Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Southern Spirit
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Tour through Christchurch to witness the incredible rebuild of the city
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo
- Explore New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle
- Spend the night cruising on magical Milford Sound
- Explore the glow worm caves at Te Anau by boat
- Let loose in the adventure capital, Queenstown
- Gondola ride and dinner at Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak
- See awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier
- Watch artisans carving native greenstone (jade) in Hokitika
- Punakaiki, home to Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
- Set sail on Queen Charlotte sound
- Explore the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa
- Discover New Zealand’s capital Wellington on a city tour
Short Description
Experience the southern spirit on a 14 day Best Buys guided expedition. Explore Christchurch, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, Nelson, Wellington plus more.
Destinations
New ZealandActivities & Interests
Caving Culture Historic sightseeing Mountaineering Nature Sailing Wildlife viewingItinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Meals: Dinner
On arrival at Christchurch Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception and dinner.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch.
Day 2: Christchurch – Omarama
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama.
Board your coach to see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the devastating earthquake of February 2011. Later, travelling over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains, the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are first up. Next you’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park – a scenic highlight! You may choose to take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).
Day 3: Omarama – Dunedin
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin.
Your day starts along the Waitaki River with the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Oamaru with its famous white limestone buildings to Dunedin, for a sightseeing tour of the city. Then visit New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle and its stunning gardens.
Day 4: Dunedin – Milford Sound
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You’ll be awestruck by the great sights of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, before arriving in Milford Sound for your magical overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner. (Milford Mariner does not operate 17 May-19 September. During this period there will be a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Te Anau).
Cruise: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound.
Day 5: Milford Sound – Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Queenstown
This morning depart for Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island. Here you’ll explore the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves by boat with a local guide, before continuing to Queenstown, the adventure capital, for your 3-night stay.
Day 6: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
Explore exciting Queenstown your way. From wine tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will surprise and exhilarate. This evening why not consider a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life.
Day 7: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
You have another day to relax and enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown. Tonight you’ll ride the gondola to Bob’s Peak for a ‘highlight dinner’ at the Skyline Restaurant.
Day 8: Queenstown – Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, on the Arrow River. The second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka. Through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls and enjoy a rainforest walk. Final stop, majestic Franz Josef Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier.
Day 9: Franz Josef – Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki
You can see Franz Josef Glacier from the air or take a glacier hike (both optional). Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and demonstration. Later travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Day 10: Punakaiki – Nelson
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Monaco Resort, Nelson, 2 nights
Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll visit the World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars.
Hotel: Grand Mercure Monaco Resort, Nelson, 2 nights.
Day 11: Nelson ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
You’ll have the option to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park. Or perhaps take a short bush walk, relax in sunny Nelson or explore the many arts and craft shops.
Day 12: Nelson – Wellington
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Travelodge, Wellington, 2 nights
Visit the seaside village of Picton and cruise on tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound before heading across Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Enjoy a city sights tour before a guided tour of Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where you’ll explore New Zealand’s nature, art, history and cultural heritage.
Day 13: Wellington ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
You have a day at leisure to see the sights of your choice. Perhaps take a tour of Parliament, one of the Lord of the Rings movie tours or even a cruise to Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Ask your Tour Director for details.
Day 14: Farewell from Wellington
Meals: Breakfast
Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Wellington Airport for your onward flight.
Availability
- Single Supplement: $ 1,288
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115 AAT Kings Travel Reviews & Ratings
Southern Spirit
Company Reviews
AAT Kings canceled tour 1 hour before
was totally disgusted by the behaviour
Absolutely no consideration
Amazing Trip
Even when off duty, we ran into them and they were happy to chat. The tours were also very well organised & were beyond my expectations.
very well organised & were beyond my expectations
Even when off duty, we ran into them and they were happy to chat. The tours were also very well organised & were beyond my expectations.
so much included in the trip
so much included in the trip.good hotels and some meals as a group.
could not find any problems with the holiday.
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Cancellation policy
You or any member of your party may cancel your booking at any time, providing that the cancellation is notified to us in writing by the person who made the original booking, if applicable, via the travel agent with whom you made the booking. The cancellation will be effective from when an acknowledgement is sent out by AAT Kings confirming the cancellation, once the written request has been received at our offices. As this incurs administration expenses and losses, we shall apply cancellation charges as shown below (including Kangaroo Island & Tiwi Island day tours):
Period Of Notice And Cancellation Fee
More than 56 days prior to departure : Deposit forfeited
56-29 days prior to departure is 35% of tour price
28-12 days prior to departure is 60% of tour price
11-0 days prior to departure is 100% of tour price
Additional Information
Accommodation
Run of house rooms are used at all hotels featured in this brochure unless otherwise specified. A twin room generally means a room with two single beds but some hotels may offer one double bed or include a bunk bed within the room. We cannot guarantee the room configuration in advance. In Triple share rooms the third bed may be a ‘foldaway’, ‘sofa bed’ or ‘roll away’ which can sometimes restrict the amount of available space in the room. Quad share rooms are unavailable and clients are required to book two twin rooms. Inter-connecting rooms are available on request and subject to availability. Generally hotel rooms will be available from 3pm and are to be vacated by 10am, irrespective of your arrival or departure times. Should you wish your room to be available prior to 3pm on your first day of arrival or available after 10am the day you depart it may be possible to reserve the room at the time of booking for the cost of an extra night.
Solo Travellers
If you are travelling alone on a First Choice or Best Buys Guided Holiday and do not wish to pay the single supplement, AAT Kings will ensure that you share a room with a person of the same gender. If we fail to match you, we’ll provide the single room at no extra cost. Please request at time of booking. Does not apply to Small Group Tours and Independent Tours.
Luggage allowance
One medium size suitcase per person (with maximum total dimensions of 150cm and weighing no more than 23kg) plus one piece of hand luggage which may be carried on board the coach. Please note that luggage with wheels will not fit in the overhead compartments and cannot be accepted as hand luggage. We are required by strict Government vehicle weight regulations to enforce and adhere to this limit. If your luggage exceeds this limit, we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the excess to be forwarded to the termination point of your tour. Please note we suggest you have wheels on your suitcase, as there are certain places where assistance is not available. All luggage and personal effects are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the tour participant. Luggage insurance is strongly recommended.
Airlines may impose stricter weight and size limits for luggage and may also charge fees for checked luggage, including the first checked bag. Please check with your airline(s) directly for their most current luggage regulations and related fees. AAT Kings is not responsible for additional fees imposed by carriers regarding luggage.
Smoking and Seat Rotation
Government regulations prohibit smoking inside tourist coaches. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops en route. To enable everyone the opportunity of enjoying window and front seats, clients change seats daily during the course of the tour.
Trip ID#:
SouSpiAat
Meals Included
13 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners
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