/
New Zealand
/
Canterbury
/
Christchurch
/
Tours & Activities
/
Arthur's Pass Day Tour including TranzAlpine Express Train from Christchurch
1 day
By train
About this activity
Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, travel by road through the rural pastoral scenes of the Canterbury Plains to Springfield where you will board the TranzAlpine train. This has been rated as one of the top 10 train journeys in the world.
View the Alpine Scenery through panoramic windows as the train winds its way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge into the mighty Southern Alps and on arrival into the small alpine village of Arthur’s Pass your driver will once again meet you off the train and explore the alpine Village.
Time for lunch at a local cafe before viewing and driving down the 440 meter long Otira Viaduct a major NZ engineering project - the viaduct is one the most earthquake prone regions in New Zealand and it has been designed to withstand seismic forces 40 percent higher than the usual maximum for such structures. In the late summer months the bright flowers of red rata (metrosideros umbellata) add to the beauty of the Otira Gorge. This tree is not found on the eastern side of the Southern Alps but blooms only in the moist western valleys, you will also encounter the NZ Kea rated as one of the most intelligent birds in the world they have very inquisitive natures and found in most South Island alpine environments.
On leaving Arthur’s Pass you will travel by road through the foothill ranges of the Southern Alps, in the basins with winter snow there are several small ski fields and with unique limestone rocks surrounding the area this is also popular for rock climbers.
We then join an exhilarating jet boat ride through the spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River then visit a local Sheep farm with sheep shearing, a sheep mustering demonstration and a late afternoon tea.
In the late-afternoon, hop back aboard your coach for the drive back to your Christchurch hotel, where your tour will come to an end.
Read more
Show less
View the Alpine Scenery through panoramic windows as the train winds its way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge into the mighty Southern Alps and on arrival into the small alpine village of Arthur’s Pass your driver will once again meet you off the train and explore the alpine Village.
Time for lunch at a local cafe before viewing and driving down the 440 meter long Otira Viaduct a major NZ engineering project - the viaduct is one the most earthquake prone regions in New Zealand and it has been designed to withstand seismic forces 40 percent higher than the usual maximum for such structures. In the late summer months the bright flowers of red rata (metrosideros umbellata) add to the beauty of the Otira Gorge. This tree is not found on the eastern side of the Southern Alps but blooms only in the moist western valleys, you will also encounter the NZ Kea rated as one of the most intelligent birds in the world they have very inquisitive natures and found in most South Island alpine environments.
On leaving Arthur’s Pass you will travel by road through the foothill ranges of the Southern Alps, in the basins with winter snow there are several small ski fields and with unique limestone rocks surrounding the area this is also popular for rock climbers.
We then join an exhilarating jet boat ride through the spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River then visit a local Sheep farm with sheep shearing, a sheep mustering demonstration and a late afternoon tea.
In the late-afternoon, hop back aboard your coach for the drive back to your Christchurch hotel, where your tour will come to an end.
Included
- Tranz Alpine train journey
- Jet boat ride (if option chosen)
- Lunch (if option chosen)
- Afternoon tea
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
75%
Original
20%
Reviews
Similar activities in Christchurch
Click to discover other experiences
Arthurs Pass railway station has no name signs on the lamp poles, or on train announcements, so we were surprised to arrive sooner than expected and in the observation car four or five carriages ahead of our assigned seats and belongings. It took a while to get back to our seats and bags, with the throng of people queueing to exit the train. We were late, and our driver was concerned that we had become left on the train going to Greymouth.
great tour
The trip was well planned and varied. We rode in the train, walked a short hike, saw flora and fauna, got up close to the sheep shearing and enjoyed a tasty lunch. The guide was knowledgeable and shared only the important sites along the way. This gave us time to absorb the breathtaking scenery and immerse ourselves in our own thoughts. It was a great day!
Great trip, well organised. Thank you.
It was really awesome. I started The journey early morning with my family. The sightseeing was incredibly....In my whole life I haven't seen it before ....I really recommend the tourists to try that journey. I read an article about the best 16 trains journeys around the world and The Arthur's Pass Day tour was one of them. Then we moved to Alpine Jet boat adventure. It was really a professional service and we had a great time. At the end we visited a sheep farm and we had demo about sheep shearing from the owner of the farm. it was really amazing journey for my family. I would like the thank every one starting from the viator company and especially our coach. Unfortunately I don't remember his name.