Christchurch City Stay

Day 1. Arrive Christchurch. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2. Morning City Sightseeing Tour.  The tour commences by covering the central city highlights, including Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Town Hall, the floral clock, Law Courts, Provincial Chambers, Christ College, Museum, Botanical Gardens, Art Centre, Worcester Boulevard and the Bridge of Remembrance. On leaving the inner city, the tour includes several parks and gardens including Mona Vale Gardens and Hagley Park. The tour then continues onto Riccarton House, Riccarton Bush, and the University of Canterbury. Visit the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. Travel to Sumner where we stop at Cave Rock. We take the Evan's Pass road over the Port Hills to the Port of Lyttelton. We return to Christchurch via the Lyttelton tunnel and travel back to the city centre via the Eastern suburbs, with a drop off in the central city or a return to the original pick up point. (B)

Day 3.  Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise. The historic French village of Akaroa is 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. Here you can cruise around an extinct volcanic crater. Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife on daily harbour cruises. You will see the rare, native dolphin - the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. There is also the chance to spot the world's smallest penguin, the white flippered little Blue Penguin, fur seals and other sea birds. Other cruise highlights are a working salmon farm, Cathedral Cave and signs of Akaroa's fascinating past including early Maori, French and British settlements. The two hour cruises depart daily from Akaroa's main wharf. Other inclusions are free tea/coffee on board, a free Hector's fun activity book for children and postcard. (B)

Day 4.  Alpine Safari Tour including Tranzalpine Train.    Your day begins with a scenic tour over the Canterbury Plains to the Waimak Gorge where you will board the famous Hamilton jetboat for an exciting 45 minute jetboat ride on one of New Zealands most spectacular rivers.  On return from the jetboat we board an off-road vehicle for a scenic 4-wheel-drive adventure across Mt Torlesse Station. This station is a 10,000 acre working sheep and cattle farm situated in the spectacular foot hills of the Southern Alps. You will get to experience the thrill and excitement of off-roading while taking in the spectacular alpine scenery and learning about the farm.  After an exciting morning we will stop at a quaint country café for a delicious lunch. After lunch we continue our journey through the Canterbury high country to Arthurs Pass stopping along the way at Lake Pearson and passing one of the filming locations from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  At Arthurs Pass you will board the world famous TranzAlpine train, sit back and relax with a glass of beer or wine and enjoy the spectacular scenery on your journey back to Christchurch. You will be collected from the Christchurch railway station by your guide and returned to your accommodation. (B, L)

Day 5. Christchurch to your next stop. At leisure before being transferred to airport for your onward arrangements. Stay longer if you want. (B)

Departures:

Join any day

Prices:

4 nights hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, 1 lunch, return airport transfers, tours as specified above
Standard Hotel (3*) - $966 per person, accommodations at the Heartland Hotel Cotswold
First Class Hotel (4*) - $1,031 per person, accommodations at the Chateau on the Park
Deluxe Hotel (5*) - $1,036 per person, accommodations at the Peppers Clearwater Resort

Prices are from per person, based on low seasonality, prices will vary depending on your season.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner