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Aroha New Zealand Tours
7 Day – Essence of the South Island Tour
Christchurch – Queenstown
(with personal transfer throughout) Experience the highlights of New Zealand's South Island. Stay in luxury accommodations, eat great food and enjoy a good glass of wine in Central Otago.. The tour includes a 4WD ride through the geological wonders of in the Southern Alps and a spectacular helicopter flight through Milford Sound.
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 - The George Hotel
Day 2: Christchurchh – Arthur Pass
In the morning a personal driver will pick you up at your city centre accommodations and drives you into the mountains through the scenic untouched areas and through the Arthurs Pass. From your luxury vehicle you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. You then climb into the Southern Alps There you will be taken on a great introductory tour to Arthur’s Pass National Park, 25 kilometres west of the lodge. This is mainly a sightseeing drive along the historic goldminer’s road; however opportunities are available to walk amongst alpine wildflowers and beech forest - and for the athletically inclined hobbit-filled gorges and waterfalls. We should also encounter the cheeky kea, the world’s only true alpine parrot. We visit the park headquarters and lunch at the “Wobbly Kea” café. In late afternoon take a 4WD over this Accommodation: Arthur Pass - Grasmere Lodge
Day 3: Arthur Pass – Franz Josef Glacier
Today you decent to the West Coast. Here we visit Punakaki the jewel of the West Coast, Punakaiki is world renowned 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. The mountains in this area are a source for jade, or greenstone, important in Maori history as material for jewellery, tools and weaponry. Galleries here offer you the chance to view this beautiful stone and gold crafts. 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. Highly recommended: From here you can hire a helicopter and take a scenic flight over this spectacular scenery and a landing on the clacier. (Optional and extra charge) Accommodation: West Coast
- Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Day 4: Franz Josef-Lake Wanaka (Rainforest, walks to remote Waterfalls)
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. Your guide will take you on a walk/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. 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. At the shore of Lake Wanaka you will enjoy spectacular view from your lodge Accommodation: Lake Wanaka – Wharekea Lodge or Wanaka Lake House
Day 5: Lake Wanaka – Central Otago – Queenstown (Private Wine tour/tasting in Central Otago Region)
Central Otago is New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine region and also it’s most scenic. Take the time to explore these incredible vineyards set in small micro-climates in a landscape dominated by high snow-capped mountains, and tussock clad slopes. Travel to Cromwell and Bannockburn, the heart of Pinot Noir country, and depending on your personal tastes, we will guide you to a selection of boutique wineries. At some stage of the wine tour we will suggest a stop for a relaxing lunch at one of the wineries. Visit the surrounding areas of Arthur's Point it's, and then its on to Coronet Peak for more spectacular views of Queenstown. Your next stop is in Arrowtown, a historic colonial village that takes you back to the Gold Mining days of the Otago region. From there the journey take you to Queenstown. Accommodation: Queenstown, The Spire Hotel, or Azur Lodge or Blanket Bay
Day 6: Queenstown – (Helicopter flight to Milford Sounds)
Today we have organised a helicopter flight to Milford Sound. The icon of Mitre Peak beckons you as your helicopter lifts off to begin your journey into Milford Sound. Get up and close with some of the most spectacular mountains and glaciers in the Southern Alps before landing at Milford. Experience the Sound up close and personal with great photo opportunities of Mitre Peak and the Bowen falls. Upon departing Milford via the Harrison Valley take in the beautiful blue green icefalls, true rivers of ice, as we land you exclusively upon Ngapunatoru Plateau of Mt Tutoko. One of the few companies with this privilege! Return to Queenstown via isolated valleys with impressive views to make this special trip truly memorable. Queenstown is the top adventure and activity centre in New Zealand. Most of the cast of the Lord of the Rings were based here and major parts of the movie where filmed in this region. 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, The Spire Hotel, or Azur Lodge or Blanket Bay
Day 7: Queenstown departure
Your private chauffer will take you to your departing flight in Queenstown airport
For more information contact us info@arohatours.co.nz
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