New Zealand with South Island

Day 1 : Arrive Christchurch

Arrive Christchurch airport and pick up your rental car. Self-drive to your hotel. Check in and overnight stay at your hotel. Day free at leisure. Overnight in Christchurch.

**Note: Standard check in time is 1400 hours, will request for early check in.

Day 2 : Christchurch

Today drive to Kaikoura. Reach Kaikoura and proceed for Whale watching Cruise. Board your Whale Watch Kaikoura vessel at "The Whale way Station, Railway Station Road, Kaikoura to commence a Whale Watch Kaikoura cruise. The vessel is a modern catamaran designed especially for whale watching. The main passenger cabin is enclosed, air-conditioned and fitted with comfortable seating, while large outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities. Prepare for exciting up-close encounters with Giant Sperm Whales. Clients may also see migratory humpback whales (June-July), Hector's and Dusky Dolphins, Orcas (December-March) and NZ Fur Seals, as well as plenty of bird species including Royal Albatross, Petrels and Shearwaters. Cruise concludes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes after commencement, back at "The Whale way Station. Return back to Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 3 : Christchurch - Punakaiki

Today check out and drive to Punakaiki (Approx. 4 hrs drive). Drive through the famed Arthurs Pass. Arrive Punakaiki and check into your hotel. Overnight in Punakaiki.

Day 4 : Punakaiki

Today you can visit Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki Blowhole. Pancake Rocks are a natural phenomenon that occurs when fossils are deposited on the seabed and then covered in weaker layers of mud. Other optional activities are The Pororari River Track. The Pororari River Track follows the Pororari River for around 3.5 kms one way making the entire journey 7 km (4.4 mi) return or around 1.5 hours. Overnight in Punakaiki.

Day 5 : Punakaiki - Franz Josef

Today check out and drive to Franz Josef (Approx. 3 hrs drive). Arrive Franz Josef and check into your hotel. Overnight in Franz Josef.

Day 6 : Franz Josef

Today proceed for Franz Josef Glacier and snow landing Helicopter Tour. Join The Helicopter Line at Main South Road, Franz Josef to commence a Neve Discoverer tour. The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glaciers and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over the Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier and experience the solitude of a landing in this natural alpine wonderland. Tour concludes approximately 20 minutes after commencement, at The Helicopter Line, Main South Road Franz Josef. Overnight in Franz Josef.

Day 7 : Franz Josef - Queenstown

Today check out and drive to Queenstown (Approx. 4 hrs40mins drive). Arrive Queenstown and check into your hotel. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 8 : Queenstown

Today proceed for Milford Sound Nature Cruise (Seat in Coach) with Buffet Lunch. Get up close and personal with Milford Sound on our leisurely Nature Cruise. As you cruise the length of the fiord, learn about the history of the region and benefit from the knowledge of your specialist nature guide. Experience the spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces or watch out for dolphins, seals and in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguins. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 9 : Queenstown

Today proceed for 25 Mins Jet Boat Ride. Later proceed for Skyline Gondola & Luge. Take a ride with the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob's Peak and immerse yourself in the panoramic views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains. There is plenty to keep you entertained while you take in the scenery. When you get to the top, discover a host of family-friendly activities on offer. Get on a chairlift to the Luge Top Station, get on our purpose-built Luge carts and take an exciting, downhill ride on over 800 metres of banked corners, tunnels and dippers to a backdrop of stunning views you'll find out that once is never enough!
Later Proceed for Skyline Gondola & Luge. Take a ride with the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob's Peak and immerse yourself in the panoramic views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains. There is plenty to keep you entertained while you take in the scenery. When you get to the top, discover a host of family-friendly activities on offer. Get on a chairlift to the Luge Top Station, get on our purpose-built Luge carts and take an exciting, downhill ride on over 800 metres of banked corners, tunnels and dippers to a backdrop of stunning views you'll find out that once is never enough! Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 10 : Queenstown

Today proceed for Boutique Wine Tour. Experience a tasting journey through three of Central Otago’s incredibly scenic and varying wine sub-regions Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Visit four boutique vineyards, tasting their unique cool climate wines and discover why the Central Otago region has become world-renowned in its own right. Savour a delightful platter-style lunch made with locally sourced produce and accompanied by a flight of wines. There will also be an opportunity to retrace history with a stroll through the charming historical settlement of Old Cromwell. Learn about the early pioneering history and how the wine region was formed through an array of fun facts and interesting stories from your knowledgeable wine guide. Tour duration is approximately 5.5 hours. Overnight in Queenstown.

Day 11 : Queenstown - Twizel

Today check out and drive to Twizel (Approx. 2hrs30mins drive). Check into hotel. In the evening drive towards Lake Tekapo and proceed for Dark Sky Project - Lake Tekapo Mt John Observatory Dome at night. Dark Sky Project, 1 Motuariki Lane, Tekapo Lakefront. 45-minute guided tour, A fully immersive multi-media experience bringing together science and Maori astronomy, Brashear telescope: this impressive, newly restored Victorian Brashear telescope stands at almost nine meters high and is a key feature of the new center. The only one in the Southern Hemisphere, the Dark Sky Experience includes an opportunity for visitors to get up close with this significant masterpiece. At Dark Sky Project we strive to reconnect people to the night skies, inspiring a lifelong understanding and passion for dark sky preservation. Millions of people across the world will never see a single star, let alone appreciate the Milky Way. At Dark Sky Project we believe everyone should care about and be able to enjoy the night skies. Located in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world - Tekapo is one of the quietest spots on the planet yet it has one of the busiest night skies in the universe. Overnight in Twizel.

Day 12 : Twizel

Day free at leisure. Today you can visit Mount Cook National Park. Hooker Valley Trek is recommended. The track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day. Along the way you will cross three swing bridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn. Overnight in Twizel.

Day 13 : Twizel - Christchurch

Today check out and drive to Christchurch. (Approx. 3hrs30mins drive). Overnight at hotel in Christchurch.

Day 14 : Christchurch - India

Today check out and drive to Christchurch airport. Drop off your rental car and board your flight back to India.