Day 4 - Rotorua - Christchurch
A free morning to explore Rotorua before flying south to the garden city of Christchurch. After transferring to your Christchurch accommodation, you can enjoy the ambience of this very "English" city.
ACCOMMODATION: Quality hotel or Bed & Breakfast
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 5 - Christchurch
Today is a day on your own to explore this city which is sometimes said to be "more English than England". Founded by English settlers in 1850, Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter in 1856 which makes it the oldest officially established city in New Zealand.
The peace. The open spaces. The lush colours and rich textures of a city, where a leisurely pace still prevails, never fail to capture the imagination. Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch - just like the rest of New Zealand - is a city of contrasts. A place where residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment.
Officially known as the "Garden City", Christchurch has over 3,000 hectares of parklands which include Hagley Park and the famous Botanic Gardens. Located next to these gardens is the Christchurch Arts Centre which is the hub of Christchurch art and the headquarters of many art, craft, recreation associations and groups. Christchurch is perfect for exploring on foot because it is attractive, fascinating - and flat! The central city is a particularly dynamic place, offering numerous opportunities to shop, sightsee and socialise. And it's surprisingly easy to get about. You can hop aboard one of the beautifully restored vintage trams, hire a bicycle, enjoy a punt on the Avon river or simply stroll about on foot.
Christchurch has a special relationship with Antarctica - for almost a century, Christchurch has been the stepping-off point for numerous Antarctic activities. The International Antarctic Centre is a working campus and home to Antarctica New Zealand and various other international Antarctic groups. The Visitors' Centre, which opened in 1992, provides a fun and interactive Antarctic experience.
The great variety of cafes and bars offer an excellent street-side vantage point from which to enjoy a glass or two of local wine, freshly brewed coffee or an amazing array of international cuisine. And then there are many fine restaurants to experience to, perhaps as a prelude to a night's entertainment at the theatre, cinema, nightclub or the casino.
This is Christchurch.
ACCOMMODATION: Quality hotel or Bed & Breakfast
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 6 - Christchurch - Arthur's Pass
Your personal guide will meet you and take you through the "Garden City" and up onto the Port Hills, the flanks of one of the ancient extinct volcanoes that form the Banks Penninsula. From the hills there are spectacular views of the city and the Kaikoura Range can be seen far to the north, while the Pacific Ocean sparkles to the east. To the south and west the vast Canterbury Plains stretch to the horizon and in the distance, the Southern Alps beckon you to discover them. This is an opportunity to talk about where we are going and what we will see on the tour.
Having orientated ourselves in Christchurch, we then escape the city and start our journey west across the Canterbury Plains. As the distant mountains become closer, we wonder like the Maori and the early settlers before us how we shall find a way through. Crossing Porter's Pass, a dramatic landscape change occurs as we enter the highcountry, a high tussock grass basin bounded by the Torlesse Mountains to the east and the Craigieburn Mountains to the west. Travelling through this region we pass glacial formed lakes, the limestone formations of Castle Hill which dominate the landscape and the wide expanse of the Waimakariri River.
ACCOMMODATION: Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass
MEALS: Breakfast, Picnic Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Day 7 - A Day in the mountains
This is a day to discover the real high country - a day where you can explore and learn about the alpine landscape and plants, the animals and take in the spectacular Southern Alps.
A tour of the high country sheep farm which is part of the lodge will enable you to visit the woolshed and see a sheepdog demonstration. From the lodge we will head into the heart of the Southern Alps - Arthur's Pass National Park which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from the eastern beech clad hills and tussock grass valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west.
From the lodge, we will again travel on New Zealand's trans-alpine highway and head into Arthur's Pass National Park where we will take walks to see waterfalls, learn about the forests and alpine plants of this area and experience the alpine landscape. Your guide will tell you of the history of Arthur's Pass as you explore the glacial landscape and learn about the features that the Ice Age left behind.
Seek out and hopefully find a unique South Island personality who is mischievous, inquisitive, comical and rowdy; the cheeky kea - the world's only alpine parrot. You may have to defend your mini coach as they have been known to try and remove aerials and door trims with their beaks! For those who might be escaping from a busy lifestyle and are seeking some quiet relaxation at the beginning of their tour, the lodge is just the place to relax in the lounge and gaze at the surrounding peaks and perhaps take a short nature walk.
Discover the real high country - a day where you can explore and discover the alpine plants and animals and take in the spectacular Southern Alps. Experience the workings of a high country sheep farm and help with day to day activities such as feeding out, mustering or working with dogs. Walking, canoeing and mountain bike riding are available or perhaps just relax in the lounge and gaze at the surrounding peaks.
ACCOMMODATION: Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass
MEALS: Breakfast, Picnic Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Day 8 - Arthur's Pass - Hokitika - Franz Josef Glacier
After breakfast we will travel through the Arthur's Pass National Park and depart Canterbury province for Westland ("The West Coast"). Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route will reveal great mountain valleys and we will marvel at the road as it winds it's way down the spectacular Otira Gorge - a geographer' dream.
We follow rivers that flow to the West Coast and observe the changes to the rainforest and the many varieties of ferns that contribute to their character. Travel on a backcountry road, walk through old gold miners' tunnels and marvel at the tenacity of the miners in their quest for gold. Visit Hokitika, once the capitol of Westland, a roaring gold mining town and also a place where the Maori sought their treasured greenstone (jade). Greenstone is a feature in the town's bustling centre of art and craft shops. As we journey south we will be able to visit the Bushman's Centre where we can meet some "coasters" in a village with a population of 2! Heading further south see the West Coast bush and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets. We then arrive at Franz Josef for our overnight stay and view the Franz Josef Glacier pushing into rainforest - truly incredible!
ACCOMMODATION: Westwood Lodge or similar
MEALS: Breakfast, Picnic Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Day 9 - Franz Josef Glacier - Fox Glacier - Lake Moeraki
Depart Franz Josef Glacier for a dramatic drive through the glaciated landscape to Fox Glacier. Walks are available to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier or to a glacier viewpoint to witness the glacier's descent down the mountain into the rainforest. Here you can also experience a guided hike on the Fox Glacier with an alpine guide or perhaps an exciting helicopter ride to view the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the upper reaches of the glacier. (Please note that the optional glacial hike and helicopter trips are not included in the tour cost and are subject to the weather).
After lunch, a beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson. It is here that incredible reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman towering on the horizon above the lake can often be seen. Alternatively, a drive through the lush rainforest to a remote beach on the Tasman Sea for views of the alps and where we can look for the rare Hectors Dolphins.
From Fox Glacier, travel south to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, set in the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu - the South West New Zealand World heritage area. This lodge is a Tourism Award Winner providing a first class wilderness experience.
ACCOMMODATION: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
MEALS: Breakfast, Picnic Morning Tea, Picnic Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Day 10 - Lake Moeraki
Another opportunity to spend a day at a Wilderness Lodge with its own special attractions. Untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on earth can match the unique natural setting of Lake Moeraki in the heart of the 2.7 million hectare Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area.
This special place is home to breeding colonies of the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (seasonal), the world's smallest dolphin, the Hectors Dolphins and numerous native birds.
Lake Moeraki is a nature lover's paradise. Visits can be made to wild and remote beaches and activities include guided walks to get close to the wildlife, learning about the forest and experiencing amazing scenery. If you prefer to have a restful day then you can take a canoe out on the tranquil lake or just relax in the lodge.
ACCOMMODATION: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
MEALS: Breakfast, Picnic Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic Afternoon Tea, Dinner