 TOURS FROM CHRISTCHURCH
The 'Alpine Safari' is a spectacular day tour from Christchurch, New Zealand. Featuring Jet Boat, Four Wheel Drive high country safari and the world famous TranzAlpine train journey. These three exhilarating activities combine to create a day you will always remember.
 Alpine Safari Jet Boat The concept of the Jetboat was invented here in New Zealand, and underwent many trials on this very stretch of the river. Waimak Alpine Jet are the premier operator in the upper reaches of the river canyon. They will whisk you away for an exciting 45 minute ride up the river, through high walled rock canyons and white water rapids.
4WD High Country Tour A delicious luncheon awaits you before you continue your journey to Arthurs Pass, nestled right in the heart of the National Park. You have the opportunity to visit the National Park Information Center or pop up the road for a cuppa at the tea rooms (time permitting).
TranzAlpine Train Journey
Full day tour (KH01) On this amazing day, you will experience the Alpine Pacific Triangle™ touring route, one of New Zealand’s great scenic drives. This route takes in two of New Zealand's best recreational locations. Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching and Hanmer Springs Alpine Thermal Village, known for its thermal hot pools
 Orcas
Full day tour (AK01 & AK02) Banks Peninsula was formed following the violent eruptions of two volcanoes. A crater nurses the picturesque harbor of Akaroa with many smaller bays indenting the coastline. Sighted by Captain Cook in 1770, the Peninsula was then inhabited by Maori. In 1840 French settlers arrived at Akaroa, which had just been claimed under the Treaty of Waitangi by the English. To this day Akaroa remains unique the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa.
 Akaroa The charm of this old French town with the incredible scenery encountered on the way have assured Akaroa’s popularity as a unique destination.
ITINERARY After a brief morning tea break in Te Anau we enter the Fiordland National Park and will be mesmerized by the grandeur of this region. As you pass through the Eglington Valley you will see ancient alpine beech forest, stunning waterfalls, and the famous Mirror Lakes where we will stop for photo opportunities.
Your guide will tell tales of the early settlers and adventurers to the area. Arriving at Milford Sound we board a luxury vessel that takes us on a cruise on the majestic Sound.. Here we will see the wonderful Mitre Peak - glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1,200m vertically from the sea, and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the water far below. A sumptuous lunch is served on board. From here we return to shore before making our way to the airport for your scenic flight back to Queenstown.
We highly recommend Wanaka for a great day trip. Experience the stunning and varied landscapes of the Southern Lakes region with a day trip to Wanaka and a Wanaka River Journeys jet boat trip to the glaciers.
 jet boating on the Matukituki River Travel to Wanaka via the Crown Range through the historic Cardrona Valley stopping mid way at the famous Cardrona pub for photos. This is a 1.25 hour alpine drive to meet either the 10am or 1pm Wanaka River Journeys trip. Lunch in one of Wanaka's many great cafe's then visit the absolutely unique Puzzling World before returning to Queenstown via the Cromwell and Gibbston vineyards' and the Kawerau Gorge. This an amazing wilderness jet boating adventure on the Matukituki River beneath spectacular views of Mount Aspiring and her Glaciers. Feel the breeze in your hair on board our purpose built jet boats as you wind your way past towering mountains, waterfalls and the unique landscapes featured in the Lord of The Rings trilogy. See Rocky Hill where the fellowship was filmed heading South from Rivendell on a jet boating sensation like no-other! A Highlight is the remote wilderness walk (about 50 minutes). This is a great introduction to the New Zealand wilderness while walking easy terrain suitable for people of all ages. Depending on where the River Flow allows the jet boat to beach we have three beautiful areas to explore. McGill's Creek; where we follow the creek to a waterfall. Mill Creek; walk through the forest to a spectacular gorge.. The East Branch; walk beneath amazing scenery to a waterfall. On this walk, enjoy the company of your guide as he shares with you the culture of our people and the natural forces that created this unique landscape. It's worth taking your good camera!
 jet boating on the Matukituki River For those who want an even MORE exciting experience and an up-close look at the Glaciers, there is a 25 minute helicopter flight available from the jet boat and high altitude snow landing overlooking Mount Aspiring. This is a great opportunity to capture a close up look at the huge glacial area beneath Mount Aspiring with this unique combination of jet boating, helicopter flight, and wilderness walk. Board the helicopter from the river bank for a scenic helicopter flight. See hanging valleys where glaciers once lay and waterfalls that cascade from under giants of ice into the streams and rivers that feed into the Matukituki River. During this unique New Zealand glacier tour experience a high altitude snow landing overlooking Mount Aspiring. Disembark the helicopter for photos before flying down into the Matukituki Valley to join the guided wilderness walk and return leg of the Jet Boat tour. The following itinerary caters to those who prefer smaller, more intimate group tours, or who do not wish to be totally on their own. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, the personal touches and aim to give our guests a truly memorable experience of their visit to New Zealand - a visit which will be both unique and relaxed. Taking you "Off the Beaten Track", the tour is designed for those who wish to experience the pristine beauty of New Zealand whilst receiving first class service and attention. It will encompass those things which make New Zealand truly unique - the ecology and natural history, the Maori mythology and history, the European history and of course, New Zealand's incredible scenery. A small group tour will give you far more flexibility with the time and activities to allow for each individual's desires. Great care is taken to choose top quality lodges and luxury small hotels that are as interesting and unusual as the sights we see and are more than just places to stay. Journey of learning, discovery and adventure
Day 1 "Christchurch and welcome" After an introduction tour of Christchurch, you will travel west across the vast Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Here in the heart of the "High Country" is the Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge where you will stay for the first two days of your South Island adventure.
 Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass
Day 2 "High country, sheep, valleys & keas" Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Day 3 "Mountains, moas, pioneers & ice"
 Arthur's Pass National Park and Glacier Country Accommodation: Te Weheka, Fox Glacier (or similar)
Day 4 "Geology, ice age & podocarps" Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
 The Fox Region Day 5 "Wilderness, wildlife & rainforests" Magnificent and rugged beaches that are home to the crested penguins and NZ fur seals, untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain from the snow capped Southern Alps Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Day 6 "Coastline, explorers, tussocks and gold"
 Arrowtown See the bungy (or jump it yourself!) then into Queenstown where you will stay for the next three nights at a superior lodge.
 Bungy Jumpers Accommodation: Millbrook Resort
Day 7 "Adventure in the mountains"
 Earnslaw Perhaps shopping, golf, wineries, an art & craft trail or just relax and take in the beautiful mountain setting. Accommodation: Millbrook Resort
Day 8 "Milford, glacial lakes, alps & fiords"
 Milford Sound cruise on the fiord Accommodation: Millbrook Resort
Day 9 "Queenstown & farewell"
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