Best Single Travel - 18 - 35 Year Young Professionals, singles and College Students travel to tour Southern New Zealand on Scenic Southern with Wellington extension vacations

Itinerary

Day 1 and 2 Depart for New Zealand
Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.

Day 3 Arrive Christchurch
Check into the Bealeys Hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Christchurch. Hotel

Day 4 Christchurch to Lake Ohau
Meet your crew and travel through the MacKenzie country, home to the sheep industry. Get your camera ready, as our first stop today is the beautiful glacial Lake Tekapo. We'll continue on to view Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain and if you want to start the tour on a real high note, then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over the mountain? We then head to Lake Ohau at the base of the Southern Alps. This evening, its dinner and a chance to get to know your fellow travelers. Lodge (D)

Day 5 Lake Ohau to Milford Sound
More scenic splendour this morning as we travel past the orchards of Cromwell and the Clutha River. On to Fiordland National Park where we head through the Homer Tunnel (D'OH!) for our first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. Then it's all aboard the Milford Wanderer, for an overnight cruise taking in all the beauty of the fjord. There's the chance to kayak and see whales, dolphins and penguins along with towering mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. It'll be an evening to treasure! Overnight Cruise (B,D)

Day 6 Milford Sound to Queenstown
We'll breakfast on board and then hop back on the coach to travel through the picturesque former gold mining centre of Arrowtown. Need an andrenalin boost? We'll take you to a bridge to jump off! The bungy jumping bridge provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don't you try it? After all the excitement, tonight we'll chill out at our lodge, overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Lodge (B,D)

Day 7 and 8 Queenstown
Leisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the 'Adventure-Adrenaline capital of the world', one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding, White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme! Action by day, action by night - that's Queenstown. Yes, when you've dried off and caught your breath, it'll be time to experience Queenstown's legendary nightlife, and there's no shortage of venues for dining and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex. Lodge (B)(B)

Day 9 Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
We'll travel today through the Kawarau Gorge, past glacial lakes and via the Haast Pass to reach the South Island's rugged West Coast. In the Westland National Park there's a chance to lace up your hiking boots and explore the icy terrain of this region on a guided glacier walk with the professional guides who will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder Hotel (B,D)

Day 10 Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch
This morning we'll see the art of jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. We'll cross the Southern Alps via majestic Arthur's Pass and head towards the "Cathedral City" of Christchurch. Hotel (B)

Day 11 Christchurch to Wellington
Heading north, make sure your camera is handy for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we're lucky, we'll spot one of the many Seal colonies in this area. Boarding the Inter-Island ferry we'll do the South to North Island hop through Marlborough Sound and the Cook Strait. Back on terra firma it's a drive along the scenic waterfront and up to Mt Victoria, before arriving in Wellington, a cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars. (B)

Day 12 Wellington
Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast. (B)

