Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate South Island Solo Travellers

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City (2 nights)

• Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The Luxe rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

This tour takes you for 11 days of adventure around the south island, travelling with like-minded people you will leave with new friends. The transport for this trip is second to none. With only 20 seats on a full-sized coach, you can only imagine the comfort and space as you witness New Zealand's most dramatic landscapes from the comfort of your seat. 
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

This morning visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. Feel the chill of the Antarctic storm room, take a ride on the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle, see the little blue penguins and be astonished within the immersive 4D theatre. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore further.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

• Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The Luxe rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Staying in Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat

• Te Waonui Forest Retreat is truly luxurious and can be found in an area of native rainforest which has been carefully preserved. All the guest room balconies look out into the rainforest, which contains mature trees up to 20m high. Guests get a real sense of seclusion and privacy during their stay. Lavishly appointed guest rooms, generously proportioned and featuring the highest standard of room amenities, such as your own personal pillow menu, natural wool mattress underlay and high-speed Internet access. 

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Staying in Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

• Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.

  The vistas from Heritage Queenstown are awe-inspiring - soak in the view of the towering Remarkables mountain range, rising from the rippling waters of Lake Wakatipu from the comfort of the hotel. Crafted from centuries-old schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel is the perfect place to relax.

  Our spacious, beautifully appointed Queenstown hotel rooms cater for all with rooms and suites taking in a variety of views of either the surrounding forest and towering mountains or the majestic Lake Wakatipu, surely one of the most beautiful views to be found in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Staying in Hotel Heritage Queenstown

• Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.

  The vistas from Heritage Queenstown are awe-inspiring - soak in the view of the towering Remarkables mountain range, rising from the rippling waters of Lake Wakatipu from the comfort of the hotel. Crafted from centuries-old schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel is the perfect place to relax.

  Our spacious, beautifully appointed Queenstown hotel rooms cater for all with rooms and suites taking in a variety of views of either the surrounding forest and towering mountains or the majestic Lake Wakatipu, surely one of the most beautiful views to be found in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Staying in Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights)

• Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges this elegant 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. You will stay in a spacious and superbly appointed room with striking views of Lake Te Anau from your window.

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Staying in Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

• Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges this elegant 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. You will stay in a spacious and superbly appointed room with striking views of Lake Te Anau from your window.

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Staying in Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

• 2019 Travellers Choice Winner and ranked 3rd out of all hotels in NZ on TripAdvisor the Distinction Dunedin Hotel is elegant, luxurious and located in the rejuvenated and vibrant Warehouse Precinct in the heart of the city.  The ideal combination of style and functionality. These air-conditioned Dunedin Studios offer a cloud-like super king bed and modern ensuite bathroom with a luxurious dual fixture walk-in rain shower plus complimentary Distinction toiletries.

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Staying in Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)

• Nestled in the beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel is the perfect base for your next adventure surrounded by breath-taking glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia's tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres. The iconic Hermitage Hotel is home to a selection of restaurants and bars and contains 164 rooms all with ensuites, complimentary wireless internet and much more.    

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

• Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The Luxe rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.