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South Island Grand Tour

This 12 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

Please be advised that certain aspects of this tour may operate on specific days of the week.
We recommend contacting one of our travel specialists to identify a departure date that suits your schedule.

Start your adventure in Christchurch, the Garden City, with a tour of its revitalized streets before heading inland to the alpine majesty of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Then it's on to Dunedin for a wildlife cruise on the Otago Peninsula, where you'll see penguins, seals and albatross in their natural habitat. Travel to Queenstown via the historic Taieri Gorge train, giving you time to explore the adventure capital at your own pace before a delicious BBQ dinner and cruise on the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship. Your journey continues up the West Coast, passing stunning Wanaka and the rugged coastline to the glaciers of Franz Josef, before a final unforgettable ride on the world-renowned TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch.

Accommodation type on this tour is: Hotel 4 star.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch International Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi - Lunch Included

Included activity: Franz Josef to Greymouth Train Station with Hokitika Scenic Tours

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Included activity: Shared Transfer from Christchurch Train Station to Christchurch CBD Accommodation with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Christchurch Triple Pass - Tram, Punting and Gondola

Included activity: Hidden Gems City Sights with Amiki Cultural Food Tours

Included activity: The Alpine Restaurant Buffet Dinner

Included activity: Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo with Cheeky Kiwi - Lunch Included

Included activity: The Panorama Room 3-course Dinner with The Hermitage Hotel

Included activity: Glacier Explorers

Included activity: Mt Cook to Dunedin with Iconic

Included activity: Wildlife Peninsula Encounter Tour and Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

Included activity: Dunedin to Queenstown including Taieri Gorge Train with Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Included activity: Dunedin Accommodation to Coach Stop Transfer with Iconic

Included activity: Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise, Return Flight & Picnic Lunch from Queenstown with Cheeky Kiwi

Included activity: TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 special dinner

Itinerary summary for: South Island Grand Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Ōtautahi / Christchurch!
Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 2: Explore the city 'Garden City' of Christchurch
Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 3: Head towards the stunning mountains of Aoraki / Mount Cook
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 4: Explore Aoraki / Mount Cook today
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 5: Transfer from Aoraki / Mt Cook to Ōtepoti / Dunedin
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Day 6: Explore the Otago Peninsula today with a wildlife encounter and cruise
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Day 7: Depart the city of Dunedin towards the adventure capital of Tāhuna / Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 8: Experience Milford Sound with a cruise and a scenic flight back to Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 9: Free day to enjoy Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 10: Journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 11: Travel to Greymouth, then hop aboard the TranzAlpine train
Accommodation: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 12: Farewell from Aotearoa / New Zealand