Private, Fully Guided (Escorted & Driven)Tour

4 Nights/5 Days 

 Departure Dates to Suit You

Price: NZ$ 8,965 including GST (15% local tax) for 2 people.

This is not a per person price, but is for 2 people traveling together, with your own personal driver/guide. Departures available to suit your travel arrangements.  All size groups are catered for, as we have a range of vehicles, with pricing varying depending on group size. This tour can also be used as a guide.  We are happy to alter the tour to suit your preferences.  The idea of this tour isn't about us telling you what you should do or where you should be, but to guide you in a relaxed and informative manner, enabling you to get what YOU want out of YOUR vacation.   

DAY 1    Christchurch to Queenstown

Your driver/guide will collect you in a modern, comfortable vehicle from your Christchurch accommodation, or Christchurch Airport, at around 8.30am. Shortly after this, we leave Christchurch and travel via State Highway 1 heading south. We travel through the rich pastoral farm land of the Canterbury Plains and the ever-changing   spectacular scenery of the foothills of the Southern Alps. We continue across Burkes Pass, before descending in to the stunning glacial fed Lake Tekapo, where you will have time for lunch, and view the Church of the Good Shepherd.

The turquoise-blue waters of Lake Tekapo,

contrasted by the snow-capped peaks of the

Southern Alps, and surrounding yellow-tussock farmland, are sure to take your breath away.

From Tekapo, we drive on to Lake Pukaki, where we take in the beauty of Mt Cook,

Australasia's tallest peak at 3755 meters.

We continue on to Queenstown, through the rugged Central Otago region, Lindis Pass, the  powerful Kawarau Gorge, arriving at the your Queenstown accommodation at around 5.00pm.

Free evening to relax or explore Queentown's vibrant township

Rydges Hotel, Queenstown

Your Accommodation:

Rydges Hotel, Queenstown. Your room will have a wonderful view overlooking the beautiful Lake Wakatipu and up to the Remarkable Mountains. Bedding configuration is either a king size bed or two double beds.  This hotel is an easy 5 minute walk to the centre of Queenstown, where you can explore at your leisure.

DAY 2     Queenstown Region

After breakfast we depart for Dart River Safaris, Glenorchy.

Enjoy a 1½ hour jet boat ride along the Dart River, amongst towering mountains, and the refreshingly beautiful wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park. Then you take a short and easy walk, of 20-40 minutes, through ancient forests, unchanged for 80 million years. You will be given an informative and entertaining commentary about the area and its  history,  including the quest by early Maori for highly prized pounamu (greenstone). Board your back road coach for a journey to Paradise and beyond.

No visit to Queenstown would be complete without a visit to a local winery. We visit the award winning Amisfield Winery for a tasting of their crafted wines.

DAY 3     Queenstown to Milford Sound

Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound draws visitors from all over the globe to cruise its length and marvel at its beauty.  Luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock walls, and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres to the sea below. Our scenic cruise offers you the chance to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Milford Sound in style ! 

Milford Sound

We have arranged a 40 minute flight back from Milford to Queenstown, following your cruise. The scenic flight takes in magnificent views of the mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests of Fiordland National Park, and is a quick and convenient way to return to Queenstown.  A transfer to your hotel has been arranged.

Free evening

DAY 4  Queenstown to Franz Josef

Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef

Your Accommodation:

At one with nature, the five-star Qualmark rated Te Waonui Forest Retreat is the ultimate coming together of luxury escape and environmental awareness. Luxuriously appointed guest rooms, generously proportioned and featuring the highest standard of room amenities, such as your personal pillow menu, natural wool mattress underlay, and high speed Internet access.

Dining among the trees in The Canopy restaurant, and savouring quality local cuisine, including an indulgent five-course degustation dinner.

Easy access to many excellent local attractions, including the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, just minutes away.

DAY 5   Franz Josef to Christchurch

The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glaciers and touch the snow. You will be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over the Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier, and experience the solitude of a landing in this natural alpine wonderland.

After your helicopter flight, we drive north, along the coast, and arrive at Greymouth at lunchtime.

At Greymouth you will board the  TranzAlpine train,  rated as one of the world's great scenic rail journeys ! Your train journey travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage, you will  see the lush, beech, rainforest of the West Coast.  Your train then climbs through the Southern Alps, and reaches Arthurs Pass on the Canterbury side of the mountains.

You then descend through the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, followed by the broad fields and farmland of the Canterbury Plains.

6.15pm Arrive Christchurch Train Station where your tour ends.      

Transfers to your central Christchurch accommodation, or Christchurch airport have been arranged.

To contact us for further information about this tour please click here to send us an email

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Your Private Tour Includes :

An experienced Tour Guide/Driver for the duration of your tour, a comfortable vehicle including all costs associated (fuel, vehicle insurance, first aid kit), on board vehicle refreshments, 4 nights accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 1 x lunch, 1 x 5 course degustation dinner, on ground support, activities as listed as included.

Your Tour Excludes:

International flights and domestic flights; departure taxes; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; optional extra activities; alcohol; personal items purchased; meals - apart from those listed as included.

A typical New Zealand Impressions Vehicle