South Island Christmas Journey - 11 days
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Tour Overview
Discover New Zealand’s South Island at Christmas with this 11-day journey starting and ending in Christchurch. You’ll combine iconic rail travel on the TranzAlpine with spectacular alpine scenery, glacier country and lakeside stays in Queenstown and Te Anau. Highlights include a Christmas Day cruise aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw, a gourmet lunch at Walter Peak Station, and a breathtaking Milford Sound cruise through Fiordland. Along the way, explore historic Arrowtown and Dunedin, visit Larnach Castle, admire Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, and soak up the region’s dramatic landscapes, wildlife and heritage. It’s a wonderfully scenic tour with a festive twist.
Start
Christchurch
End
Christchurch
Destination
Christchurch
Days
11
Pace
Medium
Range
Handpicked
Max Group Size
Min 16 - Max 32
Min Age
16
Trip Code: SICJ11
Trip Highlights
Why you'll love this trip
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Christchurch - Experience the International Antarctic Centre, from a polar storm simulation and Hagglund ride to little blue penguins and a 4D theatre
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Franz Josef - Ride the TranzAlpine through river valleys, gorges and alpine scenery before continuing to this glacier-side township via Hokitika
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Queenstown - Spend Christmas Day aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu, with a gourmet Christmas lunch at Walter Peak Station
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Arrowtown - Step into Otago’s gold rush past at the Lakes District Museum in this historic village of preserved heritage buildings
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Milford Sound - Sail through this spectacular fiord, passing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls as sheer cliffs rise above the water
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Dunedin - Admire grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture before touring Larnach Castle and enjoying Devonshire Tea in its acclaimed gardens
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Lake Tekapo - Take in vivid turquoise waters and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and Sheep Dog Statue in the Mackenzie region
Day by Day Itinerary
Itinerary
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
Not Included
Is This Trip Right for You?
Is this trip right for you?
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There are some long travelling days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
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This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves some walking and swimming, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit and comfortable clothing.
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Multiple activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.
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Tour Details
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