New Zealand’s South Island Walking (Christchurch to Queenstown) 9D8N, Full Guided

From $6,316.10 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Experience the unmatched wonders of nature as you explore New Zealand from Christchurch to Queenstown on this 9-day walking adventure. From striking mountains, picturesque lakes and lush beech forest to enchanting towns; prepare to be astounded at every turn.

Your adventure begins at the George Hotel in downtown Christchurch, where you travel to the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area, a spectacular geological treasure. Hike to the historic sheep station hut. Bask in the beauty of this breathtaking land as you make our way to the summit of Arthur’s Pass, then after head south to Franz Josef. Tour the bustling town of Franz Josef, and go for a stroll along the peaceful and scenic Lake Matheson. Explore Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area at your leisure. Journey into Hawea Town with spectacular views, and ...

Trip Highlights

  • Unearth the Glacier Country of Franz Josef, Lake Matheson and Lake Wanaka
  • Traverse diverse landscapes from alpine tundra to dramatic coastal rain forest trails to seaside
  • Experience the astonishing Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most famous natural treasures
  • Delight your taste buds at a wine tasting in Gibbston Valley, famous for producing some of the best pinot noirs in the world
  • Discover New Zealand’s “Adventure Capital”, the picturesque Queenstown
  • Come across the Rob Roy glacier first climbed in 1909 and often referred to as the “Matterhorn of the South”.
  • Walk-in true comfort with 2 support vans and 3 tour leaders on each departure for an average 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio
  • Experience the freedom to enjoy the best of this region at your own pace with multiple walking options to choose from each day accommodating varied activities

What's Included

  • All meals as specified
  • 8 nights of accommodation in hotels on a twin share basis
  • All luggage, hotel and shuttle transfers
  • Professional guiding: two support vans, 6:1 guest-to-leader ratio
  • Sightseeing and activities as stated in the itinerary
  • Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants

Itinerary

DAY 1 WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND
Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 HIKE BEALEY SPUR & DISCOVER THE SHEEP STATION HUT
Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 JOURNEY TO FRANZ JOSEF, GATEWAY TOWN TO GLACIER COUNTRY
Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 A FASCINATING VENTURE TO LAKE MATHESON
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, Moeraki
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 UNEARTH WILDERNESS LODGE LAKE & ITS SURROUNDS AT YOUR OWN LEISURE
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, Moeraki
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 DISCOVER THE ENCHANTING HAWEA TOWN
Edgewater Resort Hotel, Wanaka
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7 EXPLORE MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK & ROB ROY HANGING GLACIER
Edgewater Resort Hotel, Wanaka
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 AN ADVENTURE TO GIBBSTON VALLEY
Sherwood Queenstown Hotel, Queenstown
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 GOODBYE NEW ZEALAND!
None
Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.

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How To Get There

- The departure point is Christchurch

- The finish point is Queenstown

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Christchurch.

Weather & Climate

New Zealand’s maritime climate makes November to April the most ideal months for travelling to the country.

The South Island’s temperature during summer ranges from 1030 ºC, with a pleasant 40 50% humidity. However, the country’s mountainous terrain and position in the path of the ‘Roaring 40s’ means its weather changes frequently, sometimes unexpectedly. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler, and snowfall is not uncommon, even in summer. Ergo, you should ensure you have a good waterproof jacket and warm clothing.

Hiking Level

The routes on this trip are rated Levels 1-4.

Level 1, 2-5 hours, 3-8km (2-5 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 244m (800 ft)

Level 2, 2-4 hours, 6-11km (4-7 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 396m (1300 ft)

Level 3, 3-5 hours, 8-14km (5-9 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 610m (2000 ft)

Level 4, 4-6 hours, 10-18km (6-11 miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 914m (3000 ft)

Level 5, 5-7 hours, 11-21+ km (7-13+ miles), Maximum Elevation Gain 1219m (4000+ ft)

Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 120 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 120 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 120 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 120 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

 

Product Code : ENZCHCSIW09