10 DAY ALPINE DISCOVERY

Day 1. Arrive Wellington.
You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure.
Stay: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental

Day 2. Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner.
This morning we join our Interislander cruise, which takes us through Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and into the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. View magnificent scenery before arriving in the picturesque seaside port of Picton. This afternoon we journey through the world-renowned orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. On arrival we visit the World of Wearable Arts and Car Museum. Tonight you may choose from two fine restaurants located within your hotel.
Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel. BD

Day 3. Nelson, Franz Josef.
Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating 'Pancake' rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki. Continue along the dramatic West Coast and enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers, rivers of ice. Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting). This evening enjoy famous West Coast hospitality and dine on regional specialities.
Stay: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. BD

Day 4. Franz Josef, Wanaka.
View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area travelling through Haast Pass, an ancient Maori greenstone trail and over the magnificent Southern Alps. This scenic road takes us along the shores of picturesque Lakes Wanaka and Hawea where crystal-clear blue waters reflect dramatic landscapes. Continue to Wanaka township originally settled during the goldrush era of last century and surrounded by the beauty of Mt Aspiring National Park.
Stay: Wanaka, Edgewater Resort. BD

Day 5. Wanaka, Queenstown.
This morning we depart the lovely lakeside settlement of Wanaka and journey to delightful Arrowtown, an old goldrush village. Continue to the 'Alpine Resort' of Queenstown, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The wide range of activities available in and around the area makes Queenstown a popular holiday destination.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Queenstown Gardens Hotel. BD

Day 6. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner.
Today you have the opportunity to personalise your sightseeing. The choice is yours! Tonight we explore Queenstown even further with our Dine Around Dinner. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner and spectacular views over Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat, across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery dinner, or enjoy a meal at one of the many local restaurants. BD

Day 7. Milford Sound, Te Anau.
This morning travel through Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow-capped mountains. On arrival into Milford we cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, travelling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak and beneath spectacular waterfalls. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive returning through Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau, Te Anau Hotel and Villas. BD

Day 8. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today we journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to the Southern-most coast of New Zealand and view the process of turning Paua (abalone) shell into stunning jewellery. Continue to Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the 'Edinburgh of the South'. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps visit Olveston House or take a tour of the Otago Peninsula to view Royal Albatross and Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies in their natural environment. The choice is yours!
Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel. BD

Day 9. Dunedin, Mt Cook.
Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour on our journey to Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area and home to Australasia's highest mountain, Mt Cook at 3754 metres. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region and land on the mighty Tasman Glacier (weather permitting, own expense).
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage. BD

Day 10. Mt Cook, Christchurch, Dine Around Dinner.
This morning we visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 from locally gathered stone and oak and enjoy the view over the lake from the altar window. Visit the famous statue of the working collie dog, erected to honour the collie whose help was invaluable to the early settlers of this region. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations we travel through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury. Continue via the Rakaia Gorge to the charming 'Garden City' of Christchurch. Tonight experience our Dine Around Dinner, where you choose from three superb restaurants at your hotel and we will include it. You can savour the delights of authentic Japanese cuisine, dine casually in Victoria Street Café or experience first-class service combined with exquisite cuisine at Canterbury Tales.
Stay: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel. BD

Day 11. Christchurch, Wellington.
Today view spectacular seascapes as we travel north to Kaikoura. At Picton board the Interislander for our cruise across the Cook Strait, renowned as one of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Sail through the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds and into the scenic Wellington Harbour. Birdlife and dolphins are often our companions as we cross between the two islands. Your tour concludes on arrival in the capital city, Wellington and a departure transfer to the airport for flights after 7.30 p.m. is included. B