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New Zealand
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Otago
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Queenstown Lakes District
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Queenstown
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Tours & Activities
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3 Day Queenstown to Christchurch including Glaciers and the Tranz Alpine Train
3 days
By train
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Queenstown to Fox Glacier
Stop At: Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
After early morning pickup from your Queenstown hotel, travel by comfortable coach 200 miles (323 km) to Fox glacier township, with rest stops and photo ops along the way. Admire the scenic landscape as you pass through the interior of Central Otago, New Zealand’s most inland region, known for its rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, clear rivers and deep gorges. Drive over Haast Pass, a forested section of highway that crosses through the mountain ranges of Mount Aspiring National Park. In the late morning, your coach stops at a visitors center bordering the national park where you can stretch your legs and purchase a bite to eat. Later, pop into a salmon farm where you can see the operations and have a snack at the cafe. Arrive at Fox Glacier township in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights. Have the rest of the day to explore the town at your leisure. Your hotel can suggest restaurants for dinner.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Your choice of standard or superior accommodation
Day 2: Explore Fox Glacier today
Stop At: Fox Glacier Hiking Trails, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Experience Fox Glacier on a 2-hour glacier valley walk with an expert guide. After introductions, your guide provides a safety briefing and hiking gear that includes boots, socks and a rain coat if needed. Once you have put on your gear, take a short ride along the glacial valley to the start of the trail. Depending on the day’s conditions, you'll be taken as close to the ice as possible
Snap photos of fantastic views of the valley and glacier. Throughout your walk, your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the glacier. Afterward, have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. You have several choices of places to purchase lunch in Fox Glacier, including a cafe at the Fox Glacier guiding office.
Duration: 8 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Your choice of standard or superior accommodation
Day 3: Fox Glacier to Christchurch on board the famous Tranz Alpine train.
Stop At: Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
In the morning, travel by coach 125 miles (200 km) north to Greymouth, with stops along the way where you can purchase a snack or take a short stroll. When you reach Greymouth, your coach delivers you to the famous TranzAlpine railway. Board the train and enjoy amenities that include an open-air platform, a cafe car with food and drinks for purchase, recorded commentary that you can listen to on a provided headset, and comfortable seats with large panoramic windows and skylights for excellent viewing.
Leaving Greymouth, the train passes the former coal-mining town of Dobson, then crosses a broad shallow river in a deep valley flanked by misty mountains and waterfalls. Enter the Otira Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in New Zealand at 5.3 miles (8.6 km) long. At Arthurs Pass station, take in Arthurs Pass National Park and the surrounding mist-shrouded mountains.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
As you descend from the Southern Alps, get breathtaking views of the Waimakiriri River gorge. The train travels over a series of steel girder bridges and deep gorges; the highest viaduct rises 240 feet (73 meters) above the river. Pass through fields of sheep, cattle, and red deer, as you cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch.
After your 4.5-hour train journey, your tour ends upon arrival in Christchurch in the early evening.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Queenstown to Fox Glacier
Stop At: Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
After early morning pickup from your Queenstown hotel, travel by comfortable coach 200 miles (323 km) to Fox glacier township, with rest stops and photo ops along the way. Admire the scenic landscape as you pass through the interior of Central Otago, New Zealand’s most inland region, known for its rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, clear rivers and deep gorges. Drive over Haast Pass, a forested section of highway that crosses through the mountain ranges of Mount Aspiring National Park. In the late morning, your coach stops at a visitors center bordering the national park where you can stretch your legs and purchase a bite to eat. Later, pop into a salmon farm where you can see the operations and have a snack at the cafe. Arrive at Fox Glacier township in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights. Have the rest of the day to explore the town at your leisure. Your hotel can suggest restaurants for dinner.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Your choice of standard or superior accommodation
Day 2: Explore Fox Glacier today
Stop At: Fox Glacier Hiking Trails, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Experience Fox Glacier on a 2-hour glacier valley walk with an expert guide. After introductions, your guide provides a safety briefing and hiking gear that includes boots, socks and a rain coat if needed. Once you have put on your gear, take a short ride along the glacial valley to the start of the trail. Depending on the day’s conditions, you'll be taken as close to the ice as possible
Snap photos of fantastic views of the valley and glacier. Throughout your walk, your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the glacier. Afterward, have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. You have several choices of places to purchase lunch in Fox Glacier, including a cafe at the Fox Glacier guiding office.
Duration: 8 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Your choice of standard or superior accommodation
Day 3: Fox Glacier to Christchurch on board the famous Tranz Alpine train.
Stop At: Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 164 Mackay Street, Greymouth 7805 New Zealand
In the morning, travel by coach 125 miles (200 km) north to Greymouth, with stops along the way where you can purchase a snack or take a short stroll. When you reach Greymouth, your coach delivers you to the famous TranzAlpine railway. Board the train and enjoy amenities that include an open-air platform, a cafe car with food and drinks for purchase, recorded commentary that you can listen to on a provided headset, and comfortable seats with large panoramic windows and skylights for excellent viewing.
Leaving Greymouth, the train passes the former coal-mining town of Dobson, then crosses a broad shallow river in a deep valley flanked by misty mountains and waterfalls. Enter the Otira Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in New Zealand at 5.3 miles (8.6 km) long. At Arthurs Pass station, take in Arthurs Pass National Park and the surrounding mist-shrouded mountains.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific, Troup Drive, Addington, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
As you descend from the Southern Alps, get breathtaking views of the Waimakiriri River gorge. The train travels over a series of steel girder bridges and deep gorges; the highest viaduct rises 240 feet (73 meters) above the river. Pass through fields of sheep, cattle, and red deer, as you cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch.
After your 4.5-hour train journey, your tour ends upon arrival in Christchurch in the early evening.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- Accommodation included: 2 nights
- Hotel pickup and drop off where available (your reservations agent will confirm when booking)
- Local guides
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 2 nights accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Entry/Admission - Fox Glacier Hiking Trails
- Entry/Admission - Greymouth i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
- Entry/Admission - TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- No ice walk included
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Tour includes a stop at a Glacier, but which Glacier depends on the level of accommodation chosen at time of booking. You can choose a certain Glacier, though surcharges may apply
- You will receive a detailed itinerary
- You are able to visit the Glaciers in your free time. both townships are approximately 30 minutes apart
- 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
90%
Cultural
50%
Aquatic
35%
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