The tour starts at Christchurch airport at 2pm with a short transfer to the Antarctic Centre, one of Christchurch's major attractions. Take a ride on the Hoglund vehicle, see the penguins, and experience Antarctica. Late afternoon we transfer to our accommodation at the Pavilion or Heartland Cotswald Hotels. Dinner at the hotel tonight (Upgrade to The George Hotel for 4 nights for an additional $540 per person.)
Day 2. Monday. CHRISTCHURCH (BLD)
This morning we visit the Botanical gardens and museum and you have the opportunity to hire a canoe ($10 for up to one hour) or enjoy a sedate punt ride ($25 for one hour) on the Avon River - extra expense. We also explore the cordon area and central city including the 'pop up' mall and Ballantynes and take a sobering drive of the eastern suburbs including New Brighton, Sumner, and Lyttelton to see some of the damage caused by the earthquake. This afternoon you have a choice of visiting either (admissions to one only included) the Willowbank Wildlife Experience for a guided tour of the Native New Zealand area and the opportunity to watch the feeding of the fish, eels, turtles, Otters, Gibbons and Lemurs OR Orana Wildlife Park in time to see the feeding of the Lions, Giraffe, Rhino and other 'big' animals. For an additional $30 each a maximum of twenty lucky people per day can travel through the Lion enclosure aboard a specially modified safari vehicle.
Dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 3. Sunday. CHRISTCHURCH - AKAROA EXCURSION (BL)
This morning visit the Air Force museum and enjoy the amazing collection of aircraft and learn the history of the New Zealand Air Force. For those who want to see the complete collection of aircraft a "behind the scenes" tour is included. For those who would prefer some retail therapy you will be transferred to the Westfield Riccarton Mall, largest in the South Island and now almost fully open. Late morning we drive to the charming town of Akaroa for an included fish and chips lunch and afternoon cruise on the harbour before returning to Christchurch.
Day 4. Wednesday. CHRISTCHURCH. (B)
The day is free to explore at your leisure. Dinner is not included tonight to let you choose the restaurant of your choice. An optional tour to Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook is available for an additional $200 per person or ride the Tranz Alpine train to Arthurs Pass or Greymouth and back, take a day tour to Hanmer Springs or Kaikoura.
TWO DAY EXTENSION TO HANMER SPRINGS AND KAIKOURA.
Day 5. Thursday. CHRISTCHURCH - HANMER SPRINGS. (BLD)
This morning we drive to the wine growing area of Waipara for lunch at a famous vineyard then on to the charming alpine resort of Hanmer Springs. The rest of the afternoon is free just to relax and enjoy the area, take a walk in the forest or up Conical hill, enjoy the adventure activities (bungy, jet boat, horse trek, 4WD etc) or whatever you wish. Tickets for one entry to the public thermal hot pools are included - spa treatments, private pools, sauna, and waterslide are available for extra cost. The pools are open until 7pm. Accommodation and dinner at the Heritage hotel.
PASSENGERS FINISHING IN CHRISTCHURCH (4 night tour) will be transferred to Christchurch airport by 11am or you will need to arrange your own transfers.
Day 7. Friday. HANMER SPRINGS - KAIKOURA. (BD)
This morning we take the scenic back roads to the beautiful town of Kaikoura. Visit the caves and seal colony. Optional whale watch cruise or flight - weather dependent and extra expense. Mid afternoon we depart for Christchurch airport arriving by 5.30pm or drop off in the city by 6pm.
| Tour cost per person (NZ dollars) | 2 per room | Single room | Full 6 days/5 night CANTERBURY CALLS tour | $1,199 | $1,320 |
| Four nights Christchurch only ending thursday morning | $699 | $970 |
| Add for each extra night | 2 per room | Single room |
| Motor Inns/motels including breakfast | $80 | $140 |
Discover the Highlights of the South Island tour
Semi Independent Tours
CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN - 'TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY" - QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND (Doubtful Sound Option) - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - "TRANZ ALPINE EXPRESS" - CHRISTCHURCH
MT COOK OPTION INSTEAD OF DUNEDIN. Travel from Christchurch sunday by bus to Lake Tekapo to visit the sheep dog monument and Church of the Good Shepherd then on to magnificent Mt Cook with dinner, accommodation, and breakfast at the Hermitage for the night. Free sunday afternoon and monday morning for optional ski plane or helicopter flight, alpine walk, glacier lake cruise, etc and continue by coach to Queenstown monday afternoon. Same price applies. All activities at Mt Cook extra expense and weather dependent.
