Don’t forget that you have crossed the International Date Line and have lost a day during your 13-hour flying time (est) to Christchurch. Greeted at the airport by our reps, who will answer your questions, counsel about your trip and transfer you to your hotel. Afternoon is free to explore the Garden City. New Zealand was a British colony and Christchurch prides itself for its British heritage and appearance. Your hotel is in the heart of Cathedral Square, which is ideal for exploring the city. Optional Christchurch tour features some of the parks and gardens for which Christchurch is so well known. Visit Mona Vale Gardens, Hagley Park, the Avon River, the Cathedral, Town Hall, Canterbury Arts Center and the International Antarctic Center. Free evening to explore the restaurants and cafes of Christchurch. (Meals Aloft).

Board the TranzAlpine train for a fabulous ride across the south island mountains. Pick up your rental car in Greymouth and continue your journey through the town of Hokitika, well known for its greenstone (jade) studios where jewelry and ornaments of both modern and traditional design are crafted. Continue on the South Islands scenic coastal roads and mountain highways to Franz Josef village. You can hike Franz Josef glacier, a huge river of snow and ice flowing from vast snowfields high in the New Zealand Alps. (B) .

DAY 4
FRANZ JOSEF / WANAKA

Your drive today is through unbelievably beautiful country including magnificent rainforests, Haast Pass, and breathtaking views of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Descend past glacial Lake Hawea to the eastern shore of Lake Wanaka and the village of Wanaka, which is one of the most beautiful of the South Island's glacial lakes and is a popular year-round vacation spot.

Morning free to explore Wanaka. There are opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities, suggest a visit to the Warbird's Museum to see vintage fighter aircraft, or a visit to Puzzle World. In the afternoon a short drive to Queenstown through Central Otago sheep and fruit growing country. Or, a slightly longer drive takes you over the Crown Range and you can visit several of the Lord of the Rings film locations. On arrival in Queenstown, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this lovely alpine resort including a visit to quaint Arrowtown and stopping at Kawarau to watch the bungy jumping, with opportunity to have a go at it, if you dare! Dine this evening at the Skyline Restaurant, and enjoy the panoramic views across the lake to the surrounding mountains. Access is by aerial gondola. (BD.

Free day in Queenstown, a beautiful lakeside resort situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and at the base of the Remarkables mountain range. It has been said that Queenstown is like Aspen, Colorado but not yet discovered by the world. There is excellent golfing, trout fishing, bushwalking, and adventure activities, such as river rafting, and parapenting. Our clients invariably wish that they had more time for the Queenstown area. There is a wide choice of optional tours and activities such as visiting Arrowtown, the gondola to Bob's Peak, lake cruises, jet boating, river rafting, fishing, golf, etc. One option is the 90 minute round trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy, which is one of the most beautiful drives on earth. (B)

A full day traveling through Fiordland National Park. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age Glaciers. There are clear rushing mountain streams, waterfalls, and dense rainforest. At Milford Sound board the MV Milford Monarch for a cruise of the largest New Zealand fiord. Seals and dolphins are often seen. Close up views of Mitre Peak. Buffet lunch served aboard. Arrive back in Queenstown early evening. (BL)

Your New Zealand south island tour ends today. Return your rental car at the Queenstown airport and begin your return flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)

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