Christchurch to Milford Sound & Franz Josef - 7 days
Christchurch to Milford Sound & Franz Josef - 7 days
Christchurch to Milford Sound & Franz Josef - 7 days
7 Days Starting and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Visiting: Christchurch, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 14
Age range:
18-100
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a breathtaking 7-day journey from Christchurch to Milford Sound and Franz Josef, exploring the stunning landscapes of New Zealand's South Island. Begin your adventure in Christchurch, with time to discover the city's charm before heading to the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Enjoy a wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard en route to Te Anau, and cruise through the majestic Milford Sound, spotting wildlife and savoring lunch onboard. In Queenstown, the adventure capital, choose from thrilling activities like paragliding or horse riding. Discover the ancient Franz Josef Glacier with optional hikes or a scenic helicopter flight. Travel in luxury with an expert local guide, staying in comfortable 3-4 star hotels, and enjoy included breakfasts and lunches. This small group tour offers a perfect blend of guided experiences and free time to explore at your own pace, ensuring an unforgettable New Zealand adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Christchurch - Geraldine - Tekapo. Welcome to New Zealand! Our tour kicks off in Christchurch (pick up information is in the Trip Notes). From here, we'll journey through the breathtaking Rakaia Gorge, a natural wonder of immense beauty. Our next stop is the delightful town of Geraldine, where you'll have the opportunity to savour some of the finest local cuisine. Following free time for lunch, we'll proceed to the stunning Lake Tekapo, renowned for its striking turquoise waters and spectacular views of the Southern Alps.
Please note: This tour offers a great mix of included activities and a variety of optional excursions. Optional activities can be booked and paid for locally. We will give examples of some of the optional activities available on tour, your guide can assist you with any other available options. A full list of the activities included in the cost of your tour is available in the 'Inclusions' section of the tour.
Day 2: Te Anau
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tekapo - Te Anau. Today, our journey takes us south to the idyllic Te Anau. En route, we will stop at the renowned Mt Difficulty Vineyard, where you can look forward to a delightful lunch and an exquisite wine-tasting experience, all included! This is a perfect chance to savour the region's flavours amid breathtaking scenery, creating a memorable highlight of our trip. Arriving in Te Anau, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3: Milford Sound
Location: Milford Sound
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown. Get ready to be amazed as we journey to Milford Sound, frequently referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. Embark on an included scenic cruise through the fiord, gliding past majestic waterfalls, towering cliffs, and stunning landscapes that define the area's unique beauty. Keep an eye out for local wildlife along the way and enjoy an included lunch onboard.
Following the cruise, we'll make our way to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital and a charming destination set among majestic mountains and pristine lakes.
Day 4: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you have the freedom to explore the adventure capital of the world at your own pace. A wide range of optional activities are available, including bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, scenic hikes, and leisurely strolls around the city's charming streets - ensuring there's something to suit everyone's interests. You should have time to book two or three activities today, and our guide will be able to get everything booked in for you.
Day 5: Queenstown
Location: Franz Josef
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Queenstown - Franz Josef. Departing Queenstown, we head towards the breathtaking Franz Josef, famous for its majestic glaciers. Along the way, we will stop in Wanaka, a serene lakeside gem known for offering some of New Zealand's most captivating views. As we continue driving up the scenic west coast, prepare to be mesmerized by the unparalleled beauty of the unfolding landscape.
Day 6: Franz Josef
Location: Franz Josef
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you are at leisure to explore the wonders of Franz Josef . You can choose from a range of optional activities, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Perhaps enjoy a guided glacier walk, relax in the soothing thermal pools, or take a thrilling helicopter tour over the Franz Josef Glacier. The day is yours to customize, promising an unforgettable adventure amidst the beauty of Franz Josef. Once more, our tour guide will be on hand to help you book in any activities for today.
Day 7: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Meals Included: Breakfast
Franz Josef - Christchurch. Today, we journey back to Christchurch, making stops at Hokitika, renowned for its exquisite jade carvings, and Arthur's Pass, celebrated for its breathtaking mountain landscapes. Additionally, we'll visit Castle Hill, featuring stunning limestone rock formations that are bound to leave you mesmerized. We'll conclude our tour in Christchurch with drop off at the airport, at approximately 16:00 (more information in the Trip Notes).
What's Included
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6 breakfasts & 2 lunches
Enjoy 6 breakfasts and 2 lunches included in your tour package.
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6 nights 3-4 star hotels
Stay in comfortable 3-4 star hotels for 6 nights during your tour.
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Escorted by an expert local driver/guide
Travel with an expert local driver/guide who will escort you throughout the tour.
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Transportation in a luxury vehicle
Travel in a luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning, and a sound system.
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Milford Sound cruise including lunch onboard
Join an included cruise on Milford Sound with lunch provided onboard.
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Lunch & wine tasting at Mt Difficulty vineyard
Enjoy a lunch and wine tasting experience at Mt Difficulty vineyard.
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Stargaze at Tekapo
Experience stargazing at Tekapo, the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world.
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Visit Lake Te Anau
Visit the largest lake in the South Island, Lake Te Anau.
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Tour operated with trusted partner
This tour is operated in conjunction with a trusted partner, joining travelers from different operators.
What's Not Included
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Airport transfers
Airport transfers are not included in the tour package.
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Optional activities and experiences
Optional activities and experiences are not included and can be booked locally.
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Tip for your tour guide/driver
Tips for your tour guide/driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveler.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with transportation in a luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning, and a sound system perfect for road trip singalongs.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels, providing a relaxing retreat after each day's adventures in New Zealand's stunning landscapes.
Age Policy
Min:18 / Max:100
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning, and a sound system perfect for road trip singalongs.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 6 breakfasts and 2 lunches. Lunch is provided during the Milford Sound cruise and at the Mt Difficulty vineyard.
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What activities are included in the Milford Sound visit?
During the visit to Milford Sound, an included scenic cruise is provided, where you can enjoy lunch onboard while gliding past majestic waterfalls, towering cliffs, and stunning landscapes.
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Is there a guide accompanying the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an expert local driver/guide.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in 3-4 star hotels.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are various optional activities available, especially in Queenstown and Franz Josef, such as bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, guided glacier walks, and helicopter tours. These can be booked and paid for locally.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The age policy for this tour is a minimum age of 18 and a maximum age of 100.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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