Tour itinerary
Day 1 Christchurch to Lake Ohau
Meet your Contiki crew and travel through the MacKenzie country, home to the sheep industry. Get your camera ready, as our first stop today is the beautiful glacial Lake Tekapo. We'll continue on to view Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain and if you want to start the tour on a real high note, then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over the mountain? We then head to Lake Ohau at the base of the Southern Alps. This evening, its dinner and a chance to get to know your fellow Contiki-ites.
Day 2 Lake Ohau to Milford Sound
More scenic splendour this morning as we travel past the orchards of Cromwell and the Clutha River. On to Fiordland National Park where we head through the Homer Tunnel (D'OH!) for our first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. Then it's all aboard the Milford Wanderer, for an overnight cruise taking in all the beauty of the fjord. There's the chance to kayak and see whales, dolphins and penguins along with towering mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. It'll be an evening to treasure!
Day 3 Milford Sound to Queenstown
We'll breakfast on board and then hop back on the coach to travel through the picturesque former gold mining centre of Arrowtown. Need an andrenalin boost? We'll take you to a bridge to jump off! The bungy jumping bridge provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don't you try it? After all the excitement, tonight we'll chill out at our lodge, overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Day 4 Queenstown
Leisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the 'Adventure-Adrenaline capital of the world', one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding, White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme! Action by day, action by night - that's Queenstown. Yes, when you've dried off and caught your breath, it'll be time to experience Queenstown's legendary nightlife, and there's no shortage of venues for dining and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex.
Day 6 Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
We'll travel today through the Kawarau Gorge, past glacial lakes and via the Haast Pass to reach the South Island's rugged West Coast. In the Westland National Park there's a chance to lace up your hiking boots and explore the icy terrain of this region on a guided glacier walk with the professional guides who will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder
Day 7 Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch
This morning we'll see the art of jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. We'll cross the Southern Alps via majestic Arthur's Pass and head towards the "Cathedral City" of Christchurch.