The Southern Drift (Luxury Gold - Summer 2017)
Overview
Highlights
- Queenstown: Ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for dinner with the most incredible view overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.
- Christchurch: Enjoy a home-cooked barbecue lunch and a farm tour at Morelea Farm with your hosts Angie and Stan.
- 11 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 Lunches (L) and 1 Dinner (D); plus 1 Welcome Dinner (WD) and 1 Highlight Dinner (HD) both with wine, plus tea or coffee.
- Christchurch: Journey on the iconic TranzAlpine Train.
- Milford Sound: Sea kayaking is by far the best way to truly discover Milford Sound. Look out for the New Zealand fur seals, Fiordland crested penguins, famous blue penguins and even bottlenose dolphins.
- Stewart Island: Take a tour of Ulva Island with a Local Expert from the Department of Conservation to learn about the island's wildlife sanctuary.
- Franz Josef: Surrounded by natural rainforest on New Zealand's West Coast, Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a short drive from Franz Josef Glacier. This five star retreat offers luxuriously appointed rooms which include organic cotton bed sheets, pillow menu and large private bathrooms.
- Queenstown: Millbrook Resort is set amid sparkling streams and rolling hills in the Southern Alps and framed by the Remarkables Mountain Range.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Be escorted by the crème de la crème of Insight Travelling Concierges - handpicked for every departure. This skilled guide will act as consummate organiser and be your 'friend in a foreign land'.
- Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's luxury air-conditioned 40-seat coach, with extended leg room and an on-board restroom. It's Business Class comfort, complete with complimentary bottled water for you to enjoy during your luxury coaching tour.
- A personal radio headset gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating insights and commentaries.
- At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling with prompt delivery to inside your door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. Plus, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- With Insight Flourishes, from time to time, your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination.
- Airport transfers to and from your hotel are included.
Popular Trips
Itinerary
You will fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you’ll be transferred by private car to your hotel. Spend some time at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Perhaps visit the International Antarctic Centre or Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand’s only open range zoo. In the evening meet your Travelling Concierge for a Welcome Dinner with wine. (WD)
First up it’s all aboard the TranzAlpine train. Rated as one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys, you’ll travel in the comfort across the Canterbury Plains through the Southern Alps. From Arthur’s Pass, travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowho...
(Relaxed Start) Visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, and meet a local greenstone (jade) carver for a jewellery demonstration. Then visit the West Coast’s Treetop Walkway, where you may take a stroll through the canopy o...
Later today, travel over the Haast Pass and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, stopping at Makarora at lunchtime. You’ll also stop to explore the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown on the Arrow River, followed by an orientation tour of Queenstown. (BB / DW)
(Relaxed Start) Today is free for you to explore New Zealand’s adventure-capital at your leisure. Perhaps play a round of golf or indulge in spa treatment at your resort? Tonight ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for dinner with a view overlooking stunning Queenstown, the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. (BB / HD)
(Relaxed Start) Make the most of your extended stay in Queenstown. Why not take a trip to the Gibbston Valley Winery, take a jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River or get wet white water rafting down the Kawarau River? Tonight you can dine at one of the many local restaurants and cafés in town, or simply relax at your resort. (BB)
(Relaxed Start) Travel south along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Later you’ll travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges before driving throu...
(Relaxed Start) Venture to the southern-most city in New Zealand, Invercargill. You’ll board a ferry at Bluff to cruise to Stewart Island, the 3rd largest island in New Zealand, for a wondrous experience. With its clear, clean waters, lush rainforest, sweeping sands, flora and fauna and unspoilt natural beauty, you’ll get a glimpse into an enviable simpler, slower lifestyle. (BB)
Sightseeing this morning takes you to see the villages and bays. Later, cruise on Paterson Inlet to see remote sandy beaches and beautiful wildlife. Stop at Ulva Island and take a tour with a Local Expert from the Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn about native birds like the ...
This morning you’ll board a ferry and journey across Foveaux Strait, making your way back to the New Zealand mainland. Admire the rural farming views of Southland and the spectacular alpine scenery of the Southern Alps. Venture over the Lindis Pass and along the shore...
See Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, where you’ll stop to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. You’re welcomed into the home of Angie and Stan Taylor to enjoy a barbecue lunch in their 240 hectare garden. Then travel along the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch. On a sightseeing tour see how Christchurch is being rebuilt after the earthquake of 2011. (BB / L)
Say farewell to your fellow travellers as your journey comes to an end with your transfer to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (BB)
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Trusted Customer
Jan 2025
Italian Intermezzo
We had an excellent tour guide! Very knowledgeable and provided so much to make the experience exciting. We also had an excellent Bus Driver! The two were a Dynamic ...
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Jan 2025
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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.
Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.
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