South Island Discovery Drive

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel.

This morning, make your way to the rental car depot, located in the airport, to collect your rental car. Travel from Christchurch, through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range. This afternoon, continue on to the alpine resort town of Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. (B)

Experience the world famous fjord, rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Journey across the Southern Alps, pas the stunning Mirror Lakes and Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls. At Milford Sound, board your nature cruise to see the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below. Later, return to Queenstown for dinner at your leisure. (B)

Make your way to downtown Queenstown for your transfer to the Shotover River for a jet boat ride in the canyon. The thrilling adventure skims past rocky outcrops, around crags and boulders and through the dramatic and narrow canyons. Return to Queenstown where the afternoon is free to enjoy the city at your own pace. (B)

Take a memorable trip through some of the most magnificent scenery in New Zealand to the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. (B)

Meet your expert local guide at Franz Josef Glacier for a walk alongside the mighty Waiho River following the glacier’s path of retreat in this remarkable landscape. Near the terminal face, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the rapidly changing terminal face of the glacier. After your tour, relax in the Glacier Hot Pools, a haven of natural tranquility, nestled in the lush rainforest. (B)

Travel north this morning up the wild, west coast. You may wish to make time to detour to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes where the surging sea has sculpted amazing shapes out of the rocks, before returning your rental car to the train depot in Greymouth. At Greymouth, board the scenic Tranz Alpine train, a journey famous for its spectacular mountain scenery as it traverses the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for the remainder of the evening at your leisure. (B)

Enjoy a final New Zealand breakfast before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. Alternatively, you may wish to take a ferry to the North Island to prolong your stay. (B)