South Island East-Central Route 8 Days 7 Nights Premium Group Tour, New Zealand
Departing every Friday: Tour includes Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Mount Cook National Park Lake Tekapo
Itinerary
4-Star Hotel Package | Off-Season Special Price | Max 25 guests Departures: Every Friday from April to September 2025 Pricing (NZD per person in twin share): Adult: $2590 Child (4–12 yrs, with 1 adult): $2331 Child (4–12 yrs, with 2 adults): $2072 Child (2–4 yrs): $1813 Infant (under 2 yrs, seat only): $820 Single Supplement: $800 Tour Highlights Christchurch – The most classically English city in the South Pacific Oamaru – A seaside town with preserved Victorian architecture Dunedin – Explore Otago Peninsula wildlife, see penguins and seals, and visit Larnach Castle Queenstown – Stay 3 nights in the adventure capital, cruise on a vintage steamship, enjoy BBQ lunch, and ride the Skyline Gondola Wanaka – Enjoy lakefront views and mountain scenery Mt Cook National Park – Explore the majestic Southern Alps Lake Tekapo – Known as “the place to sleep under the stars,” famous for its dark-sky stargazing Itinerary Day 1: Christchurch Arrival (Pickup available 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Airport pickup. Visit Avon River, Bridge of Remembrance, Riverside Market, and Botanic Gardens. Optional tram ride. Hotel: Hotel Elms Christchurch or similar Dinner: Chinese Day 2: Christchurch – Oamaru – Dunedin Visit Oamaru's Victorian Precinct. Continue to Dunedin for an Otago Peninsula wildlife tour. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or similar Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch (Chinese), Dinner (Chinese) Day 3: Dunedin – Queenstown Tour Otago University, Railway Station, churches, Baldwin Street. Visit Larnach Castle and head to Queenstown. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or similar Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch (Chinese), Dinner (Chinese) Day 4: Queenstown Cruise on TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Farm, BBQ lunch included. Afternoon Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or similar Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch (BBQ), Dinner: Not included Day 5: Queenstown Free day. Optional activities include LOTR tours, extreme sports, Kiwi Birdlife Park, or jet boating. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Queenstown or similar Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch and Dinner: Not included or on own Day 6: Queenstown – Arrowtown – Wanaka Visit Arrowtown and Chinese miners’ settlement. Wine tasting at Kinross Winery. Free time at Lake Wanaka. Hotel: Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka or similar Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch: Not included, Dinner (Chinese) Day 7: Wanaka – Mt Cook – Lake Tekapo Travel via salmon farms to Mt Cook National Park. Optional alpine flight or hiking. Continue to Lake Tekapo. Hotel: Boutique Resort Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch: Not included, Dinner: Salmon buffet Day 8: Lake Tekapo – Christchurch (Flights after 3:00 PM recommended) Photo stop at Lake Tekapo. Transfer to Christchurch Airport. Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch: Not included Inclusions 1. Accommodation: 6 nights in 3–4 star hotels with breakfast, 1 night boutique resort with breakfast 2. Meals as listed. Chinese-style group meals based on group size 3. Transportation: 12–35 seat coach, Chinese-speaking driver-guide (max 10 hours/day). Overtime: $150/hour in cash to the guide 4. Entrance to 5 attractions: Speight’s Brewery with lunch, Otago Peninsula wildlife tour, Larnach Castle, TSS Earnslaw cruise with BBQ, Skyline Gondola 5. Holiday surcharge: NZD $300/person during Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year (dates vary) Exclusions 1. Guide tip (suggested NZD $6/day/person) 2. Optional meals, flights, visa, activities 3. Expenses due to weather or force majeure 4. Travel insurance strongly recommended
Policies & Reminders
Special Reminders: 1. Prices may change based on hotel availability, special events, or public holidays. Final confirmed price will apply. 2. Triple rooms in NZ typically have one large bed and one small bed or cot. If three separate beds are needed, please inform us in advance. If the hotel can't confirm, guests may need to switch rooms and pay extra fees. 3. It is strongly recommended to purchase travel and personal insurance. The agency is not liable for any costs arising from failure to do so. *Cancellation Policy:* - 50% deposit required on confirmation, balance due 21 days before departure. - Cancellations: - 30-15 days before: 30% of the tour fee is non-refundable. - 14-8 days before: 50% of the tour fee is non-refundable. - 7 days before: No refunds for cancellations or changes. - If a guest cannot travel due to COVID-19, refunds follow the above terms. - The agency is not responsible for missed meetings with the guide. - Itinerary adjustments may occur due to local conditions (weather, flights, etc.). - If hotels are fully booked, the agency may substitute with equal-rated hotels. *Booking Notes:* Special Reminder: Prices may change based on availability or public holidays. Final confirmed price will apply. Smoking is prohibited in rooms and balconies, with fines starting at 500 NZD. Guests are responsible for fines and may face legal action for non-payment. For motion sickness, bring medication and a vomit bag. Terms & Restrictions: Itinerary may adjust due to weather or force majeure. If attractions are unavailable, refunds or alternatives of equal value will be offered. Shopping during free time is the guest’s responsibility. Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unexpected costs. If waived, guests are responsible for any related fees. If disrupted by force majeure (weather, war, strikes, etc.), refunds will follow the agreement, but other services are subject to provider policies. No refunds for voluntary withdrawals. The agency is only responsible for listed services, not unforeseen incidents. All prices listed as NZD or $ are in New Zealand Dollars. All terms, conditions, and descriptions are governed by New Zealand laws. All text, images, logos, and icons are the agency’s intellectual property and protected by law. *Refer to the most recent itinerary for updates.*
Contact Details
+64 9 366 6889
travel@excel2011.com
Auckland Data Centre 220 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand