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| Day by Day Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama |
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Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road, Christchurch, at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the rich Canterbury Plains into the foothills of the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Here you will be given the opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing your journey into the Mt Cook National Park. Admire the scenic majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Overnight accommodation is at Heritage Gateway Hotel. |
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| Day 2 - Omarama / Dunedin |
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| Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Cargills Hotel. |
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| Day 3 - Dunedin / Lake Manpouri / Te Anau |
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| Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Fiordland National Park Hotel. |
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| Day 4 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown |
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Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day 5 - Queenstown |
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| A full day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the world famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a relaxing steamer cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic Earnslaw. There are a multitude of optional activities available or alternatively explore Queenstown's many international boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise you. Overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day 6 - Queenstown / Haast Pass / Fox Glacier |
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Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and follow the Clutha river to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort. Travel on past lakes Wanaka and Hawea, cross the Haast Pass into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Cap off the day with the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox Glacier Hotel. |
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| Day 7 - Fox Glacier / Greymouth / Christchurch |
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| Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. The snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass glades of dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. On to Greymouth to join the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests and past Lake Brunner to Otira, beneath the high snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass, follow the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch which is scheduled for 6.05pm |
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| Departure Dates: |
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| TOUR |
START MON
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FINISH SUN
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| G16 |
13 Oct 2008 |
19 Oct 2008 |
| G17 |
20 Oct 2008 |
26 Oct 2008 |
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| G182* |
01 Nov 2008 |
07 Nov 2008 |
| G19 |
03 Nov 2008 |
09 Nov 2008 |
| G20 |
10 Nov 2008 |
16 Nov 2008 |
| G21 |
17 Nov 2008 |
23 Nov 2008 |
| G212* |
22 Nov 2008 |
28 Nov 2008 |
| G22 |
24 Nov 2008 |
30 Nov 2008 |
| |
|
|
| G23 |
01 Dec 2008 |
07 Dec 2008 |
| G24 |
08 Dec 2008 |
14 Dec 2008 |
| G25 |
15 Dec 2008 |
21 Dec 2008 |
| G26 |
22 Dec 2008 |
28 Dec 2008 |
| G27 |
29 Dec 2008 |
04 Jan 2009 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| TOUR |
START MON
|
FINISH SUN
|
| G28 |
05 Jan 2009 |
11 Jan 2009 |
| G282* |
10 Jan 2009 |
16 Jan 2009 |
| G29 |
12 Jan 2009 |
18 Jan 2009 |
| G292* |
17 Jan 2009 |
23 Jan 2009 |
| G30 |
19 Jan 2009 |
25 Jan 2009 |
| G302* |
24 Jan 2009 |
30 Jan 2009 |
| G31 |
26 Jan 2009 |
01 Feb 2009 |
| G312* |
31 Jan 2009 |
06 Feb 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G32 |
02 Feb 2009 |
08 Feb 2009 |
| G322* |
07 Feb 2009 |
13 Feb 2009 |
| G33 |
09 Feb 2009 |
15 Feb 2009 |
| G332* |
14 Feb 2009 |
20 Feb 2009 |
| G34 |
16 Feb 2009 |
22 Feb 2009 |
| G342* |
21 Feb 2009 |
27 Feb 2009 |
| G35 |
23 Feb 2009 |
01 Mar 2009 |
| G352* |
28 Feb 2009 |
06 Mar 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G36 |
02 Mar 2009 |
08 Mar 2009 |
| G37 |
09 Mar 2009 |
15 Mar 2009 |
| G372* |
14 Mar 2009 |
20 Mar 2009 |
| G38 |
16 Mar 2009 |
22 Mar 2009 |
| G382* |
21 Mar 2009 |
27 Mar 2009 |
| G39 |
23 Mar 2009 |
29 Mar 2009 |
| G392* |
28 Mar 2009 |
03 Apr 2009 |
| G40 |
30 Mar 2009 |
05 Apr 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G402* |
04 Apr 2009 |
10 Apr 2009 |
| G41 |
06 Apr 2009 |
12 Apr 2009 |
| G42 |
13 Apr 2009 |
19 Apr 2009 |
| G422* |
18 Apr 2009 |
24 Apr 2009 |
| G43 |
20 Apr 2009 |
26 Apr 2009 |
| G432* |
25 Apr 2009 |
01 May 2009 |
| G44 |
27 Apr 2009 |
03 May 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G45 |
04 May 2009 |
10 May 2009 |
| G46 |
11 May 2009 |
17 May 2009 |
| G47 |
18 May 2009 |
24 May 2009 |
| G48 |
25 May 2009 |
31 May 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G50 |
08 Jun 2009 |
14 Jun 2009 |
| G51 |
15 Jun 2009 |
21 Jun 2009 |
| G53 |
29 Jun 2009 |
05 Jul 2009 |
| |
|
|
| G54 |
06 Jul 2009 |
12 Jul 2009 |
| G55 |
13 Jul 2009 |
19 Jul 2009 |
| G57 |
27 Jul 2009 |
02 Aug 2009 |
| |
|
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| G58 |
03 Aug 2009 |
09 Aug 2009 |
| G11 |
10 Aug 2009 |
16 Aug 2009 |
| G14 |
31 Aug 2009 |
06 Sep 2009 |
| |
|
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| G142* |
05 Sep 2009 |
11 Sep 2009 |
| G15 |
07 Sep 2009 |
13 Sep 2009 |
| G152* |
12 Sep 2009 |
18 Sep 2009 |
| G16 |
14 Sep 2009 |
20 Sep 2009 |
| G162* |
19 Sep 2009 |
25 Sep 2009 |
| G17 |
21 Sep 2009 |
27 Sep 2009 |
| G172* |
26 Sep 2009 |
02 Oct 2009 |
| G18 |
28 Sep 2009 |
04 Oct 2009 |
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* Start Friday, finish Thursday
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