Day 1 Arrive Christchurch
“Haere mai” – welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Christchurch is the South Island’s premier city with attractions and shopping to suit every taste. Explore the “Garden City,” its beautiful parks, gardens and historic architecture. Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central.

Day 2 Christchurch / TranzAlpine / Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular train journey over the Southern Alps and across the South Island. At Hokitika see stunning Greenstone (Jade) being made into beautiful jewelry. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park and Franz Josef township to view the magnificent glaciers. Take an optional scenic flight over this breathtaking alpine region. (own expense, weather permitting). Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. (B,D)

Day 3 Franz Josef / Queenstown
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as we travel along the west coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes and raging rivers. At Haast experience a unique river safari, capturing breathtaking views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley. Tonight enjoy our dining choice in Queenstown, where you get to choose from one of four restaurants and we will include it! Perhaps enjoy a leisurely cruise to Walter Peak to enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead or ride the Queenstown gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner and spectacular views over Queenstown. A quiet night may appeal, so perhaps dine at your hotel or a local restaurant. Accommodation: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort for two nights. (B,D)

Day 4 Queenstown Personalized Touring
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Today we have a selection of activities for you to choose from and we’ll include it! Perhaps a tour through some of Queenstown’s local gardens, a visit to some of the local wineries, a jetboat ride or a double decker tour around Queenstown, the choice is yours. (B)

Day 5 Queenstown / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Journey to magnificent Milford Sound, one of the great wonders of nature. Drive via Te Anau through Fiordland National Park, viewing striking mountain scenery. See spectacular waterfalls and the grandeur of mile-high Mitre Peak rising sheer from the water on the cruise (weather permitting). Accommodation: Te Anau, Village Inn. (B,D)

Day 6 Te Anau / Dunedin Personalized Touring
Travel across the South Island through small farming communities to Dunedin. The city is renowned as the “Edinburgh of the South.” This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps choose from a harbor nature cruise, visit either the Royal Albatross Center or a yellow-eyed penguin colony, the choice is yours! Accommodation: Dunedin, City Hotel. (B,D)

Day 7 Dunedin / Twizel
Departing Dunedin we journey north to Moeraki Beach with its unusual boulders. Stop at historic Oamaru, known for its distinctive cream limestone buildings, then continue inland past beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible color. This afternoon we arrive in the heart of MacKenzie Country, surrounded by majestic mountain scenery and wide open tussock grasslands. Accommodation: Twizel, MacKenzie Country Inn. (B,D)

Day 8 Twizel / Mt Cook / Christchurch
Journey into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park and view Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 12,388 feet above sea level. Take a scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense). Continue to Lake Tekapo, once an ancient glacier, and visit the tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Cross the braided Rakaia River and travel through the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel. (B,D)

Day 9 Depart Christchurch
At leisure. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Itinerary effective 1 April 2005. Itineraries prior to this follow different route.

Tour NCC09 - Guaranteed Departures

Departure Dates
2006	Apr 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 28; Jun 25; Jul 23; Aug 13, 20, 27; Sep 10, 17, 24; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 26, 29; Nov 5, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; Dec 3, 7, 10, 17, 24, 31
2007	Jan 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30; Feb 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; Mar 1, 4, 6, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; Apr 1