2015-16_Kirra_Tours_Coach_Tours

13 Day
Ultimate
Southern
Highlights
Inclusions & Highlights
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TOUR GROUP SIZE
• Maximum 30 people
ACCOMMODATION
• 12 nights in quality, centrally located
4-4.5 star hotels
DINING
• 12 breakfasts (B)
• 10 dinners (D)
TRAVEL
• Premier Coach transport
• New Zealand Airport transfers
• TranzAlpine Train Journey
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
• TranzAlpine Train Journey
• Tasman Glacier Experience
ICONIC SIGHTSEEING
• Cruise to Stevensons Island
• Skyline Gondola & Dinner,
Queenstown
• Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise
• Scottish Haggis Ceremony
• Entry to Olveston House
• Christchurch Tour
7 HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit to Greenstone (Jade) Gallery
• Franz Josef Glacier
• Explore Lake Wakatipu
• Brief tour of Dunedin
• Visit Moeraki Boulders
• Church of the Good Shepherd
Your Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand. A Kirra Tours representative
will greet you at the airport with transport waiting
to take you to your hotel. If you arrive early today,
we recommend that you take some time to explore
Christchurch - the city now showcases some of the
most innovative structures in the world. A visit to the
Cardboard Cathedral designed by Japanese architect
Shigeru Ban is a must.
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Quest Christchurch, 1 night
Day 2 Christchurch/Greymouth/Hokitika
Today you will be transferred from your hotel to
Christchurch Train Station, where you will join the
famous TranzAlpine Train. Departing Christchurch, you
head across the flat open farmland of the Canterbury
plains, tracking up through the Southern Alps towards
Arthur’s Pass and on to Greymouth. On arrival into
Greymouth, you will be transferred to Hokitika with
the remainder of the day at your leisure before joining
the group for dinner. (B, D)
Please note: After enjoying some free time in Hokitika,
tonight, you will be introduced to your Coach Captain
and other travelling companions at dinner. For more
information please ask your travel agent.
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Beachfront Hotel, 1 night
Day 3 Hokitika/Franz Josef
Visit a Pounamu (also known as Greenstone or Jade)
factory this morning. Pounamu is considered a
treasure in Maori culture and is seen as a sign of status
and power. It is a hard, highly valued stone found only
on the South Island. It was often given as gifts to seal
important agreements. See how beautiful jewellery is
created out of this amazing green stone. Continuing
south, you will be mesmerised as you come closer
to the Southern Alps as they dominate the horizon,
highlighting your journey to Franz Josef. There is time
this afternoon to take an optional terminal walk to the
Glacier, or perhaps even a scenic flight for spectacular
views across the West Coast and Glacier Region (at
own cost and weather dependent). (B, D)
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Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, 1 night
Day 4 Franz Josef/Wanaka
Today leave the isolated and wild West Coast and head
inland towards the Mount Aspiring National Park
and the picture perfect resort town of Wanaka, set
on the shores of Lake Wanaka and surrounded by
spectacular mountains. On arrival into Wanaka you
will take a launch cruise across the lake to Stevensons
Island, a nature reserve, where you will embark on
an informative bush walk with refreshments along the
way. (B, D)
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Edgewater Resort, 1 night
Day 5 Wanaka/Queenstown
This morning, depart Wanaka and travel through
a region steeped in fascinating history of early
settlement and gold mining. Later you arrive into
the ever-popular resort of Queenstown and enjoy
some time at leisure before taking a spectacular
gondola ride to Bobs Peak and the Skyline Restaurant,
located high above Queenstown. Whilst you enjoy
dinner tonight, don’t forget to stop and take in the
breathtaking panoramic views over Queenstown and
The Remarkables mountain range. A truly special
dining experience. (B, D)
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Rydges Lakeland Resort, 3 nights
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Hollyford Track Walk add-on available
Day 6 & 7 Queenstown
The next two days are at your leisure whilst in the
adventure capital. You can either sit back and relax
or your Coach Captain is available to assist with any
optional activities you would like to do. We highly
recommend that whilst in the region, you experience
the Central Otago wines, you can do this as a half or
full day tour. Another great way to see Queenstown is
from Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw Steamship,
otherwise known as the ‘Lady of the Lake’, which
has the option of joining an engaging and informative
Farm tour of the historic Walter Peak High Country
Farm. You may even like to try something a little more
daring - such as a ride on the Shotover Jet Boat or
maybe even a bungy jump! (B, D - Dinner on Day 7
is not included allowing the opportunity to dine at a
restaurant of your choice.)
Day 8 Queenstown/Milford Sound
Travelling along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, you will
head towards Fiordland. Follow the Eglinton Valley
past native forests, lakes, waterfalls and towering
mountains, continue through The Divide and travel
into the Hollyford Valley and Homer Tunnel to reach
magnificent Milford Sound. Here, you will board the
Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise – an undoubted
highlight. Tonight’s experience will have you departing
from Milford Sound Wharf late afternoon and cruising
the full length of the Sound until you reach the Tasman
Sea. Accompanied by a specialist nature guide, you
will learn about the region’s spectacular flora and
fauna. Your vessel will then locate a sheltered cove
and anchor for the night where you can then join the
nature guide and explore in the vessel’s tender craft or
kayaks. Alternatively, simply sit back and relax. (B, D)
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Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise, 1 night
Day 9 Milford Sound/Dunedin
Wake to the sounds of silence in a pristine world with
a glimpse every so often of a passing seal or penguin.
You return to shore to follow the rugged and remote
mountains as they change to lush green countryside
on approaching Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of the
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Kirra Tours | 13 Day Ultimate Southern Highlights