punakaiki is world renown for its pancake rock formation and blowholes. Walk along some of the stunning and remote beach treks, though a dense rainforest with Nikau Palms and large ferns. We follow the winding road along one of the most stunning coastal drives in the country. Pass the township of Greymouth and Hokitika; known both for gold and coal mining in New Zealand. We take a leisurely and scenic drive to the famous glacier region, which make a dramatic approach to the sea. Your day’s itinerary will end in the tiny settlement of Franz Josef. One of the best ways to appreciate the glaciers size and features and blue ice crevasses is by air. From here you can hire a helicopter to take a scenic flight over this spectacular scenery.Accommodation: West Coast
Day 3: Franz Josef Glacier - Haast - Mt Aspiring National Park - Queenstown (Rainforest walks, wetlands, remote water-falls)driving distance 6h
This day gives you the opportunity to view two major glaciers Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier; it also takes you through the South Westland region to one of our World Heritage Parks. Walk a trek that will take you to the bottom of Fox Glaciers. Both Glaciers are located 25 km from each other and are unique in the world as they seem to nearly reach the ocean Mt Aspiring National Park this area is a vast, glacial sculpted wilderness. Or decide to visit nearby Lake Matheson. The forested path skirts the shores of the mist-shrouded lake and on a clear day, New Zealand’s highest peaks are spectacularly reflected in the mirror-like waters. Scroll through a magical wetland wonderland and see some close by waterfalls roaring down the steep mountain walls. As you exit Mt Aspiring National Park you will travel through what is known as 'The Neck' a formation of land that separates two of our great South Island lakes Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, a short stopover in Lake Wanaka before continuing on across the Crown Range to Queenstown. We take you on a tour into the surrounding areas to Arthur's Point it's on to Coronet Peak for more spectacular views of Queenstown. We will take you to your accommodation in Queenstown from where you can take the opportunity to explore the village area. Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 4: Queenstown (Chinese settlement, Shotover jet boat)
Your day’s itinerary will lead you to some of the most interesting adventures Queenstown has to offer, your first stop is Arthurs point, home of the Shotover Jet Boat Company, here you can experience (optional and extra charge) one of New Zealand’s most exciting adventure rides Jet Boating on the Shotover River (this is a safe excursion for both children and adults). We take you to your next stop in Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back into the Gold Mining days of the Otago region. From there you can encounter which is widely regarded as a safe spectator attraction the famous Kawarau Gorge Bungy Jumping exhibition (this is free for spectators, however, if you desire to make a jump the charge is additional to your tour package). From Kawarau Gorge you return to Queenstown where you can take the opportunity to explore the village area. Because they are so many things to do in Queenstown, to cater to your diverse interests, we have left the afternoon free for you to pick and choose whatever optional activities you desire. Your guide can arrange and advise you on all the options, if you a thrill seeker and you want to go skydiving or if you just like to walk beautiful treks. Accommodation: Queenstown
Day 5: Queenstown - Fiordland National Park (Drive/Cruise Milford Sounds, Mirror Lakes, Chasm) driving distance 5h
We are heading for the spectacular Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world” which was carved out during successive ice ages and, at its deepest point off Mitre Peak, plunges to a depth of 265 meters. The awesome splendour of this region is unsurpassed anywhere else in the World, a daring claim in a country which offers extraordinary beauty around every corner. Getting there is half of the experience; we take you through the Fiordland National Park, pass staggeringly beautiful valleys, lakes and creeks. If the time allows we will stop at the” Mirror Lakes”, before entering the narrow and dark 1km long Homer Tunnel. We take you on a day cruise into the magnificent wonder-world of the Milford Sound. You may encounter Kea’s, New Zealand’s cheeky alpine parrots and we stop and explore some of nature’s wonders on the way. At Milford you board a vessel and cruise on the Fiord through sheer cliffs covered with vegetation that plunges into the sea. View the Bowen Falls, hurtling 165 meters into the sea, and the Stirling Falls further down the sound, set amidst the towering cliffs and dwarfed by Mitre Peak. On the way back take a board walk into the “Chasm” to see surreal, water-hewn rock sculptures. Highly recommend a scenic flight, cruise and drive excursion into the Milford Sound). Accommodation: Te Anau
Day 6: Queenstown - Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo (Lindis Pass, Mt Cook area, Glacier Lakes ) driving distance 5h
After we have passed Lake Wakitipu and Queenstown again, we can view “The Lord of the Rings” misty mountains plus the Pelennor Fields and cross one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets, The”Lindis Pass'. Speckled with small agricultural outposts, the Canterbury Plains are an area of serene, rural beauty. Our trip will take us through some of the most evocative hill county in New Zealand. To the east lies the coastal town of Timaru while, to the west, the Mackenzie Country accounts for a large percentage of New Zealand’s sheep population. We travel into deep into the heart of the Southern Alps and to the southern slopes of Mt Cook National Park. We overnight in the small township of Lake Tekapo. You will encounter an array of spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, rises 3700 meters. The Lake Tekapo is an unusual beautiful turquoise colour, and reflects the surrounding mountains. Relax at this mystical, tranquil place and take a stroll along the lake’s shores. In the evening we can arrange a tour to explore the wonders of the Southern Sky at the Mt John Observatory high above the breathtaking landscape of Lake Tekapo – where Earth meets Sky. (Optionl and extra charge) Accommodation: Lake Tekapo
Day 7: Lake Tekapo-Christchurch driving distance 3h
We drive you through Canterbury to Christchurch Depending on your departure time you can spend some time back in Christchurch. From there your driver takes you to the Airport to connect you with your departing airline.