8 Days/7 Nights
COMMENCES CHRISTCHURCH EVERY SATURDAY YEAR ROUND - minimum 2 passengers:
This tour can be added to our CANTERBURY CALLS tour and is guaranteed to operate for a minimum of 2 passengers with travel by scheduled Intercity and Newmans coaches and Tranz Alpine Railway. You will be looked after by local operators in each city.
For a minimum of 6 passengers on any departure you will have your own vehicle and driver/guide throughout the tour.
Day 1. Saturday ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive Christchurch and you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Day 2. Sunday. CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN. (B)
Travel south over the Canterbury Plains through Oamaru arriving Dunedin, Scottish city of the south, mid afternoon. Independent passengers will be transferred to your hotel.
If travelling by mini bus you will explore the historic section of Oamaru and enjoy a beach stopover at the unique Moeraki boulders as well as the city tour.
Day 3. Monday. DUNEDIN (B)
Our full day tour includes the Octagon, Scenic drive, a guided tour of Olveston House, and a tour of the Otago Peninsula including Larnachs Castle and the Albatross Centre.
Day 4. Tuesday. DUNEDIN - QUEENSTOWN. (B)
Free time this morning for an optional (own expense) tour of Cadbury's chocolate factory or shop before joining the "Taieri Gorge" railway through scenic central Otago to Pukerangi to rejoin your vehicle for the drive to Queenstown.
Day 5. Wednesday. QUEENSTOWN (B)
Your morning tour includes the historic gold mining centre of Arrowtown, Coronet Peak lookout for a panoramic view over the Remarkable Mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and the Queenstown area. The afternoon is free with a huge number of optional (extra expense) activities available. Maybe lunch at the Skyline restaurant high above Queenstown, take an exciting jet boat ride, a sedate cruise on the historic steamer "Earnslaw", bungy jump, visit a vineyard, visit Glenorchy and the Dart River where scenes of "Lord of the Rings" were filmed, or whatever you wish. Optional evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak sheep station for farm activities and dinner at the Colonels homestead - extra cost $110.
Day 6. Thursday. MILFORD SOUND EXCURSION (DOUBTFUL SOUND OPTION) (B)
A day of magnificent scenery as you drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau then on through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound in the heart of the Fiordland National Park with a visit to the Mirror Lakes and "Roaring Chasm" en route. Enjoy a cruise to the head of Milford Sound under majestic Mitre Peak and see Bowen Waterfall before returning to Queenstown. A buffet lunch is included during your cruise. DOUBTFUL SOUND OPTION: For even more magnificent scenery visit Doubtful Sound instead. Drive to Lake Manapouri for your cruise across the lake to West Arm, coach across Wilmot Pass through beautiful Beech forests, and cruise to the head of Doubtful Sound - much more extensive than Milford Sound - extra cost $190 per person. Return to Manapouri for the journey back to Queenstown.
Day 7. Friday. QUEENSTOWN - GLACIERS (B)
Visit Lake Wanaka and continue through the Makarora Valley over the Haast Pass to the spectacular rainforest and coastline of the West Coast. Visit a Salmon farm and Lake Matheson and the Franz Josef Glacier lookout. Overnight Franz Josef Glacier. Optional ski plane or helicopter flight - weather permitting and extra expense.
Day 8. Saturday. FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - CHRISTCHURCH
See jade carvers and glassblowers at work in Hokitika and you will have time for a short look at Greymouth before boarding the "Tranz Alpine" train for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world across the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch arriving late afternoon. You will be transferred to your accommodation.
Day 9. Sunday. CHRISTCHURCH DEPART(B)
Transfer to the airport for departure.
| Tour cost per person (NZ dollars) | 2 per room | Single room |
| Motor inns/motels including continental breakfast | $1,960 | $2,590 |
| First class including buffet breakfast | $2,400 | $3,200 |
Tour Cost Includes (Full Tour):
** Arrival and departure transfers at all points
** All travel by Intercity/Newmans coach. For more than 6 travel travel by mini or midi coaches - driver escorted.
** 8 nights accommodation at grade chosen - all rooms have private shower/toilet, tea and coffee making facilities, and television.
** Breakfast daily and 1 buffet lunch on Milford Sound cruise