Important Trip Details

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included

Accommodations

Queenstown

'Mad Dog' River Boarding: Swimming with wetsuit, helmet, flippers and 'boogie board' down the Kawarau River. Allow 3 hrs.
Kawarau Rafting: Rafting on the Kawarau River (grade 3). 2 hrs www.rafting.co.nz
Moonlight Stables Horse Riding: 1.5 hour guided horse trek through Doonholme Farmland in the Wakatipu Basin. Any level of rider welcome but will only go as fast as the slowest member. www.moonlightcountry.co.nz
Nzone Skydiving: Tandem skydive with a qualified jumpmaster from 9,000 ft. (2,743m) over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Chance to upgrade to 12,000 ft. (3,657m) or 15,000 ft. (4,572m) NB: Video and/or photos additional cost of NZ$245. www.nzone.biz
Shotover Jet: 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River. An icon adventure product in NZ with 360's and fast corners etc. www.shotoverjet.co.nz
Shotover Rafting: Rafting on the Shotover River. 2 hrs www.rafting.co.nz
Skyline Restaurant: Includes large buffet meal, entertainment, gondola (cable car) ride to restaurant.
Thrillogy: All 3 AJ Hackett jumps - Kawarau Bridge, The Ledge & Nevis incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
Triple Challenge: 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, an icon adventure product in NZ with 360's and fast corners etc., plus white water rafting (grade 3) on the Shotover River plus 6 minute helicopter flight. www.rafting.co.nz
Twin Challenge: 40 minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, an icon adventure product in NZ with 360's and fast corners etc., plus white water rafting (grade 3) on the Shotover River. 3 hours www.rafting.co.nz
Heliraft: Rafting on the Kawarau River (grade 3) and heli flight. www.rafting.co.nz
Group Photograph: In specially designed Queenstown souvinier folder. Photo taken by lakeside in warmer climes, at the Lodge during winter. www.queenstowngroupphotos.co.nz
Aj Hackett Bungy - Kawarau Bridge: The original bungy jump in Queenstown and often referred to as 'the home of bungy'. 43m (142ft) jump incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
Aj Hackett Bungy - Nevis: 134m (440ft) bungy from a platform suspended across a river at Nevis Bluff. Incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
Aj Hackett Bungy - The Ledge: Bungy jump from the Ledge at the Skyline restaurant, Bobs Peak. 47m (158ft) jump but 400m (1320ft) above town. Incl. T shirt. www.AJHackett.com
AJ Hackett Skyswing - The Ledge: Swing from the Ledge at the Skyline restaurant, Bobs Peak. 47m (158ft) jump but 400m (1320ft) above town. www.AJHackett.com
Canyon Swing: Freefall from platform, 109m (360ft) above the Shotover River, then break into a cable controlled swing. www.canyonswing.co.nz
Dart River Jet Boat Safari: 30 km jet boat ride up the Dart River from Glenorchy into the Mt Aspiring National Park - locations for LOTR. Includes a short bush walk. www.dartriver.co.nz
Funyaks: Full day excursion into this beautiful untouched world, known as 'Paradise' and made famous in the LOTR trilogy. Jetboat in and canoe out at your leisure. Average standard of fitness required. www.dartriver.co.nz
Fly By Wire: Feel adrenalin flood your body as you release the tow, diving towards the valley floor at exhilarating speeds, before you rocket up the other side. Feed the control freak inside, where you’re firmly in the pilot's seat.
Paradise Found Hike: Explore the majestic Mt Aspiring National Park, visit film locations from Lord of the Rings. Fully guided, half day.
Routeburn Trail Hike: A full day hike offering plenty of swing bridge crossings, lush beech forest, beautiful waterfalls and magnificent alpine scenery, in the Mt Aspiring National Park. Departs 8am.

Wellington

Optional Dinner: At 'Blend' restaurant and bar. Lively, funky venue for dining and socialising with 'special' menu and welcome drink.
Wairarapr Wine Trail: A full day excursion from Wellington by taxi, coach and train to Martinborough and Wairarapa 'wine country'. Includes hotel pick ups / drop offs, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, some sampling.

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

Helihike 'Flying Fox': Helicopter flight up to and on to the glacier, then brief hike in that area of the glacier. Not strenuous. 3 hours. www.foxguides.co.nz
Fox Glacier Heli: Helicopter flight to discover the twin glaciers with glacier landing. www.scenic-flights.co.nz
Fox Glacier Heli / Mt Cook: Helicopter flight to view Mt Cook and Fox Glacier, including glacier landing. www.scenic-flights.co.nz
Glacier Hike 'Fox Trot': 4 hour trek to the terminal face of the glacier and then climb up onto the glacier itself. All boots, picks, crampons provided. Reasonable level of fitness required. www.foxguides.co.nz

Lake Tekapo

Air Safaris: 40 minute scenic flight from Tekapo, taking in many of the regions premier glaciers including NZ's highest peak, Mt Cook (3,750m / 12,349 ft).

Fox Glacier

Hukawai Ice Climbing Centre: Try your hand at something you don’t get to do every day, and that’s climbing a 10m high ice wall! www.hukawai.co.nz

New Zealand Scenic Southern Tour - Wellington for 18-35 Year Young Professionals and College Student