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TAKAHE Christchurch-Christchurch Select Tour (Twinshare)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Starts / Ends: Christchurch
Price Per: from $3,424.44
Suited To: Young Adults, Adults Only, Active Travellers, Couples
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge

This 11-day tour highlights all of the best of the South Island!

HIGHLIGHTS

The big birdie Takahe is your reliable companion for the South Island. She’ll have you fanning round the South Island highlights in a loop, showing off her favourite foraging spots. From the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park, to the West Coast's glaciers and rainforests, the party and adventure capital of Queenstown, to the "Roof of Aotearoa" Mt Cook National Park, she’s not shy of a good time.

 

Stay in high quality rooms in comfy 3-4 star hotels and high country farm or scenic lodges. Travel in private, air-conditioned bus with your charismatic guide and enjoy daily breakfasts and a trip to the world famous Milford Sound.

 

Option to start from Wellington/Picton: Sail the Cook Strait and start your Stray South Island adventure from Wellington or Picton, then travel one way and finish in Christchurch. Select this option from the dropdown when booking.

 

Tour Treasures:

 

  • Mount Cook/Aoraki: Stay at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain (also one of the best places in New Zealand to stargaze at the milky way)!
  • Christchurch: See the sights of Christchurch, an interesting city of old and new as it continues to rebuild itself after a severe earthquake in 2011.
  • Wanaka Tree: A tree that's more famous than any of us will ever be... Get a selfie with #thatwanakatree and know that you've ticked off a NZ must do!
  • Lake Tekapo: Hike up to the Mt John observatory or just stroll around the lakeside Good Shepherd Church, either way you can 'alp' yourself to breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains.
  • Abel Tasman: Walk from Marahau to Anchorage and tick this incredible coastal destination of your bucket list - You lucky son of a beach!
  • Punakaiki: Dreaming of pancakes stacked as high as these rocks? Grab breakfast and see the spectacular limestone Punakaiki 'Pancake Rocks' and blowholes!
  • Franz Josef: There's no better way to break the ice with your new Stray Mates than to explore a glacier together! Stay in this "cool" alpine town set in the rainforest near the base of the Franz Josef Glacier.
  • Lake Matheson: Mirror mirror on the wall, what's the greatest New Zealand lake of them all? Take some time to reflect on your trip so far as you stroll around the magnificent Lake Matheson.
  • Queenstown: YAASSS QUEEN(stown), birthplace of the bungy jump. Spend a few days in the adventure capital of New Zealand that also happens to boast some pretty epic scenery too... You'll probably never want to leave!
  • Lake Pukaki: This lake is so blue da-ba-di-da-ba-di, you'll struggle to even believe it's real! Take advantage of this photo pit-stop on the way into Tekapo and see if you can spot Mount Cook in the background.
  • Stargazing: Stay in the heart of New Zealand's Dark Sky Reserve and stargaze at the milky way above. Witness galaxies and constellations as star as the eye can see!

 

Itinerary

 

  • DAY 1: Christchurch to Marahau (Abel Tasman)
  • DAY 2: Marahau (Abel Tasman)
  • DAY 3: Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Hokitika
  • DAY 4: Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier
  • DAY 5: Franz Josef Glacier
  • DAY 6: Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown
  • DAY 7 & 8: Queenstown
  • DAY 9: Queenstown to Mount Cook
  • DAY 10: Mount Cook to Christchurch
  • DAY 11: Depart Christchurch

INCLUDED

  • 10 Nights Accommodation: High quality twin share rooms are included. You'll stay in comfy 3-4 star hotels for most of nights and high country farm or scenic lodges close to waterfront or national park in our unique destinations. Hotel rooms are with ensuite, while shared facilities are in Strademark places.
  • During the journey, you will experience the fantastic NZ by joining activities in the South island. You can immerse yourself in NZ 'Must Do' - Milford Sound Day Trip including scenic road trip and cruise in Fiordland National Park.
  • Private Coach Transport: Take the pressure off, kick back, relax, soak up the scenery and let someone else do the driving. You'll travel by private, air-conditioned bus.
  • Stray Guide: Expect entertaining anecdotes, great recommendations, extra support and local insider knowledge from your charismatic guide. They know every inch of this country. You can't get this from a google search!
  • Meals: A mixture of 10 cooked and continental breakfasts are included for every morning of your tour. We've also included other meals here and there, be sure to check your itinerary for details.

 

Not Included:

 

  • All other meals

 

What to Bring:

 

  • Warm clothing you can layer
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Sturdy walking shoes/boots
  • Swimming apparel
  • Hat & sunscreen
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Towel & toiletries
  • Camera
  • Optional items you might want to bring: Motion sickness tablets, Insect repellent
  • Please note that this a list of recommended essentials, not a comprehensive packing list.

 

Additional Information: 

 

Christchurch InterCity Bus Departure Info

7:30AM, outside Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street, near Colombo Street

 

*Subject to change. Please be ready at the pickup 15 minutes prior to the departure.

 

Please Note: Your first leg unguided public bus journey ends in Blenheim at approx. 12:40PM. You will meet your Stray Guide outside Blenheim i-SITE Information Centre (The Railway Station). In the event the pickup will significantly delay due to the ferry arrival, we will notify you by email in advance.

 

Wellington Departure Info

 

Meet your Stray Guide & Group up outside Naumi Hotel Wellington (at the Dunlop Terrace side) at 6:30am before heading to check in the Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry together.

 

*Subject to change. Please arrive at the Hotel 5 minutes prior to the departure time.

 

Picton Departure Info

 

11:45AM - 12:15PM, The bus stop on Auckland Street outside i-SITE Information Centre (opposite to Picton Railway Station)

 

*Subject to change depending on ferry arrival time. Please be ready at the pickup 15 minutes prior to the departure.