South Island Central Route 6-Day Gourmet Tour, New Zealand

Itinerary

3-4 Star Itinerary, Price per Person (NZD) for Twin Standard Room Adults $1899 Children 12-4 years (with one adult) $1709 Children 12-4 years (with two adults) $1519 Children 4-2 years $1329 Infants under 2 years (no bed, only seat) $680 Single Room Supplement $540/person *Highlights* Christchurch: The most English-classic city in the South Pacific! Oamaru Town: A charming seaside town with Victorian-style architecture! Blue-eyed Penguins: Visit the habitat of the smallest penguins in the world and watch them return from fishing. Milford Sound Cruise: Enjoy a buffet onboard and admire glaciers, fjords, and majestic landscapes formed by glacial movements over thousands of years. South Island's 5 Famous Lakes: Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Te Anau, Lake Mirror. Lake Tekapo: Known as the "place to sleep under the stars" in Māori, offering one of the most beautiful starry skies in the world! *Itinerary Overview* Day 1: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (3 hours, 230 km) It is recommended to arrive on a flight before 12:00 PM Arrive in Christchurch, the most English-classic city in the South Pacific. Your guide will take you to explore this beautiful garden city, visiting the Canterbury Museum, the Avon River, and the Bridge of Remembrance. After lunch, head to the scenic Lake Tekapo, where the turquoise waters create a dreamy, misty landscape surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd by the lake. Enjoy a dinner featuring the world's highest altitude salmon sashimi, and stay at a lakeside hotel. If the weather is clear, you can optionally visit the Mount John Observatory for stargazing. Hotel: The Godley Hotel or a similar hotel within the Dark Sky Reserve. Lunch: Chinese lunch for guests arriving in the morning. Dinner: Local buffet dinner. Day 2: Lake Tekapo – Mount Cook (1.5 hours, 105 km) – Queenstown (3.5 hours, 263 km) After breakfast, head to Mount Cook National Park, located in the most scenic part of the Southern Alps. If the weather permits, you can optionally take a helicopter ride to view glaciers and Mount Cook from above, or opt for a boat ride on the glacial lake to see the ice-blue waters up close. Then, visit Lake Pukaki and enjoy fresh mountain salmon (optional). On the way, stop at Cromwell to visit Mrs. Jones' Fruit Shop, where you can buy local seasonal fruits or dried fruits. Arrive in Queenstown, known worldwide as a honeymoon destination, located by the stunning Lake Wakatipu, offering a romantic and serene atmosphere. Hotel: Nugget Point Hotel or a similar 4-star hotel. Breakfast: Western breakfast at the hotel. Lunch: Self-arranged. Dinner: Roast lamb and seafood rice set meal. Day 3: Queenstown Enjoy a free day in Queenstown to explore at your own pace. You can visit the Glenorchy town, a filming location for "The Lord of the Rings," or for adrenaline junkies, try bungee jumping, swing jumping, skydiving, or paragliding. For families with children, consider visiting the Kiwi Bird Park, shark speedboat rides, or indoor skydiving. Other activities include wine tasting, hiking, horseback riding, helicopter sightseeing, or simply strolling around town and enjoying a famous Queenstown burger. Hotel: Nugget Point Hotel or a similar 4-star hotel. Breakfast: Western breakfast at the hotel. Lunch: Self-arranged. Dinner: Self-arranged. Day 4: Queenstown – Milford Sound (4.25 hours, 290 km) – Te Anau (2 hours, 120 km) After breakfast, travel to Milford Sound, one of the world's most scenic drives, often considered the best highland road in the world. The road is lined with New Zealand’s pristine temperate rainforest. Milford Sound is a deep and spectacular natural fjord. Enjoy a Milford Sound cruise, where you can indulge in a buffet while admiring the breathtaking scenery. You’ll see waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides, and get up close to feel the cool mist from the snowmelt. In addition to the stunning natural beauty, you may even see seals and, if you're lucky, dolphins swimming alongside the boat! Overnight stay at Lake Te Anau, where you can optionally take a ferry to visit the magical Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Hotel: The Village Inn Hotel or a similar 3-star hotel. Breakfast: Western breakfast at the hotel. Lunch: Buffet lunch onboard the Milford Sound cruise. Dinner: Chinese-style dinner. Day 5: Te Anau – Dunedin (3.75 hours, 295 km) – Oamaru (1.75 hours, 120 km) After breakfast, travel to Dunedin, known as the "Edinburgh of the South" for its Scottish-style architecture. Upon arrival, visit the beautiful University of Otago, the gingerbread-like Railway Station, and Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world. Then, continue on to Oamaru to visit the Blue-eyed Penguin habitat, where you can observe the world’s smallest penguins returning home. In the evening, enjoy a special Māori rock barbecue buffet dinner. Hotel: Heritage Court Motor Lodge Oamaru or a similar hotel. Breakfast: Western breakfast at the hotel. Lunch: Chinese-style lunch. Dinner: Special Māori rock barbecue meal. Day 6: Oamaru – Christchurch (3.5 hours, 255 km) *It is recommended to book a flight after 4:00 PM from Christchurch* After breakfast, depart Oamaru and continue sightseeing in Christchurch after arriving around noon. After the city tour, head to the airport for your return flight, concluding your enjoyable 6-day South Island tour of New Zealand. Breakfast: Western breakfast at the hotel. Lunch: Self-arranged. *The itinerary is for reference only; please refer to the actual arrangements made by the tour guide. The travel agency reserves the right to adjust the tour sequence based on actual circumstances.* *Pricing Details* Included 1. Accommodation: 3-4 star hotels with buffet breakfast included. 2. Meals: As listed in the itinerary (Chinese group meals: 6-person group with 6 dishes and 1 soup, 7-person group with 7 dishes and 1 soup, 8-person group with 8 dishes and 1 soup). 3. Transport: 12-35 seat vehicle with Chinese-speaking driver-guide (driver-guide works for 10 hours a day, overtime charge is NZD $150, to be paid in cash to the guide). 4. Admission to the following attractions: Milford Sound cruise with lunch, Blue-eyed Penguin habitat. 5. Note: An additional holiday surcharge of NZD $220 per person may apply for bookings during Christmas, New Year, or Chinese New Year (specific dates: January 27, 2025, and February 3, 2025, or please consult sales for more details). Not Included 1. Guide tips (recommended NZD $6 per person per day). 2. Self-arranged lunch and dinner, airfare, visa fees, optional activities. 3. Additional expenses due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., weather, hotel room issues, etc.). 4. Strongly recommended: Travel insurance.